Prague Apartments Blog

Video: Tourist Vandalizing Prague Astronomical Clock

admin@apartmentplan.cz — Thu, 24 May 2012 07:44:06 PDT

The Vandal, who on Thursday night, climbed the Astronomical Clock in Prague old town square and began to destroy it, was captured by the city camera system. Officers immediately went to the place and arrested him.

At half past four the camera system operator noticed a man who climbed the clock and damaged part of the stone at the bottom of the lunar circle. The Police officers caught the man at the beginning of the Charles Bridge. The police told the man that he was captured by the camera system while climbing the historical monument. The man showed the police officers a piece of stone and told them that he will go back and show them where the stone fragment comes from.

At the old town square the foreigner showed the police officers how he climbed and break the piece of stone. Policeman found on site more fragments from the Astronomical Clock decoration.

The man was arrested for suspicion of committing a criminal offense.

The Dilemma in Prague: Apartments vs Hotels

admin@apartmentplan.cz — Tue, 22 May 2012 05:51:55 PDT

There are always pros and cons for both apartments and hotel rooms, but as per personal experience, apartments are a winner, mainly in Prague where the apartment rental business is well developed and local companies offer a great service that even overcomes luxury hotels.

For example in a hotel room you will have a "bar fridge" that is entirely filled with expensive drink and food that they will charge you for. While in an apartment you will find a fridge that is entirely empty for you to use for storing your favorite food and drink also as a fully equipped kitchen with the essential ingredients for cooking.

Almost all apartments in Prague have a washing machine and sometimes a dryer, while in a hotel you will pay an exaggerated fee for having your clothes cleaned.

Apartments offer more space than hotel rooms and usually have separate bedrooms with a large living room, two bathrooms and kitchen, some of the apartments even have a terrace or balcony.

When you are in Prague for an extended stay, apartment is winner against hotel rooms, you will miss the comforts of home, you will need more space to sit and work, you will love to cook your own meal and have your preferred food in your fridge.

For such extended stay, an apartment can be more economical than a hotel room, the client can get a great deal, can even bring with him or invite his family to the same apartment, imagine the cost if he books several hotel rooms.

Apartments offer many modern amenities, equipment and facilities that the majority of hotels in Prague do not. As we already mentioned, the fully equipped kitchen, the washing and drying facilities, the home cinema, the sound system with iPod/iPhone dock, televisions in the living room and in the bedrooms, the Internet connection and much more.

As you can see apartments offer a greater experience as you will be staying as a local Czech in Prague, you will buy your morning croissant in the bakery around the corner, you will buy your food from the grocery shop in your street, you will find a bunch of Czech and international food restaurants and maybe you will get in touch with some local neighbors living in the same building.

Why we Prefer Attic Apartments in Prague?

admin@apartmentplan.cz — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:40:08 PDT

First and before we start talking about the advantages of attic apartments, we feel the necessity to briefly explain what means the word "attic", as some travelers are not used to such expression, an attic apartment is a large living space on the upper floor and beneath the roof of a building. In cities like Prague, attic apartments usually feature wooden beams and slanted walls.

One of the main advantages of the attic apartment is the space, such apartments are usually very large as they include the entire top floor of the building, the apartment features two or more bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and full size bedrooms. Attic apartments are usually less noisy, mainly because of the height and also because there are no neighbors above.

The aesthetic side is also one of the main advantages of choosing an attic apartment, as we already mentioned, the slanted walls, the wooden beams and the atypical shape mainly if well furbished combining leather and wooden furniture in a decent style like for example apartment Attic Klimentska which you can see here.

The height of the apartment can also allow a great view of old Prague, mainly if the apartment has a terrace, it could be so original experience to have breakfast while watching the 9th century's monuments of Prague or just taking your coffee facing Prague Castle.

As the short summers of Prague could be relatively hot, an attic apartment on the upper floor exposed to the sun, is usually air conditioned which adds and extra feature not usual in regular apartments in Prague. Also the skylights and side windows of attic apartments allow a great natural light and air ventilation, things you may not experience in a normal apartment, as a great example you can have a look at apartment Attic Olivova.

