On my recent Central Europe adventure, I had the opportunity to visit Prague, the crown jewel of the Czech Republic (Czechia). This city is truly one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. From old town to the new new town, Prague has so much to offer any traveler, but I wanted to share what I think are the top 10 must sees in the city of spires.
1.Astronomical Clock/ Old Town Square
One of Prague’s most popular tourist attractions is the Astronomical clock, located in the Old Town Square. This clock dates back to medieval times, like many of the attractions in Prague. Not only does the clock tell time, it also tells the position of the sun and the position and phase of the moon, and has a zodiac calendar. If you’re interested in going inside the tower, there is an elevator that will take you to the top. Besides the clock, Old Town Square is the center of all the action in Prague. Town square is also where many of the restaurants and souvenir shops are, but do know that areas like this can be specifically tailored to tourism, meaning prices are inflated. If you happen to be in Prague close to a holiday like Christmas or Easter, they hold special celebrations and markets in this square. Whether you celebrate these holidays or not, the markets are a great opportunity to try some very authentic food and buy cute souvenirs!
2.Jewish Quarter
Just north of Old Town is the Jewish Quarter. This area of the city was originally established when the Jewish population of Prague was forced to relocate here in the 13th century. Since then, the quarter has been developed and redeveloped many times. The most notable sights in the city are the six synagogues, the Jewish Ceremonial hall, and the Old Jewish Cemetery. For many of these sights, you will need tickets, but there’s no cost to enter the quarter and explore the streets. I really enjoyed seeing the unique culture of the Jewish Quarter verses the culture of the rest of Prague, so whether you buy a ticket or two to the main sights or just wonder through the streets, the Jewish Quarter is well worth your time.
3.Old Town
Old town is quite a large area, so with that in mind, I’d say you’re less looking for sights and more just familiarizing and immersing yourself in the area. The city of Prague has been around since medieval times, and many of the medieval elements are still there, while others were destroyed by war and rebuilt to their former glory. During the day, Old Town can be pretty overrun by tourists, but if you’re an early riser, you may be able to catch the streets almost empty! I saw it both in the early morning (thanks to some pretty heavy jet lag) and in the afternoon, and I would say avoid this area at all costs during the afternoon because its so packed you can barely walk. Also, since this area is a tourist magnet, I don’t suggest eating at any of the restaurants unless you want to pay an arm and leg, and get sub-par cuisine.
4.Charle’s Bridge
Charle’s Bridge is an iconic symbol of Prague. You enter the bridge through a large tower at each end, and are greeted with a marvelous view of the city. What makes this bridge unique are the 30 statues of saints that line the edges and watch over those crossing. I first visited this bridge very early in the morning, so there weren’t too many people, but if you go later in the day, there will be tourists swarming trying to get pictures. I even saw a ton of tourists at night trying to get photos with the city lights. This will be a shorter stop on your itinerary, just to walk the bridge and maybe snap a few photos.
5.John Lennon Wall
As an avid Beatles fan, I couldn’t pass up a monument that holds the name of one of their founding members. The John Lennon wall is a mural decorated with declarations of peace, love, and honor for Lennon. This originally was a memorial that was established right after his death, but continued on as a form of free expression. During the 1980s, the people of Prague were trying to revolt against a communist government, and the Lennon wall was just the beginning of the people’s acts of resistance. This will also just be a quick stop on your itinerary, but while here, try to remember that this wall is more than just a symbol of adoration, it represents the fight for peace and freedom that made this city what it is today.
6.Dancing House
In the more modern section of the city sits the the Dancing House. There’s a good chance you’re familiar with this building (or maybe I just am because I’m an architect). This building was the work of architects Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunic and opened its doors in 1996. Dancing House is primarily a hotel, but the public are welcome to enjoy the cafe, restaurant, and terrace. If you don’t choose to venture inside, I still think this landmark deserves a spot on any Prague itinerary. Architecture as adventurous and creative as this isn’t seen often, so I encourage you to embrace this topsy turvy masterpiece.
7.Prague Castle
Czechia is loaded with castles, but luckily, you don’t even have to leave Prague to see one! The Prague castle complex is made up of nine parts; a cathedral, a basilica, and two palaces to name a few of them. The castle complex is beautiful, but the coolest part of the complex is definitely Golden Lane. Golden lane is a row of medieval houses and shops that were inhabited until just after WWII. While some of these homes have been turned into little souvenir shops, others are staged to portray how they would have looked in the height of their use. At the beginning of Golden Lane, you can also tour the tower that was used as a prison, torture chamber, and houses knight’s armor. These little glimpses into history really make you feel like you’re stepping back into medieval Europe, when knights protected castles and craftsmen lived and worked in the same tiny space. Exploring this lane is a pretty unique experience and in my opinion, one that absolutely shouldn’t be passed up!
8.Metronome
If I’m being completely honest, I don’t remember seeing a giant metronome, but I was also preoccupied by the gorgeous view! The metronome is in a park on top of a giant hill on the North side of the city. I’ll warn you though, climbing up this hill is not for everyone, there are many stairs and the incline can be steep at times. If you have mobility restrictions but still want to enjoy the view, I would suggest looking into public transportation to see if buses or trams would take you to the park. This was the best view I got on my trip though, so it doesn’t matter how you get there, just get there.
9.Petrin Park
The West side of the city is defined by high hills and regal architecture. One of the biggest hills is the home of Petrin Park. This park is extensive and so incredibly beautiful! When I was there, it was spring and all the trees were blooming with pink and white flowers, it was truly gorgeous. The park has many trails, and as you meander up the incline (or huff and puff because your home city is as flat as a pancake), you get incredible views of the the red rooftops and spires of Prague. The top of this hill is one of the best views of the city and is relatively close to the castle, so you can get some great pictures! There is also an Eiffel Tower type structure at the top called the Petrin Tower, where you can climb up to the observation deck and get an even higher view of the city below.
10.Střelecký ostrov
If you walk across the Legion Bridge, about half way, you’ll find stairs down to a little island in the river. Střelecký ostrov is really just a park, but has great views and a relaxing atmosphere. One day when I had done a lot of walking and needed a rest, I laid out my picnic blanket on the North West bank of the island and took out my travel watercolors. Parks are one of my favorite sites in cities because at some point, everyone needs to rest, and what better place to do that than an area rich in greenery. Side note: Legion Bridge is also a fantastic spot to get pictures!
Where To Eat
If you find yourself close to Petrin Park around dinner time, I encourage you to check out Host. Its a little Italian-esqe restaurant that’s hidden down a cobblestone alley. Because it’s tucked away, its not packed with people, and the view is a giant plus too! The food was fantastic, but fairly cheap. I am quite an adventurous eater, so I jumped at the chance to try their octopus, and it did not disappoint!
Happy travels!
Pursuit of Happy Travel 
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