Holešovice

The majority of tourists visiting Prague wander around the Old Town’s medieval street maze, without venturing into more modern neighbourhoods. This is a pity, since those emerging districts have undergone dramatic changes in recent past, and now rank among Europe’s coolest.

Holešovice stretches along the left bank of the Vltava, following the river curve north-east of the historical Prague. Back in the day, it was covered with grassy meadows and fields, and in the 19th century became heavily industrialized – packed with factories, steam mills, slaughterhouses and breweries.

Nowadays, it is a hip and vibrant district, since many of these spaces have been creatively reconstructed and turned into galleries, bookshops, trendy clubs and restaurants – among the list you will even find a Bitcoin-friendly café!

If you love industrial chic and contemporary design, coming to Holešovice is a must. Away from tourist crowds, it is still close to the centre and easily accessible via metro or tram. The highlights include two lovely green spaces – Letná and Stromovka, the Exhibition Grounds (Výstaviště) with their impressive Art Nouveau Industrial Palace, as well as the National Museum’s Lapidarium – a collection of historical sculpture from Prague streets and residences.

The functionalist Trade Fair Palace (Veletržní palác) offers a visual feast of avant-garde paintings, by the likes of Picasso, Van Gogh and Gauguin, while the Planetarium Prague takes you on a journey through stars and galaxies.

Street art galleries, independent movie theaters and a variety of gastronomic spots complete the unique, eclectic character of the Holešovice neighbourhood. For getting local produce and souvenirs, visit the numerous stalls of Pražská tržnice – still one of the largest marketplaces in Prague.