If you’re looking for fresh fruit, head to the orchards: they’re free, and Prague has the most in the world!
Most Praguers have no idea that there are a number of fruit orchards in the capital, where one can pick various fruits for free, from apples to pears and cherries to blackberries.
Pluck a few cherries or pears from the tree and eat them right away.
For many of us, the fruit carries many memories, especially from our childhood when we used to go to our grandmothers in the countryside or to summer camps as children. We all probably had secret expeditions to neighbors’ gardens where cherries were blushing. But it would probably occur to few that free and completely legal expeditions for fruit can be undertaken in Prague today.
Nowadays, when the prices are going up, a little fresh fruit is vital. Just go to one of the 70 Prague orchards. Yes, Prague really has so many–the most in the world.
“The Prague City Council manages 70 orchards with a total area of 115 hectares. Even one or two orchards are added per year, either by getting one into the administration or by setting up new ones,” explains Jiří Rom from the Prague City Council.
These secret parts of the capital want to be introduced by a new book, Prague Fruit Orchards, which is planned to be published by the organization Na Ovoce. It has been mapping orchards all over the Czech Republic for seven years and on their website, you can use the interactive map to find the nearest orchards in your area.
“We have selected 15 of the most beautiful Prague orchards and we have described them in detail in the book,” describes Lenka Linhartová from Na ovoce.
The book describes the history of orchards, what fruit grows here and when the harvest season is. “The orchards are ideal for family picnics or meeting friends. There is peace and shade, people can pick fruit and take it home. The book also includes excursion routes around the individual orchards, so you can spend the whole day in peace in them,” Linhartová continues.
Now they are choosing a book through a crowdfunding campaign, and there are also interesting rewards on offer, such as a musting course, fruit fermentation, tree planting or a pruning course.
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The city of Prague is set to modernize and expand its flood defense system along key embankments in the historic city center.
The planned improvements will affect the Masaryk, Smetana, Alšov, and Dvořák embankments, all of which lie along the Vltava River and are vital parts of the capital’s flood management infrastructure.
City councilors have awarded the project to Environmental Building, which won the public tender with a bid of CZK 47.7 million (excluding VAT). According to Michal Hroza (TOP 09), the city’s councilor for infrastructure, construction is expected to begin later this year and will take approximately 12 months to complete.
The goal is to raise flood protection by 30 cm above the 2002 flood levels. That devastating flood remains the benchmark for all current water management systems in the capital.
Some of the older defenses, including temporary sandbag barriers, will be replaced by mobile flood barriers, which offer more flexibility and stronger protection. The modernization effort follows concerns raised during last year’s elevated water levels, which exposed gaps in the current flood infrastructure.
“Flood protection in the center works well, but we must not get complacent. We’re replacing older systems with more advanced components, and completing areas that until now relied only on sandbags,” said Michal Hroza.
Stainless Steel Structures and Concrete Walls
The first phase of the upgrade will include demolishing existing stone landing thresholds and steel anchor plates, which will be replaced with modern stainless steel fixtures similar to those already used in other areas of the city.
Sections that previously relied on sandbags will receive entirely new mobile barriers, complete with all necessary structural components. Additionally, in the Na Františku area, part of the embankment will be reinforced with a concrete wall to further increase resilience against high water levels.
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PPF Real Estate, part of Renáta Kellnerová’s PPF Group, is acquiring the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel in Prague.
Located on Veleslavínova Street in the Old Town, the hotel is one of the capital’s most exclusive addresses. The transaction is currently being reviewed by the Czech Office for the Protection of Competition, which disclosed the acquisition on its website.
“The proposed merger primarily concerns hotel accommodation services. A final decision has not yet been issued,” the office stated.
PPF Real Estate is purchasing FSHP, the company that operates the hotel. According to earlier reporting by Hospodářské noviny, the purchase price is expected to be close to CZK 3 billion.
The Five-Star Hotel, which began operations in 2001, is a blend of Renaissance, Baroque, and Classicist buildings, with a modern addition. It offers 157 rooms, including 19 suites, and features 600 square meters of banquet space for both business and private events.
Over the years, the hotel has hosted numerous high-profile guests, including Madonna, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sophia Loren, and Liverpool FC players.
In its 2023 annual report, FSHP stated that the Prague Four Seasons had the highest average revenue per occupied room in the market. Despite that, the hotel posted a loss of CZK 75 million last year, with total revenues reaching CZK 707.6 million.
