The magical and majestic "golden city" of Prague, in the newly recreated Czech Republic (formerly Czechoslovakia) has come of age as a world-class gay hotspot. The uninhibited Czechs legalized homosexuality way back in 1961, and today there's a thriving gay scene, with easily approachable young men. With its spectacular sights and inspiring combination of old and new, this tolerant city situated on the Vlatava river offers a mesmerizing mix of splendid architecture, from the medieval era to the centuries when Prague was the seat of the Holy Roman Empire, to the baroque excess of the Hapsburgs and the gilded age of the 19th century, when Prague gloried in its wealth and culture. Mercifully, the city escaped destruction during World War II, and though the Communist era was an architectural low point, the financial constraints of the Soviet-era revisionists prevented wholesale damage to the wonderful old structures that sat waiting to be renovated when the Czech and Slovak peoples finally broke free in 1989.

Since those heady days of the "Velvet Revolution," Prague has been at the center of a cultural and financial facelift that promises a better future for this still somewhat edgy society of over 10 million people. Despite low wages and difficult adjustments to a market economy, the city's shop-lined streets and crowded restaurants bustle with activity. The Czech crown's favorable exchange rate (currently about 26 to the US dollar) makes traveling affordable to Westerners.

Time Zone and Time Difference

There is no time difference between Prague and most western European capitals - with the exception of London and Dublin (one hour behind Danish time) and Helsinki/Finland (one hour ahead of Czech time). Time: Central European (GMT+1), summer time - Central European +1 (GMT+2). Check the "Time Ticker" for current time in Prague.

• New York: 6 hours behind
• Tokyo: 8 hours ahead
• Hong Kong: 7 hours ahead

Jet Lag

Airports

The Praha Ruzyne (PRG) airport is located northwest of the outskirts of Prague, some 20 kilometers from the city center.

• A local bus 119 (To/From the Dejvicka Metro stop, the last stop on the green A line daily between 4:27 a.m. and 11.40 p.m.; it takes 21 minutes). If you go from the center to the airport make sure, that you not get out before the very last stop. The first buildings with the airport signs are almost 2 miles from the international terminal. A single trip is 12 CZK per person.
• A local bus 100 (To/From the Zlicin Metro stop, the last stop on the yellow B line. A single trip is 12 CZK per person.
• Cedaz operates a 'Express Airport Bus' (Phone: 220114296) picks up passengers at the airport. Departure at Airport Prague between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. every 30 minutes. They'll bring you into the city's center to both the Namesti Republiky and Dejvicka metro stops. RETOUR: The Shuttle stop is close to the CSA-Building across the Marriott Hotel at Namesti Republiky and goes daily between 5:30 a.m. til 9:30 p.m. every 30 minutes via Metro stop Dejvicka (Metro A) to Letiste Ruzyne (Airport Prague). A single trip is 90 CZK per person.
• Cedaz also operated 'Shuttle Vans', that cost 720 CZK for maximum 8 people, but the price is divided by the number of people, therefore if there was just 4 people it would cost 720 CZK divided by 4 so 180 CZK per person. If the bus is full (8 persons) then 90 CZK per person.
• There isn't any other service than taxi service which stops exactly where people want to go. Normal fee from airport to center by taxi should be around 500kc.
• Taxis charge a flat rate per zone. Prague 1 is 650 CZK, Prague 2 is 720 CZK etc. But you should reconfirm the rate with the driver.
• The gay operated GayGuide.Net Prague offers airport transfer service.Just reserve one on their website.

Inquiries on departures and arrivals - phone 2011 3314, 2011 3321 nonstop

Passport and Visa

A valid passport is required, but a visa is not necessary for U.S. citizens for tourism, short study or business visits up to 90 days. Visas are required for longer stays and for any gainful activity; application can be made at any Czech embassy or consulate (outside the Czech Republic). For further information concerning entry requirements for the Czech Republic, travelers can contact the Embassy of the Czech Republic at 3900 Spring of Freedom Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202)274-9103 or visit the Embassy's web site.

