5 Best Parks in Prague

5 Best Parks in Prague

Prague View from Old Town Hall Tower – By A.Savin (Wikimedia Commons · WikiPhotoSpace) [FAL]

Time to head outside and breathe some fresh air from one of Prague’s beautiful parks

Prague is a magnificent city that boats historical architecture, friendly people, cheap beer, and multiple outdoor hangout spots. You can sit by the Vltava River in Naplavka, enjoying the sights and scents of the local farmer’s market and the boats rushing by. You can head to a beer garden overlooking the city, sitting outside the Strahov Monastery while sipping a Pilsner. Or you can check out some of the city’s many green spaces and parks, which we highly recommend.

You might be surprised to find out how much free space there is in the city – you’d think with all the castles, churches, and clubs that there’d be no space left for some nature.

Well, we’re happy to say that’s definitely just a misconception, as Prague has almost 200 parks and recreational spaces nestled around the winding streets of the city. Whether you want a lush picnic spot, a romantic setting, or a heart-pounding climb, Prague has a park for you. We’ve rounded up the best five parks in the city, and we hope you find time to check them out.

1. Riegrovy Sady

Riegrovy Sady – By Dezidor [CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)]

First up, we have Riegrovy Sady. This beautiful spot is located on the site of former vineyards and boasts amazing views of the famous Prague Castle. Situated just in the trendy Vinohrady neighborhood, this park is in the center of the city buzz.

You can walk along the cobblestone paths and see the turrets of the castles popping up between the trees. If you’re an active person, it’s a pretty steep climb to get to the top – making it a great running spot and popular among locals.

This park also gets packed with those who prefer less strenuous activities, and you’ll see numerous people scattered on the grass sipping beer, reading a book, and just chatting with their friends. We recommend heading here for sunset to catch an unobstructed panoramic view.

2. Letna Park

Praha – Letna Park – By Txllxt TxllxT – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61682407

Second on this nature-lover’s list, we have Letna Park. This park is an always-popular choice since it’s so close to the city center, and provides ample green space to catch your breath from the city air.

It offers amazing views of the city, and many of the photos you see online and in tourist magazines come from this viewpoint. One of the biggest parks in Prague, this pretty spot is in Prague 7, and gives views of the three bridges across the famous Vltava River.

One of the other noticeable characteristics of this park besides the amazing viewpoint is the ticking metronome. This landmark replaced the statue of Stalin that stood here for many decades, and took over for the Communist leader’s tribute in the 1990s.

The area behind the metronome has proven to be popular for recreational activities like skateboarding and rollerblading. In front of the metronome, you’ll see beer stands, live music, and food stalls. If you visit here in the summer, you can check and see if there are any outdoor movie screenings in this unique space.

For those who enjoy a few beverages while enjoying an unbeatable view of the city, there is the Letna Beer Garden, a consistently-busy outdoor space that has people sitting and chatting at the long picnic tables from the first day of warm weather in the spring until the last in the summer.

The food menu has expanded in recent years, growing from solely sausages to other traditional dishes. The beer offerings have also grown, with the steadfast Pilsner available, as well as amber lagers, dark lagers, and Gambrinus. If you’re in the mood to soak in some rays, see potentially the best view of the city, and sip on a few brews, then Letna is the spot for you.

3. Stromovka

Stromovak Park in Ceske Budejovice – By josefwonder [CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

For number three on our list, we have Stromovka in Prague 7, right near Letna Park. This massive expanse is known as Prague’s central park, stretching to almost 250 acres. A favorite of both tourists and locals, this is a calm and relaxing oasis to go and relax.

You can swim or put your feet in one of the four ponds in the park, explore the former royal’s summer palace, or head to the planetarium on the edge of the grounds. New playgrounds and piers have been added to the park in recent years, adding to the unique infrastructure and charm.

People love to come here to sit in the grass and relax, or make use of the numerous running and biking trails. It’s too easy to spend a full afternoon here – you can go for a jog or a walk, relax by the pond, visit the planetarium or the old palace for some education, and then enjoy a beer or some food at one of the options in the park.

Vozovna restaurant offers some traditional meal choices, and the beer at Containall is super refreshing on a warm day. For those who want some variety and to feel like you’re miles away from the bustle of the city, this is a great spot for you.

4. Divoka Sarka

Praha Liboc Divoka Sarka – By Aktron gallery.csen+/−csenmkplsr+/− [CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]

Bringing in number four for the top parks in Prague, we bring to you Divoka Sarka. Unlike the previous mentions on this list, this park requires a full day. You won’t be disappointed. This amazing spot is actually on the outer edges of Prague 6, so the trek to get here means you should spend at least half a day exploring the surrounding beauty.

Traveling here is like going back in time, with old traditional restaurants, an old Slavic fort, and natural swimming pools to dip into on a hot day. Feel free to bring the children as well – there’s a pond for water sports, numerous playgrounds, and – of course – an ice cream stand. I mean, what else could you ask for? Oh, right. Beer. Well, you’re in luck – there’s a beer stand near the ice cream stand. Get your little munchkin a cone and sip on a Pilsner while taking in the expansive views, watching some wake boarders in the water or checking out the nearby games of paintball. For those who want numerous activities and enjoy doing some physical activity on their day in the park, this is the best spot in our minds.

5. Petrin Hill

Xosema [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

Last up, we have Petrin Hill. if you’re looking for views comparable with Letna, then come here and try to compare which one is best. It’s impossible. This park boasts the highest elevation of the city’s open spaces, ringing in at approximately 320 meters above sea level – a height that makes for an incredible view.

Getting here requires some effort, but we think that makes the view all the sweeter. If you’re feeling a little lazy, or hungover from too many pints last night, there is also a funicular that can take you up to this high point. Hopeless romantics may like this park the best, with five gardens scattered around the park.

The Rose Garden is the most beautiful in our opinion, mixing in the beautiful red with the lush green grass. If you don’t think the hill is high enough, take a trip up to the Petrin Lookout Tower. Reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower, the architecture is strikingly similar – and so is the height.

After you soak in the sights, you can grab a beer at the bottom of the tower, being the perfect reward post-hike.

Get active, relax in the lush grass, or catch some views – choose which park suits your mood for a quick city-break.

Prague 2016 View from Petrinksa Tower – A.Savin (Wikimedia Commons · WikiPhotoSpace) [FAL]

There you have it, our top 5 parks in Prague. It’s nearly impossible to choose our top, since all 200 of the city’s parks and green spaces are beautiful in their own way. From smaller green spots to the expansive woodland parks, Prague is home to more natural beauty and relaxing nature than many people expect.

The perfect spot for a city break, all of these parks offer something for everyone. No matter if you’re in the mood for being active, sipping a few beers, or relaxing in the green grass, you can rest assured that this city has a spot for you.