Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. There are plenty of reasons for this: the beautiful bridges, the charming Old Town, the many historic buildings, the red roofs, and the very friendly people. Oh, and let’s not forget the cheap and delicious beer. Our great trip around the world began here in Prague in 2015. We booked a flight from Prague to Dubai. Perfect for a city trip through Prague beforehand. Together with Marco’s parents, we explored the city for a few days. Today we’ll tell you the top Prague sights and give you all the important information and travel tips.

• Getting to Prague
• Booking accommodation
• Sights in Prague
  • Charles Bridge
  • Prague Castle, Hradčany
  • Golden Lane
  • Wenceslas Square
  • St. Nicholas Church
  • Petřín Lookout Tower
  • Old Town Square and Old Town
  • Dancing House
  • Jewish Quarter & Old-New Synagogue
  • John Lennon Wall
• Tours of Prague
• Delicious Trdelník
• The best cafés in Prague

Getting to Prague

The most convenient way to reach Prague from eastern Germany is by bus or train. There are connections from Berlin, Leipzig or Dresden, for example. From Berlin, the journey by bus and train takes around 4 hours. Tickets start at around €20 each way. From Nuremberg, it is 2.5 hours by car to the Czech capital. From Dresden, it is also just under 2.5 hours with Deutsche Bahn. As you can see, you have many alternatives to leaving the plane on the ground.

Booking Accommodation

There are numerous good and affordable hotels in Prague. The closer you are to the Old Town, the more expensive they are. Nevertheless, you get relatively good value for your money in Prague. You can book a good 4-star hotel for as little as €30 to €40. We stayed at the Pentahotel on our first visit. We highly recommend this hotel. It’s not only super stylish but also very centrally located. In the following section, we have listed other popular hotels for you:

• Hotel AIDA
• Hotel Augustus et Otto
• Theatrino Hotel
• Art Hotel Alfons
• Wellness & SPA boutique Hotel pod lipkami Prague
• Vienna House Diplomat Prague

Sights in Prague

Numerous sights and highlights await you in Prague. The city consists of 22 districts with more than 1.2 million inhabitants. For a good first impression, a free city tour is a good option. On page XX, you will find a wide range of tours. In general, you can easily explore the most important highlights on foot. Alternatively, you can also rent a Segway or a bicycle. In the following section, we show you the most popular sights in Prague.

The Charles Bridge

Let’s start our tour with one of the city’s highlights. The Charles Bridge is one of the oldest stone bridges in Europe and certainly one of the most beautiful. The bridge connects the east with the west of the city and crosses the Vltava River. Numerous statues of saints are located on the bridge itself. The most famous statue is that of St. John of Nepomuk.

According to a story, he was thrown into the Vltava River from the exact spot where the statue stands. There is always something going on on the bridge itself. Many Czechs sell their paintings, drawings, or souvenirs here. Stroll across the bridge and enjoy the view of the city, the Vltava River, and the castle on the other side.

Prague Castle Hradčany

On the other side of the Charles Bridge, you can already see Prague Castle Hradčany in the distance. Hradčany refers to the historic district on Prague Castle Hill. From the castle, you have a breathtaking view of the Vltava River and the city. It’s best to go there early in the morning when the castle is just opening. It’s not as busy then, and you can explore the area at a leisurely pace. The climb up is somewhat steep, and there are hundreds of stairs waiting for you.

But after that, you’ve conquered the Royal Route and can explore the largest enclosed castle complex in the world. Today, it houses the seat of government of the Czech president. The highlight of the castle is St. Vitus Cathedral, the largest church building in the Czech Republic. Not far away is the Old Royal Palace. The changing of the guard takes place here every day at 12 noon (similar to Buckingham Palace).

You can reach the castle either on foot or take the green metro line to Malostranská. Then walk the remaining meters. Alternatively, you can take tram line 22. This takes you directly up to the castle.

The Golden Lane

From the castle, you can continue strolling to the Golden Lane. Franz Kafka lived and worked here in house 22. Goldsmiths lived in this alley at the time, which is why it is also called the “Golden Lane.” The small houses on this street serve as small museums and show you how people lived here back then.

Wenceslas Square

Wenceslas Square in Prague is something of a boulevard and, at more than 700 meters long, is one of the largest squares in Europe. We particularly liked the Baroque and Art Nouveau facades. And even late in the evening, it’s still lively. You can take a relaxed stroll, eat, dance, chill at a sidewalk café, or browse in one of the many shops. There are also countless bars, hotels, and other businesses here. At the upper end of the square is the National Museum.

St. Nicholas Church

During all our travels, we visited many churches. One of the most beautiful is definitely St. Nicholas Church. It is the most famous Baroque church in the city and one of the most valuable Baroque buildings north of the Alps. The dome alone, which has an average height of almost 20 meters, is a feast for the eyes. The interior height of the church is 49 meters, making it one of the highest in Prague. Concerts are held year-round in St. Nicholas Church, where the 18th-century organ is still sometimes used. The church is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. From March to October, it is open until 5 p.m. Admission costs €3.90.

Petřín Observation Tower

Together with Marco’s parents, we happened to pass by the Petřín Observation Tower. The 63-meter-high observation tower was built in 1891 as a replica of the Eiffel Tower. From the tower, you have a fantastic view of Prague. You can walk to the top or take the funicular. From there, it’s “only” 299 steps to the observation deck. Opening hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (March until 8 p.m. / April – September 10 p.m.). Admission: €5.86.

