The best of Prague’s parks and pools

In case you’re starting to feel the downside of all the partying and beer drinking, need to revitalize and give your body a boost, or you simply are an avid sport fan, there are awesome cheap options for both outdoor and indoor sports in Prague. Recently, there’s been a jogging boom among locals and expats, but if you want to avoid heavy traffic, cobblestones and steep hills, explore the pleasant parks to jog. Many parks are located in the center or can be easily reached by tram or metro. Here are some tips for parks to train:

Stromovka - located in Bubeneč, Prague 6, it is the largest park in Prague with very few hills and lots of dirt trails. The 95 ha of wooded area with little ponds is a perfect place to blow off steam and get lost in your thoughts. In summer the blossoming flowers turn the park into more of a garden, in winter, Stromovka changes into a winter wonderland.

Letná – once you’ve conquered the hill up from the Vltava River, it is a flat and pretty, not crowded area to jog. Enjoy the run as the city unfolds itself before your eyes. It is located close to the city center (Náměstí Republiky is the nearest metro/tram station), or you can get there from the other side – the Sparta stadium tram stop.

Vítkov – if you happen to live in Žižkov, then you’re in luck. The flat area at the top of the hill with its one long running route is the ideal place to run. Can be easily reached by trams 9, 10 or 16 from Husinecká stop or just run up from Hlavní Nádraží. Looming atop the hill is the statue of Jan Žižka – the largest equestrian statue in the world. For those who like a challenge and/or enjoy an amazing view we’d recommend running up the stairs leading to the monument.

Riegrovy Sady – for those who don’t mind running up and down the hill and being occasionally chased by a dog, or live in the Vinohrady area, there is the (beer) garden – as the locals put it – Rígrače or Rígry. Popular among it locals it abounds in wooded plants and offers breathtaking vistas of Prague’s Hradčany of Petřín Hill. This extensive park stretches between Italská, Chopinova, Polská, and Vozová streets and the nearest metro stop is Jiřího z Poděbrad.

If you’re a bigger fan of swimming, Prague has a good number of indoor pools that are open all year round. In Prague, pools charge by how long you want to stay – 60 or 90 minute blocks. In most pools you’ll get a locker with a key or a wrist band that you can wear in water and there are private changing rooms. Make sure to take your shoes off on entering the change room and check the opening hours – most pools close for the afternoon for trainings. Here are some cool pools to check out:

Podolí – with its huge 50 meter indoor pool, high diving boards and a steam room it is a swimmer’s dream! The highlight is the heated outdoor pool that is open all year round and makes for a unique (and healthy) experience swimming especially on cold days. Located next to the river bank with the nearest stop Kublov it is easily accessible from the city center by trams 3 or 17. Open every day from 7am to 9.30pm.

Hotel AXA – the best in the city center, popular with locals and affordable. They charge 1 CZK per minute for the pool only. Although only 25 meters in length it is still great for laps and the location makes it easy to stop by for a swim after sitting in class all day. The nearest metro station is Florenc and the nearest tram stop Bílá Labuť.

Pražačka Krytý Bazén – for those living in Žižkov, there is the Pražačka Krytý Bazén - although old and quite small (16,6 meters in length), it’s cheap (65 CZK per 60 minutes). Make sure to check out the opening hours: it’s only open from 6-8am and 8-9.4pm on weekdays and it’s closed on weekends. There is a pub next door where you can stop by after to reward yourself with a cold beer. The nearest tram stop is Vozovna Žižkov (trams 1, 9).

Plavecký bazén Hostivař – the pool is part of the Charles University Sports Center and is ideal for the residents of the Hostivař campus, who have to endure the joys of daily commute to the center. Make sure to check the opening times before you go (the pool is often used by the university). If you are a Charles University student, the price is only 57 CZK per hour (however, there is a 100 CZK deposit on the lock).

As you can see there is a myriad of options for jogging and swimming so put your running shoes on and hit the nearest park or strip down to your swimming suit and dive into the water!

By Vero Arutyunyan

veronika. arutyunyan@gmail.com

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