Composer Sonja Vectomov’s Guide to Prague

Blazing a trail on the international electronic music scene is Sonja Vectomov, a Czech-Finnish sound artist whose sharp digital compositions are often performed with conceptual installations to create provocative pieces of visual-aural art. Her Czech roots have led her to settle in Prague, where she lives with her family. Here, she shares her favourite breakfast in the city, Prague’s most romantic corners and where to go on a night out.

Where do you go to find inspiration?
Prague’s magnificent parks. Letná Park has the view, sounds of skateboard wheels on-repeat and the Metronome reminding us of the inevitable, and a beer garden with a snake-like line delivering strangers’ conversations. Stromovka, has romantic ponds, hungry ducks and secret underground paths to explore, while Kinskýho garden offers a heliotropic journey of plant life.

Do you have a go-to cafe?
Kavárna a Mléčný Bar on Heřmanova street has a cute, adorable appeal. I also like the café in Nový Svět street, where the baristas are toweringly arrogant, and Literární Kavárna behind the Týn church – always somehow difficult to find, even if you are a chronic visitor – is a quiet environment that’s good for reading.

What does your ideal day off in Prague look like?
Empty streets and pleasant weather.

Where do you like to go for breakfast?
The bagel place on Dukelských Hrdinů street. They serve unpretentious drip coffee, and the friendly tattooed waiter serving nut pancakes makes it a great place to start the day.

Where would you go for a date night?
Start at Strahov Monastery, have a drink at the 17th-century brewery and continue down the hill to Úvoz street. Perhaps eat noodles at the tiny Asian restaurant on the same street, where the tables are darkly lit, especially if you sit in the back—you can’t get more romantic than that. The view is splendid from this part of Prague. Walking down the hill will eventually lead you to Malá Strana, where the walk might carry on all the way to Kampa Park, with some good wine at U Mlejna. The funicular is a fun experience, taking you all the way up the Petřín hill, with its blooming rose gardens.

What music venues would you recommend?
Ankali, for its taste in music and good quality sound, the never-disappointing after-hours U Bukanýra houseboat music bar and legendary Cross Club for its spaced-out interior and wide range of music.

What do you like to do with your family?
Great places to visit with kids are the National Museum with stuffed animals, Prague Zoo, Planetarium in Stromovka, and Žofín, with the little train ride and great playground. Hot summer days can be spent in Divoká Šárka at the public outdoor swimming pool.

For more about Sonja Vectomov’s work, visit sonjavectomov.com