Are you planning a European journey and seeking to go to Prague sustainably? The Czech capital is steadily embracing inexperienced initiatives, eco-conscious lodging, and a thriving native meals motion. A part of accountable journey is educating your self in regards to the native historical past and iconic structure and Prague has this in abundance.
A weekend in Prague or longer is well crammed with strolling via its cobblestone streets and inexperienced areas or uncovering the primary highlights and lesser-known sights. This sustainable journey information to Prague will allow you to profit from your go to extra positively.
How sustainable is Prague?
Prague is progressing towards turning into a greener metropolis. Ranked eighth within the 2023 International Sustainable Improvement Targets Index, the capital goals to cut back CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030, with a goal of reaching web zero by 2050. The town has developed the “Respect Prague” technique for 2024 to 2027 to attraction to cultural explorers as an alternative of alcohol-fuelled weekenders, and this focus has seen an increase in home tourism.
How will Prague attain its sustainability targets? The town has set formidable plans, together with planting 1 million new timber, increasing using renewable vitality, and enhancing waste administration and recycling applications. Prague can also be dedicated to advancing sustainable transportation, whereas the town’s airport goals to attain carbon neutrality by 2030. Moreover, the town council offers free public transport for convention delegates, and single-use plastic cups and containers will quickly be banned.
How you can go to Prague sustainably
Select Sustainable Lodging in Prague
Lodging is an enormous a part of sustainable journey to Prague and plenty of Praha motels are taking the plunge into lowering their environmental influence and carbon footprint.
The Julius Prague ($$$)
The Julius Resort Prague affords fashionable luxurious with a minimalist design by Matteo Thun, impressed by Czech artists Alphonse Mucha and František Kupka. Centrally positioned and awarded LEED and Gold Inexperienced Key certifications, the resort combines comfort with sustainability via energy-efficient methods and eco-friendly supplies. Company can get pleasure from elegant rooms, a health centre and an elegant restaurant and bar, providing an environmentally aware keep in Prague. | BOOK The Julius Prague
Motel One Prague-Florentinum ($$)
Motel One Prague-Florentinum is a classy 3-star resort providing consolation and affordability. With stylish, fashionable decor, an inviting foyer bar, and spacious bedrooms. Motel One chain is Greek Key licensed and contributes to the group with The One Basis, a non-profit basis devoted to equal social and societal alternative. | BOOK Motel One Prague-Florentinum
Hostels in Prague ($)
Backpackers and funds travellers have a bunch of venues to select from that promote eco-friendly practices. a&o Prague Rhea is Inexperienced Key licensed however in case you are in search of a spot just a little extra central, take a look at the get together hostel OneFam Previous City, or a extra chilled vibe at Luma Terra.
How you can attain Prague sustainably
Reaching Prague sustainably includes selecting eco-friendly journey choices that minimise your carbon footprint. Relying on the place you might be coming from, there are a number of methods to journey to Prague whereas being aware of environmental influence.
Probably the most sustainable choices is travelling by practice. Prague is properly related by rail to many European cities, together with Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, and Munich. I travelled with European Sleeper which runs from Brussels through Amsterdam and Berlin to Prague.
Practice journey has a a lot decrease carbon footprint in comparison with flying or driving, and it permits you to get pleasure from scenic routes alongside the way in which. If you’re travelling internally utilizing the Czech Republic’s practice community, you’ll uncover that’s dependable and environment friendly, making it a great alternative for sustainable travellers.
If practice journey just isn’t possible, take into account bus journey. A number of worldwide bus corporations, resembling FlixBus, supply routes to Prague from numerous European cities. Buses are extra sustainable than flying and infrequently supply direct routes at reasonably priced costs.
For these travelling longer distances, flying could also be unavoidable. In that case, select airways with sustainable practices or go for direct flights to cut back emissions related to take-offs and landings. You may offset flights by buying Gold Normal-certified carbon credit that assist local weather safety tasks, which each scale back greenhouse fuel emissions and convey sustainable improvement advantages to communities.
How you can get round Prague sustainably
Prague is a walkable metropolis, particularly in its historic centre, making it straightforward to discover the town’s structure, parks, and neighbourhoods on foot. If it’s good to use transportation, listed below are some eco-friendly choices to contemplate:
Public Transport
- Trams: Prague has an in depth tram community, operating regularly and masking most elements of the town. Trams are powered by electrical energy, making them an eco-friendly possibility. A few of the trams operating on the classic 42 route date again to the period of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
- Metro: The metro system has three strains (A, B, C) and connects key elements of the town. Just like the trams, it’s electrical, lowering carbon emissions.
- Buses: Whereas some buses nonetheless run on diesel, the town is more and more introducing electrical and hybrid buses.
- Ferries: The town operates a number of ferry companies, a few of that are electrical, offering connections throughout the river as a part of the general public transport system.
- Fares and Timetables: Tickets are legitimate for all modes of public transport, are comparatively cheap and are included while you buy the Prague Guests Move. In any other case, you should purchase tickets at machines, through apps, or, through SMS. Test the timetables of public transport in Prague.
