The fairytale metropolis of Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. It is perhaps best known for its incredible architecture that has survived centuries of war and change. Here you will find cobbled streets, gothic cathedrals, medieval squares and stunning bridges.
With a lively night scene and great restaurants, it's easy to see why this has become one of the most popular destinations for a weekend break in Europe. Let's take a closer look at what this spectacular city has to offer:
Prague Castle
The castle district consists of Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral and Loreta.
You can't miss the castle district of Prague. It's one of the first places you see as you travel into the city and is rarely out of sight. Towering high above the Vltava River, the castle district consists of Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral and the stunning church, Loreta.
Golden Lane is also well worth a visit. This is a row of houses where the castle guards once lived and were later home to goldsmiths, from which the alley got its name. I loved looking inside the little cottages and learning about how the workers lived their days.
Have a peek inside the magnificent St Vitus Cathedral, if not for the stained-glass windows alone. You'll need to buy a ticket to gain access to most of the sites in the Castle District, but it's great value for money and you can easily spend several hours there.
Charles Bridge
The historic Charles Bridge connects Prague Castle to the Old Town.
Another beautiful Prague hotspot, the historic Charles Bridge connects Prague Castle to the Old Town. During the day you will find swarms of tourists here posing for selfies and picking up souvenirs. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, visit first thing in the morning or take a late-night stroll.
Astronomical clock and Old Town Square
The astronomical clock is a ‘must-see’ for any visitor to Prague.
Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to see the astronomical clock during my visit as it was under renovation, but this is generally known as a ‘must-see' for any visitor to Prague. Surrounded by the spectacular churches and cobblestones of Old Town Square, this 600-year-old timepiece chimes on the hour and tourists flock to see its quirky display.
The buildings in the Old Square are lit up at night and it's here that you will find a great selection of food stalls and street entertainment. If time allows, take a trip to the top of the clock tower for incredible views over the square.
Malá Strana
Looking for the perfect Instagram shot? Head to the John Lennon Wall in Malá Strana.
Malá Strana is also known as the ‘Lesser' Quarter of Prague, although it is anything but. Here you will find a vast array of sights, hotels and restaurants, many with beautiful views of the river. It's also one of the oldest parts of Prague, as you will see from its cobbled squares and hidden streets.
The top sights here include an observation tower, a mirror maze and Petřín Gardens. For an Instagram-worthy photo, head to the John Lennon Wall – a graffiti-filled tribute to the music icon.
You can also take the Funicular Railway up to Petřín Hill where you will get some of the best views of the city. The Funicular runs every 15 minutes in winter and every 10 minutes in summer from 9 am until 11.30 pm.
A bite to eat
If there’s one thing you must eat when in Prague, it’s a trudelnik.
Aside from its beer and architecture, Prague is perhaps best-known for its fine food. Traditional Czech cuisine includes beef goulash served with sliced bread dumplings and schnitzel made of chicken or pork.
If there's one thing you must eat when in Prague, it's a trudelnik. A trudelnik is a delicious chimney-like pastry rolled in sugar and cinnamon. Cooked over an open fire, you'll find booths serving these sweet treats across the city. To further up the calorie content, you can fill your trudelnik with savoury or sweet fillings like cheese and ham or ice cream.
Where to stay
The Unitas Hotel is about a 10-minute walk to Charles Bridge.
We stayed at the Unitas Hotel, which is about a 10-minute walk to Charles Bridge and a short stroll to the nearest metro station. The hotel is a former convent and comprises 36 rooms that are modern, comfortable and spacious. The complimentary buffet breakfast here is incredible.
Top tips
Prague’s tram network is inexpensive, reliable and easy-to-use.
Wear comfortable shoes! Prague is a very ‘walkable' city and it's easy to get from one district to another on foot. If you're disabled or have difficulty walking, however, then the tram network is inexpensive, reliable and easy to use.
Speaking of the trams, make sure that you validate your ticket as soon as you get on board. You can validate your ticket with the orange box inside the trams and buses. Tickets are available from most hotels and information centres and are available for periods of 90 minutes, 30 minutes, one day, three days or one month.
The official currency of Prague is the Czech Koruna (CZK) but most attractions and hotels will accept Euros. However, it's better to pay in CZK as you will get a better exchange rate.