This acquisition follows another major hotel deal by PPF. In January 2024, the Czech Antimonopoly Office approved PPF’s purchase of Hilton Prague, the largest hotel in the country.
PPF Group, founded by the late billionaire Petr Kellner, operates across Europe, Asia, and North America. It invests in financial services, telecommunications, media, real estate, engineering, and biotech. The group controls assets worth €44.1 billion (around CZK 1.1 trillion) and employs more than 47,000 people worldwide.
Among its assets are Air Bank, telecom companies O2 and CETIN, media group CME, engineering firm Škoda Group, and CzechToll, the operator of the country’s electronic toll system.
After Petr Kellner’s tragic death in a helicopter crash in Alaska in 2021, his wife Renáta Kellnerová took over the reins.
She is now the wealthiest woman in Czechia and continues to expand the family’s business footprint—now with an even stronger presence in Prague’s luxury hospitality sector.
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On Wednesday, April 9, the Czech government will discuss the annual assessment of the country’s readiness to adopt the single European currency.
A decision on when — or whether — Czechia will join the eurozone remains off the table, as the governing coalition remains split on the issue.
The cabinet’s programme statement does not commit to adopting the euro. Instead, it pledges to meet the Maastricht criteria — the EU’s convergence benchmarks for euro adoption.
Last year, the country fulfilled four of the five: price stability, interest rates on long-term government bonds, deficit levels, and public debt.
The only outstanding requirement is exchange rate stability, as Czechia is not yet part of ERM II, the EU’s exchange rate mechanism. Economists have advised that the country should only join ERM II once a date for adopting the euro is set, and for the shortest possible period.
Although Czechia formally committed to joining the eurozone when it entered the EU in 2004, no deadline was ever established. The Ministry of Finance maintains that the decision on when to adopt the euro lies with each member state — but should depend on economic readiness, not just formal criteria. Alignment with the eurozone’s broader economic environment is also essential.
According to the Czech National Bank’s latest annual assessment, the domestic economy is closely linked to the eurozone through trade and investment ties, and the koruna often mirrors the euro’s response to external economic shifts. But key differences remain: the Czech economy is more heavily industrialised than the eurozone average, and wage and price levels still lag behind.
The country has made substantial progress in meeting fiscal requirements, lowering its national deficit from 3.8% to 2.2% of GDP. But political momentum remains weak. Public support is also limited — nearly three-quarters of Czechs oppose adopting the euro, with backing stuck below 25%, according to recent polls.
The government briefly considered setting a timeline for entering the eurozone or ERM II last year but ultimately backed away. In November, a proposal from the STAN party to appoint a national euro coordinator was also rejected.
Of the ten countries that joined the EU alongside Czechia in 2004, seven have since adopted the euro. Only Poland, Hungary and Czechia remain outside. Croatia became the eurozone’s newest member in 2023, bringing the total number of euro-using EU states to 20 out of 27.
Within the governing coalition, the Mayors and Independents (STAN), KDU-ČSL, and TOP 09 support euro adoption, pointing to smoother trade and reduced currency conversion costs.
The ODS, the largest governing party, remains firmly opposed, while the Pirates take a more neutral stance. Finance Minister Zbyněk Stanjura (ODS) has said euro adoption would only be realistic if at least half of the population supported it.
The opposition remains sceptical. ANO warns that joining the euro would mean surrendering control over national monetary policy. Karel Havlíček (ANO) said Czechia would become dependent on the European Central Bank in times of economic crisis. Radim Fiala, leader of the SPD parliamentary group, echoed this concern, warning that giving up monetary sovereignty would strip the country of a vital economic lever.
The National Economic Council (NERV) has highlighted several benefits, including cheaper access to financing, increased trade, and lower transaction costs. Still, it warns that no move toward the euro should take place without widespread public backing.
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Czech residents are about to enjoy the first long weekend of 2025, thanks to the upcoming Easter holidays.
With Good Friday and Easter Monday both designated as official non-working days, people will have a four-day break, from April 18 to 21.
But what about shopping? Here’s what you need to know: on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (April 18, 19, and 20), stores will operate as usual. However, on Monday, April 21, large supermarkets will be closed.
Since October 2016, a law has been in place in the Czech Republic prohibiting stores larger than 200 square meters from opening on certain public holidays. This rule applies to all big shops, not just grocery stores. The law was introduced to allow supermarket employees, like others, to spend time with their families during these holidays.