Most of attic apartments are situated in historical buildings in the Old Town of Prague, this adds lots of charm to the stay as many details in the apartments itself go back to centuries of architectural history, one of our latest opened apartments, is in a famous cupola in Prague at Kozi street, as it's in the photo, the dome is held by several wooden beams that add a unique atmosphere to this attic apartment.

Where is Prague?

admin@apartmentplan.cz — Tue, 15 May 2012 02:02:51 PDT

One will say why are you writing such an article about where is Prague? We all know where is Prague, false! Still people in Europe and mainly in North America asking "what is Prague", not even "where is". So we thought it would be worth talking about the layout and main characteristics of Prague, the capital of the Czech republic.

Prague Layout and Weather

Prague lays in the center of the country, crossed by the largest river in the Czech Republic, the Vltava. Prague has been Bohemia's main city since the 9th century and the capital of Czechoslovakia till the end of communism era in 1989. It has an oceanic climate with warm summers and cold winters with snow cover from November till March.

Borders of the Czech Republic

The Czech republic itself is bordered by four countries: Poland to the North, Germany to the West, Austria to the South and Slovakia to the East. As the Czech republic is member of the Schengen Agreement since 2004, there are no border checks between all these neighbor countries.

Position of Prague in Europe

Prague is also called "the heart of Europe" as it's the most central in comparison to other capitals in Europe, it's even more in the west than Vienna, so Prague is not considered anymore as an Eastern city.
For example, you can drive to Prague 4 hours from Berlin or Vienna, 5 hours from Frankfurt and 9 to 10 hours from Amsterdam or Paris. The flight from most European capitals takes from 1 to 2 hours.

The city's inhabitants

Prague is home to around 1.3 million inhabitants comprised of majority of Czechs and minority of Slovaks also as Germans, Ukrainians, Russians and Gypsy. Immigration brought to Prague some economically dynamic communities of Vietnamese, Arabs and Turks.

Farouk Hamzi admin@apartmentplan.cz

Parking in Prague, Information about the City's Parking Zones

admin@apartmentplan.cz — Fri, 11 May 2012 03:12:38 PDT

Parking in central Prague is rarely easy and can often be quite a headache. To park your car, you have the choice between parking on the street or in a car park, between the cheaper peripheral or the city centre. It is strictly prohibited to double park, to park in spaces reserved for the disabled or for deliveries.

If you decide to park in the street, please note that as a general rule it is payable from Monday to Saturday, 8h00 to 18h00. Night time and Sundays are free. Parking meters accept coins. The machine will give you a ticket in exchange, which should be placed behind your windscreen, clearly visible from the outside.

Car parks, of which there are many in Prague, are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can be identified by a white “P” on a blue background, and can usually be found in busy shopping, tourist or business areas. Tariffs vary depending on the neighborhood: in the city centre and busy tourist areas, you need to allow around €1.50 for 1 hour and €25 or more for 24 hours. On the outskirts of Prague; prices are lower and you might pay on average from €0,30 to €1 for 24 hours. There are a number of Park & Ride lots located at many metro stations outside of the city center, e.g. at Chodov, Letnany, Palmovka, Skalka, Zlicin, Nove Butovice, Radlicka, Opatov, Ladvi, Rajska zahrada, Cerny most, Nadrazi Holesovice, Bechovice, Hostivar, Radotin and Rajska Zahrada.

Recommended parking (for 24 hours and more) in the district of Prague 1:

Parking Rudolfinum - Alsovo nabrezi 12, Prague 1 - Approximate price: EUR 24 per day.
Millenium Plaza - V Celnici 10, Prague 1 - Approximate price: EUR 24 per day.
Garage Opletalova - Opletalova 9, Prague 1 - Approximate price: EUR 30 per day.
Garage and Parkung Complex Wilsonova - Wilsonova 2, Prague 1 - Approximate price: EUR 34 per day.
Hotel Intercontinental - Namesti Curieovych 5, Prague 1 - Approximate price: EUR 38 per day.
Parking National Theatre - Ostrovni 1, Prague 1 - Approximate price: EUR 38 per day.
Slovan Garage - Wilsonova 77, Prague 1 - Approximate price: EUR 50 per day.

