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Magic. Charming. Elegant. Mysterious. When talking about the capital of the Czech Republic, adjectives are wasted. But this is really a city that leaves little room for imagination. As beautiful as it is. In the summertime. In spring, in winter, or in autumn. A weekend in Prague is just an appetizer of its wonders. Seeing is believing.
WHAT TO SEE IN PRAGUE
CASTLE
Each place is the ideal base for exploring the wonders of the capital. Our advice is to start from the suggestive Castle, going down, by tram or metro, to the stop Malostranska: from here, go up to the Prague Castle: one of the best places about what to see in Prague. As soon as you exit the Metro, on the left, there is a small road with many steps. The rather tiring climb is enlivened by the music of street artists; as soon as you arrive in the square in front of the entrance to the castle, you will see before you a beautiful panorama, dominated by the splendid building.
Residence of Kings, Princes and Bohemian Emperors, Prague Castle is a complex of houses, presidential buildings, ecclesiastical buildings, and offices, which extend for 45 hectares; it is one of the most important Royal complexes in the world as well as one of the most visited.
Inside there is the St. Vitus Cathedral.
The most important religious temple in Prague, theater of coronations of princes and Bohemian kings, their wives, as well as the centuries-old abode of the remains of many of them, such as St. Wenceslas. Inside, the crown and scepter of Bohemia are kept, protected, it is said, by the Holy Spirit of the same Saint Wenceslas. To admire are the golden portal, the royal crypt, the high altar and the chapel of St. Wenceslas, where the prince built the first temple dedicated to St Vitus; here, the patron saint of Bohemia rests.
The Castle complex is open every day, from 06:00 to 22:00.
The historical buildings, inside, are open from April to October, from 09:00 to 17:00. In winter, from 09:00 to 16:00.
The St. Vitus Cathedral is open every day, from Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 16:40. Sunday, from 12:00 to 16:40.
You can not visit the Basilica when religious services are celebrated.
The Basic ticket costs 250CZK (around €10) per adult and 125CZK reduced for over 65s and children aged 6 to 16. With the family ticket, 2 adults and up to 5 children can enter for the price of 500CZK. Anyone who wishes can purchase tickets with audio guide (available in 8 languages including english) directly from this link.
MALA STRANA AND NERUDOVA
Photo ©, Radler59
Coming down from the Prague Castle you will arrive, after a walk of 10 minutes, in the district of Malà Strana, one of the most beautiful in the city. Small and narrow streets, with shops and breweries will lead you to another dimension, and along the promenade you will meet the Museum dedicated to the famous writer Franz Kafka, born in Prague on 1883 (photo).
Open every day, from 10:00 to 18:00. The ticket for cults costs 200 CZK. Reduced, 120 CZK.
Walking, you will cross the curious, picturesque, park-island of The camp. This park – island located between the main course of the Vltava and his called arm Čertovka, from which you can admire the great wheel of the former Grand Priore Mill dating back to 1400, is one of the most romantic places in Prague.
To end the itinerary of Mala Strana, we advise you to go back to the square of the same name again, and go up along the Nerudova Street, perhaps the most beautiful street in all of Prague.
If you want a coffee, or maybe a quick snack, we recommend Bread-Gap: you find it in the street behind the Church of San Nicola. At the local U magistra Kelly, you can drink excellent local beer, and taste the typical Prague gnocchi or, alternatively, excellent pork meat; the prices are in the city average and the dishes very tasty.
Malà Strana is a collection of perfectly preserved Baroque and Renaissance buildings that surround the Church of St Nichols in the small quarter.
One of the most beautiful Baroque buildings in Europe crowns the small district of Malà Strana; guided tours cost 70 Crowns for adults (reduced cost 50 Crowns), payments are only allowed in Czech currency and in cash.
Visits are possible every day from 09:00 to 17:00.