Health

Electricity

The normal electricity supply is 220 volts.

Currency

Forget traveler's checks, cash, or personal checks. All you really need is a valid ATM and credit card. Charge as much as you can, thus ensuring the best exchange rate at all times and only take out cash from an ATM machine as needed. Avoid exchanging back to US currency by paying your hotel bill with excess cash and charging the rest. All major credit cards are accepted everywhere Keep enough cash to get you to the airport. Remember your fare on the way down and keep that much for the return. At printing you could get around 23.75 Korunas per USD.

Legal tenders - Crown (Kc) = 100 Hellers

• Coins hellers: 50 Kc: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50
• banknotes Kc 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000

National Holidays 2005

Language

The official language is Czech, Slovak language being understood. Most people have basic or possibly intermediate knowledge of English and/or German language.

Tipping

Service and tip are included in the prices at hotels, in restaurants, and for taxi fares. For good service you may leave 10% extra at your discretion.

Getting Around

• Metro

  The Prague Metro network consists of 3 lines designated by letters and differentiated in color: A green color (Skalka station - Dejvicka station), B yellow color (Cerny most station - Zlicin station), C red color (Nadrazi Holesovice station - Haje station), with transfers possible at Museum station (lines A and C), Mustek station (lines A and B), Florenc station (lines B and C). Metro operates daily from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. The time interval between train departures is approximately 2 minutes during the workday rush hours and 4 to 10 minutes during off-peak hours.

• Trams

  Daytime operation is from 4:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Nighttime operation is from 12 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. and is provided by tram numbers 51 to 58. The central transfer-station for nighttime lines is Lazarska stop. Tram schedules are located at individual stops.

• Buses

  The daytime and nighttime operation of buses is similar to tram operation. Bus numbers 501 to 512 provides nighttime service. Bus schedules are located at individual stops.

• The Funicular

  The Funicular onto Petrin Hill operates along the route U?Ljezd - Nebozizek - Petrin. The Funicular operates daily from 9:15 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. with traffic intervals from 10 to 15 minutes.

• Prague City Transport Fares

  Traveling by city transport is only possible with a valid ticket. Passengers have to obtain their tickets before boarding the vehicle or entering the Metro system. The ticket is valid only if marked in the validation appliance. Tickets can be bought at selected Metro stations or in Dopravni podnik Information Centers, hotels, at newsstands, travel bureaus, department stores, etc. Single tickets can also be bought from the slot machines located at Metro stations or near some stops of surface transport.

• Fares
  • Tickets are valid for all means of transportation, but cannot be purchased from bus- or tram drivers. You have to buy them in advance at all metro stops, news- and tabac shops, some groceries, anywhere you see the red-and-yellow "DP" sticker or at yellow vending machines (in metro stations and some places with high density of traffic; Press once for the ticket you want, twice if you want two tickets..., and then press the 'enter' button!
  • Coins only, but they do give change. Tickets need to be stamped before entering the metro or after entering trams & busses.
  • Plain-clothes inspectors do ticket checks, - penalty is 400 Kc if you're traveling without a valid ticket. Ask for his or her photo ID badge!
  • Metros are going between 5 a.m. and midnight, trams at day and night: Night trams are visible through a "5" at the beginning (51,52,53.....), they have 8 different lines and most of them crossing each other at "Lazarska" in the center of Prague, where you can change trains. They approach every 40 minutes.
  • The 12 nightbuslines (501, 502...) don't have one similar central stop, but most of them stop at the top of Wenceslas Square (near Muzeum metro) and around the corner from I.P. Pavlova metro stop.

