Prague Hotels

Prague - General Information

The greatest success story of post-Communist Europe, Prague has become one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. The energy unleashed by the end of decades of repression during 1989’s bloodless “Velvet Revolution” doesn’t seem to have abated yet, though the infrastructure has markedly improved, making this the perfect time to visit the “City of a Hundred Spires.”

Prague Bridges

Art Nouveau Architecture

The Czechs were eventually defeated in 1620 and Prague was ruled by the Hapsburg family for the next 300 years. Much of the Lesser Quarter, on the left bank of the Vltava, was built at this time, its appearance owing much to the Baroque tastes of the Austrian nobility.

With the creation of the modern Czechoslovak state in 1918, Prague was able to regain its status as a European capital (seceded to Vienna during the Hapsburg years.) Though it went on to be occupied by the Nazis and the Soviets, most of its finest buildings escaped World War II essentially intact, thus ensuring its future appeal. It contains one of the world's most pristine and varied collections of architecture, from Art Nouveau to Baroque, Renaissance, Cubist, Gothic, Neo Classical and ultra-modern.

Today, amid Prague's cobblestone streets and gold-tip spires, new galleries, cafés, and clubs throng with young Czechs, Western "expatriates" and tourists. New shops and, perhaps most noticeably, lots of new restaurants have opened, ensuring that the bad old days of heavy, uninspired Central European cuisine is a distant memory. The only drawback to the city’s new popularity is the fact that the narrow, winding alleys of the Old Town become absolutely clogged with visitors during high season. But this is a small price to pay for the chance to visit so beautiful city with such a fascinating legacy.

Prague Cusine

Many of the good restaurants are quite small, so it’s best to reserve well ahead of time, as they tend to fill up quickly. Prices are relatively inexpensive by west European standards, although they soar as you approach Old Town Square (Staromestske namesti) and Malo-stranske namesti, so if you're on a budget, eat outside the historical centre.

Czech beer, however, is famous world-wide. The best-known brands are Pilsner (Plzenske) and Budweiser (Budvar), but just as good are Radegast, Staropramen and Velkopopovicky Kozel. The favorite aperitif is Becherovka, a Czech-invented liqueur, potently herbal and touted as having medicinal qualities. Plum brandy (slivovice) is also popular.