PRAGUE GUIDE

Not very far from the centre and easy assessable by tram, this is one of Prague’s lesser-known green spaces. Walking through, you are instantly transported to a wooded oasis. Walking straight down from the entrance you’ll run into Letohrádek Hvězda (Star Castle).

The biggest and probably best-known Vinohrady park (Riegrovy sady) is quite a popular local attraction, especially during the summer. One of the Riegrovy sady’s prime attractions is a huge, well-shaded beer garden.

Set out on a walk through the valley of the Dalejský and Prokopský Stream, which runs between the Prague sections of Řeporyje, Jinonice and Hlubočepy.

Once you get tired of walking in the bustling city you might just wish to head to some of the relaxing parks. Here we offer you some of the best suggestions:

Průhonice Park offers visitors a wealth of natural beauty. Stretching to the south of Průhonice Chateau in the Botiče Valley, the park features over 1500 indigenous and exotic tree species. Visitors will find numerous quiet retreats, waterfalls, rocks and meadows with wonderful views of the landscape, chateau and 8000 rhododendron bushes.

This 22-hectare garden is located on the southern and south-eastern slope of Petřín and is separated by the Gothic Hunger Wall from the other gardens.

Creeks, rocks in different shapes with water flowing between them, mini waterfalls and even a small canyon unfold their mystical beauty on the huge surface of Divoka Sarka (Sharka the Wild). Divoka Sarka offers rollerblading, hiking, cycling, jogging, sunbathing, fun walks with your dog and discovering the hidden beauty of the nature, amongst many other activities that can make your day an unforgettable one.

The Great Fürstenberg Garden is spread out around the Fürstenberg Palace. It was founded in the early 18th century by an unknown architect in place of the former vineyards.

Chotek Gardens were founded in 1833 by Count Karel Chotek, the supreme administrator of the Czech Kingdom.

A tranquil place hidden behind high white walls, Vojan Park dates back to the 1600s, when it was the garden of the Convent of Barefooted Carmelites.

This park's most notable landmark is the beautiful Villa Gröbe (Grébovka). This wonderful example of a Neo-Renaissance villa was built as a luxury summer house for industrialist Moritz Gröbe in 1871 - 1888.

Set on the banks of the Vltava opposite the Josefov, Letná Park (Letenské sady) is another open space within easy reach of the city.

Stromovka was for many centuries a royal hunting ground before being designated a public park in 1804. Today its woodland, weeping willows, duck ponds and lakes provide a pleasant alternative to the sometimes hot and dusty city streets and it is definitely the best place to escape crowds. The Exhibition Ground was chosen as the location for the Jubilee of 1891.

Behind Vrtba Palace is very lovely Baroque Vrtba garden dating from 1720. Quite difficult to find, garden is hidden behind an unnoticeable gate.

Occupying the long, narrow band of land below the Castle, South Gardens are quite small gardens linked together.

There are seven gardens surrounding the Prague Castle but The Royal Garden is historically the most important of them, created in 1535 for Ferdinand I. Originally a Renaissance garden, with some beautiful pieces of architecture inspired by Italian influences, it used to be a place, where the king and his family relaxed, played games and raised exotic plants.

Obora Hvězda is a woodland wonderland, an enclave of greenery closed off from outsiders.  If you  walk right down from its' entrance you will encounter Letohrádek Hvězda, a star-shaped, Renaissance palace for the summer.

The Palace Gardens are situated on the southern slopes of the hill crowned by Prague Castle. They consist of five historic gardens: the Ledebour Garden, the Small Palffy Garden, the Great Palffy Garden, the Kolowrat Garden and the Small Fürstenberg Garden.