  Fees:

  • 20 Kc is the price for a ticket for a 60 minutes ride at weekdays; but between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. as well as on Saturdays and Sundays 90 minutes - and you can change trains within this time.
  • 14 Kc you have to pay for a single 15 minutes ride without changing trains and for max. 4 metro stops.
  • We recommend not to use single tickets - a 24-hour pass is available at ticket machines.
    • 70 Kc 1 day
    • 200 Kc 3 days
    • 250 Kc 7 days
    • 280 Kc 15 days
  • For long-term passes you need a photo and your ID. They are available at the DP counters in some metro stations or at the main office at Na bojisti 5, Prague 2 (Phone: 224982770). "Rodné císlo" means ID number.
    • 380 Kc 1 month
    • 1000 Kc 3 month
    • 3400 Kc 1 year
  • The cableway starts at the bottom of Petaín hill at Újezd ánd runs to the top of Petáín hill. It runs every ten or 15 minutes between 9.15 a.m. and 8.45 p.m (10 Kc for adults or 5 Kc for children).

Taxis

Not long time ago it was definitively risky to hire a taxi in Prague, but fortunately since 1st of April 98, there are regulations. If you take a taxi for a trip within Prague and you do not go out of Prague's borders you can hire a cab without being scared if you pay attention to the following: Prior to setting off, the taximeter must be reset and the figure 30 Kc will appear on the display. There is for all taxis within the city of Prague a regulated maximum rate: A One-off boarding charge is max. 30; 1 kilometer within the city boundaries is max. 22 Kc and Waiting is max. 4 Kc per minute. Make sure you ask for a receipt before paying. Receipts have to be printed out by the taximeter since April 98 . Taxis ordered through the dispatcher are cheaper (updated 20th of Oct 2002).

Things to see

Monuments

Museums

• Narodni muzeum (National Museum) - Praha 1, Vaclavske nam. 68. The largest and oldest Czech museum founded in 1818 is housed in a monumental neo-renaissance building from the years 1885 - 1890 that dominates the Wenceslas Square. Permanent exhibitions: Primeval history of Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia * Mineralogical and petrologic collections * Zoological collections * Palaeontological collection * Anthropological collection. Opening hours: daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (May to September), daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (October to April), every first Tuesday in a month closed, every first Monday in a month no charge for admission.
• Lobkovicky palac (Lobkowicz Palace) - Praha 1, Jirska 3 (the Prague Castle). Permanent exhibitions: Monuments of the national history; Lobkowicz Palace history; treasure of St. Eligius. Opening hours: daily except Mondays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Muzeum hlavniho mesta Prahy (Prague City Museum) - Praha 8, Na Porici 52. Permanent exhibition: Ancient Prague - the history of the city and its inhabitants from the prehistoric times to 1620. Prague between the Middle and New Ages. Langweil?Ls model of Prague created during 1826 - 1837 - a unique three-dimensional representation of the city made of paper and wood covering 20 sq. m. Opening hours: daily except Mondays 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., first Thursday in month 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. and admission fee 1 Kc.
• Bertramka - Memorial to W. A. Mozart and Mr. and Mrs. Dusek - Praha 5, Mozartova 169. A villa from the latter half of the 17th century where W. A. Mozart stayed during his visits to Prague in 1787 and 1791. There he finished the opera Don Giovanni. Opening hours: daily 9.30 a.m. - 6 p.m. (April to October), daily 9.30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (November to March).
• Antonin Dvorak Museum - Praha 2, Ke Karlovu 20. Permanent exhibition: Permanent exhibition presenting documents which commemorate the life journey and work of the famous Czech composer Antonin Dvorak (1841 - 1904). It is located in a lovely baroque summerhouse built by K. I. Dienzenhofer, which is also called America. Opening hours: daily except Mondays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Expozice Franze Kafky (Franz Kafka permanent exhibition) - Praha 1, U Radnice 5. Permanent exhibition: Memorial hall commemorating the life and work of the most famous representative of the Prague German literature. Opening hours: Tuesdays to Fridays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Postovni muzeum (Postal Museum) - Praha 1, Nove mlyny 2. Permanent exhibition: Czechoslovak and European stamps; stamps of the Czech Republic. Opening hours: daily except Mondays 9 a.m. - 11.30 a.m., 1p.m. - 4.30 p.m.
• Muzeum loutek (Puppet Museum) - Praha 1, Karlova 12. Permanent exhibition: Czech traditional and modern puppet theatre; puppet cultures of the world; puppets of the collections of the Czech famous carvers. Opening hours: daily 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. (May to October), daily 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. (November to April).
• Muzeum hracek (Museum of Toys) - Praha 1, the Prague Castle, Jirska. Permanent exhibition: The world?fs second largest toy exposition including exhibits from the times of ancient Greece up to the most popular toys of the present time collected from all over the world. Opening hours: daily 9.30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Sternbersky palac (Sternberg Palace) - Praha 1, Hradcanske Nam 15. Early European Art - icons, Italian masters of the 14th and 15th centuries and of the first half of the 16th century (L. Monaco, A. Bronzino, P. Veneto), Dutch paintings of the 15th and 16th centuries, roman schools of the 17th and 18th centuries (J. Ribera, G. B. Tiepolo, El Greco, Goya), Flamish paintings of the 17th century (P. P. Rubens, A. van Dyck, J. Jordaens), Dutch paintings of the 17th century (Rembrandt H. van Rijn, Frans Hals), German and Austrian paintings of the 15th - 18th centuries (H. Holbein senior, L. Cranach senior, A. Du?Nrer).
• Veletrzni palac - Muzeum moderniho a soucasneho umeni (Trade Fair Palace - Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art) - Praha 7, Dukelskych hrdinu 47. 19th and 20th Century Art.

