Zizkov: Dangerous Neighborhood or Perfect Place to Live?

Czechs have a saying: Zizkov and Liben, avoid from afar. Why is Zizkov mentioned as a neighborhood you should avoid? Let's find out.
Zizkov is named after legendary warrior Jan Zizka. The two most iconic sights of Zizkov are the Zizkov TV Tower and Vitkov Hill. Among Prague locals, Zizkov is mainly known as a place with a huge amount of bars, some of them can come across as dodgy. In today's video, we will tell you the basic history of Zizkov, will explore some of its most famous sights, and will try to find out, whether Zizkov is a dangerous neighborhood or whether it's a hipster paradise.
Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - Origin of name Zizkov
1:42 - Exploring Zizkov, Zizkov sights
6:04 - Drinking in Zizkov
8:04 - Zizkov today
9:02 - Is Zizkov dangerous?
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[@MrProfessor47]

Your videos are the most interesting about Prague! The city should make you an honorable mayor of Prague!

[@anndrearg4570]

Nice! I live in Zizkov and I’ve seen many pubs in this video that I actually visit frequently 🍻

[@chrishutchison5031]

Thanks! This week I am in St. Paul Minnesota USA, watching another fascinating episode from the RPG’s

[@xsc1000]

Some corrections: Building on top of Vitkov hill was not built as mausoleum for first communist president. It was built in 30s as a memorial of Czechoslovak legions. The "Radost" building was built in 30s as an office building for pension fund. From 50s it was used for labor unions. The name Radost is new, not from communist time. The saying "Žižkovu a Libni, zdaleka se vyhni" is old, from 1st republic (20s, 30s). At that time they were low class workers quarters with higher criminality, but not because of gypsies.

[@RealPragueGuides]

Thank you! We blurred out that thing about communists and Radost. I think the rest is a misunderstanding, Valery didn't say it was built as a mausoleum, but that it was used as such. And the thing with the saying about "Zizkovu a Libni zdaleka se vyhni", I think the saying itself was used in different times with different meanings. Not to doubt that it originates from older times, but this is how people in 90s would probably use it, referring to Zizkov and Liben as a dangerous area. (At least Vaclav's parents told him that)

[@GoodFilmy]

You should check out Adam Gebrian's video sbout the building

[@spark1025]

00:13 Valerie-head-swing cut is one of your best among many outstanding and clever cuts. Damn. You guys are really good film makers.

[@pubsofprague7810]

The grittiness of Žižkov is well and truly part of its appeal, and those quirky bars...... brilliant! Let's hope it keeps its unique character.

[@mrhelzbygrad7485]

Dum Radost is a must for a visit to Prague. We came for a quiet drink away from the tourist track and there was an evenings tango practice on with people just casually practicing their footwork whilst we had great drinks. Panoramic views, amazing atmosphere. Thanks for the video, we wouldn't have had this beautiful evening without it!

[@WZbytovsky]

My first time in Prague (2013), I stayed at Hotel Vítkov. I found a cool wine store nearby.

[@alexgonzalezra]

I'm gonna start living at this quarter at the end of this week! it's curious getting a vídeo like this just some days before my travel haha

[@Po_nia]

Great video! Very interesting, informative and funny!

[@VagueVulture]

I lived in Zizkov for a while, loved it...

[@PaulPerusse]

Zizkov is not bad, there are a like 2 or 3 places I would most likely avoid at night, I have stayed there a few times and felt safe the entire time. Thanks for another great video. It was great that you touched on Olšanské hřbitovy, I think it would be great for you to do a whole video on Olšanské so interesting on who's buried there, and how well they are take care of. My friend tell me you can tell a lot about a society on how they care for their dead, and the Czech's take great care of their dead...

[@lenkafaberova3260]

Great Valerie again Bravo. Amazing. I like it. Good job. 👍💯💯🌹

[@YnkeHerrygers]

Lived in Zizkov for 6 months, it was such a lovely neighbourhood to be in

[@tomaskoupil5994]

Czech expat living in Australia here. Watched whole bunch of your videos and actually learnt about many cool places I didn't know about before! Will definitely follow your tips in September when I'll go to Prague. Well done you, thank you 👍🏻

[@jeremyrogers5103]

Another great video - thank you Valerie!