Good Friday, falling on April 18 in 2025, is not covered by this restriction, so all stores will be open as normal. However, Easter Monday is one of the holidays when the law mandates closures, meaning that on April 21, all large supermarkets must remain closed.
Here’s a Quick Overview:
Public holidays when stores remain open:
- Good Friday (April 18, 2025)
- Labor Day (May 1)
- Day of Slavic Saints Cyril and Methodius (July 5)
- Jan Hus Day (July 6)
- Day of the Fight for Freedom and Democracy and International Students’ Day (November 17)
Public holidays when stores must close:
- Day of the Restoration of the Independent Czech State and New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Easter Monday (April 21, 2025)
- Victory Day (May 8)
- Day of Czech Statehood (September 28)
- Day of the Establishment of the Independent Czechoslovak Republic (October 28)
- Christmas Eve (December 24, from 12:00 to 00:00)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- Boxing Day (December 26)
What About Shopping Centers?
Shopping centers are not required to close, but large stores within them must comply with the law and shut their doors. As a result, while shopping centers often remain open during holidays, many boutiques and larger stores are closed, which can diminish the overall shopping experience.
Exceptions
Certain types of stores are exempt from the law. These include shops located at train stations, airports, hospitals, pharmacies, gas stations, and wholesale stores, which are allowed to operate regardless of their size.
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The META Modřany Housing project is in the construction phase of the first stage, which is a sensitive renovation of the original Chirana factory building and brings a completely new concept of compact urban housing.
Under the name META Lofts Housing, 133 functional smart lofts in 1+kk and 2+kk layouts with high ceilings of up to 4.3 m will be created, supplemented by 50 standard 2+kk and 3+kk units on the last two floors of the building.
The smallest lofts have a usable area of 26.6 m², which can be expanded to 39 m² thanks to the intermediate floor.
The originality of the larger 2+kk lofts is underlined by the “L”-shaped floor plan.
The project is being developed by COOPERA Development, a joint venture of experienced developers KKCG Real Estate Group and Alma Development.
The general contractor for the construction is NOVECON, which is part of the KKCG group.
The renowned QARTA Architektura studio is behind the architectural design. The completion of the first stage is planned for the end of 2026.
Currently, more than 60% of the units from the first stage have been sold.
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The Czech Republic has taken a major step in railway innovation by launching its first autonomous train.
On Saturday morning, a blue-and-white motor unit arrived in Dolní Bousov from Kopidlno, running about ten minutes behind schedule.
At first glance, the journey seemed like any other — a single wagon, a quiet route through the countryside. But one crucial detail made this ride historic: there was no driver in the cab.
The train, developed by Czech company AŽD, drew a crowd of railway professionals, journalists, and curious locals for its debut.
Zdeněk Chrdle, CEO of AŽD, called the autonomous train a breakthrough in European rail transport.
“Driverless trains exist abroad, but they usually run in fully enclosed environments — tunnels, fenced corridors, isolated systems. This is the first time an autonomous train will run in open terrain, on a regular line with level crossings and potential real-world challenges,” said Chrdle.
The train is a refurbished 810 series locomotive, renamed Edita — an acronym for Experimental Railway Vehicle for Innovative Technologies of AŽD. It pulls a trailer wagon that seats passengers, and while the system is fully autonomous, Czech law still requires a human onboard who can intervene in emergencies.
“During autonomous operation, the train will not be driven from a traditional control room. Instead, its movement will be supervised remotely. If anything goes wrong, the supervisor can stop the train immediately using an emergency override,” say the developers.
The autonomous train will carry passengers on select weekends and holidays this year. In April, May, September, and October, it will operate on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month.
In July and August, it will run daily from July 1–6 and again from August 4–10. On all other weekends and holidays between April and October, traditional trains will serve the route.
Each operating day features three round trips. The first train departs Kopidlno at 08:15 and returns from Dolní Bousov at 10:05. The second trip leaves at 12:11 and returns at 14:05. The final train departs at 16:11 with the return scheduled for 17:20.
The full fare is 50 CZK for the complete route between Kopidlno and Dolní Bousov. Children aged 6 to 15, students, and seniors over 65 receive a 50% discount. Children under 6 travel for free.
Stops along the route include Kopidlno, Ledkov, Libáň, Dětenice, Osenice, Rokytňany, Rabakov, Domousnice, Řitonice, and Dolní Bousov.
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This week, the Czech Republic will face a wave of cold Arctic air sweeping in from the north and northeast.
