Picnic in Prague

Our lovely guests joining our todays' tour, Eleanor and Max, have expressed a wish to have a picnic in Prague. What a great idea! To be honest, having a picnic in one of Prague's plentiful parks is one of our favorite things to do in Prague when the heatwave hits. "Why?" We hear you ask. We'll tell you why!

First of all, having a picnic in a park among locals is a great way to relax after you've had enough of the crowds occupying the main sights in Prague. Second, Prague is a hilly town so many parks offer splendid views of different parts of the town. Many of our guests ask where they can get a romantic meal with a view, and for some, a picnic may be the answer and the memorable experience you will be bringing home with you. Third, it is perfectly legal to have a drink or two in public places; therefore, nothing stops you from enjoying a nice bottle of Bohemian or Moravian wine with the picnic, or enjoy a chilled lager or ale from a beer specialty shop. Finally, some really nice food can be had in the shops surrounding some of our favorite spots for picnic, so you won't be hauling heavy loads across the city. The only slight niggle you may have about the whole experience is the fact that you may, at times, be eating your food about two feet from a hungry labrador staring at you with those hungry, sad eyes. But they never stay for long, trust us!

And because we want our guests, including Eleanor and Max, and you to make the best out of your stay in Prague, we have put together a small map of our favorite places for a nice, calm and tasty summer picnic. The map does not stop at the recommended spots for picnics but goes beyond that: it shows the suggested shops where you can find some delicious food to bring with you.

Kampa park

Ah, the Kampa park… Jan used to spend all his high school days over there, hanging out with his friends… usually not studying. The Kampa is a very hip, local park in the centre. Just a few meters off the Charles Bridge, one of the most crowded sights in Prague, it has still retained its local character. You will find everything there: dogs running around, people throwing frisbees, practicing tai-chi, playing the drums etc.

Petřín hill

The ultimate picnic with a view. We have been recommending this place for a picnic for over a year now, and it still is hard to beat when it comes to the view. After you're finished eating, you can follow on to the Strahov monastery and the Prague Castle. And if that hill seems intimidating or you're not feel like climbing steep hills in hot weather, there's a solution: simply buy a ticket for the funicular car and get off at the middle station. Easy!

Letná park

The Letná park is a place where people in Prague love to go for jogging, roller-blade skating, riding bikes or simply having a cup of beer in the local beer garden. The whole park becomes alive with the first spring days, and stays that way until the fall. The park is a place that makes you realize there's more life in Prague than just the centre, and may invite you to explore some other districts, including the Letná itself.

Stromovka

If you want to have a picnic like a local, you must visit the Stromovka, the biggest park near the centre of the town. The Stromovka actually includes designated picnic areas where grilling is allowed, including benches and tables. Nothing will disturb you there, save for the occasional train running through the park. If you'll see horses, don't panic: there's is an equestrian centre near the park. Follow the horses and then follow on to the Prague ZOO and the Troja chateau.

Riegrovy sady

A very popular park that is the perfect place for a late picnic: the park offers a great view of the Prague Castle and the Old Town in the sunset. You don't have to bring beers along, with a wildly popular beer garden just a few steps away. The park also doubles as the gateway to the Vinohrady district, which offers lots of great food and architecture.

Vítkov hill

The Vitkov hill may not be on the first pages of your guide book but we think it is an absolutely awesome place for several reasons. First of all, you'll find solitude there, if you want it: the slope offers many hidden parts and small areas that offer at least some privacy. Second, you will see Prague from a different perspective - either the centre over a huge railroad track coming out of a tunnel underneath the hill, or the Zizkov district from one of the designated picnic areas along the old-railway-now-turned-into-a-cycling route. Third, you can visit the awesome National Memorial at the top of the hill, and enjoy one of the most stunning views of anything you've ever seen.

Show Picnic spots & where to shop on a larger map

Delicious Beer From Microbreweries

Are you planning your trip to Prague? If you are, then you will already know that we consider Czech regional beers our crown jewels. But do you know what beer tastes the best? Well, that’s tough one.

During our tours we often hear that Czech beer is the best in the world… but when we ask the participants what Czech beer they liked the most, we rarely get a straightforward answer. Frequently, it’s either Gambrinus or Pilsner Urquell, Budějovický Budvar and Staropramen, ubiquitous brands of giant breweries that have been dominating the Czech beer market. That’s not to say these aren’t great beers – at least Pilsner and Budvar – but too much of a good thing can get a bit boring.

Luckily, a new generation of Prague pubs is beginning to draw beers from a plethora of strange brews, going well beyond the traditional big-name lagers. These pubs are gaining popularity among locals: the beers they are selling usually have distinctive flavors, and freshness is always guaranteed. This trend is well illustrated by the recent list of the 10 best places to have a beer in Prague (alright, we are also tired of the generic Top 10 articles) published by Hospodářské noviny, one of the largest newspapers in the Czech republic – four of the top five spots are occupied by pubs selling beers from microbreweries. We encourage you to sample some of these harder-to-find beers and pubs that are worth the search.

Where should you be heading for a pint then?

Zlý Časy is the perfect place to try some fantastic Czech beer - with 24 beers on tap and upbeat but still traditional Czech pub atmosphere. Due to the crowds of happy beer drinkers, it may be harder to get service at the bar.

Zubatý pes – with 15 beers on tap, 5 or 6 of which are foreign beers and the rest being some of the best Czech beers, you are sure to find a few that will suit your liking.

První pivní tramvaj - if you are looking for something a little more adventurous, try this odd little pub. Take the number 11 tram to the last stop at Spořilov. The tram will stop just a few steps from the pub's door. At first sight it might look like a dive, and maybe at second and third sight as well. But it has a unique atmosphere (seats from an old tram bench, tram handrails at the toilets, curious cartoon graffiti) and they serve some wonderful beers. Btw, have you heard of the fourth tap?

Bulovka Pivovar – a famous Czech pub that is almost always packed. Bustling and noisy, like a traditional Czech pub should be, U Bulovky has a very unique atmosphere which is very hard to find nowadays.  The beer is excellent – always fresh-tasting and rich, each beer has its own unique taste.