Letná, Holesovice, and Troja

These are three inessential but delightful places to visit if your itinerary will allow. From above the Vltava's left bank, the large, grassy plateau called Letná gives you one of the classic views of the Old Town and the many bridges crossing the river. Beer gardens, tennis, and Frisbee attract people of all ages, while amateur soccer players emulate the professionals of Prague's top team, Sparta, which plays in the stadium just across the road. The rapidly gentrifying neighborhood of Holesovice features many urban riches of its own, while north of Holesovice on the bank of the Vltava, the City Gallery Prague has a branch at Troja Château. Nearby are the Prague Botanical Gardens and the zoo.