As a result, expect frosty nights, daytime chill, and even snow in some regions. While the cold will gradually ease starting Tuesday, the beginning of the week will bring freezing temperatures and danger to vegetation, especially flowering fruit trees.
On Monday, expect mostly cloudy to overcast skies on Monday, with partly cloudy conditions possible in Bohemia early in the day. In the northeastern half of the country, snow showers may occur—especially in mountain regions. In areas below 500 meters, rain or mixed precipitation is possible.
Tuesday brings cloudy skies, with rain or showers in some places and snow above 600 meters. However, both precipitation and cloud cover should begin to decrease by the evening.
Night temperatures will range from 0°C to 4°C, dipping to -2°C in calmer areas. Daytime highs will rise to between 8°C and 12°C.
On Wednesday, skies will remain cloudy to partly cloudy, with occasional showers in the northeast and snow above 600 meters early in the day.
Snow will continue on Thursday in elevations above 600 meters, while the rest of the country can expect rain and showers. The sky will be mostly cloudy, with brief periods of sunshine and partly cloudy conditions.
From Friday through Sunday, the weather is expected to remain cloudy to overcast, with intermittent rain or showers.
Night temperatures should remain above freezing, between 1°C and 6°C. During the day, temperatures will range from 11°C to 16°C, though the weather will not yet feel like true spring.
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Ondra Slanina, co-owner and executive chef of Chateau St. Havel and Ginger & Fred, is launching a new culinary concept in Prague.
His latest project, Vinobona Chef’s Table Restaurant & Wine, brings together local ingredients, Czech tradition, and a deeply personal approach to fine dining.
Slanina’s kitchen philosophy is rooted in using ingredients that are either locally sourced or have deep roots in Czech culinary history. The same approach defines his new venture, where the tasting menu features high-end ingredients such as foie gras, truffles, snail caviar, and even edible gold.
All ingredients are sourced in precise quantities from small regional producers including Farma Havlíkův Dvůr, Šnečí farma Nahošovice, and Olejový mlýn Petráveč, ensuring freshness and minimal waste.
The meat-focused tasting menu includes veal with pickled cucumber, foie gras with cranberries and truffles, pike perch in saffron sauce, and beef rib garnished with chestnuts and gold leaf.
The vegetarian menu offers dishes such as bryndza with buckwheat, creamed mushrooms with caviar, and cauliflower with truffles and gold. For dessert, guests can enjoy semolina with honey and carob nuts, prepared in the traditional Czech way.
Slanina is joined by Lucie Sládková, a specialist in gastronomic service and guest care. Together, they have created an experience that emphasizes personal attention, refined service, and a memorable culinary journey.
An expertly curated wine list complements the menu, featuring a selection of renowned international labels and boutique Czech wines. Each bottle is carefully chosen to pair with the tasting menu and highlight its flavors.
Vinobona is located in a historic building that once hosted Czech film productions, adding a touch of cinematic mystery to the dining experience. Nearby stands Prague’s only surviving half-timbered house, underlining the area’s unique charm.
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The Chef’s Table Restaurant & Wine is open by reservation only, offering either a six-course or nine-course tasting menu. With a maximum capacity of just 12 guests, the space ensures an intimate setting and tailored service for every diner.
The restaurant welcomes guests Tuesday through Friday from 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM.
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Prague’s festival season will kick off on Štvanice Island, where the next edition of the traditional United Islands festival will take place from May 1st to 3rd.
Over three days, it will offer a musical showcase full of the best domestic and international discoveries. The main stages will be set up not only on Štvanice Island but also at Přístav 18600, near Dva Kohouti in Karlín, and at the Holešovice Market.
Additionally, on Thursday, the festival will bring music to numerous Prague clubs, from legendary venues to lesser-known gems. As in previous years, entry to United Islands will be free for all visitors.
“We’re building on last year’s truly successful edition, which gave us a huge boost of energy. On Friday and Saturday, Štvanice will become a home for musical talents across genres from all over Europe. Look forward to dozens of fresh names you can see and hear for free as always—many of them performing in the Czech Republic for the very first time,” says Michal “Gumi” Nguyen, the dramaturge of United Islands festival.
A Packed Line-up and a Shortened Name
This year, visitors can look forward to a diverse lineup of fresh musical talents from both the local and international scenes. The festival’s biggest star will be German singer Cloudy June, who has played dozens of sold-out shows across Europe. Her hit FU In My Head has amassed tens of millions of streams, and she even had a billboard in New York’s Times Square.
