Prague Guide

Avoid the touristy areas and all things which claim to be "traditional Czech culture", and immerse yourself in one of the most magical cities you will ever visit.

During a visit to the Czech Republic, there are some experiences you simply have to have. Here are ten of them...  Heart(attack)y Fare - In 2008, Prague's Allegro restaurant sparked something of a food revolution when it earned Eastern Europe's first Michelin Star for its fine Italian fare.  The Water Way - Not a beer fan? No problem... try some foul-tasting water instead. The spa town of Karlovy Vary is home to some very famous hot springs (accidentally discovered by none-other than Emperor Charles IV), and since the 1300s these have been used as much for sipping as for soaking.

What is Prague like in numbers per day? In the charming Prague as well as in its dark side? Have fun; come and have a look at how much happens in Prague during one day.

Prague is quite a safe city where violent crime is rare, though petty crime is quite a bit of a problem. So for visitors pick-pocketing and car theft are the worst dangers. To avoid an unpleasant experience we advice you watch your bag in tourist areas, and on the metro and trams.

If your passport or other valuables have been lost or stolen, report the loss to any police station. They should give you a standard crime report form to fill out, which they will stamp and return. Do not expect that the crime will be investigated, this is for insurance purposes only.

If you do not want to commit a faux pas right after you get off the plane, read these tips on traditions, etiquette, and how to mingle with local people. Czechs do not have very loud personalities, so be prepared to quieten down, get used to removing your shoes, and say goodbye to everyone when you leave a restaurant.

Each day of the year except national holidays comes with a Czech name (or names) to be celebrated. It is common practice to give flowers or some other gift on a person's Name Day - you'll notice many of the flower shops around town often list name days on a blackboard outside.

Susan Breslow Sardone, in About.com’s Guide to Honeymoons, has blogged about National Geographic Traveler’s list of the “World’s Sexiest Cities”, asking readers to share their opinions.

Exchange.cz and Exchange 8 in Prague centre differ from other exchange offices more than you can imagine. Of course everybody is interested in the price for which money is sold or bought. And here we experienced our first pleasant surprise.

While Prague is a great city to get out and see on foot, sometimes you may feel better by riding the tram.  The good news is that there are numerous tram lines that will take you virtually all over the city to see the sights.  These rides are not very expensive and allow you to easily get around even when the weather is not the best.

Prague isn’t a city that requires the visitor to do extra planning or make advance bookings. Generally most tourist attractions aren’t ticketed, and in most cases you have to buy tickets just on the day.

Prague is split up into 22 different districts (10 major) and each of these is divided, again, loosely into neighbourhoods. Below is a brief description of every district, with plus and minus points about each of them.

At first impression Czechs might seems a bit intimidating, service in shops or restaurants provided "without" smiles and passengers in metro or trams looks very quiet.

The spas of the Czech Republic are renowned throughout Europe and are visited on account of their health benefits.

Non-EU visitors are eligible for tax-free shopping at selected shops and department stores in Prague. Look out for "Tax-Free Shopping" signs and you can save up to 14% Value Added Tax on purchases.

If you wish to exchange money in Prague (especially in the city centre) please be careful as many exchange offices charge very high commission. When eating in cheaper restaurants please check your bill as sometimes foreigners can be overcharged with extra items added or changed prices.