DANCING HOUSE
The Dancing House, is one of the pillars of modern Praghese architecture; built in 1996, it was designed by Vlado Milunič to Frank O. Gehry. From here, we recommend leaving for your second day of the Weekend in Prague. You can get there by yellow Metro line, Karlovo Namesti stop. After having a hearty breakfast, of course.
The conception of the building is inspired by the dance style of the famous couple Fred Astaire (stone tower) and Ginger Rogers (glass tower). In the Dancing House you can also visit the gallery and the restaurant with a panoramic terrace from which you can admire a view of Prague at 360 degrees.
Open every day, from 10:00 to 22:00.
On the opposite side of the Vltava, don’t miss a visit to the splendid Andel Market. Info and timetables from this link.
Petrin Hill is a truly beautiful place from which you can enjoy a truly magical and evocative view of the Castle and the whole city. The top can be reached with the suggestive funicular that leaves from Mala Strana.
On the homonymous hill, after crossing the Wall of Fame, you will see the Kinsky, Lobkowicz, Nebozízek and U rozhledny gardens, the Rose Garden and Strahov gardens.
It is possible to go up to the Petrin Tower even on foot but it is quite tiring: it could take us more than half an hour!
The Panoramic Tower of Petrin, one of the most important symbols of Prague, was built on the occasion of the 1891 Jubilee Exhibition as a copy of the Eiffel Tower (with a scale of 1:5). It is 63,5 meters high and at its summit, which is located at the same height above sea level of the real Eiffel tower, you get there via 299 steps.
From the top, if you’re lucky, it’s not only possible to admire the whole city but much of Bohemia.
WHAT TO SEE IN PRAGUE: CHARLES BRIDGE
Without a doubt, one of the symbols of the city, as well as one of the monuments not to be missed on what to see in Prague. It is a Gothic style stone bridge that connects the Old Town to the Little Quarter.
The Charles bridge replaced the Judith Bridgea, which was the first stone bridge built over the river in the 1172 but swept away by a flood of the Vltava in the 1342. Unlike its predecessor, the bridge he has survived numerous vicissitudes; the most recent, in August 2002 when the country had to face the worst flood of the last 500 years. At the two ends of the bridge there are towers on which you can climb, and enjoy a spectacular view of the bridge from above.
On the bridge, the most famous statue is perhaps that of St. John of Nepomuk, a Czech martyr executed during the reign of Wenceslas IV, and thrown on the river. The headstone on the statue is touched by all tourists visiting here, because it is said to bring good luck.
The Charles Bridge is one of the main tourist destinations and is also very popular with local artists, musicians and souvenir sellers who put their stalls on both sides, all year round. Perhaps the best time to visit the bridge is at sunset, when you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire Prague Castle, illuminated in the dark darkness.
Continuing your walk you will begin to enter the old city of Prague, where you will find many shops, restaurants, and where you can go shopping, buying for example the famous Bohemian crystals: you will find many and even at a good price.
OLD TOWN SQUARE
Old Town Square, not far from the Bridge, represents the beating heart of the city. At Christmas, even more magical with the sparkling lights of the tree and the traditional markets. Here, there is the elegant Town Hall Tower, the famous Astronomical Clock, the fairytale church of Týn, the majestic Church of San Nicola, and numerous houses with colored facades, built in different architectural styles; buildings that give this place an unrepeatable aspect that attracts tourists from all over the world.
The square of the Old City, over the course of a millennium, has witnessed important events in the history of the Czech nation that have left indelible marks: demonstrations, executions, but also marriages, tournaments and political negotiations.
The quadrant of the astronomic watch, indicates the current day and its position in the week, month and year. At the same time, the clock shows the European calendar, the Babylonian calendar and the astronomical calendar: it is the only one in the world! From the watch it is also possible to understand what the position of the celestial bodies is. On the calendar disk, by the painter Josef Mánes, you can see the dominant zodiac sign. Every day, thousands of curious tourists, armed with cameras, wait every hour for the show of the clock. From the two windows under the roof, the twelve Apostles and other figures look out: there is the Skeleton playing the bell, the Turk turning his head, the Avaro with a purse full of money and the Vanity that you look in the mirror .
