Five walks off the

beaten path to
places known
and unknown
Prague.eu/walks

walks
1
The best way to discover
Prague is on foot.
The truth of this statement is easy to prove. Many of the
most interesting sights in the historical centre are really
only accessible by foot – often accompanied by hundreds or
thousands of other visitors. This is especially true along the
most popular Prague promenade – the Royal Route, the former
route of coronation processions connecting the Powder Tower,
Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, and Prague Castle.
There’s far more to Prague, though, than the Royal Route. Come and
explore it with us, whether you’re in Prague for the first time or the
fifth.
Each of these five walks is a little different. The routes are of varying
lengths; some are designed as circular, others are linear. We’ll help
make the choice of which walk to do a bit easier by giving you a brief
summary of each route at the beginning of each chapter – and of
course some photos.
All of the walks have the following things in
common:
1  Our primary goal is to introduce you to beautiful, interesting
places. Each route includes scenic views.
2  The routes avoid busy tourist sites, but sometimes take you to
their immediate vicinity.
3  The routes are not necessarily designed to be educational,
but rather simply scenic and pleasant. Descriptions of historically
interesting sites and buildings are deliberately brief, but if you’re
interested in more detailed information about a particular place, we
recommend you read more on our website w www.prague.eu.
4  Each route has its own map. In addition to orientation points,
interesting places, and scenic views, we’ve also marked spots
where you can get something good to eat and drink. A proper walk
stimulates the appetite!
a And finally, just one recommendation: be sure to wear good
walking shoes and charge your camera or phone before walking
out the door. We guarantee you’ll find something picture-worthy
along the way.

Contents
Vyšehrad
Czech History Uphill and Downhill 2
Vinohrady and Vršovice
La Dolce Vita 10
Under Green Arches
The Mutable Charm of Prague’s
Parks and Gardens 18
The Karlín Story
From Rags to Riches 28
From Břevnov to Strahov
The Magic of (Semi) Rural Prague 34
2 V YŠ E H R A D V YŠ E H R A D 3
This circular walk takes you along the riverfront to
the Vyšehrad ramparts, across the Botič Stream
valley and up the hill to little-known Karlov, offering
inspiring views of the city, as well as a remarkable
showcase of architecture. At the foot of Vyšehrad,
you’ll discover the beauty of Czech architectural
Cubism immortalised in the crystalline forms of the
Kovařovic Villa and other buildings. Your path leads
you to legend-wreathed Vyšehrad, to its cemetery
with the Slavín mausoleum, Baroque ramparts, and
wonderful views of the Old and New Towns. Walk along
Folimanka Park and head up to Karlov before relaxing
(if you’re so inclined) in the botanical garden at
Albertov. Although this is one of the more demanding
routes due to the terrain, it’s definitely worth exploring
any time of the year.
5
km
Vyšehrad ramparts

Vyšehrad
Czech History
Uphill and Downhill

1
4 V YŠ E H R A D V YŠ E H R A D 5
Štulcova St. turn left along the cemetery wall Nové
proboštství / New Provostry
  5 Vyšehrad Cemetery & Slavín This cemetery is the burial
place of some of the most important Czech cultural and scientific
figures and has many interesting gravestones and tomb sculptures,
including the tombs of composers Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich
Smetana, and writer Karel Čapek. The cemetery is dominated by
Slavín, a joint final resting place of many Czech luminaries.
6 Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul

