10 Best Things to do in Prague on your First Trip

One of Europe’s best-preserved cities, Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Known for its rich history and Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectures, the historical capital of Bohemia is one of the most visited cities in Europe. Brewing some of the best beer in the continent, the locals consume the most beer per capita in the world! The historic city center which was also added to the UNESCO’s World Heritage List is mystical and offers an old-world charm. Home to the largest castle in the world, the main city survived the destruction of the world war and retains the rich architectural heritage. Because of the countless church towers and their location, Prague is called the city of a hundred spires. Home to the Charles bridge, the Vltava River, monasteries, taverns, narrow streets, and surrounding hills, the cafe culture in Prague dates back to the 16th century. We spent 4 nights in the city and here are the best recommendations for the first time visitors!

Old Town Square (Staré Město)

Visited by around 2 million people annually, Prague castle is the heart of this magnificent city. It is the largest ancient castle complex in the world. This walled castle was presided by the kings of Bohemia and hence commemorates the change of guard ceremony held daily in the courtyard. Saint Vitus Cathedral is also located within the complex, along with palaces, courtyards, gardens, residences and fountains. The Bohemian crown jewels are hidden inside one of the rooms in this 750,000 sq ft complex. There are many wonders inside this castle including Lobkowicz Palace holding the largest and the oldest art collections of Central Europe. Towards the end of your visit, have a chilled beer or a hot cup of coffee at Svatováclavská vinice or MATTONI Cafe enjoying the spectacular views of the area surrounding the castle.

Malá Strana

Malá Strana, also known as the Lesser Town/Lesser Quarter/Little Quarter, surrounds the Prague Castle and is the perfect next stop as you step out of the castle. The first thing you will notice are the beautiful buildings gleaming under the afternoon sun. The cute little cafes, the boutique stores, pubs, and restaurants add to the charm of this neighborhood. There are a couple of parks offering scenic views of the city. Thanks to the hilly structure, the city offers quite a few vantage points waiting to be explored. The Lennon wall is a symbolic display of unity and resilience boasting meaningful, beautiful and colorful graffiti. We loved a cute little restaurant called U Maltézských rytířů depicting the Czech vibe and serving delicious bowls of goulash amongst other things. Charles Bridge Arch Of Entrance To The Old Town pictured above along with the cobbled streets feel like quite an entrance to a medieval town!

Walk Across the Charles Bridge

Crossing the Vltava river in Prague, Charles bridge is another iconic landmark built on stone arches popular in medieval times. The structure has two towers, one being gothic style and the other being renaissance style. Once upon a time, it was the only way to get across the Vltava river marking it as an important part of trading route. Eventually the bridge was limited to pedestrians only, adding to its charm and preservation. Just like the Prague castle, the bridge is lit up at night adding to its glory and beauty.

Enjoy the Beautiful Architecture

Prague in itself is a beauty! There is history, heritage, colors and splendid architecture in all directions. The National Museum and Statue of Saint Wenceslas (pictured in the center above) were a sight for sore eyes at night. The Dancing House is also called ‘Fred & Ginger‘ as it took inspiration from legendary dancers Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. The deconstructed architecture was intentional to resist the Constructivism theory. Kinský Palace has a beautiful white and pink facade. The royal castle complex, Jubilee Synagogue, Petřín Lookout Tower, and St. Vitus Cathedral are some other marvels.

Try the Local Cuisine & Amazing Beer

Alright, first things first! The Central European beer is the best we have had anywhere in the world. Having traveled to North America, South America, Asia as well as parts of Western Europe, we have tried a decent amount of beer all over. However, beer in this region is so light and affordable (it was cheaper than water in Germany lol). Have it along with some traditional ham or sausage and you are good to go. Top it up with trdelník (Chimney Cakes) from one of the street vendors in Old Town and you have a wonderful end to your meal.

Next on my list is the goulash, either as main course or in form of a soup (Gulášová Polévka). Its hearty, savory and simply delicious. If you are into soups and stews, don’t miss out on Kulajda, a traditional Czech soup. If you don’t mind a small hike, go up to Letna Lookout Beer Garden (pictured on the right above) for mind blowing views at sunset to be enjoyed with a rewarding beer. Finally, try anything you find interesting and unique. The beer battered ribs (pictured above in the center) are from Strahov Monastery Brewery which were ordered with some interesting beers (they have 25 different kinds).

Strahov Monastery (Strahovský klášter)

Founded in 1143, the monastery was built by monks using wood in the beginning. It took quite a toll over the years due to wars and change in regimes. While it is still being reconstructed, the addition of Philosophical hall (library pictured above) made the monastery even more precious. If you decide to walk, it’s quite a hike but absolutely worth the effort. You can purchase an e-ticket in advance using their official website. Apart from the library, you can visit the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Baroque Theological Hall, and the Strahov Gallery with an excellent display of Central European paintings.

Riverside Stroll

Walking across the Vltava river and crossing the Charles bridge, you will end up on the other side of the Old Town. You will be be pleasantly surprised by the view and serenity on this side. We kept exploring randomly and ended up in a park (Kampa Island) where a local community celebration was going on. People were dressed in costume and performing on a stage. There were food stalls and some other vendors. It felt like we had stepped out of the touristy area and amongst the locals. We tried a smoked sheep cheese called oscypek which was served with cranberry jam. I didn’t enjoy it that much but it was different and clearly being enjoyed by the people around. Strolling along both sides of the river starting in the evening and into the night was a pleasant time spent.

Get Lost in the Streets of the City

We stayed in the ‘Green Garden Hotel‘ located in the historic center of the city. It’s a neo-Renaissance building dating back to 1894. The windows opened up to colorful buildings lining the opposite street. The new town has a ton of restaurants and cafes. Souvenir gift shops like ‘Flying Tiger Copenhagen‘, ‘Blue Praha‘, interesting places like ‘Sex Machines Museum’ and retail stores like ‘Saint Laurent’, ‘Alo diamonds’, ‘Jimmy Choo’ are fun to explore. Even government buildings such as ‘Ministry of Regional Development‘ (pictured in the center above) look so magnificent.

Check out the Statues & Sculptures

There is no dearth of historic and significant statues in Prague, including the 30 located on Charles Bridge itself. Beginning with the one pictured on left above, it honors Franz Kafka also known as Prague’s favorite literary son. He lived in the Jewish Quarter neighborhood on Dušní Street where this statue is located. This is one of the two monuments dedicated to the writer. There is a belief that rubbing the shoes would bring good luck which have resulted in them getting polished and gleaming golden!

The one on the right above is a revolving head of the legend constructed with 42 mobile tiers and elevated 11 meter tall. This monument weighing 45 tons was installed recently in 2014. Using modern technology involving robotization and automation, this statue is an exemplary work by artist David Černý. Finally in the center is the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk in a drowned state located on the wall outside the St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague’ Castle.

Hope you have as much fun as we did and get an opportunity to explore this city at your own pace!