Prague has never exactly been “sleepy,” but this year, the capital of the Czech Republic is buzzing.
The long-closed Grand Hotel Evropa has reopened as the dazzling W Prague, and a hulking modernist block on the Vltava River has been reborn as Fairmont Golden Prague, and one of the city’s biggest museums has opened its doors after years of renovation.
Add in a wave of new restaurants, design-forward cafes and art exhibitions, and Prague suddenly feels like one of Europe’s freshest — and most surprising — city getaways.
Here’s everything to put on your client’s radar in the Golden City.
Prague Planetarium has reopened after a significant renovation.
Credit: 2025 BoysPlayNiceMuseums, Exhibitions and Activities
Few reopenings have generated more local excitement than that of the Museum of Prague, which is slated to return this autumn after a meticulous, multiyear renovation. Once known chiefly for its archival displays and beloved Langweil model — a 19th-century, hand-painted cardboard scale model of the city — the museum is expected to be reimagined with more interactive exhibits.
Meanwhile, Prague Planetarium reopened in June after a two-year renovation, with the world’s first fully digital LED dome.
The brand-new Mucha Museum is set in the restored Savarin Palace.
Credit: 2025 Mucha MuseumElsewhere, the brand-new Mucha Museum opened in February inside the restored Savarin Palace on Na Prikope Street. The inaugural exhibition, "Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau & Utopia,” explores the Czech artist’s influence on both art and national identity. And in early October, Signal Space opened in the Old Town Market Hall as the first permanent digital gallery in Prague.
It’s also worth mentioning to clients that the famed Astronomical Clock now starts its top-of-the-hour shows at 8 a.m., running until 11 p.m. (Previously, they began an hour later.)
Food and Drink
Prague's restaurant scene is shaking off its old reputation for heavy comfort food. A newer chef-driven restaurant, Katchi, reopened earlier this year, blending Czech flavors with Japanese techniques. Other new Asian-inspired entries include Bamico, a purveyor of Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches; In Town, a Chinese hot pot restaurant; and BaoZun Noodles, a Sichuan-style noodle spot.
This summer also saw the opening of wine and tapas bar Lolyta, which offers cava, small plates and a moody, intimate interior. Other new options include artisan bakery Pekarna Skyva and the seafood boil-slinging Rakin Seafood Bar, among other restaurants.
For coffee lovers looking for a new fix, Mazelab dispenses craft caffeine, though if clients are looking for something stronger, a couple newcomers to the bar scene include Twist Bar and Chez Vien, each with a roster of DJs and a solid wine list.
Then there’s V Zatisi, one of Prague’s culinary institutions, which recently reopened after a major renovation with a refreshed concept that shifts emphasis toward regional ingredients and modern techniques. And though not new, Hemingway Bar — which serves creative cocktails and was once featured on The World’s 50 Best Bars list — recently relocated to Opatovicka Street.
A Signature Room with a river view at Fairmont Golden Prague
Credit: 2025 Fairmont Golden Prague
Where to Stay
The aforementioned and long-anticipated W Prague, which opened in December 2024, occupies the landmark Grand Hotel Evropa space on Wenceslas Square. Its ornate 1905 art nouveau facade remains intact, but inside, the vibe is sleek and social. Expect 161 rooms (many still rolling out in phases), a glossy spa and seven restaurants and bars — including Le Petit Beefbar au Grand Cafe, known for refined comfort food and buzzy energy that draws in locals as much as guests.
In April, Fairmont Golden Prague officially opened its doors, emerging from a dramatic multimillion-dollar overhaul of a striking brutalist landmark. Sitting along the Vltava River, adjacent to the renowned Parizska boulevard in Prague’s Old Town, the property boasts 320 rooms and suites, each framed in dark wood tones and punctuated with Czech glass elements, floor-to-ceiling windows and art pieces by local creators.
The hotel features six distinct dining venues, including Zlata Praha on the rooftop for panoramic views, Golden Eye for contemporary Asian cuisine and Kafka Brasserie for all-day fare. A sprawling wellness floor — complete with an indoor–outdoor pool and a garden terrace — cements it as one of the city’s most elegant new stays.
