10 beautiful forest areas in Prague

What´s probably most fascinating here in Central Europe is the amazing nature that feels very special. It reminds me in many ways about Gotland in Sweden´s magically beautiful cliff landscape because of the surroundings around Prague that is based on a several 100 million-year-old seabed. The landscape here is dramatic with many ravines, caves and strange rock formations. You can find fossils and dinosaur tracks if you are looking in the right place. Some of the better specimens of mammoth bones have been found here in the Czech Republic. One can imagine that mysteriously cone-shaped mountains once had been volcanoes.

In order to find the beautiful scenery, you don´t need to go far from the city. You can even find the exciting nature in the city and get to the areas that I mention here with the public transportation. But one thing is certain, that it isnt as wild and breathtaking near the city but still quite okay to get your nature dose that you are longing for. You can see old and new traces of humanity everywhere in the most easily accessible nature such as strange statues and mini-chapels, and quite a lot of graffiti that the Prague teenagers seem to have a penchant for. The best nature areas are therefore, in my opinion, outside the local traffic network, but there are many gems in and around the city. These are our favorites:

Obora Hvezda

Translated from Czech, it roughly means "the star-park". This forest / park has been named by the beautiful star-shaped castle-like building in the middle of it. It is located in Prague 6 which is easy to reach by both tram and metro. In the spring, the ground is covered with wood anemones and wild garlic. Many of the trees are covered in ivy. There are several playgrounds and a traffic playground outside. This place is suitable for picnics and family meet-ups. 

Dáblicky Haj

This forest is slightly off the beaten path in Prague 8 but is still relatively easy to reach by tram. It´s very nice to spend a day in it. There is a large play area with several barbecue spots and many beautiful ravines and cliffs. There is also an observatory at the top. 

Lysolaje Udoli

Údolí means "valley" in Czech. This is a nature area where you can walk around in a valley or rather in sort of a mini-canyon as it is very steep. The natural landscape is quite dramatic. There are also exciting things that humanity has left behind - including a cold spring water pool, chapels and statues here and there. The valley is located in Prague 6 and is most easily reached by car. You can also walk through Divoká Šárka to get there.

Tiche Udoli

The "quiet valley" is quite deafening when there are incoming airplanes as they go in for landing at the airport over this forest but otherwise it seems to be pretty quiet there. There are some wild animals that you can read about on the informative signs. We saw a gray heron and a squirrel as well as various common birds. There seemed to be traces of otters or beavers in the stream as well. It is easiest to get there by car, but there are also buses from Prague. 

Cibulka

This forest, located in Prague 5, is quite central and easy to reach by bus 123 which goes up the hill. Here are both deciduous and coniferous trees. There are a few playgrounds and picnic huts, as well as some ponds, a number of statues, caves / tunnels, a mini-castle that you can walk up in and a lot of other interesting things. There is a stream to play in too. 

Divoká Šárka

"Wild Šarka" is a nature reserve in Prague 6 that extends to the two valleys mentioned above. It's big and wild for being so close to the city. There are dramatic cliffs and ravines that the stream meanders its way through. There is also a pond where you can swim in and spring water pools. Although it´s partly tamed by humans, there are surprisingly wild areas that fit well for a day-trip. It is easy to reach the nature reserve by public transport or by car. 

Draháň-Troja

This nature area is located in Prague 8 and is pretty close to Dáblice so you can explore both areas the same day if you want. We went there on a sunny autumn day and parked in Cimice (which you can also go by bus to). We walked in the valley along the Cimice stream and then crossed the fields and meadows to get to the lookout picnic spot near the river. There is a big drop there, maybe 80 m high, so it is definitely not suitable for toddlers and babies but the view is quite nice. You can skip that part if you have littles as there is plenty of other things to explore. There is also a small lake. 

