Make the Most of Your Summer in Prague

Swimming in beautiful spots in Prague

Do you believe there are no nice places to swim in the capital city? That’s not the case at all. Unwind by the water at spots like the biotope at Lhotka, featuring a swimming lake open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. This lake covers an impressive area of 5,570 m² and has a unique oval shape. The swimming area reaches a depth of up to 3.25 m, while the non-swimming area is shallower at about 1 m. The grassy beaches are inviting and the facility includes changing rooms, showers, restrooms, a clubhouse, and a snack bar. It’s best to take a bus to the biotope, either from the Lhotka bus stop (lines 121, 139, 150, 157, 197) or Novodvorská (lines 106, 196, 197). The entrance is located on Nad koupadly Street. Because parking is limited, it’s advisable to use public transport instead of driving your own vehicle.

At the biotope Radotín, you can enjoy a large paddling pool along with a non-swimming zone. The swimming lake is also shaped like an irregular oval, similar to a kidney, and measures about 62.0 x 75.0 m. Located in the center of the site, the swimming area has varying depths from 0.40 m to 1.20 m (non-swimming zone) and a maximum of 3.25 m (swimming area). Just a short walk from the shore, there is a refreshment building, along with facilities for renting sports equipment, washrooms, toilets, and showers. The entire area is accessible for individuals using wheelchairs and is open daily from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. Kids can enjoy attractions like a carousel, swings, and bouncing activities both on land and in the swimming area.

Well-maintained grassy beaches, clean water, and a 50-meter heated swimming pool are what you will find at the Petynka swimming pool, which is located in the Střešovice district of Prague. The water here is treated with modern technology, which means it doesn’t smell like chlorine. You can enjoy lying on well-kept grass in the area. The swimming pool has been enhanced by the renovation of a service building that now features grassy areas and is ready to be used for swimming. For those seeking a more private experience, the upper section of the pool near the slide offers seclusion. Allergy sufferers will be happy to know that you don’t have to lie directly on grass; instead, you can relax on a gently raised wooden deck. The pool operates from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and also provides free Wi-Fi access.

Refreshments and water sports along the river and dam in Prague

Grassy beaches in the Modřany district of Prague provide a lovely place to relax by the water during summer. The Vltava River flows here and is clean but can be quite swift and chilly. Nonetheless, it’s one of the best spots to enjoy a swim on hot days in the capital. There are also shaded areas provided by trees, making it perfect for sunbathers and for entering the water at Branice beach, which is located near U Kempinku street, close to the cycling and in-line track at the Hamr Branik complex.

For swimming, visit the Yellow Baths, where you’ll discover a wooden pontoon that allows everyone who loves the water to enjoy safe and comfortable swimming in the Vltava River. There’s no need to be concerned about the river’s safety, as the site’s operators conduct hygiene tests on the water. While the Vltava might be cold, the water remains clean and suitable for swimming. Besides swimming, you can participate in a variety of water sports like paddleboarding. You can also rent pedal boats, kayaks, and even try out an electric hydrofoil (eFoil), which lets riders rise above the water and glide about a meter over the surface when they gain enough speed.

Experience a cruise from Prague

One fantastic day trip option is a boat cruise from Prague to Slapy on a historic steamboat. This charming boat departs every Saturday and Sunday from Rašín’s Embankment. While on the journey, you can enjoy beautiful scenery, glide through part of the Vltava Cascade, and make a stop below the Slap Dam. Throughout the trip, refreshments and expert commentary are available. Most of the trips are undertaken by the Vltava steamer, but occasionally the Cecílie also participates.

You can also take another regular cruise line to the Prague Zoo. The Prague Steam Navigation Company offers cruises to the zoo from May to the end of August, running daily from the docks located on Rašínovo nábřeží and from Čechovo most. During the return journey, you can board again at the dock on Císařský ostrov and sail back to Prague’s center, either to the Čechov Bridge or Rašínovo nábřeží. The boat ride lasts roughly an hour.

You can also set forth on your own river adventure! The Slovanka pedal boat rental located on Slovanský ostrov, opposite the National Theatre, is open every day from 11:00 am until evening, offering a variety of boats, pedal boats, and small motorboats for rent.

At Smichov rental on Císařská louka, you can find the most diverse selection of vessels and the longest sailing routes, spanning 8 km from one weir to another. In addition to paddle boats, there’s the option to rent motor boats or a pleasure raft that comes complete with a grill. This rental service is available daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. Motor boats are available for anyone aged 15 and up, and no special permissions are required. Boats can accommodate up to five people, making them perfect for a couple or a family outing.

Watch marine animals in Prague

At the OC Arkády Pankrác shopping center in Prague 4, you can explore a unique exhibition featuring marine life – the Jellyfisharium World of Jellyfish. Here, you will find over 10,000 jellyfish of various species, shapes, and sizes, all housed in 38 aquariums. This fascinating jellyfish world includes audiovisual displays and an interactive aquarium, as well as a space designed for kids. The highlight is a massive spherical aquarium that is competing for a place in the Guinness World Records, holding 2,000 liters of water. The largest standard aquarium contains 5,000 liters, which means that in total, the aquariums hold up to 12,500 liters of water.Sea World Zoo at the Prague Exhibition Grounds features a permanent display of marine and freshwater fish and other creatures, showcasing a total of 360 species. Visitors can explore a 25-meter-long coral cave with aquariums integrated into the rock, along with numerous other aquariums home to both marine and freshwater fish and other inhabitants. This display also features a large, transparent tank containing 27,000 liters of fresh water, which houses various animals primarily from South America, including two types of arowanas, wrasses, fruit-eating piranhas, three species of aquatic turtles, and many more.

A bit of adrenaline and fun in Prague

If you’re looking for something with a little more excitement, don’t miss the chance to try the bobsleigh track Prosek, where you can zoom down the track at speeds of up to 62 km/h. There’s also a rope center nearby, known for having the longest rope slide in the entire Czech Republic.

Another thrilling activity to check out is go-karting. In Horní Počernice, Prague, you’ll find the remarkable Praga Arena, one of the most advanced karting venues in the country. Here, you’ll truly feel like a real race car driver! The Praga Arena is fitted with modern facilities as well as a restaurant featuring a summer garden. You can also experience four different types of tracks.

Are your kids fans of dinosaurs? If so, take them to the roof of OC Harfa! Dinopark Harfa presents information about the evolution of life on Earth in a fun and engaging way, highlighting individual animal species while allowing children to explore their inner paleontologist. Exciting little T-Rexes, playful Allosaurs, and other tiny creatures are waiting for you! Young children will also enjoy attractions like Majaland, Dinosauria, and DinoLive.