Where else can you simultaneously walk through locations from world-famous film premieres, drink beer brewed according to ancient traditions, immerse yourself in medieval architecture, and pay comparatively little for all of it by European standards? Of course, in Prague. Famous directors admired the views of Prague. The capital of the Czech Republic has repeatedly been celebrated in world-famous films, including: «Mission: Impossible» 1996, «Alien vs. Predator» 2004, «Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol» 2011, and others. So what makes Prague so attractive, and why is it worth visiting?

Old Town Square is an important and famous part of Prague’s Old Town. Almost every day you can hear vendors calling on locals and visitors to buy something especially delicious. This square is richer in sights than almost any other. It is home to the majestic Tyn Church with the oldest organ in Prague, the grand Kinsky Palace stretches across it, there is a monument to the Czech national hero Jan Hus, and house No. 605, which also bears the more poetic name «At the Stone Bell». But the most amazing attraction is rightfully considered to be the unusual clock (the Astronomical Clock Orloj) on the town hall, which consists of two dials. The first is not especially interesting—it shows ordinary time, while the second periodically provides all sorts of information, from the movement of the planets to the agricultural seasons.

Wallenstein Garden is quite a secluded corner of Prague. It is not so easy to get there. To find it, you need to walk quite a long way along the cobbled sidewalk next to the tram tracks. But those who manage to find it will be richly rewarded with an exquisite garden where proud multicolored peacocks stroll freely, unafraid of anyone.

Address: Valdštejnske naměsti 17/4, price: free admission.

The staff and administration of Prague Zoo take both animal welfare and visitor safety seriously. In addition to traditional cages and animal enclosures, there are pavilions with specially created climates (temperature, humidity levels). Some representatives of wild fauna (giraffes, zebras) feel completely at home—grazing out in the open. The pavilion where twilight always reigns deserves special attention—bats like it that way best. But no one even thinks of forbidding visitors to enter—please do, if you have enough courage. Though, to be fair, there is absolutely nothing to fear: not once have the bats even brushed a single person with a wing.

Address: U Trojskeho zamku 3/120. phone: +420 (2) 96 112 111.

There is a beautiful legend about the founding of Prague. According to it, the very first thing built in the Czech capital was the Vyšehrad fortress. Princess Libuše chose the high bank of the Vltava and ordered this fortress to be built, and then arranged her personal life as well by marrying the plowman Přemysl. But scholars doubt this remarkable story in the sense that, as historical sources confirm, Prague already existed by that time. And Vyšehrad was a place of rest and solitude for the Prague princes. But this contradiction in no way diminishes the importance of the fortress’s sights—the ancient Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, which is so tall that it can be seen from almost anywhere in Prague, and the Rotunda of St. Martin, built in 1100.

Czech crystal combines centuries-old traditions and modern quality. For these qualities it has long been known and loved beyond the country’s borders. For example, Moser products can be found in the homes of Hollywood celebrities and European royals. Buying Moser crystal is a pleasure in itself, because you can do it while strolling through the historic part of the city—Old Town Square—where one of the shops is located. If you want to surprise your friends not only with the brand, but also with the creativity and unusual character of the piece, then welcome to the shop at the DOX gallery in Holešovice, where works by young masters are presented.

Address: Moser, Staroměstske naměsti 15. phone: +420 (2) 24 222 012; address: DOX, Poupětova 1, phone: +420 (2) 95 568 123.

It almost certainly makes you wonder: who is David Černý, for whom it is worth traveling to Prague? David Černý is a creative, unconventional personality, and you can come across his works quite unexpectedly and easily—they are located in different corners of the city. The monument to the Soviet tank in Smíchov became pink thanks to his efforts, and today it is an exhibit in a military museum. The giant babies on the Žižkov TV Tower and Kampa Island, the Pissing Men near the Kafka Museum, Saint Wenceslas hanging beneath the dome of Lucerna Passage, and Sigmund Freud on Husova Street—all of that is his handiwork.