Kunratice

This forest is probably our kids favorite. It´s located in Prague 4 and is a fairly large natural area. Friends who live near have reported wild animal herds of different kinds. If you don't see them, you might be content with the mini-zoo there. There is an excellent forest pub with outdoor playground and large areas to run around. The children's favorite place is the stream where there is blue clay and the playground with fireplace where you can have a bbq. 

Mala Chuchle

This forest called "Little Chuchle" is located next to "Big Chuchle" which we haven´t visited yet. It´s a large forest in Prague 5 which is a little more tricky to reach but you can both take the bus or drive. We went there on an ice cold winter day. You have to go up a really steep hill to get to the minizoo.place. In hindsight I would definitely not have taken the stroller with me. We all had to push it up the worst bits. But the nature is beautiful and the mini-zoo at the top of the hill has a playground and quite a few animals. In the summer, the pub will be open too. At the "entrance" there is a beautiful church. 

Prokopske Udoli

The Prokop Valley is also located in Prague 5. This is an area rich in fossils. You can find them in the stream and on the slopes. The valley, like the others we explored in Prague, is dramatically steep. Here it´s possible to get up on the hill and then you can walk past a natural well with drinking water. There are barbecue areas, playgrounds and several areas for picnics. It´s easy to get there with the tram. The pub on the way down to the valley has a large playground and good food which can be good to know if you don´t bring food. 

Google maps with mentioned nature areas above. However, you will find your way easiest by using mapy.cz. Then you will see the markings for wells, view points and points of interest that are not listed on Google.

You can reach all these places easily with public transport or car from our Family apartment. The closest ones are Dablicky haj and Drahan Troja.

13 great places and things to do in the neighbourhood

Our worldschooling apartment is conveniently located quite near the center but away from the hustle and bustle. You have great activities and food options just within a few minutes walk or a short tram ride away. Here are some ideas: 

1 - Krokodyli zoo 

It is just around the corner. Here you can see crocodiles, turtles and such. Last time we were there we got to hold a snake.

2 - Take the P7 Boat to the other side 

This cute little boat is part of the public transport system. It goes to the island and Karlin. On the other side in Karlin there is a beach pub with hammocks and an alternative play area. Karlin is nice to walk around in. The boat goes from the market, a few minutes walk away.

3 - Bitcoin cafe Paralelni Polis

This unique place is just a block away. You can only pay with cryptocurrency. The staff is helpful for people new to this. There is an ATM there where you can change cash. Its a cosy place to play chess on a rainy day. There is coworking and events.

4 - Playground Sedmikraska 

It is a short walk away. This is good for small kids and big kids. There is an exercise part and football/basketball place. There is water which is good for hot summer days. Its inside of walls so the small ones cant escape easily.

5 - Vnitroblok and around

It is on the same street. Here you have an alternative hipster co-working space, artsy activities, entreprenerial spirit. There is a school bus on the yard service burgers. There are interesting things to check out. There is a cafe, cinema, dancing etc.

6 - Prague market and vegetable hall 22

About 5 minutes walk and you will find the best place to buy vegetables and fruit. Walk through the stalls full of kitsch and eat real vietnamese food here.

7 - Tram almost at your door

It is so easy to go and explore the city with the tram so close. You can go on tram 1, 6, 14 and 25 for instance to the old town in about 10-15 min, to Stromovka or Letna park in a couple of minutes, or to the Harfa mall in about 15 min.

8 -  Delis, butchers and bakers

There are many newly opened places where you can find delicious food both on Delnicka and Komunardu street. Go exploring. 

9 - Prague zoo

You can actually walk to the zoo the whole way but if you are in a hurry you can just jump on the tram and change for bus 112 at nadrazi holesovice. The nicest way is to take the tram to Vystaviste holesovice for about 6-7 minutes and walk through the park. There is a "free" boat that takes you across the river and then you are almost at the zoo. 

10 - Stromovka park

This park is incredibly beautiful no matter what season. In the winter you can go tobogganing and play with the ice on the ponds. In the summer people swim in the same ponds. There is also a duck pond, and a couple of play grounds. One of them has a cafe/pub attached which is handy.

