Prague Travel Guide
Prague, once the capital of the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Bohemia, later came under Austro-Hungarian rule. The city boasts a diverse architectural style, and in 2013, Prague was named the first "World Cultural Heritage" city, meaning the entire city is a historical site open for exploration.
Attractions (in visiting order)
DAY 1
1. Powder Tower: Over 500 years old, it was originally a passage for royal coronations and later became a storage place for gunpowder in the 17th century.
2. Astronomical Clock: With over 600 years of history, it consists of three main parts: the Twelve Apostles statues, the astronomical dial, and the calendar dial representing the twelve months. On the hour, the Twelve Apostles statues appear one by one from the windows.
3. Old Town Square
4. Týn Church: The oldest building in Old Town Square.
5. Havelské Market: A market near Old Town Square. Personally, I think it's worth a look, but the prices of goods are relatively high.
6. Vyšehrad: Located in the suburbs of the city, you can visit Vyšehrad Park and the Romanesque Rotunda of St. Martin for free. After a short uphill walk, you can enjoy a view of the Vltava River.
DAY 2
1. Prague Castle District:
Prague Castle has a history of over 1,000 years. It was once the residence of the Bohemian royal family and is now the Czech presidential office. The Matthias Gate in the castle district hosts a guard-changing ceremony daily, with the grandest one at noon, followed by hourly changes.
St. Vitus Cathedral: The largest cathedral in the Czech Republic, where royal coronations and burials took place. The highlight of the cathedral is the stained glass windows designed by artist Alfons Mucha.
Golden Lane: A row of small houses next to the castle, preserving medieval clothing and furniture. At the end of the street is Daliborka Tower, a former prison showcasing medieval torture devices—quite unique.
2. Charles Bridge: Built in 1357 by Charles IV, the bridge features 30 statues for viewing.
TIP: Park Cihelná offers a great spot to capture Prague's three treasures and Charles Bridge in one photo. It's recommended to enjoy the sunset view of the bridge here, and you can also sit by the river to watch swans and beavers. Additionally, walking from the castle district to Charles Bridge, you'll pass by the Kafka Museum, which has an amusing sculpture at the entrance of two men urinating at each other. The sculpture, named "Piss," is a creation by Czech artist David Černý.
Transportation:
Public transport tickets are available as single-ride or day passes. It's recommended to purchase 24-hour or 72-hour day passes, which allow unlimited rides on metro, trams, and buses, covering almost all tourist attractions. Remember to validate your ticket at the ticket machine.
Accommodation:
Botanique Hotel Prague: Comfortable and clean rooms, conveniently located near Florenc metro and tram stations. There's also a Billa supermarket and DM drugstore nearby for easy shopping.
Food:
Here are some reasonably priced restaurants for reference:
1. Lokál Hamburk: Lokál has seven branches in Prague and is quite popular locally, offering Czech cuisine.
2. Trdelník (Chimney Cake): A street food found everywhere in Prague. The golden-baked dough filled with ice cream offers a cold, sweet, and crispy texture—quite enjoyable.
3. Havelska Koruna: A budget-friendly restaurant offering traditional Czech dishes. Highly recommended, located near Havelské Market.
4. Restaurace U Mlynáře: After visiting Prague Castle, you can dine at this restaurant set in the old town hall building. It's reasonably priced and highly recommended.
5. Pho Viet Restaurant: This Vietnamese pho restaurant offers delicious and affordable meals.
While Czech cuisine is often praised online, our experience was that it's worth trying once, but it tends to be overly salty.