Prague Travel Guide: What To See, Do & Know Before You Go

By Oscar Davis

Prague is a kind of cities that makes you decelerate whether or not you deliberate to or not.

I realized that on my first morning there, after I managed to sprain my ankle on a cobblestone avenue as a result of I used to be too busy staring on the buildings as an alternative of watching my toes.

It was not the memento I anticipated to carry dwelling, nevertheless it says all the things about how distracting Prague will be. Every nook appears to disclose one other spire, one other ornate facade, one other glimpse of the Vltava River winding via the town like a silver ribbon.

The Czech capital has a approach of pulling you in gently. It is compact sufficient to discover on foot, but layered with centuries of historical past.

Prague’s 100 Spires

Romanesque chapels sit beside Gothic towers, Baroque palaces rise subsequent to Art Nouveau condominium buildings, and trendy structure slips into the combination with out disturbing the skyline. Prague is usually referred to as the City of a Hundred Spires, however the actual quantity is nearer to a thousand. You really feel that whenever you look out over the rooftops from any viewpoint. The skyline is a forest of towers.

My first go to was twenty‑six years in the past, on my very first journey to Europe. I used to be younger, overwhelmed, and fully enchanted. Prague Castle was the primary place that made me understand that the locations I had solely seen in books have been immediately actual. The fort complicated is big, extra like a small district than a single constructing. St. Vitus Cathedral dominates the hill wiits Gothic arches and stained glass home windows that glow like jewels within the morning mild.

The Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane add extra layers of historical past, from medieval kings to tiny homes as soon as utilized by fort employees. Even as we speak, I nonetheless advocate arriving early. The fort sees almost two million guests a yr, and the mornings are quieter.

Famous Charles Bridge in Prague

Charles Bridge is one other place the place Prague’s historical past feels alive. The bridge dates again to the fourteenth century and is lined with statues which have turn out to be a part of the town’s identification. During the day it may be packed, however in the event you cross at dawn, the town feels virtually non-public. On my first journey, I purchased a small piece of paintings from a store close to the bridge. It nonetheless hangs in my dwelling, a reminder of how Prague grew to become a part of my life lengthy earlier than I understood how deeply journey can stick with you.

Old Town Square is the pure coronary heart of the town. The Astronomical Clock attracts crowds each hour, however the sq. itself deserves time. It has been a gathering place for greater than a thousand years. The surrounding streets twist and switch in ways in which make no sense on a map however really feel excellent whenever you wander them. Prague rewards curiosity. A slender alley may result in a courtyard crammed with flowers, a tiny bakery, or a quiet church that by no means seems on prime‑ten lists.

One of probably the most significant areas of the town is the Jewish Quarter, referred to as Josefov. Prague’s Jewish historical past stretches again to the tenth century, and the neighborhood holds a number of the oldest synagogues in Europe. The Old Jewish Cemetery, with its layers of gravestones rising inconsistently from the earth, is among the strongest locations within the metropolis. Learning a little bit of background earlier than visiting helps you perceive the importance of what you might be seeing.

Prague just isn’t solely about main landmarks. Some of my favourite moments got here from easy wandering. Walking alongside the Vltava provides you views of the town that really feel virtually cinematic. The river divides Prague into a number of districts, every with its personal character. Malá Strana, beneath the fort, is crammed with Baroque structure, gardens, and quiet lanes. Vinohrady has a extra residential really feel, with cafés, wine bars, and leafy streets. Žižkov is thought for its pubs and various vibe, whereas Letná provides top-of-the-line parks within the metropolis, with sweeping views over the river and Old Town.

Food performs a giant function in Prague’s identification. Traditional Czech dishes like svíčková, goulash, and roast duck seem on menus in every single place, typically accompanied by dumplings and native beer.

Beer is virtually a cultural establishment right here. The Czechs drink extra beer per capita than any nation on the planet, and Prague’s pubs are a part of on a regular basis life. But the town’s meals scene has expanded far past custom. Contemporary eating places, bakeries, and specialty espresso outlets have remodeled Prague into certainly one of Central Europe’s most fascinating eating cities.

I nonetheless bear in mind one meal vividly. We have been visiting a Czech alternate pupil we knew from dwelling, and her father, who was in Parliament, took us to a restaurant close by. I felt honored till the dish arrived. Cow tongue. I attempted, I actually did, however I couldn’t get previous understanding precisely what I used to be consuming. On the alternative finish of the culinary spectrum, Prague was additionally the place I attempted my first Magnum ice cream bar. That one grew to become a lifelong favourite.

Prague is a metropolis greatest explored slowly. Comfortable footwear are important as a result of the cobblestones are charming however unforgiving. Public transportation is great, particularly the trams, which glide via the town and make it simple to succeed in neighborhoods past the historic heart. Walking, although, stays the easiest way to understand the structure and environment.

The greatest time to go to relies on your type. Spring brings delicate climate and blooming parks. Summer provides lengthy days and energetic streets but additionally crowds. Autumn is gorgeous, with cooler temperatures and golden leaves. Winter will be chilly, however the Christmas markets and illuminated streets give the town a magical really feel.

How lengthy you keep shapes your expertise. Two days enables you to see the necessities. Three or 4 days provides you time to discover neighborhoods, calm down in cafés, and benefit from the metropolis at a extra pure tempo. Longer stays reveal Prague’s quieter corners, those that stick with you lengthy after you permit.

Prague is completely value visiting. It provides historical past, magnificence, walkability, and a way of place that feels each grand and intimate. I nonetheless have paintings from my first journey hanging in my dwelling. I nonetheless bear in mind the cobblestones that tripped me, the bridge that enchanted me, and the skyline that made me cease in my tracks. Prague stays with you. It definitely stayed with me. Find the best hotels in Prague.

 

Oscar Davis is a contract author from Leeds, UK.