The Scene

The scene in Prague is maintain up to date by Gay Guide - Prague. We recommend you use them to find out what's the latest in the gay scene. They also cover the scene in Budapest, Hungary; Warsaw and Crackow in Poland; and Sofia in Bulgaria

Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1961. Laws against homosexual relations were repealed in 1990. The legal minimum age of consent (for heterosexual and homosexual relations alike) is 15 years (if no money is involved). Additionally it is an offense to expose a minor (under 18) to the "danger of depravation" by enabling him an "idle or indecent life" or by seducing him into such a life (Art. 217 CC; two years jail). According to the case law the "danger of depravation" must be the result of an intensive longer-lasting behavior by the perpetrator causing in the youth habits, preferences and interests leading to his moral decline and to his inability to lead an independent life.

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic. Best time to visit is from early April to middle of November. Prague has a lively gay scene and the scene is differentiated ... You will find gay bars and dance clubs for a specific audience (like leather bars, rent boy bars, older audience, younger crowd). But, unfortunately, there has never been a Gay Pride in Prague until now.

Homosexuality is considered a taboo by the majority of the population. However, Prague is a liberal city where many gay Czechs choose to live. There are no laws concerning tourists with HIV/AIDS. Registered partnerships have been discussed twice in the Parliament, but is not the law yet.

Prostitution and Promotion of Prostitution is legal, if the prostitute is at least 18 years old.

• At most clubs in Prague you will get a 'drink ticket' - also called consumption card. Your consumption will be noted on this paper. Payment usually is when you leave the place. If you loose the ticket usually a high penalty fee is required. Make sure to be careful with your drink tickets and also check for padding of the bills.
• If you take someone to your place please take care about your valuables. If your room or apartment has a safe or if there is a safe at the reception of your guest house or hotel please use it.
• If you take a sex workers service do not force him to do any practice he don't want. Agree on everything in advance: the cost, the sexual practices wanted, and the time. This prevents many problems from occurring.