11 - Ortonovo namesti playground

This little playground is just by the tram stop. Small kids likes it as and parents of small kids also as its fenced in.

12 - Beautiful food options

There are so many great food places. This is one of the best things with Holesovice. On the picture you can see red curry ramen and vietnamese coffee from Bento Cafe, a couple of minutes away from the apartment. Another great vietnamese place is Pho 559 which is 1 min away. There are many czech brewery restaurants as well, and other international options. There is chinese and curry within a minute from the door.

13 - Technical museum

Take the tram to Letenske namesti and you can reach both the technical and the agriculture museum. Both are great for kids however some staff might tell you off for kids being kids however there are a couple of play areas and a hall full of vehicles, on one of the steam engines the kids can go in. There is also a "mine" and a mecano room, as well as half a floor of astronomy and other interesting things. You can easily spend a whole day there. There is a cheap restaurant in the basement.

Book the Maniny apartment HERE for Airbnb or HERE at our website

Little gems for families within walking distance from the apartment

The apartment is 10-15 min from the old town and "center" but to be honest the center is amazingly beautiful and when you have been there too many times its just boring, touristy and expensive. The real gems of Prague according to us is within this area and at other parts of Prague - quite different from how its advertised.

Holesovice is a special place - like no other in the world. Its rough, its modern, its quirky and there is a lot of fun and unusual things. Eating out is unbeatable for Prague. We have tried so many food places around here - but end up saving the taste buds for when we are back in our part of town because its been disappointing too many times when you get used to the good food here.

Holesovice is urban, slightly messy but its great for kids and quite charming. You would have no idea you can find white water canoeing, ice skating, and climbing here, as well as stunning castles and gardens and even crocodiles.

Below on the map you can see our best picks that is within walking distance, for families.

If its bad weather or raining - try visit the DOX modern art museum where they have interactive things for kids, or the Crocodile zoo. On a really dull day you can play video games and be inspired by new technology at Alza, you can also have some coffee and buy some bitcoin in the atm there.

If its a sunny summer day, go for a stroll in Stromovka park, why not swim in the ponds there or at the beach at cisarsky ostrov?

If its a pretty day why not go for a whole day outing? Head to the Troja castle, you can walk through the park and take the "free" boat to the other side. If you have a lot of time, why not stroll around in the beautiful botanical gardens that has a lot to offer for families, or the zoo? But the zoo is quite big, so its a good idea to get a year card if you are here long term!

Do you fancy nature and sports? You can walk to the canoe place on one of the peninsulas and paddle on the river, you have a lot of sports options in the direct neighbourhood or at vystaviste, you can go for a run in the troja forest.

Do you want to meet other worldschooling families and enjoy activities with others? Go on a Prague worldschooling meet-up or suggest a meet-up.

Now on Flatio

We have just listed our apartment on Flatio and already have two booking requests!

Flatio is like airbnb but for longer term rental, not just a short weekend, its for a few weeks and maybe up to a year long rentals.

There are the common payment options and also bitcoin, which we are glad that they are offering (since our personal belief is that this is the future and fair way of storing value and do transactions).

The apartment is located in a residential really nice area with plenty of cool things to do, 10-15 min from the centre. Its comfortable for a family of 5-8 people.

You can see our apartment listed ON THIS LINK.

Handy information

Here is a small guide to good places to know about in the area:

Supermarkets:

Albert is 5 minutes from the apartment. Turn right and right again on "maniny" street. Walk until you see a big white brewery building, Albert is in the cellar.

There are two Billa's near the apartment. The biggest on is in Delnicka street. (turn right and walk all the way).

There are small supermarkets everywhere around where you can buy your basics.

We order Tesco online all the time. Delivery is almost free and you can order in English. Its the easiest way to do shopping here we think. Order here https://nakup.itesco.cz/groceries/en-GB

Food out and about and take aways:

Our kids favourite at the moment is Restaurace Baterka where they have Mexican chicken quesadillas. Its a typical czech pub place with decent food. Turn left on Delnicka and walk a few minutes until you see it on the corner.