[@emjhu3486]

Accommodation is very reasonably priced there, and the city center is very close by tram. Not too fancy, but not bad at all. I stayed there for a couple of days in March.

[@awacord2]

Great! Love Žižkov! You mentioned Libeń. Pliispliispliis, make a clip on L. someday.

[@yiannisg]

👏👏👏 ! Super cool content as always !!! 👏👏👏

[@ericcarlson3746]

Jan Žižka z Trocnova a Kalicha -- what a wild name! love it

[@savbe2011]

Very good video, thank you very much!

[@josephwouldham1251]

Brilliant video as usual!!

[@naeemakbar2265]

Fantastic video valley you explained the good and bad areas of Czech Republic thanks you so much

[@venice9438]

Another great video Valery. And that was amazing that you got into the Jewish cemetery.

[@olgasushko3935]

Thank you for the great video! My first apartment in Prague is also on Bořivojova st. It was very interesting to learn more about the district!

[@paultodd7806]

Funny how you made this video and un be known to me the statue would be in the film I decided to watch an hour later after watching your videos, isn’t it mad how coincidences happens😉

[@RealPragueGuides]

Was it The Gray Man?

[@paultodd7806]

@@RealPragueGuides yes, if it’s not James Bond, Jason Bourne, Bruce Willis or Mission Impossible blowing up Prague or the world it’s someone else🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@kayleyluczywo8805]

I lived in Zizkov when I studied abroad in Prague! I love the video! 💗

[@paultodd7806]

Hi guy’s Really looking forward to meeting you in September, booked up for Prague tour with castle and your WW2 and Communists tour😉. Just really excited to be back in that wonderful city of yours👍

[@sandor7594]

Valeria! Zizkov, this is not Harlem, and it's better than the 8th district in Budapest! The view from the monument is great

[@no-knickers-emma1112]

Budapest doesn't have a bad district

[@MrHorse-by3mp]

We are so embarrassing. One street in a non-touristy, working-class part of Prague has more history and culture than the entirety of the USA. 😂

[@rogerflorida1498]

I am glad they put the babies back on the tv tower. They had taken them down for a while.

[@eas211000]

Great Video; That really is a pretty area.. The Nomad Coffee House looks like a nice place to stop at. Are you going to copyright you battle recreation?🙂

[@josefhajci1511]

Zajímavostí je že Žižkováci se často berou jako obyvatelé Žižkova a ne Prahy. Proto se také na Žižkově říka "U Bulhara končí Praha" podle ulice U Bulhara, která je na hranici Nového města a Žižkova.

[@stevemcgowen]

I have been to Zizkov many times- at night/early hours in the morning. I have never felt the least bit unsafe. I wouldn't stay there, however, as I like staying in the centre...

[@EEST-Militia]

paris, barcelona or berlin are way more dangerous, dirty, neglected and kind of thirdworldish than ziskov.

[@joowoo8009]

wow.. thanks for real information. (from korea)

[@AnuRadha-tc4zb]

Stayed in Zhizhkov, ate mostly there, so many good Asian restaurants. Great place, atmosphere

[@sarahg3479]

Thanks for the video! Would you consider doing a 'best free views in Prague' video? I don't think you have done this already!

[@paultodd7806]

Brilliant 🤣😉

[@henningbartels6245]

I stayed in Zizkov a few years ago and enjoyed it - nobody told me about the bad reputation.

[@djjameswing]

Nice video, but you missed the BEST Zizkov bar - Cíl bar at Husitska 45

[@triggerhoppe]

Man that battle at 1:30 was INTENSE

[@paisleybuddie5096]

Hi Valery, you mention Upper and Lower Zizkov. Is the upper part nearest Vinohrady or the area across the hill from Karlin?

[@Savignylol]

The upper part transitions into Vinohrady, lower part is where the hill is located.

[@breznik1197]

Look at the contours in the map. Koněvova + Husitská street is at the bottom of the valley. Vinohradská street runs along the ridge. Btw. until 1895, today's Žižkov was part of Vinohrady. Immediately after the division, today's Žižka's Town was Royal Vineyards I and today's Vineyards were Royal Vineyards II. Žižkov only got its current name in 1897.

