Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Welcome to the Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Destination Guides

bthere! Destination guides

Previous issues for Prague

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy,
please confirm event/venue details in advance.

Czech Republic : Prague - April 2008

Country Code: Dial 0 for Czech Republic

With the weather starting to warm up, early spring is a great time of year to visit eastern Europe’s hauntingly beautiful Golden City. The tourist crowds haven’t descended yet, which gives April early birds the perfect opportunity to explore Prague at their own pace. Julie O’Shea takes it easy

Getting around

Ruzyne International Airport

Bus: The number 119 bus runs between the airport and the Dejvicka metro station (which is on the A line) every 7 to 20 minutes. Tickets cost €1/CZK 28 and are valid for 60 minutes on weekdays and 90 minutes on weekends. They can be used on all buses, trams and metros.
Taxi: A taxi ride to the city centre from the airport will take about 30 minutes and cost approximately €25/ CZK 704, but always negotiate the price before you set off.
Tourist information: 46 Vinohradka, Prague 2 (tel. , www.czechtourism.cz).

STARE MESTO

Get lost in Prague’s beguiling old town – wander its cobbled streets, marvel at its stunning architecture and stop for a drink at one its many watering holes.

Sleep soundly – You can’t go wrong with a room at Pachtuv Palace.

Must eat – If you love Italian food, make sure you visit Pizzeria Pulcino (25 Narodni, tel. ).

Must drink – Monarch (15 Na Perstyne) stocks a wide selection of excellent Czech wine. Alternatively, you could stick to what’s on tap at U Medvidku (7 Na Perstyne).

Shop til you drop – Spend the afternoon in Anagram Bookshop (4 Tyn), a literary treasure trove.

NOVE MESTO

Now often referred to as ‘new town’, this vast neighborhood is home to many of the city’s best restaurants and shopping options.

Sleep soundly – Don’t be misled by the name: the Hilton Prague Old Town is one of the new town’s best boltholes.

Culture vultures – Put your historical knowledge to the test at the Museum of Communism (10 Na Prikope) before heading up the street to see the original Czech musical Golem at the Divadlo Hybernia (4 Namesti Republiky).

Must eat – The latest addition to Gordon Ramsey’s international roll call of restaurants, Maze (Hilton Prague Old Town, 7 V Celnici, tel. ), has made a big splash in the city. If you’re on a budget, head straight to the cozy café at the French Institute (35 Stepanska, tel. ), where you’ll find some sweet lunch deals.

Must drink – Sports fans should check out The Pack (21 Ve Smeckach).

Shop til you drop – Stock up on shoes at the world-famous Bat’a (6 Vaclavske namesti). The designer’s flagship store is on Wenceslas Square.

MALA STRANA

Packed with pubs and cafés, Prague’s upscale ‘little quarter’ teems with life every day of the week.

Sleep soundly – If you’re after a bargain, have a look and see what’s available at Castle Steps, which has five buildings of rooms and apartments scattered throughout the neighbourhood.

Must eat – Cowboys (40 Nerudova, tel. ) does the most mouthwatering steak in town. Café de Paris (4 Maltezske namesti, tel. ) serves simple, tasty dishes.

Must drink – U kocoura (2 Nerudova) is a good place to go if you want to get a flavour of the real Prague.

SMICHOV

An up-and-coming neighbourhood, Smichov is one of Prague’s best-kept secrets... for now.

Sleep soundly – Call it a night at the ever-reliable Movenpick Hotel (261/1 Mozartova, tel. , movenpick-prague.com, rooms from €175/CZK 4,550). For something a little more upscale, reserve a room at the Riverside Hotel (15 Janackovo nabrezi, tel. , riversideprague.com, rooms from €275/CZK 7,150).

Culture vultures – If you’ve ever wondered how the Czechs make their beer taste so great, you should take a tour round the Staropramen brewery (84 Nádrazní).

Must eat – Sushi Bar (49 Zborovska, tel. ) has been a firm favourite in Prague for nearly a decade. If you’re after something a little more traditional to eat, head for Czech pub U Provaznice (3 Provaznicka, tel. ).

Must drink – Drop into Kava Kava Kava (42 Ludicka) for a steaming hot chocolate or a herbal tea. There’s free internet access, so bring your laptop too.

Dance the night away – Get into the groove at Futurum (7 Zborovska) – things start heating up around 9pm.

Compiled by Julie O’Shea