Top 10 Things to Do in Prague

Up to this point I have focused on the more inconspicuous charms of Prague – thrift stores, Asian markets,  magically small streets, magically good beer… But it has been pointed out to me that despite the city being one of the most popular destinations in the world, there are still a lot of people who don’t know the first thing about it.

So this one goes to all of you who are yet to learn about Prague and have no clue about what the city has to offer.

The title speaks for itself – enjoy!

1. The Prague Castle

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Prague castle is the postmark of the city, so to speak. It is the most popular tourist destination, visible from almost every part of the riverfront, soaking  molten copper sunlight during the day and illuminating the night horizon with its walls lit in gold.

Also, and I cannot stress this enough, it is BIG.  So big that it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest ancient castle in the world. It takes up an area of 70 000 sq. m.  (or 750 000 sq. f.)  and houses a lot of administrative, religious and historical landmarks.

Marvel at it from the front, marvel at it from the side, marvel at it from Petřin hill – it is one of the absolute musts for every first time tourist. It might sound weird to prowl around the castle (a walk which can take almost an hour), but trust me, Prague’s jewel shines different from every angle. Furthermore, the region around it encompasses some of the other main landmarks that we will discuss below.

2. The St. Vitus Cathedral

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Once that you have taken a good look of the castle from the outside, it is time to pay the 250-350 CZK (10-14EUR, depending on the circuit) and see up close the wonders of renaissance architecture.

Once you breach the walls it soon becomes clear that the main attraction is the St. Vitus cathedral, proudly standing as the tallest building in the complex. The whole thing is a work of art and no wonder – it took almost 600 years to build it!

St. Vitus is magnificently decorated with 14th century mosaics, renaissance paintings, golden and silver sculptures and glorious tombs of Czech heroes such as St. Wenceslas and Charles IV.

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The cathedral is of of prime significance because it is unique for encompassing art and architecture of 6 centuries. You can see the rather crude designs of the 14th century mix with the beauty of renaissance paintings, right next to the stained-glass windows artistically painted by the Czech artists of the 20th century.  By simply taking a few steps you can travel  through the ages and admire more than a quarter of Central Europe’s history AC.

You can learn more about the castle, the cathedral, opening times and rates at the official website.

3. A walk upon Charles Bridge

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Charles bridge is probably the second most popular landmark after the castle. Strolling along this beauty, overlooking the castle on one side and the gold plated rooftops on the other is unique and exhilarating.  I can write a small novel about the history and charm of this bridge, but for now I will stick to the basics and, most importantly, give some useful advice.

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First of all, if you want to take nice pictures and not get squished into a puree by the other tourists, I strongly recommend to wake up early and hit it before 9 am. True, there is a certain charm in walking at its busiest, gawking under the sunlight at the musicians, singers, painters and other artists. Sometimes getting lost in the crowd is what you need.

However, if you want to take pictures and actually experience the beauty without distraction, if you want the feeling of being alone with the beautiful renaissance statues, I’d strongly recommend going early. To make the most of it, go at dawn when the sun spills molten rays upon the black marble and golden crowns.

So what is so interesting about a bridge? Quick intro: it was commissioned in 1357 by Charles IV to Peter Parler, who was the original architect of St. Vitus. The construction took 33 years  and although the bridge has suffered a lot in the meantime (floods, pollution, etc.) it has stood for a good 500 years (half a millennium!). The legend says the unusual durability is thanks to the eggs that were mixed into the mortar (which was disproved, but to this day it makes me chuckle that scientists were charged with looking for eggs in a bridge).

4. Astronomical clock

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The astronomical clock is so popular that I’d bet you have seen a picture of it even before you heard that a city called Prague exists. It is a definite “must-see” attraction, which skillfully mixes beauty, history, artistry, symbolism and (on the side of most tourists) blatant disregard for the last three.

I am trying to keep this short and sweet, so I will just give you the gist. There are four figures surrounding the clock that are meant to represent the four most “popular” sins of the 15th century in Prague: Greed (a moneylender with a money bag), Vanity (holding up a mirror), Death (represented by a skeleton) and a Pagan invasion (in the form of a Turk).  Underneath all that are the four balancing figures of  holy and intellectual beings: an Angel, an Astronomer, a Chronicler and a Philosopher.

On every full hour Death rings the bell and inverts the hourglass. The spectacle is followed by 12 apostles who parade around the windows above the clock and haughtily observe the crowd. Now this might sound cool, but seriously it is majorly underwhelming, at least the few times I caught it. Just seeing the clock itself is a sight enough, full of golden splendor, royal blue motives and a black canvas. Taking a picture there and examining the beautiful artwork are a great way to loose 10-15 minutes in the middle of Old Town.

5. Wenceslas Square

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Wenceslas Square is by far one of my least favorite places in Prague right now. That is, of course, because I have become a permanent resident. I recall that in my tourist days I rather enjoyed the bustle of the place, the spaciousness and the feeling of numerous opportunities being presented, be it in the form of food, drink, party or… other stuff, I won’t get into.

