Upon arrival – First pee and decompress
If you come by train to Prague, you will arrive either at the main station (Hlavni nadrazi, hl.n.) or at Holesovice station. Chances are that you are stepping out of the train and first thing you do is searching for a green area for your dog to “get loose”.
Prague Main Station (Hlavni Nadrazi)
The building of the main station is a bit of a mystery architecturally, and it took me a while to understand it. There are 2 parts to it: There is a historical upper part (which you see from far away and think “Ah, this is the Prague main station!”), and then the more profane lower part where the actual trains are leaving. From the outside, the two parts are separated by massive motor ways that can not be crossed on foot. And from the inside there is only a kind of hidden stair that connect those two.
Anyway! My go-to place for a dog pee is the meadow in front of the station. It is a bit of a sketchy place, where you will find people sleeping in the grass, and it is sometimes hard to discern if they are sketchy people or just exhausted tourists. I usually keep a close eye on my dog, when I let her off the lead here.
The main hall is not at ground level. You either have to take the escalators in the centre of the hall, or leave the hall at the side exits and take the normal stairs outside. My dog is absolutely terrified of escalators, so I always do option 2.
Holesovice Train station
Leave the station at the rear exit. You will have access to the Moldau river bank, which is a calm and spacious place to let your dog off from the lead and relax and decompress from your train journey. Lets drink some water, have some fresh air, enjoy the vast space around you and no people! 🙂
Stromovka Park
Also called the “Central Park” of Prague. It is my absolute favourite park.
It feels like it’s as big as a whole neighbourhood. There is so much variety: wooded areas, large empty meadows, hills, lakes, rivers with bridges, lots of tree species.
Water to drink: there is a lake in the centre and a small river. The Vltava is not far away either.
Letna Park
Stretches above the Vltava. You have a great view over Prague. You can walk to the metronome.
Water to drink: There is an old draw well at the beer garden. And a lake at the back of the park.
Ĺ tvanice Island
Usually not very busy, wide area to let your dog off the lead.
Enter via the white pedestrian bridge.
Scenic spot at the West tip of the island with a great view of the city.
On the East side of the island you can find a beer garden where you can hang out in the grass
In the middle there is “Bike-Jesus”, a punky place where you can buy beer for take away.
Water to drink: All around you, because enclosed by the river.
Kinski Park
Borders on the Petrin hill. Great view.
To drink: There is a small pond in the centre.
Image: At the transition from Kinski Park and Petrin Hill
Petrin Hill
A hill with steep ascents. Some paths are touristy, especially as you approach the Petrin tower. But there are also quiet corners. Wooded and cool in summer.
Water to drink: At the top, you might find a filled water bowl at the tourist cafés around the observation tower. Or you can go to the neighbouring Kinski Park, where there is a pond.
Orchard meadows in Malá Strana
The orchards on the slope next to Petrin hill (where the funicular starts) are my absolute favourite place in Prague. In late summer, you can fill your belly with pears and mirabelle plums there.
To drink: there is an old draw well