  7 Vyšehradské sady/Gardens This area, originally

Route Description
1 Palackého náměstí/Square k y B stop “Karlovo náměstí”
Zítkovy sady/Gardens Rašínovo nábřeží/Embankment
  2 Náplavka is Prague’s most popular promenade – you can
walk, ride your bike, feed the swans, chat with your friends, visit
a sauna or gallery on the water, have a coffee or a drink, or just sit
and observe the ever-changing colours of the sky over the river.
From spring to autumn, various events take place here – concerts,
food festivals, and dance evenings, as well as the regular Saturday
farmers’ market, one of the most popular in Prague.
under the railway bridge Vnislavova St. Libušina St.
  3 Kovařovic Villa Fans of modern architecture will be
impressed by the Kovařovic Villa, which, together with its garden, is
a masterpiece of Czech Cubism. Other Cubist buildings by architect
Josef Chochol can be found under the Vyšehrad cliffs on the
riverfront, and on Libušina St. and nearby Neklanova St.
Rašínovo nábřeží/Embankment Na Libušince St. at the end of
the street, turn right up the stairs to 4 Vyšehrad
  4 Vyšehrad This mysterious, magical place, still closely
associated with legends, was built as a fortress in the 10th century.
Later, an independent chapter was established here, and it was
temporarily the seat of the Přemyslid noble family. Vyšehrad is
a cultural and spiritual centre, with the dominant Basilica of Sts.
Peter and Paul and stunning views of Prague. The surrounding
gardens invite visitors to sit and relax or go for a stroll. If you are
interested in the past and present of this place, Vyšehrad offers
guided tours and tours of the underground casemates.
Náplavka
View from the Vyšehrad fortifications
over the Nusle Valley towards Karlov
6 V YŠ E H R A D V YŠ E H R A D 7
cross Neklanova St. and take the underpass under the railroad
tracks turn left Na Slupi St. Horská St. Ztracenka Garden
11 Bastion, with its unique view of Vyšehrad and the Petřín
Lookout Tower, was part of the New Town fortifications. Not long
ago, Bastion was sensitively converted into its modern form; part of
the complex is now occupied by a restaurant.
Ke Karlovu St.
12 KostelNanebevzetí Panny Marie a sv. Karla
Velikého na Karlově / Church of the Assumption of
the Virgin Mary and St. Charlemagne at Karlov This
church, founded in the 14th century by Emperor Charles IV, and
its Augustinian monastery have undergone many transformations
throughout its history. The monastery building served as a hospital
and public hospice. It now houses the Museum of the Police of the
Czech Republic.
Apolinářská St.
13 Zemská porodnice u sv. Apolináře / St. Apollinaire
Provincial Maternity Hospital This building, visible from
afar, was built in English style using red fired bricks and continues
to serve as a maternity hospital today (and is a favourite subject of
filmmakers). The first childbirth was recorded here in 1875.
Viničná St. Kateřinská St. Benátská St.
14 Charles University Botanical Garden This small
university botanical garden is a charming place to rest and enjoy
the quiet company of blooming plants, succulents, and trees. Free
admission.
Vyšehradská St.
15 Emmaus Monastery Na Slovanech This monastery,
founded in 1347 by Emperor Charles IV, became a centre of Slavic
education, art, and literature. Singular are its unique Gothic wall
murals. The church’s elegant towers are a modern addition – the
US Air Force destroyed the original neo-Gothic towers in 1945
during the bombing of Prague, when in stormy weather pilots made
a navigational error and mistook Prague for Dresden.
16 Church of St John of Nepomuk on the Rock Karlovo náměstí
/ Charles Square Na Moráni St. 1 Palackého náměstí/Square with
the monument to Czech historian and politician František Palacký
8 Rotunda of St. Martin 9 Cihelná brána / Brick Gate
Vratislavova St. Přemyslova St. 10 Cubist corner building
  8 The Romanesque rotunda is one of the very oldest
buildings in Prague, built in the last third of the 11th century. The
Empire-style Brick Gate is part of the Vyšehrad citadel fortifications.
Inside is an interactive exhibition about the development of
Prague’s fortifications, as well as the entrance to the underground
casemates.
10 The Cubist apartment building at the corner of
Přemyslova and Neklanova Streets is a world rarity. The façade of
this building by Josef Chochol from 1914 is origami-like, with many
fine details.
Vyšehrad cemetery
Palackého
nám.
řevná
Z
ítkov
sady
nám. Pod
Emauzy
nám. I. P.
Pavlova
Fügnerovo
nám.
Jiráskovo
nám.
Ostrčilovo
nám.
Karlovo
nám.
DLadova
Moulíkova
Na Vý
a
Hrobci
toni
Lesnická
Na Děkance
Vrázova
Pecháčkova
Kot
evní
d
Tra
tí
Hálkova
Na Celné
Přemyslova
NPoK Rotundě
Votočkova
Koubkova
hody
Slavojova
Libušina
T
y
r
š
o
va
Plavecká
V Tůních
Nezamyslova
Svatoplukova
Na Rybníčku
Pivovarská
Kon g
r es
ová
Botičská
Na Bučance
Na Bojišti
Krokova
Gorazdova
Malá
Štěpánská
Studničkova
Na Moráni
Václavská
Na Valentince
m
Dienz en
hoferovy
sady
Palackého most
U Nemocnice
Trojanova
Hlavova
Benátská
va
Dittrichova
Resslova
Staropramenná
Wenzigova
Nábřežní
Vltavská
Podskalská
Jindřicha Plachty
Tr
oji
ck
á
Jiráskův most
Neklanova
Svobodova
U Podolského sanatoria
Na Bělidle
Lidická
Kateřinská
V Pevnos
ti
V Pevnost
i
Oldřichova
Albertov Albertov
Ječná Ječná
Nuselský most Nuselský most
Svornosti
Křesomyslova
Lublaňská
Na Slupi
Štěpánská
Ke Karlovu
Vyšehradská
Jaromírova Jaromírova
Horská Horská
Apolinářská
Apolinářská
Žitná
Vnislavova
Hořejší nábř.
Sekaninova
Čiklova
Zborovská
Sokolská
Legerova
Legerova
Legerova
Rašínovo nábř.
Rašínovo nábř.
Císařská louka
Na Pankráci
5. května
Podo
lské nábř.
Nádražní
Nádražní
Strakon
ická
Lípová
Salmovská
Viničná
Na
Preslova
Lumírova
Vratis
lavova
Štulcova
Pod Slovany
Strakonická
y
Libušinka
o
že
B
n
y
Němcové
Na Hrádku
 2
 1
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
  10
  12
  13
  14
  16
  15

1
Basilica of Sts.
Peter and Paul
Emmaus Monastery
Na Slovanech
Náplavka
  11
10 V I N O H R A D Y A N D V R Š O V I C E V I N O H R A D Y A N D V R Š O V I C E 11
This easy walk is ideal for aesthetes and those who
enjoy the finer things in life. It leads through an
elegant part of Prague located on hilly terrain east of
the historical centre. The area got its name from the
vineyards that Emperor Charles IV ordered to be planted
here in the 14th century (one of which you will visit).
Elaborate façades, tree-lined streets, picturesque parks
with city views, and an atmosphere reminiscent of Paris
make this an area that the cream of Prague society
have always favoured. Today, this cosmopolitan district
is known not only for its high rents, but also for its top
restaurants, wine bars, and cafés. The walk will also
explore a small part of Vršovice and Žižkov, two popular
districts that share a thriving cultural life and are known
for their eclectic mix of pubs, bars, and cultural clubs.
7

Vinohrady km

and
Vršovice
rge
mation centers,
y to assist:
ague 1