6 things to do on a city break to Prague
Fly out from London City Airport to kick off your holiday in style
Soaking in London at dawn is a great way to start your holiday as soon as you leave the house. A sunrise boat trip down the Thames is one of the best ways to get uninterrupted views of the city, and the TFL Riverbus transports commuters and sightseers alike all the way from Hampton Court to Woolwich. From Greenwich it’s an easy 25-minute DLR ride to London City Airport, so you’ll arrive in time for breakfast before boarding your flight to Prague.
Coffee in the cobblestoned corner of Novy Svět
Prague is a deservedly popular destination, but this makes spots where you can escape the crowds particularly precious. After exploring the Castle area, make a beeline for Novy Svět, a cute cobblestoned grid of 14th century streets that are mercifully ignored by the tourist hordes.
You’re just two streets away from the main drag between the Castle and the Strahov Monastery, but you wouldn’t know it as you duck into Kavárna Novy Svět, a tiny cafe with outdoor seating and coffee by local roastery Doubleshot, served from a gleaming E61 Faema espresso machine.
Shop for superlative stationery at Papelote
For a truly chic Czech souvenir, how about an ecologically produced diary or jotter from Papelote? This delightfully quirky, homegrown company is something of a cult brand amongst Czech artists and creatives. At the studio you'll also find pretty products by other local designers, including Wildpapers notebooks and Studio Činčera boxes.
Lunch at a riverside farmers’ market
Follow @ftpraha on Instagram to find a farmers’ market near you, and snack on locally made organic sausages, grilled cheese sandwiches and tempting baked goods. On Saturday mornings, streetfood stalls and farmers selling fresh produce line the river at Řezáčovo náměstí; get there between 10am and 3pm for an atmospheric brunch or lunch.
Immerse yourself in art at Forbidden Spot
Prague’s reputation for creativity is in no way misplaced, and there’s no better place to get a flavour of the city’s underground art scene than Forbidden Spot, part-gallery, part-atelier, home to visual artists, street artists, tattoo artists, fashion designers and filmmakers. Currently moving to brand new premises due to open on 1 April, follow @forbiddenspot on Instagram for updates about their pop-up supper clubs and other events.
Catch a cult film in an arthouse cinema
Czech filmmakers have been pushing boundaries since the 1950s, with names like Miloš Forman, Věra Chytilová and Jiří Menzel associated with the Czech new wave. There are a string of beautiful arthouse cinemas across the city, but visitors should start with Aero, which has innovative film festivals, exhibitions and talks on offer as well as a superlative programme of cult favourites, international gems and independent standouts.
Sip a Sundowner on Prague’s most charming street
Easily one of Prague’s best watering holes, Hemingway cocktail bar pays homage to the great drinker (and occasional writer) with particularly impressive collections of absinthe, champagne and rum. Plus drinking here puts you in the atmospheric heart of the Old Town, on Karoliny Světlé, one of the city’s most charming and vibrant streets. This is the perfect spot in which to linger and remember that only this morning, you were soaring high above the skyline in East London.
With a central location and check-in just 20 minutes before departure, flying from London City Airport makes for a smart start to your getaway, giving you time to enjoy breakfast in London before you take off.
British Airways flies up to six times a week from London City Airport to Prague. Find out more at ba.com/londoncity