There is no better place to experience beauty than the Rudolfinum. Here, in one building, you can enjoy music, painting, and photography. Its first half is occupied by the concert hall where the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra performs, and for its mastery it is considered one of the best in Europe. The second houses an exhibition hall, where the very best is presented too—only not in music, but in the visual arts. A pleasant bonus after such a cultural program is the chance to sit in the local café, which also serves the best—the best milkshakes in all of Prague.

Address: Rudolfinum, Alšovo nabřeži 12, price: concerts 10–25 euros, exhibitions from 5 euros.

Only in Prague can you try the famous Czech beer Staropramen at its freshest, straight from the brewery. This brand has a wide network of restaurants here with the poetic name «Potrefena husa». Special attention should be paid to the «Na Verandach» restaurant, which is located in one part of the brewery. Naturally, only the most delicious beer is served there, because it is the freshest. The cuisine also lives up to the brand: delicious steaks and baked pork knuckles are excellent.

Address: Potrefena husa Na Verandach, Nadražni 84. phone: +420 (2) 57 191 200.

Haven’t heard of Cubism? Welcome to Prague. Here you can get acquainted with Cubism not only in architecture, but also in food. It is best to begin with the Cubist House of the Black Madonna; once you get used to the unusual forms, you can continue being surprised. The «Orient» café is located in the house and is also done in this modernist style. Everything here is unusual—the furniture, the interior, and the menu.

Address: Orient, Ovocny trh 19. phone: +420 (2) 24 224 240.

Prague’s markets deserve special attention—flea markets and farmers’ markets. At the farmers’ markets you can try treats made from the freshest natural products, prepared according to all the traditions of Czech cuisine. The biggest selection can be found at the main such market—by RaŠinovo nabřeži. It is open only two days a week—Thursdays (from nine to six) and Saturdays (from eight to two). On those days it is better not to sleep in, but to get up early and head there straight away; then you will definitely get some of the goodies. Such precautions are necessary, otherwise you may be left without a good purchase, because everything sells out very quickly.

The flea market also opens on Saturdays, but in another place, by Čech Bridge. It operates from the beginning of April to the end of October, from ten in the morning until five in the evening.

Yes, yes, not only fashion can be haute, but cuisine as well. And in Prague you can try not only rustic food from local farmers’ markets, but also dishes of haute Czech cuisine at the Degustation Boheme Bourgeoise restaurant. The menu is varied and changes depending on the season, since the dishes are prepared from natural products, bringing in the refinements of Bohemian cuisine. This establishment is very popular in the city, so it is better to reserve a table in advance.

Address: Haštalska 18. phone: +420 (2) 22 311 234.

A packed program awaits you at the «Akropolis» music club. First—performances by famous indie musicians from the West or folk musicians from the East. Then you can move to one of the bars in the «Akropolis» network and dance without sparing your energy until dawn itself.

Address: Akropolis, Kubelikova 27. phone: +420 (2) 96 330 911.

There are, of course, many different museums in Prague, but this one deserves special mention, because it is not as heavily advertised as the others, and that is a pity, because there is plenty to see in it. The collection of medieval art presented in the Monastery of Saint Agnes is small, but very substantial. Here you can see works by the less famous, but no less interesting, Master Theodoric, as well as the world-famous Dürer and Lucas Cranach the Elder.

Address: Klašter sv. AneŽki Česke, U Milosrdnych 17, price: ticket about 6 euros.

Another place in Prague that is not very well known among tourists, but deserves special attention, is the «Strudl» shop. It is located in the most ordinary apartment block in the Lower Žižkov district. They sell their own homemade strudels here. And since the shop and bakery are small, the pastries turn out deliciously homemade. The variety of fillings is impressive: apple, curd, poppy seed—strudels with these are always sold here. But those with raisins and nuts appear only before Christmas. Also, depending on the harvest, plum strudels, for example, may be added to the traditional assortment.

Address: Strudl, Jeseniova 29.

