Parks.
There is always a peaceful place to escape the city noise – the soothing green of a park.
It was during the Industrial Revolution that Parks became of greater importance to the citizens of a booming city.
They offered the only refuge from the heavy noises of the town and were a welcome contrast to the greys of everyday life. Not much has changed since then; parks still function as gardens of peace to stressed-out city folk.
Franciscan Garden.
Connecting Jungmannovo and Wenceslas Square, the Franciscan Garden offers tranquility in the midst of the New Town buzz. It dates back to the 14th century and is a beautiful alternative route between the squares. You might want to stop your walk for a while, since a small children’s playground complete with sandbox and swings will probably stop your kids.
How to get there: Enter Franciscan Garden from Jungmannovo Square, from the passages from Vodickova street or Wenceslas Square.
Letná Gardens.
For some more greenery and open space, Letná Gardens lies north, across the river. Apart from the magnificent views, socialist implications such as the world's largest statue of Stalin built here in 1959 and blown up in 1962 are somewhat omnipresent. Today the concrete terrace is occupied by many skateboarders making it a breezy place to spend some time.
How to get there: Cross the Čechův most bridge, cross the street, and finally climb the stairs in front of you in order to get to the top of the metronome as the Letná is also called.
Petrin Hill.
A miniature version of the Paris’ Eiffel Tower located on top of 318 meter high Petrin hill can be climbed for a nice view over Prague. For a completely different view of yourself, visit the Mirror Maze. If that is too much action and all you were looking for was relaxation, you might want to go on a stroll through the fragrant rose garden first before dropping for good on one of the benches.
How to get there: Petrin Hill is located in Lesser Town; to reach its summit take the funicular from Ujezd street in Mala Strana. Or take a 30 minute stroll up Petrin Hill. Gardens and apple orchards make up for a relatively steep climb.
The Vrtba Garden.
A gem lies well-hidden behind a gate, crossing the threshold – against a fee – rewards with a beautiful Baroque garden. This Italian-style park is a complex of precisely designed flower beds and staircases typically adorned with Greek gods and goddesses. The garden lies on a slope of Petrin Hill and thus grants another beautiful way of looking over the Bohemian capital.
Karmelitská 25
Prague 1
Link: The Vrtba Garden…