Here in the Czech Republic, there are many places I have found to take time to relax and unwind. It is important to stay mentally and physically well while abroad. Culture shock can be hard and it's important to find places to help you clear your head as you will be staying in a different country for an entire semester. 

Kampa Park 

Kampa Park was the first place I found that I was able to relax and enjoy. Seeing the Vltava River has always helped me to calm down and to just enjoy my time. This is also a great place to run and exercise. Many people do yoga here and it is a very nice environment. 

This is Kampa Park located in Prague 1. It has a nice view of the Vltava River and is great to take walks in. 

This is also in Kampa Park but further south. There are nice cafes that I love to go to right next to here and do some work. When the sun is out, I like to sit on a bench and look at the river. 

Spots Near the Vltava River 

When I am going to my classes at Anglo American University, I sometimes take a walk when the weather is nice on the Mánes Bridge. Looking at the view of the Vltava River has helped me relieve stress, especially on days when I have an exam. 

When I want to walk into Prague 5, I really like to take the Vyšehradský železniční most, which is the Railway Bridge. It is very calming, and I like to see the view of the Vltava River from high up.  

The Vyšehradský železniční most (the Railway Bridge) in Prague is a direct pathway between Prague 4 and 5. I love taking this path to Prague 5 where there is an amazing shopping center that I love to go to. 

Walking into Prague 5 there is a great shopping center called Nový Smíchov with great clothing stores and restaurants. It is my favorite place where my friends and I go to treat ourselves after a long week. 

A picture from the Mánes Bridge overlooking the Vltava River. It is for trams, cars, and has a sidewalk for pedestrians. This is the route I sometimes take to go to Anglo American University for my classes. 

Old Town 

Also, on days I have exams, I like to go to Old Town and treat myself to some food, especially since there is a wide variety of great restaurants there. It has helped me feel a lot better eating the amazing food Prague has to offer, especially after an exam. 

Here is a part of Old Town located in Prague 1 on the corner of Národní and Na Perštŷně. There are a lot of great restaurants that I love to eat dinner at and there are many clothing shops nearby. 

The Church of St. Ludmilla 

In Náměstí Míru, just a five-minute walk from my apartment, is the Church of St. Ludmilla. It has a very calming and peaceful environment that has helped me, and others stay mentally well while abroad. The interior is gorgeous, and the peaceful atmosphere is very refreshing. 

The Church of St. Ludmila located in Náměstí Míru. It is very pretty at night and is on the way to my apartment here in Prague. The interior is gorgeous and very peaceful. 

Karlovy Vary 

There are a couple of places outside of Prague that I have found to be very relaxing. Karlovy Vary is a great place to take a day trip after a long week. It is located two hours west of Prague. The spas there are amazing and have helped me relieve stress and calm down a lot. 

Photo 6: Karlovy Vary, located two hours west of Prague. It is known for its hot springs and is a very nice place to take a day trip to relax and unwind after a stressful week. 

Českŷ Krumlov 

Českŷ Krumlov is very beautiful and a great place to take a day trip. The Český Krumlov Castle is great to visit and to unwind. 

This is in Český Krumlov located two hours south of Prague. It is a very beautiful town and has a very peaceful atmosphere. 

The National Museum 

I also like to learn a lot about history and my favorite place to do that is the National Museum. It is gorgeous inside and there is so much to learn and see. One of the pathways to get there is Václavské Náměstí. This is a spot that is great for clearing your head and getting your mind off of anything that is making you stressed. I love to run errands here and go for walks and it is not far from my apartment, so it is a great spot for me to unwind. 

Here is inside the National Museum. It is absolutely amazing and beautiful inside. There is a lot of history I learned here, and it is a great place to go when you have a day off. 

This is Václavské Náměstí located in Prague 1. At the end of the picture, you can see the National Museum. This is an area I love to walk in and clear my head. It is also not far from my apartment and a great area for me to run errands in.