Best places to visit in Prague: everything you need to know
Prague, Czech Republic
A walk through Europe: a series of European city breaks
Quick COVID-19 resources for the Czech Republic: Ministerial website – Re-open EU – Restrictions on travel from third countries to the EU
Lying on the bank of the Vltava river is a capital touched by many eras, reflected in its architecture – Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance, Art Nouveau and Cubist. Not sure where that is? Prague, also known as the social and cultural capital of central Europe. Having been to Budapest and Vienna when I was in my mid-teenage years, I had an idea of going back to to these capitals together with Prague and Bratislava. But of course, not everything goes as planned so here I am visiting this lovely city sooner than expected.
I stayed at an Airbnb that was centrally located, right next to Wenceslas Square. It was chic and modern, and well-priced. I would definitely recommend it, check it out here. The only issues I had with it was trying to locate it in the first place because the instructions were not very clear nor did Google Maps help. And it is three flights of stairs high, which can be a bit of a pain after walking around the city all day. Even if this may not be for you, there are plenty of other options for accommodation to suit your needs.
GETTING AROUND
Public transport in Prague is cheap, smooth and efficient. To get from Prague Airport to the city center, you will need to take a bus to the metro station:
– Bus 119 stops at every airport terminal and will take you to Nádraží Veleslavín metro station, on line A
– Bus 100 stops at every airport terminal as well but will taek you to Zlicin metro station, on line B
In the arrivals hall, there are machines to buy tickets. There are 2 kinds of single adult tickets depending on the duration of your journey:
– 24 CZK (Є0.95) for 30 minutes
– 32 CZK (Є1.27) for 90 minutes
There are also passes available, but I would recommend sticking with the single ticket of 30 minutes as your journey should not take any longer and it is the best option for moving within the city center. During my short stay, I only used the metro once to get around the city when I walked so far out and I got too tired to walk the way back.
WHAT TO SEE + DO
Wander the maze of cobblestone lanes to Old Town Square
What you can find in the Old Town Square:
Prague Astronomical Clock (Orloj)
A medieval astronomical clock mounted on the Old Town Hall showing the current position of selected celestial objects and time measured in different ways:
– Italian time, starting and ending the day at sunset;
– German time, the way in which we commonly count the day starting and ending from midnight;
– “Unequal hours”, measuring the day starting at sunrise and ending at sunset and;
– Star time based on the Earth’s rotation rate relative to fixed stars.
The lower part of the clock is a calendar dial showing the current date. Apparently, all astronomical clocks are designed for the specific place they are built. In the case of Prague, it represents the view of the sky from that location as it shows the current position of the sun and moon as they are seen from Prague.
Old Town Hall
Have an amazing view over the square from the top of the tower. A ticket can only be purchased in person on the third floor of the building. If you are travelling as a group and want a guide, make sure to contact them in advance at oldtownhall@prague.eu.
– Ticket prices: adult – 250 CZK and reduced ticket for children 6-15 years, students (up to 26 years) and seniors 65+ – 150 CZK
– Currently, there is an early bird special for people arriving within the first hour after opening, reducing the admission fee by 50%!
For all up-to-date details, find them here.
Prague Meridian
Between 1652 and 1918, it was used to tell time before the world experienced a technology revolution.
Other sites include: the National Gallery Prague – Kinský Palace, the Gothic towers of the Church of Mother of God before Týn (also simply referred to as Týn church, St. Nicholas Church, the House at the Minute, the Štorch House.
Likkle recommendation: Visit Prague during the Christmas or Easter markets to see the Old Town transform for the holiday festivities.
Cross Charles Bridge
A notable sight of Prague; the oldest bridge still standing over the Vltava river and the second oldest bridge in the country built by Charles IV hence the name. Historically significant for connecting Prague Castle to the Old Town and its surrounding areas, it was also an important trade route between Eastern and Western Europe.
Likkle recommendation: Visit Charles Bridge at sunrise to avoid the flood of tourists and capturing it at its best (weather permitting).
Stroll through the Lesser Town (Mala Strana)
Visit the Lennon Wall
A representation of peace and freedom. During the period of communism, Western pop songs were banned, including John Lennon’s songs praising freedom, particularly in Central and Eastern European countries where there was so little freedom. It was so strict that people were even imprisoned for playing them. Many young Czechs saw Lennon as a hero. When he was murdered in 1980, given the admiration he gathered because of what he and his music stood for, his picture and lyrics were painted with graffiti on a wall in Mala Strana to mourn his death and to express his messages that they related to. Despite many attempts to whitewash the wall, the images and messages always re-emerged.
Walk around the grounds of Prague Castle
How to reach Prague Castle:
– There are four main entrances you can take (see the Prague Castle website here). I ended up taking the shortest route through the Old Castle Staircase, making the climb quite strenuous but it did offer an impeccable view. I would recommend one of two options: the route through the Old Castle Staircase if you are up for a climb, or take the tram (line 22) up and the staircase down.
– Entry into the castle grounds is free, but there is an entrance fee if you want to visit the various buildings:
Circuit ticket, entry fee: 250 CZK. Covers the St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower.
If you fall under the discount category, that being a family, students up to 26 years or a senior 65+, you can find your entrance fee here.
There are 2 ways I would take for a comprehensive yet chill visit of the castle:
1. Get the 250 CZK ticket for a relaxing visit of the castle grounds so you can go at your own pace and for the lowest price. The ticket is also valid for 2 days offering you the most flexibility and to spread out the visit, but you can only enter each building once.
2. Get a guide starting on Charles Bridge, and doing the same tour as option 1, but being taken through the history and culture in depth. A highly rated tour can be found here for €35.
Visit the Dancing House
The building was completed in 1996 designed by the Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić together with the Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. The site also has historical significance as prior to its construction, it was the location of a house destroyed by the U.S. bombing of Prague in 1945. Also known as Ginger and Fred, the name is based on the way the towers are a reminder of the famous pair of dancers, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. The male figure is represented by the rock tower and the female figure by the tower made of glass. Presently, it is a hotel with a gallery and luxury restaurant.
Indulge in Czech cuisine (and beer)
One of the things that appealed to me in Prague was the food. The first Czech dish I tried was a platter that consisted of bread dumplings and all the different kinds of meat you can think of – from chicken, pork to hare/rabbit. I was stuffed by the end of it.
In the evening, I went looking for something lighter and I tried goulash in a bread bowl. After a long day of walking, this was just what I needed and I loved the idea of eating out of an edible bowl – zero waste!
Before ending the night, I could not leave without trying a trdlo as I saw it everywhere when walking during the day. One of the great things about visiting the Czech Republic is that the food is affordable and good. And for the beer drinkers out there, this is definitely a good place to enjoy a few while trying new ones in the process. It is a win-win.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Walking through Prague made me feel like I was in another time, though seeing the herds of tourists reminded me that I was still in the 21st century. This feeling mainly came from the architecture; it was like a mosaic of the different types of architecture that fit together. And I have a lot of appreciation for this and what Prague has to offer in general. I am curious as to what else the Czech Republic has to offer and the next time I make my way to this part of the world, I definitely plan to take more time for a deeper experience.
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