The majority of Czech castles and chateaus close their gates for the winter season. But there are some historical pearls that welcome visitors all year round, even without any prior booking. They include palaces in city centres or chateaus and castles in small villages. We have some tips for the most interesting sights across the country. Křivoklát Castle Křivoklát Castle in Central Bohemia was one of the representative seats of Bohemian kings and it contains a lot of valuable late-gothic spaces. There is a library with over 52 thousand volumes, a torture chamber with instruments and a prison where the English alchemist Edward Kelley was forced to stay for two years. The castle is open on the weekend in winter. Karlštejn Castle Majestic Karlštejn Castle near Prague was built by Emperor Charles IV as a dignified seat for the placement of the Czech crown jewels, collections of holy relics and for receiving noble guests. In winter (from Friday to Sunday), you can visit the private and representative rooms of Emperor Charles IV. Mníšek pod Brdy Chateau The classicist chateau in Central Bohemian Mníšek pod Brdy was a mansion occupied until mid-20th century. And that is the period atmosphere that you...
A well-chilled Pilsner beer is slowly becoming a luxury. You can pay around CZK 60 for a pint in Prague restaurants these days. However, it can be expected that this year the price may climb to CZK 70. There is no need to despair yet though because we have found six establishments where you can pay around CZK 50 for a pint of your favourite drink from Pilsen! Stará Ořechovka The residential district of Ořechovka with its millionaire villas hides a literal piece of pub history. Here you can enjoy traditional drownings or pickled ermine in addition to good beer. You pay CZK 54 for a Pilsner here! Hostinec Drinopol For the next place, you must go to Břevnov. You will find the Hostinec Drinopol right by the tram stop of the same name, which can come in handy when you leave, especially if you go a little overboard with your favourite drink. As well as the CZK 51 Pilsner, you will be pleased to know that the cooking is great and the portions are huge. Restaurant Ladronka The Ladronka restaurant is located in Košíře (Prague 5) directly below the park that it is named after. In this place, you...
In the eclectic neighborhood of Zizkov, known for its artistic vibrancy and cultural diversity, lies CO.DE Concept Store, a unique concept store that harmoniously blends the coziness of a café with the intrigue of an interior design shop. This innovative establishment, the brainchild of Lukas from Slovakia and Marketa from the Czech Republic, offers a unique experience that caters to both the local Czech community and expats. CO.DE Concept Store is not just a place to sip coffee or purchase home decor; it’s a destination that embodies the spirit of Zizkov and the passion of its founders. Could you share the story behind the inception of CO.DE? Lukas: “Our journey began in Brighton, England where I met Marketa, now my partner. She was working for corporate and I was working in hospitality. We decided to move to Prague and wanted to create a space that was more than just a shop or a café. It’s about bringing together my hospitality experience with Marketa’s love for interior design in a unique way.” Marketa: “We envisioned a place that’s cozy, where people can feel at home. We offer rustic food, homemade cakes, and specialty coffee, all in an atmosphere that’s warm and...
Sportrelax Monínec, a year-round sports and recreation complex, lies south of Prague, not far from the town of Sedlec-Prčice.
6 January – Procession of the Three Kings. A celebration of the Feast of the Three Kings and at the same time a thank you to the public, which, through the Three Kings Collection, contributes to helping those who find themselves in need. Admission is free. Start at 14:30 from the Malostranskénáměstí 7 January – Tribute to World Legends: Ella Fitzgerald. Listen to the marvellous tribute paid to Ella Fitzgerald, sang by the mistress of classical jazz and scat – Elena Sonenshine. She will play together with her great and experienced quartet of jazz professionals. Admission: 395 czk When: 19:00 Where: Reduta Jazz Club, Národní 20, Prague 1 ⠀ 9 January – Literary and musical evening in Slavia cafe. The evening will be accompanied by Hasan Zahirović, an expert on the work of the Čapek brothers, accompanied by actors Stela Chmelová and Marek Zeman. Admission is free Where: Národní 1, Prague 1 When: 19:00 ⠀ 11 January – Silent EAT IN Kino! The Majestic Special movie nights where you can enjoy tasty meals and drinks in front of the screen in silence – through headphones. Entrance fee: 150 czk online, 125 czk on spot. Language: English with Czech subtitles When:...
Winter brings many things. Short days and long nights. The holiday season. Winter sports. Remaining indoors as much as possible. And increased consumption of that divine beverage, hot chocolate. Here are just a few places where you can have your cup of edible paradise. Also, if you prefer to make your own, you will find a store that carries hot chocolate mix. Café Savoy Three types of chocolate drinks are listed on the menu. The first is made with steamed milk and chocolate from the Dominican Republic. The second uses cream and Valrhona chocolate. The third, for those who want it a little less intense, uses cocoa powder rather than solid chocolate. The website is in Czech and English. Choco Café Although the website seems to have an English option, only one thing on it is in English. The link given here takes you to it, and it’s the part that really matters: The menu. The hot chocolate on offer is impressive. You can order hot chocolate with chili powder, with ice cream, with berries, with bananas, with brandy, with rum, and a whole lot more. The café has a white hot chocolate option, as well as two sugar-free (sweetened...
