10 lovely forests and child-friendly nature excursions in Prague

What´s probably most fascinating here in Central Europe is the amazing nature that feels very special. It reminds me in many ways about Gotland in Sweden´s magically beautiful cliff landscape because of the surroundings around Prague that is based on a several 100 million-year-old seabed. The landscape here is dramatic with many ravines, caves and strange rock formations. You can find fossils and dinosaur tracks if you are looking in the right place. Some of the better specimens of mammoth bones have been found here in the Czech Republic. One can imagine that mysteriously cone-shaped mountains once had been volcanoes.

In order to find the beautiful scenery, you don´t need to go far from the city. You can even find the exciting nature in the city and get to the areas that I mention here with the public transportation. But one thing is certain, that it isnt as wild and breathtaking near the city but still quite okay to get your nature dose that you are longing for. You can see old and new traces of humanity everywhere in the most easily accessible nature such as strange statues and mini-chapels, and quite a lot of graffiti that the Prague teenagers seem to have a penchant for. The best nature areas are therefore, in my opinion, outside the local traffic network, but there are many gems in and around the city. These are our favorites:

Obora Hvezda

Translated from Czech, it roughly means "the star-park". This forest / park has been named by the beautiful star-shaped castle-like building in the middle of it. It is located in Prague 6 which is easy to reach by both tram and metro. In the spring, the ground is covered with wood anemones and wild garlic. Many of the trees are covered in ivy. There are several playgrounds and a traffic playground outside. This place is suitable for picnics and family meet-ups.

 Ďáblicky Haj

This forest is slightly off the beaten path in Prague 8 but is still relatively easy to reach by tram. It´s very nice to spend a day in it. There is a large play area with several barbecue spots and many beautiful ravines and cliffs. There is also an observatory at the top.

Lysolaje Udoli

Údolí means "valley" in Czech. This is a nature area where you can walk around in a valley or rather in sort of a mini-canyon as it is very steep. The natural landscape is quite dramatic. There are also exciting things that humanity has left behind - including a cold spring water pool, chapels and statues here and there. The valley is located in Prague 6 and is most easily reached by car. You can also walk through Divoká Šárka to get there.

Tiche Udoli

The "quiet valley" is quite deafening when there are incoming airplanes as they go in for landing at the airport over this forest but otherwise it seems to be pretty quiet there. There are some wild animals that you can read about on the informative signs. We saw a gray heron and a squirrel as well as various common birds. There seemed to be traces of otters or beavers in the stream as well. It is easiest to get there by car, but there are also buses from Prague.

 Cibulka

This forest, located in Prague 5, is quite central and easy to reach by bus 123 which goes up the hill. Here are both deciduous and coniferous trees. There are a few playgrounds and picnic huts, as well as some ponds, a number of statues, caves / tunnels, a mini-castle that you can walk up in and a lot of other interesting things. There is a stream to play in too.

 Divoká Šárka

"Wild Šarka" is a nature reserve in Prague 6 that extends to the two valleys mentioned above. It's big and wild for being so close to the city. There are dramatic cliffs and ravines that the stream meanders its way through. There is also a pond where you can swim in and spring water pools. Although it´s partly tamed by humans, there are surprisingly wild areas that fit well for a day-trip. It is easy to reach the nature reserve by public transport or by car.

 Draháň-Troja

This nature area is located in Prague 8 and is pretty close to Dáblice so you can explore both areas the same day if you want. We went there on a sunny autumn day and parked in Cimice (which you can also go by bus to). We walked in the valley along the Cimice stream and then crossed the fields and meadows to get to the lookout picnic spot near the river. There is a big drop there, maybe 80 m high, so it is definitely not suitable for toddlers and babies but the view is quite nice. You can skip that part if you have littles as there is plenty of other things to explore. There is also a small lake.

Kunratice

This forest is probably our kids favorite. It´s located in Prague 4 and is a fairly large natural area. Friends who live near have reported wild animal herds of different kinds. If you don't see them, you might be content with the mini-zoo there. There is an excellent forest pub with outdoor playground and large areas to run around. The children's favorite place is the stream where there is blue clay and the playground with fireplace where you can have a bbq.

Mala Chuchle

This forest called "Little Chuchle" is located next to "Big Chuchle" which we haven´t visited yet. It´s a large forest in Prague 5 which is a little more tricky to reach but you can both take the bus or drive. We went there on an ice cold winter day. You have to go up a really steep hill to get to the minizoo.place. In hindsight I would definitely not have taken the stroller with me. We all had to push it up the worst bits. But the nature is beautiful and the mini-zoo at the top of the hill has a playground and quite a few animals. In the summer, the pub will be open too. At the "entrance" there is a beautiful church.

