Andel – Cosmopolitan Prague 5
Andel means “Angel” in English but if you say it in Czech in sounds like “Andiyell”. It’s certainly quite a distance from the recognised historical centre of Prague but Andel has a lot going for it. There’s a reason that the term “cosmopolitan” is in the title as Andel has been able to remake itself from a largely semi-industrial area into one of Prague’s liveliest spots.
Accommodation
Being close to Mala Strana (Lesser Town) but not actually a Prague 1 address makes good value accommodation in the area worth looking at so long as you are prepared to use public transport or are happy for long walks. I make my own Recommended Andel Accommodation page.
Entertainment
For entertainment there is one of Prague’s largest shopping centres called Novy Smichov with a nice food floor and associated cinema complex. There’s also a second cinema complex right next to it. There are many independent high quality restaurants around Andel catering to the many modern offices and businesses that have sprung up in the area. With the banning of many casinos from the Prague 1 area, you’ll find several have set up in the vicinity. There are not any big nightclubs in Andel but you’ll find several small basement clubs like “Back Doors” and on the riverside you’ve got the Jazz Dock Jazz Club. The only restaurants that I have been to lately are “Manu” on the riverside (Italian and Scenic) and “Kozlovna” (Czech modern pub food).
Tourist Attractions
As far as tourism attractions goes it’s pretty slim pickings. At a stretch you could go a couple of blocks back to behind the NH Hotel where you’ll find Bertramka (where Mozart stayed when completing his Don Giovanni opera). A 10 minute walk towards the centre of Mala Strana brings you to the entry to the Kinsky Gardens. Andel is two blocks from the Staropramen Brewery which runs brewery tours. Finally, a 3 block walk will take you to the riverside where during the year you’ll find Saturday food festivals at Smichovska naplavka and you’ll have scenic views over to the New Town and the canal locks.
Transport and Access
From a purely access point of view it has it’s own metro station on the Yellow B line which will get you to Wenceslas Square in 3 stops. It’s also a tram hub with 24 hour service going to the New Town, Old Town and Mala Strana so all are possible to reach within 5 or 6 tram stops (10 minute journey). The Smichov Railway Station is also only one metro stop or a 3 minute tram ride away. Here’s a guide on How to Use a Touch-Screen Ticket Machine.