Prague has approximately 1.3 million inhabitants and covers an area of almost 500 square kilometres, It originated around 1000 A.D. and for many years remained a group of independent villages. Under the rule of Charles IV (14th century) medieval Prague experienced its greatest development. At the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries the city gained further renown owing to Emperor Rudolf II. Between 1918 and 1992 Prague was the capital city of Czechoslovakia and since January 1993 has been the capital of the independent Czech Republic.
Prague Castle, the world’s largest castle complex still in operation, is the residence of the Czech President. Prague has always been a crossroads of Central European history. The city affords to its visitors a singular atmosphere, a cocktail of historical, cultural, religious and national influences.
The currency is one crown (CZK, Kc), made up of 100 hellers (h). For one US doHar you will receive at the present time approximately CZK 18, for one Euro approximately CZK 26. Most hotels, large stores and restaurants accept international credit cards.
We recommend:
Do not change money in the street with strangers, use banks, hotels and money exchange offices.
Most shops and services are open on working days from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, banks from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the centre of Prague and in shopping centres, stores are usually open 7 days a week.
Holidays:
January 1, March 24, May 1, May 8, July 5, July 6, September 28, October 28, November 17, December 24 – 26 (days with Sunday operating hours).
We recommend:
• The most popular souvenirs are Czech amber, cut glass, traditional Czech liquors, spa wafers and traditional folk art.
• The price of a restaurant meal is around CZK 150, drinks around CZK 90
• Entrance to cultural events ranges from CZK 200 to 1000.
Automobile transportation in Prague is limited due to the hilly terrain the medieval character of the centre and dense traffic. Parking opportunities in the centre are limited and cost money
We recommend using the P+R car parks along the routes entering Prague, located at metro stations (see map).
Public transport is well-organised nd extensive. Its basis is the Prague metro. Trams complete the transport network in the centre, connecting it
With outlying areas. City buses can be used primarily outside the centre and in Prague’s immediate surroundings. The entire system is completed by city train transport.
Tickets can be purchased at metro stations, newspaper stands, from vending machines at stops and other locations. Tickets are valid from the moment they are stamped for the amount of time indicated on the ticket.
We recommend:
The stop closest to Prague Castle – tram #22, 23.
• You can reach the Charles Bridge from the Malostranska metro station.
• The Municipal House and the Powder Tower are nearest to the Namesti Republiky metro station.
• Old Town Square is accessible from the metro stations Staromestska and Mustek.
• The National Theatre is not far from the Narodni trida metro station.
• You can reach the Petrin hill viewing tower by funicular from the Ujezd tram stop (#6, 9, 12, 20, 22, 23).
• The television tower is a short walk from the Jiriho z Podebrad metro station.
• You can reach the airport by bus #100, 119, 179, 225, 254, AE (see map on the rear).
Taxi services are regularly available, we recommend calling a taxi using radio dispatching and getting an estimate before entering the car. The prices are, on average, CZK 30 per kilometre and the price from the airport to the main bus or train station or a hotel in the city centre should not be higher than CZK 700. For longer trips, it is easy to rent a car.