Biking & E-Scooters
- Bike Leases and Bike Sharing: Prague has been increasing its infrastructure and greenways to accommodate cyclists, with many devoted bike lanes and bike-sharing choices. Firms like Rekola and Lime present shared bikes and e-bikes that may be rented via cell apps.
- E-Scooters: Electrical scooters, supplied by corporations like Bolt, Lime, and Tier, are in style for brief journeys. They’re electrical, fast to make use of and assist scale back automotive site visitors.
Automotive Sharing and Electrical Vehicles
- Automotive Sharing: Apps like BlaBlaCar supply bus and car-sharing choices with vetted members across the metropolis and past.
- EV Automotive Rent: When you plan to go on a highway journey from Prague, many automotive rental corporations, resembling Uncover Vehicles, gives you the choice of hiring electrical or hybrid vehicles. Prague has an rising variety of charging stations for electrical autos, supporting a shift to EVs for locals and vacationers.
Eco-friendly excursions
- Eco-Excursions in Prague: Many corporations in Prague supply guided excursions by bike, or on foot permitting guests to discover the town sustainably whereas studying about its tradition and historical past.
- Electrical-Powered Boats: Some boats working on the Vltava River are electrical, and you may take a scenic Night Eco-Cruise with a glass of Prosecco.
Greatest time to go to Prague with much less influence
The perfect time to go to Prague to cut back overcrowding and changeable climate is the shoulder durations throughout late spring (April to early June) or early autumn (September to mid-October). Throughout these durations, Prague sees fewer vacationers in comparison with the height summer time months, permitting you to discover the town’s points of interest with out the hustle and bustle of huge crowds and make use of higher costs.
In late spring, the climate is delicate, with temperatures starting from 10°C to twenty°C. The town’s parks and gardens come alive, and cultural occasions are in full swing. Equally, early autumn affords cooler temperatures, between 12°C and 18°C, with the added great thing about autumnal tones within the metropolis’s many devoted inexperienced areas. Though, I’d nonetheless carry a jacket or brolly as a rain bathe just isn’t completely off the playing cards!
Greatest Issues To Do in Prague
Sustainable journey in Prague goes past lowering your environmental influence with natural eating, eco-friendly transportation, and inexperienced lodging. It’s additionally about supporting native communities by connecting with native guides and artisans, in addition to studying in regards to the historical past and heritage of Prague via its historic websites and museums.
Right here’s my information to sustainable actions in Prague, with additional particulars in my 2 day Prague itinerary. Longer keep itineraries will observe—watch this area!
Dine in Sustainable Eateries in Prague
As extra individuals grow to be aware of their environmental influence, Prague’s culinary scene is evolving to provide diners all kinds of eco-friendly choices. From plant-based cafes to eating places that prioritise regionally sourced, natural components, discovering sustainable eateries in Prague has by no means been simpler. When you’re a devoted vegan, a aware omnivore, or just inquisitive about environmentally accountable eating, Prague’s sustainable meals scene affords scrumptious and moral choices for each palate.
My high suggestions for sustainable locations to eat in Prague are:
- The Artisan Prague – Seasonal home made dishes with components sourced from inside 200 km of Prague
- Střecha Restaurant – 100% vegan and co-op social enterprise
- Brasserie The Julius – Inventive seasonal menus with revolutionary strategies like fermentation and house-made oils
- ESKA Bakery & Cafe – Notorious sourdough bread with natural flour, and artisan pastries with root-to-fruit strategies
|| YOU MAY LIKE TO READ: Sustainable Cafes and Eating places in Prague
Be taught in regards to the historical past of Prague
To actually expertise a metropolis, it’s important to discover its historical past. Prague’s fascinating previous, from medieval instances to the fashionable period, is crammed with fascinating tales.
Begin with the Prague Fort, a centuries-old complicated the place Gothic, Romanesque, and Baroque types converge, and wander with landmarks like St. Vitus Cathedral, the Previous Royal Palace, and Golden Lane. From there, cross the Charles Bridge, a 14th-century stone marvel adorned with statues, resulting in the Previous City Sq. with its Astronomical Clock, which has charmed guests since 1410.
The Jewish Quarter is important for understanding Prague’s cultural heritage, with historic synagogues and the Previous Jewish Cemetery. For extra insights, go to the Nationwide Museum, housed in an impressive neo-Renaissance constructing, and the Museum of Communism, each capturing pivotal moments in Czech historical past.
One other historic treasure to discover is the Vyšehrad Fortress, perched on a hill overlooking the Vltava River. Often called the legendary birthplace of Prague, Vyšehrad affords a quieter but equally fascinating expertise in comparison with the bustling Previous City. Wander via its historical fortress partitions, and go to St. Peter and Paul Basilica, a hanging neo-Gothic church with gorgeous inside mosaics. Close by is the Vyšehrad Cemetery, the ultimate resting place of notable Czech figures.
