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Lesser Town from the Castle

The Lesser Town of Prague (Czech: Malá Strana) is the lower area next to the Castle district.

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[edit] Petrin Hill

Due to a housing crunch, most young Czechs don't move out of their parents' house until they marry (sometimes long after!). This lack of privacy leads to some very public displays of affection - what you see on the metro or trams won't compare to what you’re likely to encounter on Petrin Hill. This hillside slopes down from the Castle and Strahov Monastery to Mala Strana and Malostranske namesti metro station. It affords an amazing view of the city on a clear day, and in springtime the trees are all in bloom. This is possibly the nicest place to kick back with a bottle of wine and your significant other to watch the sun set over the city. Just be careful not to trip over the modesty-lacking couples who will probably already be there. In a city filled with apartment buildings and only a handful of single family houses (almost all in the diplomats' favored housing area, Dejvice, and priced far above the average Czech family's wage) parks take on a greater importance. Petrin has a miniature Eiffel Tower that offers a nice view over Prague and its suburbs. The most famous "inhabitant" of the park is a statue of poet Karel Hynek Macha, at whose feet lovers leave wreaths every spring in honour of his romantic poem Maj.

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• Go up the Petrin Observation Tower for a worthwhile view over the city for 60 Kč (reductions 40 Kč).
• Watch the night sky with a big telescope from the Stefanik Observatory (40 Kč).
• Children of all ages like the distorting mirrors in the Mirror Maze on Petřín Hill.

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• U Zavesenyho Kafe, Uvoz 6, Praha 1. [1] U Zavesenyho Kafe on Uvoz near Hradčany square is one of the very few restaurants in the tourist area of Prague with a quirky atmosphere that isn't excessively touristy. Offering food at reasonable prices and serving good, modest food. A great place to have lunch while exploring Hradčany and Petrin Park, it's conveniently located in the middle between these two tourist attractions.

• El Centro, Maltézské Náměstí 9, Praha 1, tel. +42 0257 533 343, bar-elcentro@volny.cz [2]. Open every day 12PM-12AM (Last orders at 11PM). An excellent little restaurant located near the Charles Bridge, but tucked behind a couple of other buildings. It's a typical Spanish restaurant, has a very friendly atmosphere, good prices and isn't crowded. Also, it doesn't have any hidden charges such as service taxes which are common in Prague. English menus and takeout available. Mains 90Kč-350Kč.

• Malostranska Pivnice, Cihelná 3, Praha 1. [3] Near the Charles Bridge. Traditional Czech cuisine. Food at moderate prices.

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• Charming Prague Hotels Group [4]. Offers luxury accommodation in 3 and 4 star hotels situated directly in the Prague Old Town, Lesser Town and Prague City Center. Hotels are located close to the Old Town Square and the Wenceslas Square, walking distance from all major historical sites.

• The Castle Steps [5]. Reviews describe these rooms and apartments as excellent accommodation for the price. The Castle Steps accommodation is right at the foot of Prague Castle, very close to the city center and five minutes from the tram stop. Prices for two people range from €68 per night in summer and €46 per night in winter for the smallest rooms to €170 per night in summer and €114 per night in winter for a luxury self contained apartment. Most rooms have antique furniture and oil paintings. This is the real Prague at great value.

• Nerudova Apartment House Nerudova 40, Prague 1, tel. +420 224 990 900, info@travel.cz [6]. House is located in Nerudova Street, leading up from the Little Quarter Square to the Prague Castle. All apartments are fully furnished in standard way. A spacious living room includes a fully equipped kitchenette and a dinette. Maid service twice per week. Prices vary according to the season and type of apartment, from 50€ for one bedroom apartment to 150€ for large three bedroom apartment.

• Pension Dietzenhofer Nosticova 2, (tram 12, stop Malostranske Namesti), dientzenhofer@volny.cz [7]. The main house is a cute green building dating from 1572. Rooms and suites there start from 1500 kc for a single. The flat, which sleeps up to 4, is a great value for backpackers at 1800 kc/night. It has a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, bathroom, and is located on Karmelitska, a main thoroughfare in Lesser Town.

[edit] Contact

General Tours (1-800-221-2216) offers escorted and privately guided Prague itineraries.