Prague Halal Guide: Mosques, Restaurants & Muslim Food Shops

admin@apartmentplan.cz — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:23:04 PST

Prague Halal Guide: Mosques, Restaurants & Muslim Food Shops

History of Islam in the Czech Republic

The first person acknowledging Islam visited Prague around 964-965 was ibrahim ibn Jaqub, a merchant from Al Andalus (Spain under the Muslim ruling). His memoirs were later published to become one of the first accounts about Prague and Central Europe in the Islamic world. Later on, during both sieges of Vienna, Ottoman army reached Moravia and commerce between Austria-Hungary and Ottoman Empire rose by the 19th century.

A law from 1912 recognized Islam as "state religion" and officially allowed its presence in the region. The first Muslim community was established in 1934. In 1991 the Center of Muslim communities was established and mosques were opened in Prague and Brno. In 2004 Islam was officially registered and the community is thus eligible to obtain funds from the state.

Nowadays Muslims in Prague and the Czech Republic

Muslims in the Czech republic are from Bosnia-Herzegovina and former countries of Soviet Union also as Egyptian, Syrian, Tunisians and other North Africans and Middle Eastern countries. Hundreds of Muslims in Prague and the Czech republic are also Czech converts.

Mosques in Prague

The Mosque in Prague City Center

Islamic Foundation in Prague - Information Center and Mosque in Central Prague
14 Politickych Veznu Street, Praha 1,
Prague, Praha 1 10100, Czech Republic
Politickych Veznu Street is close to the main post office. The Mosque is in front of Istanbul Restaurant. Metro: Muzeum (line A & C)
Phone: +420 224 227 903

The Islamic Center in the center of Prague consists of six parts, men prayer part, women prayer part, W.C for men, W.C for women, library, and office. The mosque is on the upper floor of the Pasaz Jiriho Grossmanna shopping center, above an exchange office. Take the stairs or the elevator up one floor to get to the mosque's entrance.

The center is opened daily from 12:00 to 22:30 in the summer season and from 11:00 to 21:00 in the winter season. The center offers all information for the new Muslims and also to those interested in Islam. They can communicate by Czech, English, and Arabic. Islamic Foundation in Prague is a nonprofit organization that was created to meet the needs of practicing Muslims in Prague and Czech Republic.

The Big Mosque in Prague 9-Kyje

Islamska nadace v Praze - Prazska mesita
Blatska 1491, 198 00 Prague 9
Phone: (+420) 281 918 876
Fax: (+420) 281 917 414
Metro: Cerny most
Bus: Ronesova

Halal Shops in Prague

Al Barakah Halal Shop, Prague

Address 1: Senovazne namesti 6, Prague 1, Tel: +420 608 937 051
Address 2: Panska 4, Praha 1, Pasaz Cerna Ruze, Tel: +420 608 937 013
Nearest Metro Stop: Hlavni nadrazi Metro, Namesti Republiky Metro
Nearest Tram: Tram Jindrisska, Tram Masarykovo nadrazi, Tram Hlavni nadrazi, Tram Namesti Republiky.

Galaxy Halal Food, Prague

Address: Opletalova 20, Prague 1, Tel.: +420 224 282 214
Nearest Metro Stop: Muzeum Metro, Hlavni Nadrazi, Mustek
Nearest Tram: Tram vaclavske namesti, Tram Muzeum, Tram Jindrisska

Farah Halal Shop, Prague

Address: Myslikova 5, Prague 1, Tel: +420 224 930 704
Opening hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 - 19:00, Saturday: 9:00 - 17:00

Barakat Halal Shop, Prague

Address: Puskinovo nam. 14, Praha 6, Tel: +420 777 666 515

Halalko s.r.o, Prague

Address: Kubelikova 1051/47, Praha 3 - Zizkov, Tel: +420 222 715 714

Halal Meat s.r.o, Prague

Borivojova 76, Praha 3, Tel: +420 222 230 520
Fresh Halal meat, free delivery inside Prague, prepairing celebration and parties, hotels and restaurants catering.

