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Prague Exploration Tips

At EuroPython, many attendees come with their families and friends. When you’re not attending the conference, why not explore Prague and its surrounding areas?

Here are some tips and recommendations from our volunteers. We hope they help you and your companions have a great time in Prague!

Getting around

Public transport

In Prague, the recommended way to get around is by public transport:

  • More information on getting around by public transport can be found here.
  • You can use your regular bank cards for public transport within Prague.
  • Public transport is generally fast and reliable.
  • After midnight, the metro stops running, but buses are available.
  • The public transport system is mostly safe, with no areas considered off-limits.

Do I need to rent a car?

Some people may consider renting a car, but:

  • In Prague, it’s generally unnecessary due to limited parking availability and high costs.
  • Cars can be rented at the airport or other places in the city, similar to most other cities.
  • If you want to visit other towns, trains are a convenient and economical option.

Be prepared for the weather

If you want to explore the city, you should be prepared for the weather. Here are answers to some common questions:

  • Temperatures are usually above 30°C, so remember to carry water.
  • Public water fountains (and toilets) are rare, so remember to carry more water.
  • Use sunscreen.
  • It rarely rains, but when it does, it tends to be brief showers. Find shelter until it passes, usually within about half an hour.

What to do while in Prague?

There are plenty of things to enjoy in Prague. Depending on your preferences, you can find things that interest you and your group.

For culture and art lovers

For music lovers

Here are several places and festivals you might want to check out:

You can find more events here

For party animals and clubbing enthusiasts

For nature lovers

  • Petřín Hill: Prague’s version of the Eiffel Tower, offering a scenic city view, and home to the picturesque Rose Garden with over 12,000 rose bushes
  • Vyšehrad: Fortress next to the venue, also featuring a park that is ideal for relaxation
  • Riegrovy Sady: A park with a gorgeous view. Remember to check out the hidden rose garden located around here — It’s a hidden gem that few locals know about!
  • Prague Botanical Garden: A 30-hectare oasis in Troja, featuring outdoor exhibitions and the Fata Morgana Greenhouse with exotic flora
  • Divoká Šárka: Small forest a bit further away, known for its artificial lake Džbán, ideal for swimming
  • Kunratický Les: Forested area
  • Hostivář: Home to the Hostivař Forest Park with ample walking trails, also suitable for swimming

For sports and outdoor enthusiasts

  • Paddleboarding and Kayaking: Rent a paddleboard in Troja for a leisurely ride along the calm Vltava River or navigate the exciting rapids suitable for kayaking.
  • Cycling: Enjoy a scenic 10km cycle path along the Vltava River to Roztoky. Once in Roztoky, visit the renowned Únětice Brewery or relax at U Lasíků café nearby. Return to Prague easily by train from Roztoky (inexpensive and fast) or take a ferry to Stromovka Park, then use tram or metro services back to the city centre.
  • Canoeing and Camping: Both are Czech national sports — Enjoy canoeing on the Vltava River alongside the locals, and explore campsites marked on mapy.cz to plan your outdoor adventure.

For hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and similar activities, mapy.cz is highly recommended. It allows you to plan your adventures in advance, even from abroad. It also features marked hiking routes in red, green, and blue, as well as campsites and other robust trip planning tools. You can also plan your river trip and explore points of interest along the way using this link as an example.

Where to eat & drink?

Prague is a foodie’s city! There are many places for nice food, from traditional Czech cuisine to vegan-friendly options.

Food recommendations

Some yays and nays from our local volunteers:

  • 👎 Trdelnik is a tourist thing: nothing original or authentic
  • 👎 Pražská šunka (Prague ham) on the street: tourist trap
  • 👍 Try Nakládaný Hermelín (pickled camembert)
  • 👍 Smažený sýr (fried cheese)
  • 👍 Svíčková (meat with vegetable sauce and dumplings)
  • 👍 Guláš (goulash)

For veggies/vegans

We know some of us are veggies/vegans. Rest assured that you will find plenty of places serving veggie/vegan food:

  • Shromaždiště: Offers great traditional Czech food in vegan versions, and great beer.
  • Eateria: Known for vegan junk food - best burger
  • Pastva: Open during the day, serving European and healthy food
  • Dhaba Beas: Offers cheap buffets, with Indian and European dishes, widely available across Prague.
  • Share Sweet & Espresso Bar: Coffee shop with the best vegan cakes

According to HappyCow, there are 89 vegan and vegetarian places in Prague. So it should not be an issue to find something. Czech restaurants typically only offer fried cheese and French fries, occasionally including pickled camembert as vegetarian/vegan options, given Czech cuisine’s heavy emphasis on meat.

Hungry during the night? Go to any kebab place and order a falafel wrap with veggies. You can also go to Burrito Loco - a Mexican food chain. They offer vegan mana burrito and burrito with grilled veggies.

Visit HappyCow’s vegan-vegetarian listings

Where to drink?

In European countries, it is popular to socialise over drinks (though there’s no pressure to consume alcohol). Here are some recommendations:

  • For craft beer: Try Sibeeria Tap Room (Sour ale, APA, IPA, ale), Pivotéka, BeerGeek, Zlý časy, Matuška (APA, IPA, ale), or Zíchovec (Sour ale, APA, IPA, ale)
  • Pilsner-type beer: Everywhere
    • For mild and non-bitter Pilsner-style beer, try Únětice (available in a few places). They also offer an 8-degree one with lower alcohol content.
    • For more bitter options, try Plzeň/Pilsner, Kozel or Radegast.
  • For wine: Bublinka 2024 Wine Festival

All-day places for food, drink & socialising