The show ends with the singing of a golden rooster and with a powerful bell sound from the top of the tower.
This clock is part of the Town Hall building. The latter was established in 1338 as the seat of the autonomous administration of the Old City; the neo-gothic east wing of the town hall was destroyed during the 8/5/1945 Prague Insurrection and has not been rebuilt. The tourist visit includes the historic rooms, the tower and the underground.
Open every day, from Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 20:00 and on Monday from 11:00 to 20:00. In winter closing at 7pm. Tickets are €16 per adult and €11 for children. From this link, you can purchase the skip-the-line ticket to the Clock Tower.
ST. MARY OF TYN
In the square you can admire, imposing, the Cathedral of St. Mary of Týn, another stop not to be missed on what to see in Prague on a weekend. This splendid Cathedral, one of the most impressive Gothic-style sacred buildings in Prague, was built between the mid-14th and early 16th centuries.
At the end of the seventeenth century, the interior was renovated in Baroque style. The Cathedral is a large gallery of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque works, the most interesting of which are the altarpieces of Karel Škréta and the astronomer’s tomb Tychon Brahe. The cathedral organ, dating back to the 1673, is the oldest in all of Prague.
Open from March to December, from Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 – 13.00 and 15:00 – 17:00; Sunday, from 10:00 to 12:00.
January and February: Wed 17.00 – 18.30, Thu 10.00 – 12.00, 17.00 – 18.30, Fri 10.00 – 12.00, 14.30 -16.00; Sat, Sun 10.00 – 12.00
The explanation of the church’s history takes place only in front of the cathedral.
Voluntary contribution (the recommended sum is €1).
WENCESLAS SQUARE
About a ten minute walk from St Mary of Tyn, you reach the famous Wenceslas Square.
It is the commercial and administrative center of the city, as well as the place where many important social and historical events took place. Here we can find cinemas, theaters, banks, hotels, restaurants, dozens of small and large shops and administrative centers. It was built in 1348 during the foundation of the New Town by Charles IV. The square is dominated by the building of the National Museum, And from monument of St. Wenceslas, patron of the nation. The Museum, from the 2011, is closed for renovations.
JEWISH DISTRICT
The evocative Jewish quarter of Josefov is another place not to be missed regarding what to see in Prague in a weekend.
Josefov is a place full of history and meanings. In the city center, it is close to the Staromēstská metro station. Here, you find the old Jewish cemetery where, in the fifteenth century, the dead could be buried. The gravestones seem to emerge from the earth, all at different heights. Exciting route that also includes a visit to the synagogue.
SAINT MARY OF VICTORY
To reach the St. Mary of Victory Church, you can use the Tram n. 12, 20, 22, 57, 91, going down to the stop Hellichova.
In the Church, the Prague child. Every day, hundreds of faithful Catholics pay homage to the statuette of the “Child Jesus of Prague”. They come to ask for help in case of illness, to pray for peace, some come to him because they want to have a baby. Whether you are believers, or not, do not miss: the church will seem a bit ‘austere and a bit mysterious.
It is said that the wax figurine, to which miraculous powers are attributed, comes from Spain. Legend has it that he had an anonymous friar made by him appearing in the figure of a child. In Prague, the Child Jesus was brought by Maria Manrique de Lara, the Spanish Duchess who married a noble Bohemian lord. His daughter, after she became a widow, gave the statuette to the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites, near the Church of the Virgin Victorious.
CRUISE ON THE MOLDOVA
Among the best activities on what to do and what to see in Prague cannot be missing a fantastic panoramic cruise on the river. An excellent solution to end (or perhaps start) your weekend in Prague. Even with children.
You will be able to discover Prague’s attractions in a short time from a comfortable boat. You will enjoy a splendid panoramic view of the city, admiring the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle from the water.
There are numerous cruise options, with prices starting from around €15 per person with optional drinks and snacks. From this link all the information.