One of the first names on any list of the world’s most beautiful cities, Prague is a showstopper. The Czech capital is a fairytale come to life – think hidden courtyards, a hilltop castle and a tree-lined river crossed by historic stone bridges. And that’s just a taster. The city is an architectural treasure trove with a portfolio that ranges from art nouveau to baroque, from cubism to Gothic and from neoclassical to futuristic. Among the everyday things you can do are admiring the Astronomical Clock, crossing Charles Bridge and taking in the views of Prague Castle from the east bank of the River Vltava. And it goes without saying that the beer in Prague is world-class, so a brewery tour is a must-do.
Top six things to do in Prague
1. Explore the historic Old Town
A warren of cobbled lanes lined with wonderfully named palaces and churches, Prague’s Old Town – Staré Město in Czech – is a joy to explore on foot. Highlights include the Gothic spires of the Church of Our Lady before Týn, which is just off the Old Town Square, and the Romanesque simplicity of the Church of St Martin in the Wall. Then there’s the baroque beauty of Clam-Gallas Palace and Colloredo-Mansfeld Palace.
2. Admire the Astronomical Clock
This masterpiece of medieval technology is possibly one of the world’s longest-running and shortest-lasting performances. Every hour for more than 600 years, the 12 apostles along with four goodies and four baddies put on a 45-second neck-craning show. To round off the experience, enter the belfry and take the lift to the viewing platform, which boasts panoramic vistas over the red-roofed Old Town.
3. Visit Prague Castle
Dating from the ninth century, Prague Castle is the largest such complex in the world and most of the buildings are open to the public. It is dominated by the Gothic St Vitus Cathedral, which is as impressive on the inside as it is on the outside. Due to its hilltop location, the castle is an integral part of the cityscape and offers great views of the Old Town. Make sure to stroll along the ‘Golden Lane’, historically a street of goldsmiths and alchemists, and more recently of notable Czech literary figures
4. Walk across Charles Bridge
Stretching across the River Vltava between the Old Town and the Malá Strana district, medieval Charles Bridge is 516 metres of pure romance. Lined with baroque statues of saints and other religious figures, it gets very busy during the day. Visit early to avoid the crowds and to admire the eerie, Gothic silhouettes of the city.
5. Cruise the Vltava
A big part of Prague’s attractiveness is the Vltava, which meanders through the city, under its bridges and past three tree-studded islets. It makes a river cruise one of the top things to do in Prague. It’ll give you an alternative view of the city, including sights such as the ‘Dancing House’. Options abound, from hour-long cruises to romantic dinner cruises in the evening.
6. Discover Prague’s Jewish heritage
Traces of Prague’s Jewish heritage are encountered all over the city. The Old Jewish Cemetery can be found tucked behind the historic Pinkas Synagogue. They’re just two of the sights in Josefov, the historic Jewish district in the inner city. Others worth a detour include the birthplace of Franz Kafka and the Spanish Synagogue. While just outside the district is the multicoloured Jerusalem Synagogue, a Moorish-inspired work of fantasy. And an hour’s drive from Prague is Theresienstadt, a notorious Nazi concentration camp.
