Josef Loves

The Center for Architecture and Metropolitan Planning, or CAMP, is a gateway to modern urban architecture and design. The main exhibition room hosts public discussions, visits from experts, workshops, film screenings, and more, exploring modern trends in architecture and city planning. There’s also a cafe, study room, and bookstore for visitors who want to take the time to immerse themselves in design.

The Dox Centre for Contemporary Art is one of many examples in Prague of how inspiration can refresh older spaces. Built in a former factory, Dox features a steady lineup of exhibitions by international contemporary artists, many of whom enjoy global recognition or legendary status. One big advantage Dox has it’s that it’s easy to find, topped by the Gulliver Airship, designed in conjunction with architect Martin Rajniš, a massive reading room made of wood and steel and modelled after the airships of the early 20th century to exemplify humanity’s eternal optimism — the enduring will to fly. Nominated for the prestigious Mies van der Rohe award in 2008. There’s also a multifunctional hall used primarily for stage arts – theater, dance, music, film, or performance art.

Just on the other side of the Lennon Wall in Prague’s Little Town, Artiseme is a high-concept shop with a tranquil garden, a quiet sanctuary a step away from the bustle of tourists. Shelves and tables are covered in lovingly wrought designs by local artisans and craftsmen, and the owners love nothing more than helping a customer find something that suits their aesthetic tastes. The garden hosts exhibitions when the weather is right, and when you’ve got your objet d’art, you’re not far from Little Town Square and the Castle.

Designed by Zaha Hadid architects, the Masaryčka building was built to integrate with the renovation and modernization of the nearby historical Masaryk Railway Station and accommodate the growth of the city’s corporate sector. The vertical fins that run across the building’s exterior offer solar shading in the summer, but they also create a visual dialogue between the modern Masaryčka and the spires of Old Town. A rainwater system irrigates local species of plants, and the building offers easy access to railway platforms, as well as new pedestrian routes.

The Štvanice footbridge connects the neighborhoods of Karlín and Holešovice, spanning both a river and the gap between two worlds — Karlín’s corporate offices and upscale gastronomy on one side, and Holešovice’s repurposed factories, transformed into cafes and art galleries, on the other. Nicknamed HolKa, the smooth, simple lines blend into the city’s skyline without disrupting it. An off ramp gives access to Štvanice island, popular for picnics or drinks in the summer. Designed by Petr Tej, Marek Blank, and Jan Mourek. 

Kino Aero is one of Prague’s famous independent cinemas. Kino Aero does screen some current releases, but its reputation is built on the steady diet of cult films and classics that brings local cinephiles into its 323-seat, single-screen theater. Opera, theater, concerts, and exhibitions are also screened or livestreamed. The Žižkov cinema has been under its current operation since 1998, the same year as one of its four renovations since it was originally built in 1933. 

Kunsthalle Prague, which occupies the former Zenger electrical substation in Prague’s Lesser Town, connects the Czech and international art scenes. The choice of name is deliberate and telling: a museum is a storehouse of the art of the past, but a kunsthalle is a space for experimentation and public dialogue, where the artists of today can address contemporary topics and engage the public. With large gallery spaces. Short-term exhibitions of modern and contemporary art are housed in large gallery spaces, and there’s also a design shop and a bistro/cafe with a fantastic view of the castle.

Built inside a former factory, this cafe and creative space is the meeting point for creative minds. As a multifunctional space, it hosts a wide variety of events and caters to a diverse range of clients. The rotating lunch menu is influenced by a variety of cuisines and comes with vegan options. Take a look around the walls; you might see a space or two where a crumbled wall was fixed with glass and pot plants, a variation of the Japanese art of kintsugi, where cracks in pottery are sealed with gold. The back alley hosts a distillery, barbershop, and clothing boutique.

Perfect for that group of friends who can’t decide where to eat. Manifesto is centrally located in Prague’s Anděl district and features an outdoor space with 18 restaurants and bars, offering food and drinks from Latin America, Asia, Europe, and North America, all circled around a central pool. Aside from drinks, food, desserts, and tasting menus (including vegan and vegetarian options), guests can host events like birthday parties at the space. The events program includes DJs, festivals, dance classes, and holiday celebrations.

The concept behind Kro Vršovice, founded and co-owned by chef Vojta Václavík, is everyday food elevated with fine-dining preparation skills. Václavík drew on the haute cuisine techniques he developed in upscale restaurants in the Czech Republic and Norway and applied them to simpler concepts, with satisfying results. The cooks at the bistro are constantly experimenting with ways to reduce waste while delighting their clientele, and much of what you see on the menu is made from scratch in the kitchen. The bistro has built longstanding relationships with trusted suppliers, mostly local ones, and as much fruit and veg as possible comes from the farmer’s market nearby, at Jiřího z Poděbrad.

Design store Deelive is perfect for finding that one statement piece, whether it’s a unique designer dress, geometric vase, or a simple keyright. No matter how small the item, Deelive offers an option with that finishing touch, bridging the gap between art and everyday object. Just down the street from the National Theater and Cafe Slavia.

Fiction, lifestyle, travel, architecture, design — you get it. Book Therapy is a carefully curated bookstore in the undeniably trendy Vinohrady neighborhood. Both Czech and international authors are available, and the well-lit interior with a minimalist but warm design is ideal for browsing. You’re almost guaranteed to find the next book that piques your interest and keeps it.