Life in Prague
Life at AAU in Prague is exciting and allows students to learn indispensable life skills while immersed in a historically significant environment. You will live in vibrant neighborhoods, shop at local stores, and experience life in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Affordability & Work Opportunities
Everyone knows that Prague is a popular tourist destination, but what is it like to live here as a student?
Prague is consistently rated among the top 10 most affordable cities in Europe, in addition to being one of the top 10 best student cities in the entire world. It is a safe, international city with excellent public transportation, a large community of expats, and a huge variety of employment opportunities available to students and professionals alike.
On top of a large number of shopping malls and standard grocery stores available to help you with all of your needs, Prague is also a city concerned with sustainability and supporting local entrepreneurs. From weekly farmer’s markets to organized pop-ups with second-hand clothing and goods for sale, Prague is a welcoming and accommodating city for all budgets and lifestyles.
Activities & Must-See Places
Prague has an amazing network of very affordable public transportation making commuting easy and accessible. The whole city is covered in a thick network of trams, buses and metro stations. Wherever you want to go – there is always a way to get there fast!
Prague is a well known and sought after travel destination thanks to its prolific nightlife and beautiful atmosphere, but there are also many historic and cultural activities and locales available for those who know where to look!
Historic
- (Pražský hrad) – Built in 870, Prague Castle is one of the largest castle complexes in the world
- Charles Bridge (Karlův most) – Over 600 years old, Charles Bridge is an iconic and romantic landmark
- – Vysehrad is a historic fortress with spectacular views that is relatively unknown to tourists
- Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) – Home to the Astronomical Clock, Tynska Church, and the famous Jan Hus statue, Old Town Square is a must-see!
- Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) – Don’t miss Wenceslas Square, the site of the infamous and peaceful Velvet Revolution
- Petrin Tower- Petrin Tower is a popular lookout tower in a beloved park located in the heart of Prague
Outdoor Activities
- Naplavka- Located on the river, Naplavka is a favorite meeting place for evening drinks, and boasts a weekly farmers market!
- Letna- Letna is a large park with a picturesque view over the water and a famous beer garden
- David Cerny stuff- Local artist David Cerny has a variety of mind-bending installations around Prague. Keep an eye out for them!
- Divoka Sarka- Another large park with great hiking and a little-known public pool, Divoka Sarka is an excellent place to spend a Saturday afternoon
- Pedal Boats- We highly recommend renting a pedal boat for an hour for a different view of the city!
- Stromovka- 95 hectares of amazing green spaces, established in the thirteenth century as a game reserve for the nearby summerhouse. Great picnic spot
Indoor Activities
- – Alphonse Mucha is a beloved Czech artist known for his Art Nouveau style
- – Learn more about the Communist influence over the Czech Republic in a post WW2 era at the Museum of Communism
- – Immerse yourself in Czech art and culture at the National Gallery
- – MeetFactory is a creative space for everything from art installations to second-hand markets
- – DOX showcases contemporary art in all its forms
- – Recently renovated and reopened, the National Museum is an impressive collection of Natural Sciences and History
All of these sites are easily accessible by Prague’s excellent public transportation system. One pass will give you access to all of the busses, trams, and metros within the city, and your student card will grant you a special discount on the price of a transportation ticket!
The Czech Republic has more to offer than just what is found in Prague, however! There are many weekend destinations that are worth visiting, from smaller towns to gorgeous national parks.
Out of Prague…
- – it is a fairytale village just a few hours away from Prague
- – Home to spas and natural hot springs, Karlovy Vary is a perfect relaxing weekend getaway
- Kutna Hora- known for the Gothic St. Barbara’s Church and Sedlec Ossuary, a chapel adorned with human skeletons
- – Bohemian Switzerland, also known as Czech Switzerland, is a picturesque region in the north-western Czech Republic
- – declared in 1955, as the first nature reserve in Czechia it is a Protected Landscape Area and a region in Bohemia
- Velka Amerika- is a partly flooded, abandoned limestone quarry near Mořina village.
- – it is one of the most famous and most frequently visited castles in the Czech Republic
Central Location & Travel Opportunities
Thanks to its unique location in the heart of Europe, Prague can also serve as an excellent base for exploring other destinations. Cities like Berlin, Vienna, Budapest and Krakow are all just a few hours away by bus or train, and numerous budget airlines serving the provide relatively easy weekend access to more distant destinations such as Barcelona, Amsterdam, London, or even the Mediterranean beach resorts of Greece and Croatia.
No matter where you want to be in Europe, you can get there easily from Prague!
Useful Links
- – This website is an essential tool for anyone who has recently arrived in Prague, and even for those who have been here a while. It contains pretty much everything you could need to know about life in Prague for a foreigner
- – The Czech equivalent of Google maps
- – For all your transportation troubles; trams, buses and trains
- – Managed by this app is a useful tool for checking public transport timetables