Prokopske Udoli

The Prokop Valley is also located in Prague 5. This is an area rich in fossils. You can find them in the stream and on the slopes. The valley, like the others we explored in Prague, is dramatically steep. Here it´s possible to get up on the hill and then you can walk past a natural well with drinking water. There are barbecue areas, playgrounds and several areas for picnics. It´s easy to get there with the tram. The pub on the way down to the valley has a large playground and good food which can be good to know if you don´t bring food.

Google maps with mentioned nature areas above. However, you will find your way easiest by using mapy.cz. Then you will see the markings for wells, view points and points of interest that are not listed on Google.

Holesovice tips and worldschooling apartment

We wanted to share some nice tips from our neighbourhood which is close to the amazing Stromovka park in Holesovice and that we have a worldschooling apartment here that we rent out. It is a available from March. We are ideally looking for mid or long term guests. The apartment is conveniently located quite near the center on Delnicka street but away from the hustle and bustle there. It is fully equipped with everything a digital nomad worldschooling family would need. There are great activities and food options - most just within a few minutes walk or a short tram ride away. 

Here are some cool ideas that you can do in Holesovice and get a feel what it could be like to live there. If you already live in Prague we really recommend a trip out here. It is fairly quiet and full of nice surprises.

1 - Krokodyli zoo 

Here you can see crocodiles, turtles and such. Last time we were there we got to hold a snake.

2 - Take the P7 Boat to the other side 

This cute little boat is part of the public transport system so its a very economical and fun way to travel in Prague. It goes to the island and Karlin. On the other side in Karlin there is a beach pub with hammocks and an alternative play area. Karlin is nice to walk around in. The boat goes from the market, a few minutes walk away.

3 - Bitcoin cafe Paralelni Polis

This unique place is on Delnicka street, the same street as the worldschooling apartment. You can only pay with cryptocurrency. The staff is helpful for people new to this. There is an ATM there where you can change cash. Its a cosy place to play chess in a rainy day. There is coworking and events.

4 - Playground Sedmikraska 

This is a great little park for both small kids and big kids. There is an exercise part and football/basketball place. There is water which is good for hot summer days. Its inside of walls so the small ones cant escape easily.

5 - Vnitroblok and around

It is on Delnicka street. Here you have an alternative hipster co-working space, artsy activities, entreprenerial spirit. There is a school bus on the yard service burgers. There are interesting things to check out. There is a cafe, cinema, dancing etc.

6 - Prague market and vegetable hall 22

About 5 minutes walk from the apartment you will find the best place to buy vegetables and fruit. Walk through the stalls full of kitsch and find real vietnamese food in the market on the way there.

7 - Tram around

It is so easy to go and explore the city with the tram so close. You can go on tram 1, 6, 14 and 25 for instance to the old town in about 10-15 min, to Stromovka or Letna park in a couple of minutes, or to the Harfa mall in about 15 min.

8 -  Delis, butchers and bakers

There are many newly opened places where you can find delicious food both on Delnicka and Komunardu street. Go exploring. 

9 - Prague zoo

You can actually walk to the zoo the whole way but if you are in a hurry you can just jump on the tram and change for bus 112 at nadrazi holesovice. The nicest way is to take the tram to Vystaviste holesovice for about 6-7 minutes and walk through the park. There is a "free" boat that takes you across the river and then you are almost at the zoo. 

10 - Stromovka park

This park is incredibly beautiful no matter what season. In the winter you can go tobogganing and play with the ice on the ponds. In the summer people swim in the same ponds. There is also a duck pond, and a couple of play grounds. One of them has a cafe/pub attached which is handy.

11 - Ortonovo namesti playground

This little playground is just by the tram stop. Small kids likes it as and parents of small kids also as its fenced in.

12 - Beautiful food options

There are so many great food places. This is one of the best things with Holesovice. On the picture you can see red curry ramen and vietnamese coffee from Bento Cafe, a couple of minutes away from the apartment. Another great vietnamese place is Pho 559 which is 1 min away. There are many czech brewery restaurants as well, and other international options. There is chinese and curry within a minute from the apartment.

13 - Technical museum

Take the tram to Letenske namesti and you can reach both the technical and the agriculture museum. Both are great for kids however some staff might tell you off for kids being kids however there are a couple of play areas and a hall full of vehicles, on one of the steam engines the kids can go in. There is also a "mine" and a mecano room, as well as half a floor of astronomy and other interesting things. You can easily spend a whole day there. There is a cheap restaurant in the basement.

Book the Maniny apartment HERE for Airbnb or HERE at our website

February non-plans

We will cut down on organizing things a bit for the next couple of weeks, as we want to be flexible and be able to do things with short notice, however lets keep the worldschooling community spirit up - if you have a suggestion or would like to have a meet-up let me know and ill organize whether we will be there or not.