Shalamar Pakistani and Indian Shop, Prague

Address: Lipanska 3, 130 00 Praha 3 - Zizkov, Tel: +420 222 713 522
Opening Times: Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday - Closed
All kinds of Pakistani and Indian spices, Lentils, Basmati rice, Fresh Vegetable, Sweets, Bollywood Movies, Pickles and Chapati Flour.

Halal Restaurant and Fast Food in Prague

Istanbul Kebab, Prague (Turkish fast food)

Address: Politickych veznu 933/17, Praha 1 (in front of the Mosque), Tel: +420 777 917 384
Nearest Metro Stop: Metro stops Muzeum and Hlavni nadrazi
Nearest Tram: Tram vaclavske namesti, Tram Muzeum, Tram Jindrisska
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday: 09:00 - 22:00
Great sandwiches and good choice of delicious food in a buffet at reasonable prices.

Hanedan Halal Restaurant (Turkish Cuisine)

Address: Jindrisska 20, Praha 1, Tel: +420 224 21 53 33
Nearest metro station: Mustek.
Turkish cuisine in an alcohol free restaurant, child-friendly, with disability access and a delivery service.

Hallal Fast Food, Prague (Pakistani Fast food)

Ruzova 10, Prague 1, Tel: +420 222 248 107
Metro: Muzeum
A reasonably priced halal curry in a clean, minimalist atmosphere and delivery at 15kc/km.

Picadilly Halal Gyros, Prague (Fast food)

Address: Opletalova 928/20, Prague, Tel: +420 60 807 7782
Serves Middle Eastern and Moroccan cuisine, sandwiches, various kinds of pizza, shawerma, kebab, and more.

Chez Amis Halal Fast Food, Prague

Address: Spalena15, Prague, Tel: +420 224 932 277
Opening hours: From 10 am to 8 pm
Located in between the Old Town and New Town, right in front of the Lazarska tram station. Fast food with home cooked flavor, serves gyros, felafel and lamb mains.

Ariana Restaurant, Prague (Afghan cuisine)

Address: Ramova 6, Praha 1, Tel: +420 222 323 438
Opening hours: Mon - Sun 11am - 11pm
Specialties of Afghan Kitchen, Kebabs and Vegetarian Specialties, Interior in style of Persia, Romantic Atmosphere, Center of historic Prague - 10 minutes from Old Town Square.
Remark: Even though they mention that they are a halal restaurant, they serve alcohol!?

Rana Pakistani Restaurant, Prague

Address: Na Dedince 12, Prague 8, Tel: +420 721 809 084
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri: 11:30 to 23:30 / Sat and Sun: 12:00 to 23:00
Remark: Even though they mention that they are a halal restaurant, they serve alcohol!?

Mailsi Halal Restaurant, Prague (Pakistani Restaurant)

Address: Lipanska 1, Praha 3, Tel: +420 222 717 783
Getting there: Tram 5, 9 or 26 to Lipanska
Opening hours: Daily: 12:00 - 15:00 / 18:00 - 23:30
All kinds of Pakistani and Indian spices, Lentils, Basmati rice, Fresh Vegetable, Sweets, Bollywood Movies, Pickles and Chapati Flour.
Remark: Even though they mention that they are a halal restaurant, they serve alcohol!?

Important: Not all doner kebab fast food shops in Prague serve halal meat, and some of them even serve pork and alcohol. Most halal shops will have a “halal” sign in the entrance of, better to ask first if the food is halal or not.

Muslim Friendly Accommodation in Prague Apartments

Muslim family friendly serviced apartments in Prague old town and the Wenceslas Square, a large scale of apartments from tourist standard to high luxury. We provide 24/7 assistance in several languages including Arabic, information about Prague main spots and advices also as the possibility of arranging halal food delivery.

Some of the recommended apartments are apartments Attic Olivova and apartment Attic Klimentska. For more information, please visit our Prague apartments page or feel free to contact us.

Prague "Salat" Prayer Times

References and resources about Islam in Prague and the Czech Republic

Portal of Islam in the Czech Republic.

Zabihah.com guide to Prague halal eating.

Czech scientist women and men converted to Islam.

First Czech Mosque opens in 1998 (BBC archive).

Islam in the Czech Republic (WikiPedia).