The New Town, "Nove Mesto" was founded by Charles IV in 1348 and is located in Prague 1, spilling slightly over into Prague 2. Nove Mesto is located just south of Wenceslas Square and an excellent choice for those who wish to be in the heart of Prague, where you can immerse yourself in the history of Prague and also enjoy the abundant nightlife.
Getting Around:
Many of Prague's cultural sights are within walking distance, and excellent transport links by tram, bus or metro.
Leisure:
Oasis City, in the centre of Wenceslas Square is a multi-purpose facility where all the family can relax and enjoy some time out. For the children, Robinson Crusoe's Island will provide hours of fun. You can indulge in beauty treatments and massage, get your hair done or revitalize your energy in the restaurant and café.
Places to visit:
The famous Wenceslas Square is more of a grand commercial boulevard with many shops, banks, restaurants, hotels and souvenir shops. You can see the King Wenceslas statue which is a popular meeting point. The majestic National Museum is also located near-by, housing the Pantheon, a hall dedicated to the memory of extraordinary Czech individuals.
The New Town Hall is a grand example of Gothic architecture, and for those with more modern tastes the Fred and Ginger building can also be found, designed by Frank O. Gehry and Vlado Milunic.
Along the riverbank you can find the Dancing House, a building with a feeling that it is paying tribute to the Leaning Tower of Pisa...except more twisted!
Charles Bridge as legend goes withstood 600 years of heavy wheeled transport due to eggs mixed into the mortar. It was pedestrianised after WWII and these days most locals and visitors love to admire the bridge's many monuments and fantastic views of the Vltava River (just beware of pickpockets). The bridge is lined with statues and monuments, and the oldest and most famous is the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, the Czech patron saint. Perhaps notorious is more appropriate, as legend goes, Saint John was thrown into the Vlatva River by bad King Wenceslas IV in 1393.
Nightlife:
Prague 1 and 2 obviously have the highest concentration of bars, pubs and clubs than other areas, and you will be spoilt for choice. Like any major international city, you will find a whole host of places to go.
Bugsy's Bar has been around for a while and serves a good cocktail and snack menu to a young, hip crowd and has previously been honoured as one of the world's best bars.
If you fancy a flutter, check out Banco Casino. With a great location, all your favourite games are available, and an atmosphere of pure, unadulterated indulgence.
La Fabrique is a plush complex of underground rooms, playing a mix of music from house to hip hop, and everything in between.
Gastronomy:
For authentic Czech cuisine, try Ferdinanda, with beer kegs, eclectic furnishings and friendly service. A delicious and speedy breakfast and lunch menu is served, aswell as a great dinner menu.
For food with a view try Zlata Praha, from where you can see a fair share of the city's 100 spires. It is one of the city's most reknowned restaurants and has an ever-changing menu of international and Czech cuisine. Sunday brunch is almost always accompanied by live jazz music.
Kogo is, by word of mouth one of the best restaurants in Prague, serving a predominantly Italian cuisine and providing an excellent standard of service and one of the best wine lists in Prague.
Visiting a café in Prague is definately a must-do, if you want to mix with locals and pose, or simply enjoy a great cup of coffee. You can find all types in Prague, from the slightly faceless coffee house chains to the individual, down to earth establishments. Nordica is a well-lit. clean cut café providing a tasty range of toasties, salads and sandwiches from their reasonably priced snack menu. Live music and readings occur on an occasional basis.
Grand Café Orient is a unique, Cubist style café, painstakingly reconstructed to match the original one built in 1911. Try to beat the hordes and get a balcony seat overlooking Celetna Street.
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