Two good options for a nice evening meal is "Pet penez" (a cellar restaurant with the best goulash) and "Holesovicka Kozlovna" that is a typical brewery restaurant.

For a luxury breakfast try "La bottega" which is on the next street. (go straight and turn right on the parallell street)

The market is about a 5 minute walk from the apartment (turn right on Delnicka, Turn left on Komunardu street and you will see Alza, a big electronics shop, turn right there and walk all the way until you see the market. In hall 22 you will find a huge vegetable market and around there are plenty of places to have cheap vietnamese food.

For more good options have a look at our family food guide on http://pragueworldschooling.blogspot.cz/2017/02/family-food-guide-for-holesovice-in.html

SIM CARDS and Internet on the go:

The best place to get sim cards from is Alza which is a big electronic shop near the apartment. You can order online here https://www.alza.cz/EN/vodafone-nemoezene-calls-and-sms-to-vodafone-numbers-500-megabytes-of-data-d4249673.htm?o=5 and collect there.

Tram tickets:

For tickets you can go to any "Potraviny" (small supermarket) and ask for jizdenky. It costs 24 kc right now for 30 minutes. If you need a monthly card or longer you need to get a litacka which you can refill at the metro stations. Get it here: https://www.litacka.cz/

Post office:

Turn right and walk a few minutes on Delnicka street. Avoid around lunch time (huge queues)

Printer:

There is a handy printing place on the same street. Turn right and walk on delnicka a few minutes. Its near the paper shop "papernictvi" where you can buy office and art supplies.

Police:

On the street behind the apartment is the police.

Hospital:

There are a couple of big hospitals. The one with a clinic for foreigners is called "Nemocnice motol". The best way to get there is to take an uber.

English speaking out patient clinic:

Near the apartment is a great little private clinic where the staff speaks english. Its near Albert supermarket. https://www.atodamedical.cz/

If you need a dentist or specialist there are a couple of options in the area for instance there is an english speaking dentist place here http://topdentclinic.com/

Kids activities in the area:

Have a look at our other blog www.pragueworldschooling.cz and the post "http://pragueworldschooling.blogspot.cz/2017/02/awesome-things-for-kids-in-holesovice.html"

Work places:

Our favourite places to get work done is Alza, the electronic shop, it has many computer plugs and fast internet. If you like a place with blipping sounds and white light where you dont get bothered go here.

Paralelnipolis, the bitcoin cafe has a great coworking space. It is very close to the apartment, turn right and you will see a black building. You can also work in the cafe and there are quite a few usual doing it. This is really interesting place. You can only pay in litecoin and bitcoin. They have chess and some quirky stuff and events so its a nice place to hang out with your kids too. My 7 year old loves going there to play chess. Its unique and the only place like this of its kind.

Vnitroblock, its a "hidden" place on delnicka. Turn right and cross komunardu street. you will see a passage way with a small print of "vnitroblock". This is where the foreign hipsters "work" online. Its also a funky artsy cafe where entrepreneurs sells their things and they have events and dance studio, cinema and some other interesting things. https://www.facebook.com/vnitroblock/

Cafe liberal: A place with high speed internet where you can work all day without being chucked out. https://www.facebook.com/kavarnaliberal/

For more see www.familyapartmentprague.com

Updates to Maniny apartment and availability

We have updated the maniny apartment with a cosy "house" bed. The kids room now has 3 90x200cm beds, so its good for adults too of course :)

The Maniny apartment is almost fully booked until summer, the only availability we have is october 12-december 11.

However, we are looking for a long term tenant to rent our other apartment "Brewery", so that we can travel for 5-6 months this winter. This is the apartment that we live in, it is also very comfortable and in a great location as well. If you have a house to swap we will be interested too depending on where and what its like.