The strategic position of Prague is obscured by its beauty and charm (it is in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites since 1992), that’s way not many people realize the sense of one of its nickname: the Heart of Europe. Prague is equidistant to the Adriatic, Baltic and North Sea. Czech Republic Capital is usually called the Hundred Spires City, or the magic Prague, because is full of history, monuments and is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, as well as the main location where Milan Kundera ‘Unbearable Lightness of Being’ was set. A very nice surprise that Prague reserves to visitors is a wealth of eco tourism opportunities, green accommodation and sustainable activities. This Prague city tour guide will focus on them, because its splendor is well know and easy to spot, while eco-friendly initiatives require some input.
Getting to Prague and moving around
The most popular to way to get to Prague is by plane, so an airport transfer represents the first taste of the city public transportation system. And it won’t disappoint, as different locations in Prague can be reached by a combination of buses and metros, straight from Ruzyne airport. A more comfortable and expensive, but yet green option (they use low carbon emission vehicles), is the customizable and private Prague Airport Transfer.
Once in town, you are offered trams, buses, ferries and the Petrin funicular, which you can use to reach the top of Petrin Hill. Depending on time availability, there are different passes and tickets to suit various needs.
If you are a bike lover, Czech Republic is fulfilling, but Prague centre is still too chaotic; the city has a network of 180 Km cycling paths, but the most of them are outside the main touristic area. This map will surely be useful. Bikes can be brought on public transport (outside rush hours) and have dedicated and safe parking lots around the city.
Guided tours are available and so bike rental shops. A recommended agency is Praha Bike.
Eco tours and activities
So an eco-minded traveler can have an easy and relaxed time in Prague, as the chance of environment-friendly and sustainable activities are usually near at hand.
Eco tours is a work in progress website at the time of this review but should be available soon and could be an helpful source.
Flowers passionate can visit the green Botanic Garden and join a guided tour of the Fata Morgana Tropical Garden.
Czech Republic is famous for its brewed beer, and people passionate about it shouldn’t miss a very interesting and formative tour of Prague’s breweries. Czech Beer Tasting organizes daily tours to discover three microbreweries, taste the different beers and visit historic Prague by foot or tram.
Green accommodation
Eco-friendly stays are not as many as other initiative and public structures in Prague, but are still an easy achievement.
Mosaic House is a sustainable and ecologic hostel which uses electricity coming 100% from a renewable source, greywater recycling system, low-flow toilets, rain water collection and other solutions.
Adalbert is a hotel hosted in the structure of a one thousand years old monastery. Its green policy involves, among the others, water flow lower than 12 liters per minute, separated waste, no air conditioning, energy efficient bulbs and thermal insulated windows.
Organic food and vegetarian dining
Czech cuisine doesn’t really cater for vegetarians and standard menus are usually filled with pork knees and other meat based dishes, like Vep?o-knedlo-zelo (roasted pork with dumplings and sauerkrauts) or Gulash.
A tasty vegetarian dish is the Skubanky, stir-fried, small potato and flour dumplings, served with poppy and icing sugar.
The ones looking for a healthy, cheap, centrally located (15 Melantrichova) and good vegetarian food, Country Life is a perfect choice, as it boasts many excellent reviews.
Lehka Hlava (which means Clear Head) is considered one of the best vegetarian restaurant in Prague, with affordable prices and a rich menu.
Maitrea lines up on the same level, with the benefit of a very central location, a few steps away from the main square.
Photo Credit: DarkB4Dawn