Prague is a large and very cultured city. There are many attractions that the whole family will enjoy and will keep children amused for the duration of your trip.

Petrin Observation Tower and the Hall of Mirrors
This tower is an imitation of the Eiffel Tower, but on a much smaller scale. It is located on the top of Petrin Hill and offers fantastic views across the entire city. The tower dominates most of the hill, but the nearby Hall of Mirrors will keep children amused for hours. The top of the hill can be reached on foot or by the funicular railway. Phone: +420 257 320 112. 

Podoli Swimming Pool Complex
This is Prague's largest pool complex, which can be found near the Vltava River, a 10-minute tram ride from the city centre. You will find an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool, two outdoor swimming pools and a paddling pool for young children. It can be visited at any time throughout the year and on a hot summer’s day, the outdoor pools play host to many families looking to relax for the day. Phone: +420 241 433 952; Website: www.pspodoli.cz

Prague River Cruises
Taking a cruise is an extremely fun and rewarding way to see Prague’s best sights. All river trips include a buffet lunch and have indoor and outdoor seating. Children of all ages will love the river cruises, as they make sightseeing, which children often find boring, fun.

Prague Theatre
The theatre productions that take place in Prague are largely visual and therefore extremely suitable for children of all ages and nationalities. There are many theatres located across the city including: Black Light Theatre, which shows a mix of ballet, mime, puppet shows and animations; National Marionette, a puppet theatre that has held its mark on Prague for decades; and Laternal Magika, which shows ballet productions that mix in excellent visual effects and some film. Phone: +420- 224 227 981; Website: www.nationaltheatre.cz 

Prague Zoo
The zoo is located just over a mile from the city centre and is set around a river, with rocky cliffs and lush green meadows. You will find many animals living here including penguins, lions, tigers and elephants as well as markhor (goat-antelopes) and ibex (mountain goats). These two species can be found high up in superbly designed enclosures. The views from these hills are spectacular. Phone: +420 296 112 111; Website: www.zoopraha.cz 

Vysehrad Castle and Park
The remains of the castle can be found in a stunning park which overlooks the River Vltava. It makes for a wonderful escape from the busy city and includes many attractions for all of the family. There are enormous statues of figures from Czech mythology and some lovely restaurants as well as the famous Rotunda of St Martin. This building dates back to the 11^th century. Many families enjoy picnics in the park as well as playing ball games with their children. Phone: +420 241 410 348; Website: http://www.praha-vysehrad.cz

Prague’s history is largely based on its culture and at times, lack of it. The city has prided itself on its cultural activities for decades and this is evident in the quality and quantity of cultural events and attractions. Prague’s unique culture can be felt in every corner of the city. The people are proud of their heritage and the Czechs continue to grow and maintain their existing cultural influence on the western world.

Mucha Museum
This museum celebrates the life and works of Czechoslovakia’s best-known artist, Alfons Mucha. Paintings and sketchbooks are on display as well as a re-creation of his studio in Paris. It is a must for all art lovers and worthy of a visit even if you are not an art connoisseur. Phone: +420 221 451 333; Website: www.mucha.cz 

Museum of Communism
This museum is one of the principal attractions in Prague. It examines the life of the Czech people throughout Soviet rule. Displays include pictures, reading materials, military objects and even a reconstructed classroom from the Communist era. It gives visitors a clear insight into the oppression the Czechs experienced during Communist times. Phone: +420 224 21 29 66; Website: www.muzeumkomunismu.cz

National Museum
This museum was founded in 1818 and is home to the largest and oldest collection of antiques in the country. The collections fall into the categories of palaeontology, zoology, geology and anthropology, and are fascinating. The building itself is a symbol of Prague’s past. It was built in the new-Renaissance style with striking interior decoration. In the summer months (May to September), the museum is open every day. Phone: +420 2 2449 7111.

National Theatre
Sitting on the banks of the Vltava River, The National Theatre hosts some of Prague’s best opera and ballet performances. It is housed in a neo-Renaissance building which was built between 1668 and 1681. It is one of the most important establishments in the entire Czech Republic, rich in cultural and artistic heritage. Phone: +420- 224 227 981; Website: www.nationaltheatre.cz

St Nicholas Church
This stunning church was built in 1735 and stands in the corner of Old Town Square. The uniquely beautiful interior was inspired by the chapel of St Louis in Paris. In 1781, the decoration of the church was removed as Emperor Josef II ordered the closure of all churches and monasteries that were without a social function. From 1870 until 1914, the church was used by Russian orthodox communities and during WWII some of the Czech army was stationed in the church. Throughout the war, Czech artists worked to restore the building to its former beauty and at the end of the war, the church was handed over to the Czech Hussite movement. Today, classical concerts are held in its grounds throughout the year.

