The Capital of the Czech Republic, With Its Breathtakingly Beautiful Scenery and Delicious Cuisine, Makes for a Great Business Trip  

Prague (called “Praha” in Czech) has quickly become a top Eastern Europe tourist destination since the fall of Communism during the Velvet Revolution of the early 1990s, and with good reason: as the capital of the Czech Republic, this genial city boasts gorgeous architecture, friendly inhabitants, gastronomic dining and fantastic value.

Affectionately known as the “Golden City of a Hundred Spires,” this breathtakingly beautiful destination remained unscathed during World War II. Consequently, Prague has a dizzying number of original architectural treasures to explore, and its Old Town section arguably spans more acreage than any other in Europe. And as if that weren’t enough, the city, particularly Old Town, is filled with cobblestoned, “pedestrian-only” walking malls and streets. In short, it’s a tourist’s dream.

Whether your travels take you to Prague for business or pleasure, make sure to find the time to venture out and explore the unique gems that make this city so special. It is clean, safe, and easy to navigate on foot or via the public transit system. If you have only a few days in this gem of a city, listed below are some of the highlights that should not be missed.

Tips:

• The Czech Republic, while part of the European Union (EU), uses its own form of currency (the Czech Crown), not the Euro.
• ATMs are readily accessible throughout the city, as well as at the airport and train station, so you can easily get Czech currency using your bank ATM card.
• That said, stay away from ATMs with the name Travelex or Euronet, as these machines charge huge commissions and have terrible exchange rates!

Magnificent Monuments and Landmarks

Old Town Square
Located in the heart of Old Town, this cobblestoned square is the central meeting place for walking and Segway tours. The big draw here is the famous Astronomical Clock: over six centuries old, and still chiming every hour, with tourists lined up to watch its hourly display of moving sculptures. Musicians are often seen filling the square with their melodious tunes and entertaining antics, while outdoor cafés catering to tourists ring its exterior. However, although these watering-holes are fine for nursing a mug of Czech beer and offer a ringside seat for a diverting half-hour of people-watching, they are overpriced and tend to under-deliver regarding food and service.

Instead, for a quick snack or a light lunch, your best bet is to visit the merchant food stalls lining the park adjacent to Old Town Square. Here you can sample reasonably priced local treats such as “trdelnik” – a slovak pastry made from coiled dough wrapped around a stick, then grilled and served warm with cinnamon and sugar. Want some savory fare? Try the thinly sliced crispy potatoes served grilled on skewers, or the traditional hash made with sauerkraut, cubed ham and shredded potatoes. The park offers shaded benches where you can sit and leisurely enjoy your freshly-made snacks.

Tips:

• Old Town walking tours often attract large crowds, and unless you are up front near your guide, it can be hard to hear much of the commentary.
• Segway tours, though smaller in size, can be stressful because the crowded streets are tricky to navigate.
• So skip the tours, buy a good guide book, and create your own walking tour tailored to your liking.

Castle Quarter
Perched above the city on a stately sloping hill, the prevailing tourist draw here is — not surprisingly —  Prague Castle. For a small fee, you can tour the castle gardens, courtyards, churches and palaces at your leisure or with a guided group. Near the exit, but still within the castle complex, is a charming street called Golden Lane. The tiny row houses along this narrow street were once the homes for important palace workers and are now filled with noteworthy historical displays depicting palace life, and some are now tourist shops. It’s a charming little neighborhood, and well worth the price of Castle admission just to wander along this cobblestoned street.

Tip: If the crowds in Castle Quarter get to be a bit much, there is a lovely nature walk behind the castle: located near Jelini Prikope street, but hidden from view, a small creek winds its way just below the castle wall. Once part of the royal hunting-grounds, this cool, shady walk offers a welcome respite from the crowded tourist draws above.

Charles Bridge
Arguably the most recognizable landmark in Prague, this pedestrian-only stone arch bridge spans the Vltava river to connect Old Town with Castle Quarter. Adding to its charm, the bridge is lit at night, giving it a magical appearance. It is a favorite tourist spot where many artisans sell unique hand-made items such as jewelry and paintings. (Note: the items for sale here are of much higher quality than those available in the ubiquitous souvenir shops throughout the city.) Nearby, musicians play lively music for tips, and talented artists await the chance to sketch your picture for a small fee. And for a slight charge, you can also climb one of the stone towers that flank the bridge for a stunning bird’s eye-view of the city.

Tip: To avoid the sometimes crushing crowds, try visiting before 9 a.m.