If you want to visit a cocktail bar where you can meet the president himself or other famous Czech politicians, then head straight to Bugsy’s Bar. This bar is loved by such iconic figures for good reason, because the cocktails here are exquisite and the bartenders are beyond competition. And after you have a cocktail—or while sipping your drink—you can blow smoke rings with a Havana cigar.

Address: Pařižska 10. phone: +420 (2) 24 810 287.

Charles Bridge is not only a unique architectural structure of Prague, but also a favorite place of the city’s residents and visitors. People love it because it grants wishes. For yours to come true, you need to touch the base of the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk and repeat your wish silently to yourself. Since there are many sculptures of saints on Charles Bridge, so that you do not get confused, here are the identifying marks of the right statue: John of Nepomuk is embracing a cross with his hands, and there is a circle of stars above his head.

Prague Castle was not chosen as the residence of the modern president by chance, because this is a historic place; it was also the residence of Czech kings. Even though such important people of the country stay here, the entrance is open to tourists. It almost makes you want to ask: Mr. President, doesn’t such a neighborhood interfere with your work? Thousands of travelers come here to see inside the Castle the Old Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral in Gothic style, and Golden Lane.

True beer connoisseurs are no longer surprised by local varieties such as «Pilsner» and «Krušovice»; they want to try something truly rare. Especially for such people, restaurants are open in Prague where beer brewed according to family recipes at small breweries throughout Czechia is poured. At the «Zubaty pes» bar, you can order a mug of frothy drink of a rare variety not only from Czech brewing, but also Danish, Norwegian, and Scottish.

Address: Zubaty pes, Petrohradska 3. phone: +420 (7) 7563 8737.

The Meet Factory center has long become a favorite place for Czech progressive creative youth. Although initially it was intended only for artists to work and exhibit. Now young people from all over Prague come here to have a little fun, debate current artistic topics, sell their paintings, or buy works by authors they like.

Address: Ke Sklarně 3213/15. phone: +420 (2) 51 551 796.

Riegrovy Sady is very popular with locals and travelers. Although the park is not large in area, the special pleasure is not even walking through it, but spending time with friends while admiring the panoramic view of Prague. In addition, a special beer garden operates here in spring and summer. It is so pleasant, with a glass of beer or a cup of raspberry lemonade in hand, to settle down on the thick grass for a rest.

There are many parks and gardens in Prague; we also strongly recommend visiting Petřín. It is located on a hill and offers a stunning view of the city’s orange brick roofs. In spring, hundreds of apple and cherry trees bloom here, filling the air with an intoxicating aroma. Next to the Petřín garden is Kinsky Garden (Kinskeho zahrada). Moving from one park to the other is easy—you just need to find the arch in the wall that separates them. By the way, in Kinsky Garden you can come across an old Transcarpathian church.

If, once in Prague, you decide to have breakfast in a restaurant or café, we definitely recommend stopping by «Savoy». You are unlikely to be offered six breakfast options to choose from in any other Czech café. At «Savoy» they prepare a continental, French, English, American, health-conscious, and signature «Savoy» breakfast.

Address: Cafe Savoy, Vitězna 5. phone: +420 (2) 57 311 562, price: breakfast from 7 to 15 euros.

Another Prague museum that is definitely worth finding time to visit. The small museum exhibits works by Alphonse Mucha, an artist of the modernist movement.

Address: Kaunicky palac, Panska 7. phone: +420 (2) 24 216 415, price: ticket about 7 euros.

Lokal is an interesting restaurant whose interior imitates a Soviet cafeteria. But that is where its similarity to socialist-era public dining ends. Here, dishes are prepared by top chefs from carefully selected products.

Address: Dlouha 33. phone: +420 (2) 22 316 265, price: main course from 6 euros.

Prague is a paradise for shopaholics. For those who love shopping, the largest shopping center in the Czech Republic—Palladium—is at their service. Its colorful appearance is a pleasant surprise, because according to the designers’ idea, it should stop reminding residents that a soldiers’ barracks used to stand here.