The capital Czech Republic, Prague is one of the most popular destinations in Eastern Europe. Tourists are attracted by the city’s romantic appearance, by its over 600 years old architecture preserved in excellent condition, almost untouched by the wars that have ravaged the continent. Prague is a beautiful city, which can be explored days, months, or even for a lifetime. The Czech capital preserves its charm at any time of year.
There is always something to do and sights to visit, and it is always a pleasure to simply walk the streets of the New City, of the Old Town and of Hradcany. You can also visit some museums or galleries, get out of the historic center or to make a trip outside of Prague, to Karlovy Vary – a spa resort, with 12 hot mineral water springs, picturesque streets and medieval buildings, located near the German frontier. Here are just a few suggestions of things to do while you are in Prague.
1. Walk down the streets of the Old Town
The city center was designated an UNESCO World Heritage item, and it deserves to be explored closely. Being basically a huge outdoor museum, this is one of the must-do things in Prague. If you are here just for a day, go to the Old Town and you will catch the essence of the city. The historic center is compact and the main points of interest can be easily reached. In its heart lies the castle Hradèany, on the west bank of the Vltava River.
The old city is a maze of streets, alleys and passages that converge on a huge central square, Namesti Staroměstská – the largest and most beautiful square in Prague. Josefov Ghetto, the old Jewish quarter is part of this area. If you are here for a few days, take the time to explore this part of the city. If you are tired, you can take a tour in a classic car or, even more romantic, you can go on a cruise on Vltava River and admire the city while having lunch.
2. Spend some time in the Old Town Square
Situated in the heart of the city, the Old Town Square preserved its 10th century appearance, despite the numerous foreign invasions. In the middle of the square, you can admire is an Art Nouveau monument dedicated to the religious reformer Jan Hus, a Czech national symbol. The Old City Hall includes the Astronomical Clock that show three different times. Visitors can climb the tower to see the clock’s mechanisms closely, but also a panorama of the city from the tower’s height.
3. Admire the sunrise on Charles Bridge
Connecting the Old and the New Town (Stare Mesto and New Mesto), the majestic Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) was build during the 14th century, on King Charles IV’s order. It has 16 arches and its sides are bordered with 30 Baroque statues embodying important religious figures.
It has replaced the old bridge Judith whose only remaining part is one of the towers at the Mala Strana entrance. During the day, it is invaded by tourists, who enjoy the local flavor brought along by the painters offering to draw their portraits and who try to take a look at the Vltava River.
4. Visit the largest ancient castle in the world
Built in the 9th century and renovated for hundreds of years, the Castle of Prague is still the official residence of the Czech president. The city’s main tourist attraction nowadays, the old royal palace was home to the kings of Bohemia between the 12th and the 17th centuries. Besides this, Prague also boasts a number of castles and palaces, erected during different historical periods.
5. Visit the city’s numerous religious edifices
Although the country has a rather ambiguous religious history, numerous churches and cathedrals dominate the Czech capital’s skyline. It is considered that the country’s “true” religion was Protestantism, but it was forcibly replaced by Catholicism during the rule of the Hapsburg monarchy. However, many Czech people remained formally affiliated to the Catholic Church after the denunciation of the German regime, but the number of church goers is much smaller than in other East European countries.
Some try to explain this phenomenon by the communist oppression, but sociologists explain it by the lack of continuity in religious tradition. Nowadays, sociological surveys indicate the Czech Republic as the least religious European nation.
Opposite the Old Town Square, there are two magnificent churches: the largest Baroque building in Prague – St. Nicholas Church with its dome and the imposing Church Our Lady Before Tyn – a fabulous Gothic building.
Another important religious edifice, St. Vitus Cathedral, can be found inside the impressive complex of the Prague Palace. On Petrin Hill stands Strahov Monastery, which houses an important library. The Jewish quarter is filled with religious edifices, among which the Spanish Synagogue – the most beautiful in Europe.
6. Go on history traces
A town with a tumultuous past, Prague has numerous historical landmarks. History is everywhere in Prague: in the cobbled streets of the Old Town, in the city’s squares, in its parks and gardens, in the castles and palaces built at different eras, on the houses’ roofs, along side the Vltava River. Prague’s Museum of Communism introduces the history of this regime in Czechoslovakia, in general and in Prague, in particular. Ironically, this museum is located right next to a casino and over a McDonald’s, both symbols of the capitalism.
This museum aims at providing those interested with a broad picture of the Czech people’s life behind the Iron Curtain during the Soviet Union. With its authentic artifacts, large informative texts, wide range of voice records and multimedia presentations and a copy of a classroom at the time, the museum keeps alive in the memory of what communism: dream, reality and nightmare.
However, the end is optimistic as it also includes galleries on the peaceful “velvet revolution” that ended the nightmare of the communist regime who arrested more than 200.000 Czechs and shot 327 others dead while they were trying to flee across the border. The Memorial to the Victims of Communism is much more pessimistic as it captures the Czech agony by means of six sculptures depicting a man in progressive decay
7. Immerse yourself in modern Prague
Contrasting with the Old town, the New City amazes by its modernity. It is crossed by wide boulevards, the best known of which is Wenceslas Square, the boulevard leading up to the National Library building. If the Old Town boasts with numerous architectural marvels, the modern Prague is not less proud.
An example of deconstructivist architecture, the Dancing House replaced a Neo-renaissance style house destroyed during the bombings in 1945. Designed by the Czech architect of Croatian origin Vlado Miluniæ in collaboration with the Canadian Frank Gehry, the building designed in 1992 and completed in 1996, was originally called “Fred and Ginger” as it represents a man and a woman (Ginger Rogers and Fred Astair) dancing together.
Built for the Prague Exhibition in 1891, Petřín Mirrors Labyrinth is not just a modern building, but also a very good entertainment for children. Adjacent to the fascinating maze, there is a diorama that embodies the famous battle between Prague’s inhabitants and the Swedish invaders on Charles Bridge in 1648.
A smaller version of the French well known landmark, the 60 meters high Observation Tower Petřín, located on top of the Petrin hill, offers a panorama of the entire city. Its 299 steps deserve being climbed to have a magnificent view over the city. On days with clear sky Sněžka, the highest mountain peak in the Czech Republic can be seen.
8. Enjoy the modern life of the New Town
If you are up for a night in the city, put on some casual clothes and head east to Zizkov, a former industrial suburb where hundreds of bars serve their clients the famous Czech beer in plastic cups. However, before that, a typically Czech dinner, in one of the city’s restaurants is recommended. The main course is roast pork with sauerkraut and ham is one of the favorite appetizers. Pancakes, called palacinky, are found everywhere and they can have spicy or sweet fillings. Many dishes are dumplings with various forms garnish, usually with rich sauce.
9. Go on a beer tour
The Czech Republic is also known as the country of beer. Indeed, this national drink makes an important tourist attraction. If you happen to be in Prague, be it for a few days, don’t miss the opportunity to taste the Czech beer. Beer tasting tours are organized on a regular basis and they are a great chance to accomplish exactly that and to have fun at the same time.
10. Explore the surroundings
Prague is a fascinating city and it certainly makes a great discovery. However, if you have the time, the surroundings are worth being explored. You have a wide range of day trips to choose from. You will find something to suit your taste no matter if you are interested in castles touring, if you want to go sightseeing or to explore the outdoors.