Jewish Quarter
Located just off of Old Town Square, Prague’s Jewish Quarter contains some of the best preserved Jewish monuments in Europe, comprised of six synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery. The latter, dating back to the 15th century, is listed by National Geographic as one of the Top Ten Cemeteries to Visit in the world, and contains over 12,000 tombstones (in some areas, the tombs are layered as much as ten deep). A reasonably priced, all-inclusive ticket gives you all-day access to the cemetery, as well as the six synagogues.

Tips:

• Photos are not permitted unless you purchase a photography pass in conjunction with your entry ticket.
• The Jewish Quarter is closed on Saturdays.

Fabulous Food and Drink

Traditional Czech food, such as goulash with dumplings and “svickova” (beef with cream sauce and dumplings), while delicious, can be a bit heavy. These days, many Czechs have eschewed their traditional food for lighter, continental western European fare. Below then are several restaurants offering outdoor seating and both Czech and continental cuisine.

Lavka Patio  
Location:  Novotného lávka 201/1
The patio is located on the Vltava river, just below the Charles Bridge. This quiet, serene spot offers stunning views of the river as well as Prague Castle. In a relaxed outdoor setting, you can order a mug of good local Pilsner beer, and leisurely watch the tour boats slowly make their way along the river. The restaurant offers traditional foods such as goulash and spicy sausages, but you can also opt for lighter options such as caprese salad and grilled shrimp with pesto and garlic aioli.

Clementin Patio  
Location: Seminarska 4
Located in Old Town at the intersection of Karlova and Seminarska streets, Clementin has lovely patio seating around a bubbling fountain. The beer is cheap, plentiful and hits the spot with an American hamburger or traditional goulash and dumplings.  Several pasta dishes are also available, including delicious fettuccine with spinach, and roasted chicken in garlic cream sauce.

KOGO Havelska  
Location: Havelska 27
Situated several blocks from the center of Old Town, this restaurant, bar and bistro serves appetizing Italian fare with an emphasis on fresh seafood. Located on a quiet street in a relaxed setting, it has both indoor and outdoor seating, and gracious service at an unhurried pace. Try selections from the extensive appetizer menu, including “gamari con aglio” (shrimp roasted with garlic) and “mini spiedini di manzo con salse béarnaise” (mini beef skewers with bearnaise sauce).

Tip:

• Czech dinners are typically unhurried affairs, and so you’ll never feel as though your server is trying to “turn the table.”  Go ahead and linger for a while after you have finished your meal!
• In addition, Czech waiters do not expect a 15% or 20% tip. It is perfectly acceptable to simply round up your bill.
  

Unique Czech Souvenirs

Prague is a shopper’s paradise. With favorable U.S. exchange rates, and an abundance of shops to choose from, you can easily find something for everyone on your list (or for yourself!). If you plan to purchase authentic, high-quality Czech products for gifts, below are several suggested stores to visit.

Blue  
Multiple Locations, including Old Town
Blue sells beautiful modern glass stemware, bowls and art pieces handmade in the Czech Republic. (Think Orrefors, but at a fraction of the price.) Many of the pieces incorporate the namesake color into the design. Friendly and helpful salespeople will expertly package your purchases in bubble wrap for safe transport back home.

Manufaktura  
Multiple Locations, including Old Town
Manufaktura offers high quality organic cosmetics, bath products, lotions, perfumes and potpourri all made from local ingredients. They also have handmade traditional Czech items such as painted eggs and wooden toys. Products can also be beautifully packaged for impressive gift-giving.

Palladium Mall  
Location: Nám Republiky 1
This massive indoor mall boasts 180 stores, 24 restaurants, and even a full-size grocery store in the basement. The mall has internationally known stores such as Sephora, H&M, LaCoste and Guess, as well as lesser known stores such as the French fashion line, Promod, and Polish clothing designer, Tatuum. The grocery store stocks fresh fruits and vegetables, bakery items, sliced meats and cheeses, as well as a vast and cheap assortment of local and imported beer and wine. It’s a great place to shop for snacks and drinks to keep on hand in your hotel room.

Tip:

• Avoid the souvenir shops that line Karlova Street in Old Town. These shops hawk cheap trinkets made elsewhere with little regard for quality.
• Also avoid purchasing the wooden stacking dolls that are sold throughout the tourist areas. Stacking dolls are Russian in origin, not Czech, and are a favorite souvenir trap for uninformed tourists.

Prague is a magical city that surely will not disappoint. Even if your schedule is packed with business meetings, make sure to carve out some time to explore and appreciate the city’s historical treasures, delicious food, expansive shopping and friendly people.  No doubt, you’ll find it a special place where you’ll want to return to and explore again.