The Wax Museum
This is Prague’s answer to Madame Tussauds. It has proved to be a very popular attraction, so much so that it has now moved to two separate locations in order for everything to fit. The Melantrichova Museum houses the ‘Hall of 20^th Century Celebrities’, the ‘Gallery of Totalitarian Rulers’ and ‘Magical Prague’, while the Mostecka Museum houses a 19^th century street scene and a medieval alchemical laboratory. Phone:+ 420 257 535 735; Website: www.waxmuseumprague.cz

The rise in tourist numbers has led to a rise in the number of restaurants opening in Prague. This has also led to a vast improvement in hygiene standards. The influence of foreign investment has made way for a number of international restaurants, catering mainly for tourists. International cuisine includes Chinese, Indian, French and Italian as well as fast food chains such as McDonalds. These restaurants can be found across the city.

Traditional Czech dishes include pork or beef served with dumplings and vegetables as well as fish and seafood dishes. Local food is very good value for money and the best local restaurants can be found in the suburbs of the city. You will need to have cash as most restaurants do not accept credit cards. 

Shopping is not a major draw card for Prague as most tourists come to see the sights, not to shop. However, Prague is famous for amber, garnets, crystal and alcohol. It is home to a selection of designer shops, shopping centres and gift shops, but many outlets only offer essentials such as food, alcohol, clothes and shoes. 

The two main shopping areas in the city are located around Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square. Wenceslas Square is a large pedestrian shopping area where large department stores can be found. There are also shopping centres selling a variety of goods. The area around Old Town Square is home to a number of small shops selling souvenirs and knick-knacks. Jewellery, puppets and other gifts can be purchased here. 

For those looking to indulge themselves, Prague has a small selection of designer shops such as Louis Vuitton and Hermes, but shopping in Prague does not compare to shopping in London, New York or Paris.

As yet, Prague has not developed a comprehensive system of sporting amenities for foreign tourists. There are, however, many outdoor activities that can be undertaken without any help from specific facilities. Prague is full of beautiful parks and surrounded by stunning countryside perfect for walking, cycling or lazing in.

Ice Skating
This is very popular although ice rinks are usually open for periods of just one or two hours over the weekend, leaving them very crowded. Skates are available for hire and people are generally very considerate although you should always be careful if you are a beginner. Many ice rinks can be found across the city, but the most popular ones include: the rink attached to Hotel Hasa - phone: +420 271 747 128 and the Fun on Ice rink, located in Na vinicnich horach 33 - Phone: 420 286 840 500. 

Walking Excursions
If you enjoy walking and want to see the many beautiful sights of Prague, there are some beautiful hiking trails in and around the city. Petrin is home to many trails and a walk along the Vltava River is a great way to spend an afternoon. The winter ski resorts surrounding Prague are taken over by hikers in the summer and make for wonderful scenic rambles. There is also an excellent hiking trail along the Prague-Vienna corridor. The Divorka Sarka Park is a huge natural forest offering walking trails that take you past stunning waterfalls and imposing trees, while strolling along the streets of Prague is an excellent way to see many attractions and also allows you to visit them at your leisure.

Skiing
Skiing is very popular in winter. People travel to Prague for the excellent resorts and high-quality slopes. Every skiing centre has ski and snowboard schools with courses led by qualified instructors. The resorts outside of Prague are mostly located within national parks or protected areas. Krkonosye is one of the most popular resorts and is located about three hours’ drive from Prague city centre.

Water Sports
In the summer months, Prague offers a wide range of water sports, ranging from canoeing and rafting to windsurfing. One of the most popular pastimes is the water slalom. The most famous course in the whole of the Czech Republic is down the Troja Canal in Prague. A day’s canoeing is a popular pastime for both locals and tourists. The Vltava River is ideal and is surrounded by picturesque countryside. The Troja Canal has water year-round and is possible to raft on. This is a great way to spend an afternoon.