Relaxing in Prague: Discover the City’s Hidden Retreats
Prague is not just a bustling place where everyone rushes around, focused only on work. The city offers a variety of beautiful gardens, hidden spots with cozy cafes, galleries, and wellness facilities. Here are some tips for what to do in Prague on your vacation to recharge and return home feeling refreshed.
Relax with wellness treatments
You don’t need to go to a spa for wellness treatments. Prague offers plenty of facilities providing these services. Many hotels in Prague also offer wellness amenities, and at Hotel Golf, you don’t even need to be a guest to enjoy a relaxing session with their professional masseuses. Here’s what you can book:
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Massages: Thai (both traditional and oil), sports, Swedish, hot stone, or back and neck-focused. During these massages, you’ll leave your worries behind and do something beneficial for your health.
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Private Whirlpool: Enjoy access to a hydro-massage tub and infrared sauna, reserved exclusively for two, giving you privacy – ideal for a romantic weekend in Prague.
If you’re a sauna enthusiast, check out the sauna world at the Čestlice Aquapark complex, which features Finnish saunas, Roman baths, and a large sauna center. The outdoor area includes a log cabin sauna and an earth sauna. Another sauna complex, Saunia, is located in the Westfield Chodov shopping center, offering six types of saunas with cooling pools. Both Čestlice and Chodov regularly host sauna ceremonies.
Take a stroll or picnic in the park
If the city’s hustle isn’t for you, why not escape to one of the many gardens or parks? They’re perfect for a stroll or a picnic on a blanket. After a busy day in Prague, there’s nothing better than unwinding in a green oasis the next day.
One option is Havlíčkovy sady, also known as Grébovka. This park, built in a Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Romantic style, offers beautiful views, local wines, and the chance to explore the mysterious grotto – an artificial cave with terraces, a fountain, and a statue of Neptune.
Another park worth visiting is Riegrovy sady, spanning 11 hectares. Besides extensive grassy areas ideal for relaxing, it includes children’s playgrounds and food stalls. The park also offers a lovely view of Prague. And, of course, Stromovka – perfect for those seeking complete peace and privacy under the trees, along with a cozy pub and a refreshing pond.
You’ll even find green hideaways right in the city center among the busiest tourist spots. Take refuge in these hidden havens for a brief rest. We recommend places like the garden behind the Church of St. Michael in Jircháře near the National Theatre, Nostitz Garden next to Kampa, Franciscan Garden near Wenceslas Square, or the oldest garden in Prague, Vojanovy sady in Malá Strana.
Discover exotic lands in Prague’s Botanical Gardens
If you enjoy exploring distant lands, you don’t need to travel far. Prague has several botanical gardens featuring exotic plants and trees from around the world. The Prague Botanical Garden in Troja offers an expansive outdoor exhibit with a Japanese garden, educational trails, the St. Clara Vineyard, and the Fata Morgana tropical greenhouse.
The Malešice Botanical Garden is primarily maintained by students from a local vocational school. Along with rare plants and fragrant flowers, you’ll find an old tropical greenhouse, Jirásek Villa, and a neo-Renaissance mansion.
And, of course, the Botanical Garden of the Faculty of Science, Charles University. This is the oldest garden of its kind in the Czech Republic, home to rare bonsai, sequoias, and tall palms. If you admire orchids, cacti, carnivorous plants, or exotic birds, you’ll be delighted – the garden frequently hosts themed exhibitions.
Go for a boat ride
A delightful way to experience Prague is by taking a boat trip on the Vltava River. Several riverboats dock along the river offering sightseeing cruises with refreshments by day and evening cruises with food, drinks, and music. Some boats even travel as far as the Zoo in Troja.
Whether it’s wellness, nature, or a bit of adventure on the river, Prague offers plenty of options to relax and make your holiday memorable.
