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 |