[@ray7419]

Oh my goodness

[@isaiahtrieste9661]

I lived in Zizkov for a couple of years in the '90s, in ul. Zerotinova. It did indeed have a less than stellar reputation in the city, which I put down to the strong Romany presence in the neighbourhood. There was, by the way, a dismemberment murder while I was living in the area. A Rom was found with his head in a rubbish bin, an arm beneath a busy in a park... Well you get the idea. Incidentally, I'm still waiting for your promised Kafka video. You aren't neglecting him because he wrote in German, are you? 😉

[@RealPragueGuides]

No, we promise! It’s coming! (Autumn most likely)

[@wfoelsinore]

Maybe some day I will visit my ancestors statue.. with you as my guide....Im John Ziska

[@albertakhmetov1959]

I'll take "absolutely the most horrible" Prague neighborhood over SF's Tenderloin any time..

[@FlamingBasketballClub]

International travel fam?

[@objectparadise]

WE LOVE ŽIŽKOV ! LONG LIVE ŽIŽKOV POETS !

[@lucasrizzi8427]

The first time I was in Prague I stayed in a hostel on Konevova street, at no time did I feel unsafe there.

[@breznik1197]

"Kunevova" :-) The marshal probably wouldn't be pleased that you're making a marten out of him.

[@rgrko]

So, you don´t have to avoid Žižkov, but you (newcomers) have to behave . Also car robberies are here still occurs , nothing changes. I live here whole life(38 years) .Cheers

[@johnh7718]

850 euros a night--no, I shall not be staying in hotel tv tower.

[@paultodd7806]

Hi Valerie and guy’s just watching the Film ‘The Grey man’ with Ryan Gosling as a CIA agent they have just basically destroyed Prague, I our trip will be more peaceful 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@emjhu3486]

Viktoria Žižkov! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYWVlGqgocSZmK8

[@lama-chan]

my hotel is in žižkov

[@bugsmack6260]

What is the common language there? Can you make it if you only speak English?

[@Apricat_]

The common language is Czech of course. But you can totally make it with English only even though you may have some displeasant looks. As for everywhere, try to learn a few basics as "hello", "thank you" and "goodbye", it's always nice :)

[@martinhosper2990]

It is still dangerous. A Zoo.

[@frantiseknovotny2674]

"Racist and xenophobic". Go to live to Most, Bílina, Litvínov etc. and you will see the problem people have are not Roma people themself but the fact it is very hard and harsh to live next to them when there is too many of them or the worse ones of them.

[@johnvelas70]

The French got their Legion, the Russians have their Airborne, we have Emma, & Prague has Valery. My guess is Valery would win so we should just surrender now. All of us.

[@MudHut67]

Lots of Roma people living in an area is a perfectly good reason to avoid it. Feel free to endanger yourself or your belongings, but it's highly irresponsible to endanger tourists with that sort of attitude. "I find that racist...the area used to have a high crime rate" come the fuck on, how can you not put 2 and 2 together?

[@spareemail2221]

I heard even Prague locals avoid the area at night let alone tourists.

[@breznik1197]

Žádnej "Zizkov" neexistuje. Když už neumíte háčky, tak to aspoň traskribujte po vašem, třeba "Zhishckoff".

[@RealPragueGuides]

Háčky umíme, ale anglický KZbin je neumí (ani google)

[@RealPragueGuides]

A k vytváření thumbnailů používáme zahraniční programy a těžko se v nich hledají fonty, které mají háčky a čárky. Každopádně ve videu jsme to napsali s háčkama, tak snad to potěší ☀️

[@kostihouse]

Lol, you might find it racist all you want, but a place being full of roma people, and also the place of most car robberies, is certainly not a coincidence 😆😆

[@martinhosper2990]

Vitkov Hill is nice. Stay away from Zizkov.

[@martinhosper2990]

If your life means anything to you. Lol.

[@EEST-Militia]

@@martinhosper2990 dont go to any part of Western Europe if you value your life, you will get stabbed, robbed, punched and your wife / girlfriend will be raped, in countries like France, Spain, Germany, UK, Sweden.

[@Zombot012]

I was in Zizkov in May 2023, just randomly walking the streets, even saw that Bukowski bar (but I didn't enter because it looked weird, sketchy, and it was also 4 in the afternoon). You know what I noticed? There was NO ONE IN THE WHOLE AREA. I mean, I roamed the streets for about half an hour and there were like 3 people other than me and my buddy. It looked dead, but it looked beautiful. Kinda like that Havana district in Cuba, but so much better, tbh.