Open Air Cinema in Prague

Nothing beats a relaxing island holiday. Okay, you are in Prague, but we have islands too thank you very much! Our tiny spots of land sit in the middle of the Vltava River, and are occasionally home to interesting events. During the summer, the biggest and best is the Open Air Cinema.

Střelecký ostrov (Střelecký Island) welcomes cinema fans nightly through the end of September. Films are a bargain 89 CZK (about 4.50 USD or 3.50 EUR), chairs are available, but most people bring a blanket and stretch out to enjoy the show. Many people bring Frisbees or other amusements to pass the time before the show; beer, of course, is on sale and every Thursday there’s a concert which starts at 8pm. Actual movies start at 9:30pm. Films are a mix of Czech oldies and new ones, as well as fairly recent Hollywood releases, plus some classics. English movies are subtitled in Czech, unfortunately though very few Czech movies are subtitled in English. You can check a full schedule here, including what movies are in what language. A random sample: The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus (July 19), No Country for Old Men (July 24) and Lolita (July 30).

Střelecký Island is accessible via stairs down from the Legií Bridge (most in Czech). This is the bridge that crosses the Vltava near the National Theater, off Národní Street. There’s also a very nice restaurant on the island, Ostrov, if you choose to have a classy meal before copping a squat on the grass.

Photo courtesy of Packa