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This is goulash’s sweet cousin: slices of pot-roasted beef tenderloin are served in a carrot-sweetened cream sauce, topped with a dollop of whipped cream and cranberries. Apparently, this is one of President Václav Havel’s favourite dishes. Like goulash, it’s unthinkable to eat it without the dumplings to mop up the sauce.

Grab a bag of breadcrumbs and head to the riverbank. Střelecký Ostrov is an ideal spot to watch these graceful white birds dip their necks in the water to catch the morsels for children’s delight. Take care that little feet don’t go into the water and mud, however, and make sure that fingers don’t inadvertently get snapped in the feeding frenzy. Good for all seasons.

Also known as olomoucké tvaružky , these small cheese rounds immediately announce themselves by their pungent aroma. Eat them as a snack or light lunch, accompanied by beer, bread and onions.

Charles IV restored Vyšehrad’s fortifications in the 14th century. Catholic crusaders rode through this gate on their way to crush the Táborites in 1434.

This international dance festival is on the verge of becoming something great. The local dance scene has greatly benefited from it, and audiences can now see contemporary productions year-round.

Jindřišská and Panská near Wenceslas Square serve as Zurich in this 2002 film adaptation of Robert Ludlum’s novel.

Kafka worked on this novel of social alienation while living in Prague Castle’s Golden Lane.

Lucifer pops up as a cuddly character on houses all over town and in local legend, more a folksy trickster than a sinister prince of darkness. Here, he’ll tempt you to dine at a not completely infernal restaurant.

When the bicycle was all the rage in the late 19th century, young Bobeř Říma stole one and rode it into the river. If a soggy young fellow tries to sell you a bike near the Old Town end of Charles Bridge, just keep walking.