Old Town Square and Old Town

The central square of the city center is the Old Town Square. This huge square is around 9,000 square meters in size and is home to numerous cafés, markets, restaurants, and shops. You’ll also find many street performers and tourists here. The houses on the square, some of which were built on Romanesque and Gothic foundations, are particularly beautiful. There are many sights around the square, such as the Old Town Hall with its Astronomical Clock, the Tyn Church, the Palace, the House at the Stone Bell, and the Jan Hus Memorial.

Dancing House

Now for something different: The Dancing House in Prague. This curious yet modern building is located directly in front of the Jiraskuv Bridge on the Vltava River. This building was completed in 1996 by the renowned architects Vlado Milunić and Frank O. Gehry. The Dancing House houses a gallery, a restaurant, and a bar with a viewing terrace. From there, you have a 360-degree view of the city.

Jewish Quarter & Old-New Synagogue

Prague is home to one of the best-preserved Jewish Quarters (Josefov). Here, you’ll find six synagogues, the Jewish Town Hall, the cemetery, and much more. In addition to the traditions, architecture, and buildings, you’ll learn about the life and fate of Prague’s Jews. A guided tour of the quarter, including a visit to the Jewish cemetery with more than 100,000 graves, is recommended.

You should also visit the Pinkas Synagogue. Today, it houses a Holocaust memorial for the almost 80,000 victims of the World War II extermination camps. The Spanish Synagogue is considered the jewel of Prague’s synagogues and is particularly striking due to its Moorish style. The Old-New Synagogue is one of the oldest monuments of the Prague Jewish ghetto. It is also the oldest surviving synagogue in all of Europe.

John Lennon Wall

You can’t miss this wall. It’s crammed with street art and is located opposite the French Embassy, not far from the Charles Bridge. The story behind it is a very special one: Although John Lennon never visited Prague, he was a hero to Czech youth. Western music was strictly forbidden during communism. Despite all the bans, young people listened to his songs, which were primarily about freedom. In 1980, John Lennon was shot, and one night, someone painted his portrait on this wall, along with quotes from his songs. The wall is not only a memorial to the former Beatle and his messages of peace; it is also a monument to freedom of expression.

Tours through Prague

You can take a variety of tours in Prague. We ourselves went on a really cool Segway tour with Marco’s parents. We’ve explored the most popular sights in Prague along the way. But there are countless other ways to discover the city. Whether it’s a pub crawl, beer tasting, city walking tour, ghost tour, or river cruise – you’re sure to find the right tour on GetYourguide.

• Prague Panoramic River Cruise on the Vltava River
• Prague: Ghosts and Legends, 1.5-Hour Walking Tour
• Beer Tasting in Prague
• Český Krumlov: Day Tour from Prague
• Prague: 2.5-Hour Old Town & Jewish Quarter
• Prague Castle: Skip-the-Line Ticket and Guided Tour
• Small Group Segway Tour with Taxi Pickup
• Eating in Prague – Half-Day Food Tour

Delicious Trdelník

This pastry originated in Skalica, Slovakia. It is shaped like a roll and tastes simply delicious. You can usually find the roll filled with walnuts, coconut, almonds, or even cinnamon and sugar. You can find Trdelník on almost every corner in Prague. This pastry is similar to Baumkuchen or Baumstriezel. Occasionally, you can also order this pastry with ice cream filling. We could eat these sweet treats all day long! The dough is rolled onto sticks and placed over an open fire. After baking, the sweet coating (grated nuts, etc.) is added.

The best cafés in Prague

Bolle loves cafés, so we can’t help but stroll into some of the city’s best cafés. Prague has a really cool café scene. One of the oldest cafés in Prague is the Café Slavia. The café is located right on the Legii Bridge, overlooking the Vltava River. Here you can enjoy hearty cuisine such as roast duck, beef goulash, and Wiener schnitzel. It’s a bit colorful and crazy at the Café Karma. Here you can buy cool things and sip coffee while you’re at it. The unusual design immediately catches the eye and makes this café a very special spot.

Located directly on a side street off Wenceslas Square is the Café Styl & Interieur. A truly beautiful courtyard with plenty of seating awaits you. The menu features many delicious drinks and snacks. The café is very stylish and super cozy. Not far from here is the Café Louvre. Franz Kafka and Albert Einstein must have eaten here. Fantastic, isn’t it? Whether on the terrace or inside – it’s also really cozy. You can even play billiards here. This is where Prague’s first billiard room was set up.

You can get really good coffee at Café Urban. It’s located just 5 minutes from the Florenc bus station. This small shop is incredibly cozy and has a cool interior. Here you can get delicious cappuccino and cakes. The café is very stylish, and not just because of the many green plants. Next, head to Prague’s smallest espresso bar – Onesip Coffee. This café is located not far from the Jewish Quarter. If you absolutely need a caffeine fix, you should stop here.

Nothing beats good coffee!

In the Dejvice district is the Cafè Kafemat. It’s mostly frequented by young families who sit here and relax with a very good espresso. The café is small but perfectly formed, somewhat reminiscent of a café in the Berlin district of Prenzlauer Berg. We also find the Café I Need Coffee! really cool. It’s located in Prague’s New Town and impresses with its perfect coffee blends. You can also get many treats here, such as energy balls and cakes.

You can get very good coffee and delicious snacks at Muj Salek Kavy. This coffee house offers premium specialty coffee from the Doubleshot roastery and hot meals and sweets throughout the day. And finally, one more tip: Stop by La Bohème Café. This small, cozy café is located just 450 meters from the Námesti Miru stop. We particularly liked the great design and cozy living room atmosphere. The owners of the land work with coffee farmers in Africa and South America. The coffee is grown sustainably, traded fairly, and the quality of the coffee is simply top-notch.

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