Prague Accommodation & Cheap Lodging

"Mother Prague has clutche" Franz Kafka wrote nearly one hundred years ago. And it is just as true today. Anyone who has once wandered around the cobbled streets and Gothic alleyways and seen the moon hover behind the towers and pinnacles of Europe's most beautiful capital will come back.

After the 'Velvet Revolution' in 1989, Prague has been an international metropolis with all the usual trappings – but it has at the same time managed successfully to retain its unspoiled local character hospody (beerhouses) offering the world's best beers are still to be found on every street corner. The Czech capital is small and compact. The most important areas are the central districts of the city: Staré Mesto (Old Town), Josefov, Nové Mesto (New Town) and Malá Strana (Lesser Town). These are best explored on foot. In recent years the district of Vinohrady (Vineyards) has established itself as the district favoured by Pražani (the Prague inhabitants) here the restaurants and cafés lie closely packed. When you visit Prague it is worth remembering that not only does the city boast an impressive history stretching back many hundreds of years, but it has also fostered exciting architects, artists and designers of the 20th century too. Prague was once the centre of Central European modernism, a fact which today, after a long period of dictatorship, has almost faded into oblivion. During recent years, modernist Czech architecture and interior design have experienced a recovery and there is nearly always a good exhibition to see somewhere.

Staromestské námesti The Old Town market place with its pastel-coloured baroque houses and cathedral is one of Europe's most beautiful squares. In the centre stands a large statue of the religious leader from the 1400's, Jan Hus.

Obecní dum (Municipal House) This art nouveau palace was erected after the right-wing revolution which during the second half of the 19th century came to transform Prague into a modern capitalist city.

Staronová Synagoga (Old-New Synanogogue) One of the oldest synagogues in Europe. This is where Rabbi Löw, who created Golem, the clay figure which was to protect Prague's Jewish population from persecution, preached.

Prague Castle and St. Vitus' Cathedral The whole of Prague Castle, the area which lies on a hill overlooking the city, is a must for the visitor. The castle's history goes back to the 11th century and it is said today to be Europe's largest castle.

Karluv most (Charles Bridge) It was built in 1357 by Charles IV and up to the 19th century it remained the only bridge connecting both sides of Prague. Take a stroll over the bridge and learn the names of the 30 saints whose statues stand sentinel there.

Veletržní palác This handsome functional building from the 1920's is where trade fairs used to be held until 1951. Later it served as headquarters for foreign trade companies. Today it houses the National Gallery collections of modern international and Czech art.

Prague Restaurants
On the Prague restaurant scene many international cuisines have been introduced, but the Central European still dominates. Classic Czech homely fare includes Svícková (roast beef with cream sauce) and the national dish Vepro-knedlo-zelo (pork with sauerkraut and dumplings). These can be had at any hospoda – beerhouse – along with a cold pilsner.

Prague Bars & Nightlife Prague has a lively nightlife and anyone who wants to, can dance at the night clubs until dawn. Most Pražani (the Prague inhabitants) start the evening at one of the city's many bars, cafés or beerhouses.

Prague Cafes Prague has always been a good town for cafés. Around the turn of the last century this meant large middle class premises – which re-opened during the 1990's – and after the 'velvet revolution' of 1989 a lot of small, cosy cafés opened with bric-à-brac décor.

Prague Stores and shopping streets
If you want to shop for uniquely Czech products in Prague you should visit the small boutiques selling domestic designer clothes and look for reproductions of the utility designs created by Czech modernists in the 1920's and 30's. Both sectors have grown considerably in recent years. Another traditional item to shop for is Bohemian cut glass. Prague's main shopping areas are situated in New Town: on Václavské námesti (Wenceslas Square) and immediately below on the pedestrian mall Na Príkope. There are large individual shops and chain stores such as H&M, Zara and Marks & Spencers, as well as several large department stores. There are however no specific shopping areas for smaller shops with designer clothing, but you will encounter a small concentration of these on Karoliny Svetlé and Bartolomejská streets in New Town. Here boutiques such as Leeda, Toalette and Alice Abraham offer a good starting point. If you take a stroll from the market place Havelské tržište in Old Town across Michalská street you will find several antique shops and shops displaying typical Prague artwork on the way. The Czech Republic is deservedly well-known for its cut glass and a wide range is on offer at the shops around Staromestské námesti (Old Town Square). The work of young Czech designers can be found at Qubus at Rámová 3, not far from the Old Town Square. If you are looking for modernist design in the form of cubism or functionalism, visit the shop Kubista at Ovocný trh 19/Celetná 34, also just a stone's throw from the Square in Old Town. In addition, the shop Modernista, at Celetná 12, towards the Charles Bridge, is well worth a visit – everything from cubist ties and ash-trays to billiard tables in functional style is sold here.