Prague

This fairytale land is a bit overrated. Although the architecture is a marvel it’s important to go there during the season and not in winter. In winter it’s really cold around -6 during day and it snows occasionally.  The other set back is the money conversion. It’s important to convert it at the right places. The official change offices are the blue ones and the ones next to the tourist info places. But always remember to ask for the rate before you change and check the conversion paper before you sign it.

One last last back are the taxis. No matter what company unless you set for a price for they charge you extra by taking you around the city.

Top Must-see Places

1) Old Town Square: There are multiple things to do in this square. First of all there are 2main churches and one astronomical clock tower.

The view of Old Town from the balcony of Astronomical Clock Tower

Astronomical clock tower is one of the most magnificent piece of art with a long history. The clock mechanism itself is composed of three main components: the astronomical dial, representing the position of the sun and the moon and displaying diverse astronomical details; "The Walk of the Apostles", a clockwork hourly show of figures of the Apostles and other moving sculptures such as the figure of a skeleton that stands for the death and is striking the time; and a calendar dial with medallions representing the month. On the gothic façade there are 4 sculptures that shows four types of sins.  The sculpture admiring himself in a mirror represents vanity. Next to it there is the saver holding a bag of gold represents greed. On the other side the skeleton stands for death that will strike every one day and lastly. Next sculpture represents earthly pleasures and lust.

Close up of sculptures

Astronomical Clock Tower at night

2) Prague Castle: This isn’t an actual castle. It’s a district composed by several components. It encompases St Vitus Cathedral, Romanesque Basilica of St. George, All Saints Church, Old and New Royal Palaces, Powder Tower and Golden Lane. Golden Lane is a street and Franz Kafka lived there for 2years in order to write in peace. The entrance of the district is free however to enter to the churches, palaces and Golden Lane ticket is required. Ticket prices are 350 CZK at full rate and 250 CZK for discounted.

Entrance of Prague Castle

3)    Charles Bridge: Built in 1357, the bridge is 506m long. The distinctive thing about this bridge is the sculptures on it. During spring there are many sellers here and street artists.

Charles Bridge

4)    Jazz Nights: Jazz is an important part of Prague life. It’s everywhere, on the street, at the bars… Some nice ones to try:Agharta,

5)    Museums: Prague is made by museums even Apple has a museum. Even if you aren’t a museum person here some to try: Sex Machines Museum, Beer Museum, Chocolate Museum even Apple has a museum!

Ad Campaign of Apple Museum in Prague

Entrance to Sex Machines Museum

6)    Drink Beer: Pilsener Urquell is their official beer and there are many more to try!

7)    Jewish Quartier: Jewish Quartier is actually 7min walk from the Old Town. It’s called Jewish Quartier because it was inhabited by Jews before Hitler invaded the country. There is an old Jew cemetery, synagogues and nice bar & cafes. There are six synagogues including the famous Spanish Synagogue and Old-New Synagogue, plus the Jewish Ceremonial Hall and the Old Jewish Museum. Adolf Hitler desided himself to preserve the Jewish Quartier as a “Museum of an Extinct Race”. Indeed Nazis gathered Jewish artefacts from other occupied countries, transporting them to Prague to form a part of the museum. The tickets are 300CZK for adults but a separet ticket is need for the Old New Synagogue.

Old New Synagogue

8)    Zizkov Area: This district is the hipster part of the town. There are many bars, beer halls, cafes and vintage boutiques. ıts better to go there after 18 where all bars are open. It’s a vivid neighborhood full of young people. Bars are crowded with people enjoying their beers. It’s rather easy to do bar hopping here since there are around 300 bars in 5sq km. some nice places to try here; Café Pavlac, Coffee Corner, Malkovich Bar, Beer Geek.

Street View of Zizkov 

9)    Petrin Hill: It’s the observation tower which was built in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition. It’s the small version of Eiffel Tower built in Paris. It’s set in a garden where there is also a church, a mirror maze and a rose garden. The entrance fee is 120 CZK for adults and 65 CZK for students and children. From here you can take the funicular down to Lesser Town where you can enjoy a cup of a coffee and a desert in one of the oldest cafeshops such as Café Savoy in this old town.

Petrin Tower

10)Lennon Wall: After John Lennon’s death this white wall has been filled with John Lennon-inspired graffiti and pieces of lyrics from Beatles' songs. Located near Charles Bridge in Mala Strana area.

Lennon Wall

11)Kampa Island: This nice island is connected to the shore by bridges is one of the most romantic places in Prague. The island located between Lesser Town and Charles Bridge offers serenity and the giant baby sculptures done by David Cerny are worth seeing.

Sculptures of David Cerny

12) Kampa Museum: The biggest modern art museum in Prague. It’s worth seeing if you are interested in giant sculptures or abstract art. The pieces of František Kupka are worth seeing.

View of the museum from the bridge nearby

13) Communism Museum: This museum reflects country’s near history. It’s rather interesting to see what Czech people have been through.

Entrance of the Museum

14) Wencelas Square & Jan Palac: This Czech hero is everywhere. He has burnt himself in Wenceslas Square for the sake of his ideologies. He was protesting against the invasion of  his country in 1968. It’s possible to see his photos in the churches all around Prague.

Wencelas Square