Rooftops in the Czech Republic: the heart of Europe from above
A country of Bohemia and Moravia
A landlocked country in Central Europe, the Czech Republic, or Czechia, is bordered by Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria. It brings together the historic regions of Bohemia and Moravia as well as part of Silesia, and has around 10.9 million inhabitants. Its capital is Prague. Heir to the Kingdom of Bohemia, then to Czechoslovakia, founded in 1918, it has been independent since 1993, a member of NATO since 1999 and of the European Union since 2004. Its currency is still the Czech crown.
The country is renowned for its castles, such as Karlštejn and Český Krumlov, the spa towns of West Bohemia and its brewing tradition: pale Pilsner-style lager was born in Plzeň in 1842.
Why head up to the rooftops
In Czech towns, heritage is written first and foremost on the rooftops: red tiles, Gothic spires, Baroque domes and towers that earned Prague its nickname of the “City of a Hundred Spires”. From a lofty terrace, you can take in the castle, the bridges and the hills at a single glance. Czech rooftops are found atop hotels set in historic houses, renovated department stores, contemporary buildings and even a television tower.
Prague, the first stop
A capital with remarkable rooftops
Prague is home to most of the country's rooftops: a terrace facing the Astronomical Clock on Old Town Square, fine-dining tables on the roofs of Malá Strana, below the castle, a bar at the top of the Dancing House, roof terraces on Wenceslas Square and Národní avenue, a sky bar above the Vltava and a restaurant 66 metres up in the Žižkov Television Tower.
Very different atmospheres
Some venues focus on cocktails and DJ nights, others on reinvented Czech cuisine or tasting menus recognised by the guides. Drink prices are often lower than in Western Europe, especially in the more laid-back bars.
Practical tips
Season, currency and booking
The climate is continental: open-air terraces are at their liveliest from May to September, while the glazed rooms stay open in winter. Prices are shown in crowns (Kč) and bank cards are widely accepted. At sunset, tables with a view are in high demand: it is best to book, and to dress smartly at the fine-dining venues.
Photo: Ввласенко / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