Another standout act is Irish jazz and neo-soul artist Qbanaa, who has been making waves worldwide in recent years. While her previous recordings drew from soul, drum’n’bass, and electronic influences, her current work is deeply rooted in Cuban rhythms. Her performance at United Islands will be one of her first ever in the Czech Republic.
The festival will also feature Congolese-Austrian musician Kimyan Law, known for his interdisciplinary show that blends African instruments, rhythms, and influences into his music.
Representing the Czech-Slovak scene will be artists like Czech-Iranian rapper Sawsane, singer Marsell Bendig, and bands Bitter Season, Byt číslo 4 and Časovač. Also making an appearance is Grundza, who recently gained fame from the successful film Na plech.
This year, the festival organizers have introduced another change alongside the move to Štvanice. After years of using the full name United Islands of Prague, they have decided to shorten it to simply United Islands.
“Our activities have long gone beyond just a multi-day festival in Prague. We strive to connect people who want to experience something unique, linking not only Prague’s islands but also other symbolic places across the Czech Republic and abroad. That’s why we decided to shorten the name to what most people already call it,” explains festival producer Martin Voňka.
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Ukrainian budget airline SkyUp is returning to Prague Airport after a three-year absence.
While flights to Ukraine are not yet on the schedule due to the ongoing war, the carrier will launch a new direct connection between Prague and Chisinau starting June 2, 2025.
The route to Moldova’s capital will operate twice weekly, on Mondays and Saturdays, according to a statement released by Prague Airport’s press office on Friday, April 4.
The service will be operated by a Boeing 737-700 with a seating capacity of 149 passengers. The flight time between the two cities is estimated at 1 hour and 55 minutes.
Tickets are already on sale, with one-way fares starting from €40. However, return flights can currently be found for as little as €15 under promotional pricing.
The basic fare includes carry-on baggage only, with a weight limit of 9 kilograms. Checked luggage, seat selection, and onboard meals are available for an additional fee.
Though there is still no timeline for the resumption of flights between Prague and Ukraine, the launch of the Chisinau route marks a cautious step forward for SkyUp, which was grounded in 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion.
SkyUp, known for its low-cost pricing model, originally launched in 2018 and quickly became one of Ukraine’s most popular airlines, especially on European short-haul routes.
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The 25th Generali Half Marathon Prague is set to take place on Saturday, April 5, starting at 10 a.m.
Thousands of runners will set off from Bubenské nábřeží in Holešovice, which will also serve as the race’s finish line. The event is expected to conclude around 1 p.m.
The race route will pass through Prague 1, 2, 5, 7, and 8, requiring road closures and parking bans for safety reasons.
The municipality has announced that vehicles will only be allowed access to affected areas under special conditions. Traffic restrictions will be monitored by the police, and a detailed race map is available on the official event website.
Where Will Roads Be Closed?
Motorists should prepare for temporary road closures and plan alternate routes. Below is a list of the most affected streets and areas:
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Bubenské nábřeží (from Komunardů Street to Argentinská) – closed from April 4 at 6 a.m. until April 5 at 8 p.m.
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Komunardů Street (between Bubenské nábřeží and Jateční) – no entry on April 5 from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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Prague 7 – Jateční, Argentinská, Hlávkův most, Bubenská, Edvarda Beneše nábřeží, Kapitána Jaroše nábřeží, Jankovcova, and Libeňský most.
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Prague 5 – Janáčkovo nábřeží, Dienzenhoferovy sady, Zborovská, Svornosti, and Strakonická.
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Prague 2 – Jiráskův most and Rašínovo nábřeží.
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Prague 1 – Čechův most, náměstí Curieových, 17. listopadu, náměstí Jana Palacha, Křižovnická, Smetanovo nábřeží, most Legií, Masarykovo nábřeží, Národní, 28. října, Na Příkopě, Celetná, Staroměstské náměstí, Pařížská, Dvořákovo nábřeží, Ludvík Svoboda nábřeží, and the Těšnovský tunnel.
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Prague 8 – Štorchova, Voctářova, and Rohanské nábřeží.
Public Transport Disruptions
Several tram and bus routes will be affected, with increased metro service recommended for city travel. The following public transport lines will experience changes:
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Trams: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 42, 93.
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Buses: 176, 194, 207, 314, 317, 318, 320, 360, 361, 390, 392, 395, 407, 416, 420, 428, X1, X25, X93, 905, 911.
For detailed information on alternative routes and replacement transport, visit the official Prague Public Transport (DPP) website.