TAKE A TOUR WITH A LOCAL GUIDE | Greatest Cultural Excursions | Free Strolling Excursions
Discover Prague’s inexperienced areas
Prague’s inexperienced areas are an exquisite solution to escape from the town’s historic landmarks and the throngs of vacationers, though, on sunny days, these are in style locations to hang around. From sprawling parks to hidden gardens, benefit from the gorgeous views from Prague Fort Gardens, Kampa Park, Letná Park and the Vojan Gardens (Vojanovy sady).
Petřín Hill is a peaceable escape in Prague with sweeping views of the town, together with the TV Tower within the distance. Stroll via its pretty gardens and woodland, climb the Petřín Tower, or discover historic websites just like the Starvation Wall. Although the funicular is below ongoing upkeep, the climb is properly price. Don’t miss the Memorial to the Victims of Communism on the hill’s base, a poignant sequence of statues by sculptor Olbram Zoubek, honouring those that suffered in the course of the communist period from 1948 to 1989.
If in case you have extra time in your journey, stroll as much as Reiger Park and look forward to the sundown behind the fortress or Prague’s Botanical Backyard is a brief journey away on public transport.
When you fancy a dip, why not go to Prague’s biotope swimming swimming pools? |They’re man-made reservoirs surrounded by grassy areas, and so they use organic, chemical-free strategies to wash water, resembling aquatic crops, algae and pure filters. Discover them Lhotka and Radotín, which has the bonus of a Finnish sauna!
Discover the Beer Tradition respectfully
Czech beer has an extended historical past relationship again to the tenth century, with brewing deeply embedded in native tradition. Identified for creating the world’s first pilsner in 1842, Czech brewing traditions have fun craftsmanship, group, and a nationwide satisfaction in beer-making. So, how will you immerse your self within the beer tradition?
Prague’s beer tradition is deeply rooted, with the Czech Republic holding the world report for the best beer consumption per capita. To immerse your self into this custom, begin with a go to to U Fleků, one of many oldest breweries in Prague, working since 1499, or Lokál, recognized for its contemporary, tank-poured Pilsner Urquell, or have a glass of Saint Norbert in Strahov Monastic Brewery. Expertise the traditional Czech pairing of beer with hearty dishes like goulash or pork with dumplings and sauerkraut.
You may as well be part of a guided beer tour, which covers a number of breweries and pubs, to pattern traditional Czech lagers and be taught in regards to the historical past of brewing in Prague. Or discover out extra from the Prague Beer Museum and Pilsner Urquell Expertise that finishes with a style of golden beer.
For a singular twist on Prague’s beer tradition, unwind at a beer spa, the place you possibly can soak in a heat bathtub of hops, brewer’s yeast and malt, recognized for his or her pores and skin advantages while having fun with a chilly pint!
It’s price noting that below the Respect Prague marketing campaign, consuming alcohol in public areas inside Prague’s metropolis centre is prohibited, besides in bars and eating places. Quiet hours start at 10 pm, and a €400 high-quality could also be issued for disturbing the peace.
BOOK Beer Tasting and Brewery Excursions in Prague
Discover Artwork in Prague
Prague’s surreal artwork is on show across the metropolis’s panorama, some extra hidden than others, and every bit telling distinctive tales about its historical past, politics, and other people. Iconic works by artist David Černý stand out for his or her provocative model—should you haven’t observed his sculptures across the metropolis, you have to be strolling along with your eyes shut! From the hanging determine of Sigmund Freud to the crawling infants on Žižkov TV Tower, Černý’s artwork challenges the norms, sparking conversations about Communism, censorship and consumerism.
|| YOU MAY LIKE TO READ: Surreal Artwork in Prague
Store sustainably in Prague
Vacationers love souvenirs however please keep away from the plastic tat and take into consideration procuring sustainably in Prague. Search for conventional gadgets like hand-blown glass from Moser or Bohemia Crystal, each recognized for beautiful Czech glasswork. You’ll additionally discover superbly designed Marionettes, a beloved Czech custom, handmade with intricate element.
For genuine items, Manufaktura affords pure cosmetics and spa merchandise impressed by Czech folks tradition. Czech garnet jewelry, typically sourced responsibly, is one other native treasure, whereas Modrotisk (blueprint textiles) celebrates conventional Czech dyeing strategies.
Discover native markets in Prague for seasonal produce, contemporary honey, handmade jewelry, artwork, and traditional picket toys. Take a look at Havel Market, open each day, for a mixture of souvenirs and contemporary gadgets. For a real style of native life, head to Naplavka Farmers’ Market on Saturdays or go to the Farmers’ Market on Náměstí Republiky midweek.
Discover past Prague
To alleviate overcrowding in Prague and unfold your spending, take into account taking a day journey or extending your keep to close by locations. Exploring picturesque cities like Český Krumlov or Kutná Hora is an excellent approach to absorb the spectacular surroundings and native tradition whereas redistributing vacationer exercise past the town centre.
PIN to Go to Prague Sustainably
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