Suffice it to say, the main square is popular with tourists and thus not popular with locals. It is a good starting place to explore the city due to the fact it houses two metro stops – Mustek and Muzeum, which are both a crossover of 2 metro lines (Mustek has yellow and green, Muzeum has green and red), as well as a tram stop. It is easy to find, hard to miss and gives you the opportunity to satisfy all your tourist needs, be it fast food, shopping, souvenir purchases, massages, street performances…

I’m not gonna lie, it is expensive. But so is everywhere – where the tourists go the most, the prices rise the most. Nonetheless, for one reason or another you will end up there and since you will be there anyway, might as well enjoy it to the fullest. I will leave it up to you to find your alley: there are night clubs, restaurants, bars, boutiques and everything else you can imagine.

6. Petřín

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Ah, Petřín. Easily one of my top 3 most favorite places in the city.  As someone who grew up around nature, my bias is easily understandable. See, Petřín hill is one of the biggest green spaces in the city. During the spring, summer and early autumn it is the perfect area for a quiet walk among the trees, with the forests rising on one side and Prague spread out below on the other.  From this viewpoint you can truly see why it is called the “City of a Hundred Spires”.

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There are attractions on the very top, mainly a lookout tower and a mirror maze.  The mirror maze is fun, but honestly nothing special. The tower on the other hand provides one of the best views of the city and I recommend it.

The real charm of the place, at least for me, lies in the areas outside that touristy spot. Walking up the hill, chilling with a book under one of the many apple tries, while sampling the fruit, having a coffee at the restaurant with a view, losing yourself among the trees for a picnic (clean up after yourself please)… those are the kind of activities for which I recommend Petřín.

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To top it all off, there are still remnants of walls and fortifications that perfectly mix with the greenery of the place and provide comfortable, I’d even say, epic, places to sit down and enjoy the city . I have drank more than one beer and smoked more than one cigarette, losing myself in the view, the hum of the trees and the caress of the falling dusk.

7. Walk Around Old Town Square

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This is not only fun but convenient, since a lot of the landmarks are located in or around the place (including the astronomical clock). Words fail to describe the spring charm of Old Town, with the gloriously intricate facades surrounding you from every side, the huge open space brimming with visitors, the smell of roast pork and warm trdelnik, the church so similar to the Disney Castle looming above… It is a sight to behold.

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Take a walk, marvel and lose yourself in one of the many small streets that flow into the square, where you can find everything from souvenirs and traditional Czech treats to Thai massage, museums of chocolate, charming little cafes, bars and clubs.

8. Vyšehrad

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Read everything I wrote about Petřín and substitute “Petřín” with “Vyšehrad “. It is another top 3 of my favorite places, again a park, again on top of a hill. The main difference is that it is smaller and the defenses are in much better condition. I say “defenses” exactly because Vyšehrad  was a citadel. The towers, the thick wall, the magnificent church, the gates, the summer theater – they are all in sterling condition and provide amazing views of the river and the city.  There is a lot of green, but it is far less wild than Petřín. You can still have an amazing time and have a picnic or simply just chill in the spacious meadows, under the lone trees or on one of the many benches. Why not on the citadel wall?

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Apart from that you can visit the Gothic church made of black stone (it is particularly awesome in the evening) or the cemetery in its yard, which is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. For your convenience there are also some low key cafes, restaurants and little where you can replenish your energy and sobriety during the walk.

Seriously, I may be mentioning  Vyšehrad  as number 8, but this is simply because of the popularity of the previous places, not because it is not as spectacular, if not more. It is perfect for a romantic date, for a casual walk, a quick run, a place to walk your dog, do yoga, get immersed in the mix of nature and man made statues.

9. Beer, beer… more beer

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It is the capital of the country that set the Pilsner brand worldwide. Naturally, you need  to go for a beer tasting. You can either go for one of the popular tours or just walk into the beer museum where you can order from a large menu dedicated to beers. You can also get a a variety of small (100 ml) beer samples for a tasting before deciding what you want to embark on.  For more information check the official website of the beer museum – one of my go to places in Prague.

10. The Jewish Quarter

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This is a charming part of town also known as Josefov, which is glued to the side of Old Town and stretches all the way to the river. Its history began in the early 13th century when the Prague Jews were ordered to move out of their homes and huddle in the area. The place was also a beacon for Jews from other European cities.

Despite the dark history, today the area is full of beautiful historic buildings that are a paragon for beauitful architecture. There are a lot of high-end fashion stores and on every step you can see names like Gucci, Versace and  Dolce & Gabbana.

Parting words

Thank you for sticking with me through this rather long and eclectic piece. I hope you have a better idea of what Prague has to offer. Be sure to check out our tours of the city – trust me, there is no better way to explore than with a friendly, well versed and knowledgeable guide. In the meantime, as always, we from DiscoverWalks wish you safe trips and new adventures.