Publications & Organizations

• AIDS Centrum Infekcni Klinika at the Buldovka Hospital Budinova 2, Praha 8 Phone: 266082629.
• Amigo & Maxxx P.O Box 60, CZ-18021 Praha 8. Phone 284828361, 602641274. Email Amigo publishes a bimonthly printed gay guide called 'Amigo' including classified ads, in Czech and in foreign languages. Amigo also publishes 'Maxxx', a monthly 'gay erotic magazine' that contains hundreds of personal classifieds, all in Czech. Get it newsstands at train stations and in a lot of gay bars!
• CSAP - Ceská Spolecnost AIDS Pomoc & Lighthouse Dúm Svétla, Malého 3, 18621 Praha 8. Phone: 224814284, Helpline: 224810702 . CSAP is the Czech Organization for AIDS prevention and for Support of People with HIV and AIDS. The also operate the Lighthouse project. And they organize the candlelight marches. Email
• GayGuide.Net Prague - Email Homepage Hotline: +36 309 32 33 34. Gay tourist information. Information on gay owned accommodations & gay operated Sightseeing Tours/Airport Transfers. Daily updated Gay Guide Web page including news, classifieds, chat, mailing lists & gay dictionary. All Emails are replied within 48 hours; English and German spoken.
• Gay Iniciativa v Czeske Republice Senovazne Namesti 2, 110 00 Praha 1. Phone 224223811 Mobile 601213840. Helpline 357701414 & 476701444. The Gay Iniciativa v Czeske Republice was founded at the time when the Soho Organisation clodes. For more than a decade Soho was the largest gay organization. Their main goal at the moment is to get the legal rights for gay and lesbian registered partnerships. Beside this they operate a nationwide phone help line and support for individuals having problems with coming out, HIV & Aids, drugs etc. The organization is divided into several departments: Culture, Legal issues, Crisis Intervention, HIV & Aids and international contacts. Kvetoslav Havlic is the person in charge for international contacts. He speaks English and is reachable at Email
• Gay Sport Club
• Logos Meetings at Fara CCE, U Skolske?L zahrady 1, 182 00 Praha 8. Tel: 22 51 40 40 (Gay help line Wed 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.) Email Logos meetings are held first Sunday in every month from 2 til 5:30 p.m. A gay and lesbian ecumenical group.
• Princ Gay Sex Magazine & Princ Story & Gay Kontakt & Princ Extra Komarkova 21, Praha 4. Phone: 267810770. (Metro station Roztyly). Publishes monthly the 'Princ Gay Sex Magazine' (focus on porn) and the 'Gay Kontakt' in Czech. Every 3rd month a 'Gay Guide map', the 'Princ Story' and the 'Princ Extra'. They also have a shop, selling books, magazins, toys.
• Project Sance Ve Smeckach 28, Praha 1 Phone: 602229395 Socialworking Outreach Project for male prostitutes.

Shopping

Opening hours

Department stores 8 a.m. till 8 p.m.; Supermarkets Mondays till Fridays 6 a.m. till 10 p.m. and also Saturdays and Sundays from 6 a.m. till 8 p.m.; Boutiques 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. and every neighborhood has 'Nonstop'-shops.

Gone are the days when a shop in the center might only have shelves and shelves of sugar, and only sugar, for sale. Now the butchers have exotic-looking cuts hanging in the window and the previously abundant strips of bacon, without the lean bits, have been relegated to a low shelf at the back. Gorgeous, fresh vegetables are everywhere, even if the shopkeeper might not quite know what to do with the particular vegetable that he is now selling. The large, Western-style supermarkets sell an intriguing selection of Czech goods and high-priced foreign imports. So, if you look about you might find what looks to be the same item selling in the same shop for vastly differing sums.

Day Trips

Cesky Krumlov

The medieval town in the charming South Bohemian countryside that has still retained its medieval nature. The town is called the pearl of Bohemia. Its historic center was listed in the 1992 UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. Two national cultural landmarks - the castle and the Gothic church of St.Vitus, dominate the town. The castle is the second largest one in the Czech Lands (after the Prague Castle). The mighty renaissance castle- once the seat of powerful Lords of the Rozmberks and the Schwarzenbergs - houses rich collections of period furniture, Flemish tapestries, historical weapons. You must see interiors of this splendid castle as well as the old town with romantic lanes and reconstructed medieval houses. In 1993, the Egon Schiele International Cultural Center was opened. Cesky Krumlov is situated 170 km from Prague.

