DK Travel : Prague

At the geographical heart of Europe, Prague’s beautiful cityscape has been carved and sustained by a variety of emperors, artists and religious communities, from the Gothic exuberance of its castle and cathedral, to the dignity of the medieval Jewish Cemetery, and the 19th-century opulence of the “new” town. Under Communist rule, Prague was off the tourist map, but since 1989 the city has seen a surge of visitors eager to take in this spectacular city.

Kampa Island

The tiny Čertovka (Devil’s Canal) that separates Kampa from Malá Strana was once the town’s “laundry”, milling area and, in the 17th century, home to a thriving pottery industry. A popular park now covers the island’s southern end (see Kampa Island) while the northern half is home to elegant embassies, restaurants and hotels. Much of the island was submerged during the 2002 flooding and many buildings had to be repaired.
Kampa Park

This top-rated riverside restaurant serves a mix of Continental classics and fusion cuisine.
Kampa Park

Consistently rated Prague’s best restaurant, chic Kampa Park has an unparalleled riverside location and an outstanding menu with influences from all over the world. Proprietor Nils Jebens also owns another restaurant on Malostranské náměstí.
Karel Čapek

This Czech writer is best known for his science fiction and psychologically penetrating novels. With his 1921 play R.U.R. (Rossum Universal Robots) he gave the world a word for an automaton, based on a Czech word for “forced labour”.
Karel Vachek

Vachek creates rambling documentaries which capture the absurdity of Czech politics.
Karlova

You will inevitably get lost trying to follow “Charles Street” from Old Town Square to Charles Bridge; relax and enjoy the bewildering, twisting alleys choked with shops and cafés.
Karlovo náměstí

Charles IV had his city planners build New Town’s central square to the same dimensions as Jerusalem’s. Originally a cattle market, it’s now a park popular with dog-walkers. Among the trees are monuments to such luminaries as Eliška Krásnohorská, who wrote libretti for Smetana’s operas. To the west, on Resslova, is the Church of Sts Cyril and Methodius. The members of the Czech resistance, responsinble for the assassination of Nazi leader Reinhard Heydrich (1904–42), took refuge here (see Cathedral of Sts Cyril and Methodius).
Karlovy lázně

The former public bath- house, just 100 m from Charles Bridge, was converted into a dance club in the late 1990s. You can still admire the original tiles along the corridors and the splendid mosaic murals. Drained of water, the pools now serve as the dance floors.
Karlovy lázně

Bruce Willis jammed here when in town. Weekends find a queue of young clubbers stretching along the river bank waiting to get in to these remodelled municipal baths. Four levels of clubbing, from classic rock to DJs and, occasionally, live bands.
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

It’s easier to hobnob with the stars here than at Cannes or Berlin. Hundreds of partygoers fairly turn the sleepy west Bohemian spa town upside down for 10 days. Hundreds of screenings, too.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under Kč300
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- over Kč1000