As the days grow shorter and colder, winter sports enthusiasts will bring out their skis and snowboards, ready for a weekend in the snow. What are some popular resorts in the Czech Republic? Lipno Ski Resort Located in South Bohemia, not far from the Austrian border. It has a range of activities available summer and winter. These include activities for the handicapped: Monoskis for wheelchair users, and instructors for blind or otherwise handicapped skiers. Certain accommodations and restaurants are also barrier-free. Skiing (downhill and cross-country) and snowboarding are available in the winter, as is ice skating on a lake. Lessons are offered for children and adults. The website is in Czech, English, and German. Špindlerův mlýn Several lodging places in the area of the ski resort offer rooms during Christmas and the New Year, from two-star pensions to hotels with a whopping eight stars. Like Lipno, the resort is open all year. Downhill and cross-country skiing, tubing, sledding, snowmobiling, and bobsled rides are all on offer. After a long day on the slopes, you can relax with a massage at a wellness center. The website is in Czech, English, German, Dutch, Danish, and Polish. SkiResort Černá Hora – Pec The...
The end of the year is almost here. Few people can imagine a New Year’s Eve party without a glass of bubbly. If you’re planning to celebrate in Prague or somewhere else in Czechia, you’ll appreciate a few tips for the best sparkling wine produced by Bohemian and Moravian winemakers. Bohemia Sekt is the most famous and most popular Czech sparkling winemaker. Paradoxically, it is made in Starý Plzenec, near Plzeň, the mecca of all beer lovers. The delicious sparkling wine can be purchased in almost every Czech shop or restaurant. Did you know that? One glass of Bohemia Sekt contains about a million and half fine bubbles The plastic stopper for sparkling wine bottles was invented in Czechia You’ll find a giant stopper in front of the Bohemia Sekt building, a popular place to take photos In 2021, over five million bottles sold during Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Czechia The American soldiers and happy citizens drank about 37,000 bottles of this sparkling wine when celebrating the liberation of Plzeň at the end of WWII Our Tip Take a tour of the factory to uncover the secret of the production of sparkling wine, see the original cellars from...
The Museum of Senses is a one-of-a-kind experience. Located in the heart of Prague, within walking distance from Wenceslas Square, offers over 50 exhibitions that are intriguing to all generations from 3 to 90 years old! The idea of the museum is to awaken and play with your senses. Some of the exhibitions are illusion-based, but technology is not always required as the expertise in setting exhibitions is the main factor in providing such unique experiences. There are exhibitions for every sense: sight, smell, hearing, balance, and touch. Each exhibition has a different intention: stimulate or relax your senses. The Museum of Senses can also be seen in Bucharest, Romania, and soon in Valencia, Spain. Because there are three locations, each location has special features as an omen to the home country. The museum in Prague has one exhibition that is dedicated to sounds. A video of Golem plays on a big screen while you are required to make the sounds that animate the video. Several, non-technological features create the sounds of wind, thunder, horse hoofs, a fly buzzing, and many more. The idea is to not only animate the video but also to have fun. It is an interesting...
Celebrate Christmas time and enjoy the last Advent Sunday on Karlínské náměstí! Nothing puts you in the mood for the festive season more than Christmas markets. The magical atmosphere, the smell of mulled wine, the nativity scene, carols and lots of goodies will make the Christmas rush more enjoyable. On December 18, Karlin Market organizers have prepared a great accompanying program. You will have a chance to make your own Christmas decorations. There will also be singing performances by local schools and choirs. Advent season is four weeks long just like everywhere else to commemorate the liturgical calendar but unless you’re Christian, most families only practice lighting candles on a Christmas wreath each Sunday. The first Advent Sunday, called “iron Sunday,” marked the start of Christmas street fairs that are held in every bigger Czech city. The second Advent Sunday is called “bronze,” the third is “silver” and the fourth and final one is “golden.” For the vast majority of Czech people, advent is time to finally get serious about preparing for Christmas like buying presents for your family and friends, cleaning and baking Christmas sweets. Find more info here
This upcoming Christmas season there is a new chef in town. These raw snacks can be a “healthy variation of Christmas cookies” says Lenka, who prepares them daily. Lenka set up her business with the hope of pursuing her dream and making people happy one bite at a time. She has gained experience on how to twist vegan and gluten-free bio ingredients into mouth-watering delights by observing and giving `green ‘to healthy eating and active lifestyle for the past several years. She also gets inspired by the Czech culture by using traditional ingredients as well as incorporating other exotic flavors. There’s also a whole new list of goodies this year: including some “raw slices such as the amazingly looking and tempting lemon and pineapple flavored one”. If you are looking more for a “festive selection” there are new “Christmas flavors including apple cinnamon or apricot, ginger & tumeric” that give customers feelings of warmth with every bite. If you love healthy foods Lenka also has several types of Granola in handy classy bags or clear beautiful glass jars available in different sizes with Christmas wrapping. These raw delights will be featured throughout the festive season at Dejvice, Malostranska, Karlin, and...
Even Holy Roman Emperors have hobbies. For the 14th Century ruler Charles IV, a spot of horseback hunting was the ideal way to pass the time between imperial duties. He was a bane to the scurrying wildlife in the Ore Mountains. However, he had an impeding ailment—an injured leg. One day, his travelling men discovered a warm pool of water mystically bubbling up from the ground. The emperor plunged his aching heft into this Godsent hot spring and felt an instant miraculous recovery. In the wake of his holy discovery, he granted city privileges to the small encampments surrounding these divine lands, and the healing springs were soon to form a brand-new mindful municipality. This new type of magical town was to be named after Charles IV, the King of Bohemia. The healed hero would ensure that this spiritual land retained its curative origin, and the first Spa Town in Europe was spawned. Homely and humble, architects set out to create a wholesome town. Resplendent with the grandeur of nature, pastoral-coloured fortresses bloomed throughout the all-giving hills. Soon, physicians heard about this new healing town and flocked there in their droves. They wrote of Carlsbad’s calm, peaceful, and hot springs. Perhaps the...
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