Opening hours (castle)

• April, October Tu - Su 9 - 12 a.m., 1 - 4 p.m.
• May, September Tu - Su 9 - 12 a.m., 1 - 5 p.m.
• June to August Tu - Su 9 - 12 a.m. - 1 - 6 p.m.
• When state holidays fall on Monday, closed on Tuesday

Karlstejn Castle

The most outstanding medieval castle founded and built between 1348-1355 A.D. by Emperor Charles IV. as a depository for the Empire coronation jewels and state documents. In the Chapel of the Holy Rood, where the treasury is kept, is a unique collection of 132 panel Gothic paintings by Master Theodoric, which were done in 1360. This Gothic castle is situated 40 km southwest from Prague.

Opening hours:

• February ,March 9 - 12 a.m., 1 - 3 p.m.
• April, October 9 - 12 a.m., 1 - 4 p.m.
• May, June, September 9 - 12 a.m., 12,30 - 5 p.m.
• July to August 9 - 12 a.m., 12,30 - 6 p.m.
• Closed: Monday. When state holidays fall on Monday, closed on Tuesday

Konopiste Castle

A lovely hunting castle, built in the 14th century, rebuilt in the 19th century, housing fascinating collections of historical weapons, furniture, paintings and tapestries. The castle is situated 50 km from Prague.

Opening hours:

• April Tu - Fr 9 - 12 a.m., 1 - 3 p.m., Sa - Su 9 - 12 a.m., 1 - 4 p.m.
• May to August Tu - Su 9 - 12 a.m., 1 - 5 p.m.
• September Tu - Fr 9 - 12 a.m., 1 - 4 p.m.
• When state holiday fall on Monday, closed on Tuesday

Krivoklat Castle

Mention of the royal castle of Krivoklat was first made about 1100 AD Today?fs building is from the late 13th century. It was enlarged and fortified at the end of the 14th century. Thanks to all these renovations and additional buildings, the castle shows all phases of Gothic style. The castle is situated 50 km from Prague.

Opening hours:

• March, November, December : Sa and Su 9 a.m. - 12 a.m. 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., groups must book
• April: Tu - Su 9 a.m. - 12. a.m. 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
• May, September, October : Tu - Su 9 a.m. - 12. a.m. 1. p.m. - 4 p.m.
• June : Tu - Su 9 a.m. - 12. a.m. 1. p.m. - 5 p.m.
• July - August: Mo - Su 9 a.m. - 12. a.m. 1. p.m. - 5 p.m.
• When state holiday fall on Monday, closed on Tuesday
• January, February for booked groups only

Kutna Hora

Thanks to the prosperous silver mines, Kutna Hora became, after Prague, the second most important town of the kingdom Bohemia in the Middle Ages. There are plenty of precious Gothic constructions such as St. Barbara?fs Cathedral (1388 to 1565), one of the most beautiful Czech Gothic buildings, the Italian Court (Vlassky dvur) with its Royal Mint, where the famous Prague grosches were minted, the Stone House, the St.James?L Church etc. On request you can also visit the Ossuary. Kutna Hora was declared a world heritage and since then has been protected by UNESCO.

The town is situated 70 km from Prague.

St.Barbara?Ls Cathedral opening hours:
Daily except Mondays, May to September 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., November to March 9 - 12 a.m. , 2 - 4 p.m., April, October 9 - 12 a.m., 1 - 4.30 p.m.
Italian Court opening hours:
open daily, January, February, November and December 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., March and October 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., April to September 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

References

• A to Z Prague
• PIS
• GayGuide - Prague
  

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