Explore the beautiful city of Prague

We defy you not to fall under Prague’s spell from the first moment you take a stroll down one of its magical cobbled streets. This is a city steeped in history, with a mysterious, hypnotic charm to it, that will have you making a beeline to touch the well-worn statue on Charles Bridge which guarantees you’ll come back one day.

The perfect European city in which to while away a few days or a long weekend, we’ve put together our list of the top 10 things to do whilst you’re there to help make your stay even more magical, in no particular order.

1. Charles Bridge

This is the oldest bridge in Europe, spanning the river Vltava, just below Prague Castle. There are all kinds of arts and crafts on sale on the bridge, and the views down the river, up to the castle and of each river bank, are stunning. Be sure to take a walk over the bridge at sunset as the light at that time of day makes for amazing photo opportunities.

 

2. Prague Castle

Take a guided tour around the castle to hear tales of the city’s turbulent history, and then enjoy the views from the battlements. It’s a fair walk up the hill from Charles Bridge to the castle, but there’s plenty to look at along the way, and you can reward yourself with some traditional treats.

3. Try a Tridelnik

With all this walking, you’ll earn yourself a reward. A tridelnik is a cone-shaped twirl of sweet bread that’s a Czech speciality. They’re sold on practically every street corner, and can be eaten on their own, smothered with Nutella or even filled with ice-cream. No trip to Prague is complete without trying one.

4. Old Town Square

The Old Town Square is incredibly impressive, ringed by buildings that are centuries old, and the site of many momentous events in Prague’s history. If you’re in Prague at Christmas or Easter, the square is taken over by huge, medieval style markets, the biggest in the Czech Republic.

5. Old Town Walking Tour

Dozens of free walking tours leave the Old Town Square every day, and your guide will take you on a stroll around the highlights of the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter, regaling you with anecdotes and giving you ideas for places to visit and spots to eat or drink, in exchange for a tip at the end of the tour. This is a great thing to do on your first day to get your bearings.

6. Jewish Quarter

After having got a taste of the Jewish Quarter on your walking tour, head back to visit the Jewish Museum and find out about the fascinating history of the Jews in Prague. There are also lots of synagogues which you can visit, each with their own story, and the cemetery is extremely interesting. Several metres above the level of the surrounding streets, lack of space meant that the Jewish community had to continually add new levels of earth to bury their dead, and relocate the original gravestones to the top layer, meaning it’s now a forest of higgledy-piggledy gravestones.

7. Petrin Tower

Perched on a hill above the city, the Petrin Tower is the Eiffel Tower’s little brother. Many people catch the funicular train to get to the top of the hill it’s perched on, but you can easily walk up, especially if you’re coming from the castle.  Once at the top, you can either take the lift up the tower or climb the stairs, but bear in mind that walking up isn’t for the feint hearted on a windy day. It’s worth it, however, for the panoramic views over the castle, down to the river and the old town, and even out beyond the city limits on a clear day.

8. Visit a Brewery

The Czech Republic is world famous for its beer, so you can’t leave Prague without paying a visit to a brewery and sampling their wares. There are lots of different spots to choose from, but the Strahov Monastery Brewery is very near the Petrin Tower, a short walk up from the castle, and is an atmospheric spot to sample the local beer, whilst enjoying views over the city. They also do excellent traditional food, so treat yourself to a lunch here to refuel before heading on to your next port of call.

9. John Lennon Wall

When you emerge into the square that houses the John Lennon wall, you can’t help but be taken aback by the sudden symphony of colour. This wall is never the same two days in a row, as people are continually adding to the drawings and quotes on this huge stretch of wall, which is dedicated to the legendary John Lennon. There’s always someone playing famous John Lennon and The Beatle’s tunes, and it’s easy to strike up a conversation with fellow sightseers, as this spot has a relaxed and happy vibe.

10. Astronomical Clock

 

This is another must-see when you’re in the Czech capital. The astronomical clock was first installed in 1410, making it the oldest working astronomical clock in the world. You can find it on the wall of the Old Town Hall, in the Old Town Square. It’s hard to miss it, as every hour on the hour crowds of people flock to see the legendary show it puts on when it chimes.

There’s an awful lot to tick off the list in Prague, but make sure you also set aside plenty of time just to stroll around aimlessly, whether it’s along the river bank or in the streets of the maze-like old town, as you’re sure to discover plenty of hidden gems, whether they’re museums, cafes, restaurants or breweries. A night time stroll is also unmissable, as Charles Bridge and Prague Castle are beautifully lit up at night. Let yourself get lost, and soak up the magic of the city.