"Must See" sites in Prague
 

I'm jealous of those who have posted reports of long stays in Prague. Our group of 6 (ages 50s and 60s) have only 2 days there. We would appreciate your thoughts on 2 or 3 "must see" locations. The rest we'll just have to read about in the forum posts. Sigh.

You haven't stated your interests so it's difficult to choose places for you. You will get other people's top choices related to their interests. Here are mine:

Mucha Museum
Loreto church (including Nerudova Street)
Jewish Quarter
Municipal House

The Charles Bridge at sunrise. Great light for photos and minus the tourist horde.

Highly recommend Helena as a guide to get the most of your short time in Prague (an absolutely enchanting city).
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See our trip report for further info (we traveled there in 2009). We missed the Charles Bridge at sunrise so will just have to go back ;) Hopefully all the construction on that bridge is completed. Have a wonderful, wonderful trip!

I can answer this simply!

The main attraction of Prague is The Entire City.

There is no bad place or bad area in Prague.

1. You have to walk down Wenceslas Square...down one side to the lovely National Museum with its statue of Wenceslas on a horse in front.

2.The Old Town Square... you cannot and will not miss this.
The three main features are :
(a) Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Hall...be there when it chimes
(b) Tyn Church... the huge one with the Gothic Steeples
(c) St. Nicholas Church
(d) Statue in centre of Square of Jan Hus ( he was burned at stake , for his beliefs )

3. Charles Bridge....no one misses this this.. take your time , stop at every statue and monument.

4. Once you cross the Charles bridge your are across the Vltava River and into Lesser Town, or Lesser Quarter or Little Town....

5. Now just keep walking about three blocks up and you will come to the huge Church of St. Nicholas.... go inside it is georgeous.

The Square on either side of this Church is the Lesser Town Square.
The Holy Trinity Column is here.

Now walk past the Holy Trinity Column (1/2 block) and turn LEFT.

You are now on Nerudova Street.

There are Embassies on both sides of this street.
Look for sign over the doorway on many of the building.

These signs tell you who once lived and worked here.
For example...one sign reads "The Three Fiddles"
A family of three made violins here. etc.

All this was before 1773 ..because after 1773 , the house were given numbers..but many of the signs remained

But most important of all Nerudova Street takes you right up the the Prague Castle and you WANT to come here.

So walk along at a leisurely pace up Nerudoav Street ( note the Street has an incline ..it has to the Castle is at the top!!)

Okay now you are at the top in front of the Prague Castle.
St. Vitus Cathedral is inside the Castle Complex....go inside.

That huge Square in front of the Castle is Castle Square.

Okay let me give you the names of the buildings ,counterclockwise as you stand in the Square.
They are:
1. Archbishops Palace
2. Kolowrate House
3. Martinic Palace
4. Canonical House
5. Toscansky Palace ...( nice isn't it!)
6. Church of St. Benedict and Convent of the Carmeltites
7. Schwarzenberg Palace...take a close look at the exterior of this Palace.

What you think is raised stucco work ..really is not... walk up , touch the wall... amazing !
This work is called sgraffito!!!

That small green area in the square is the park.
The column is the Marian Plague Column

A lot of countries in Europe built Plague Columns to show their gratitude to Mary for sparing their city.

I do not know how much time you will spent here but if you want to see more great places ..then from the Castle Square and just past the Toscansky Palaceis Loreta Street.

Walk 3 blocks down this street and you come to the lovely Loreta Church, Czernin Palace (with 31 columns across in a row) and also the Strahov Monastery.

Maybe you want to see the Jewish Quarter, it is only 3-4 blocks from the Old Town Square.

If you decide on a River boat ride down the Vltava River...do NOT take one of those evening dinner cruises ( waste of time and money).

Just take a private river boat ride.

I do not know where you are staying in Prague

However, the Prague metro is easy..it is bases on three colors only...Red , Green and Yellow.

So for example you can ask, "What color metro takes me to the Prague Castle"

That is if you do not want to walk up Nerudova Stret like I mentioned

The Tram system is excellent also.
Tram 22, 23 takes you to Prage Castle, National Theatre (Wenceslas Square) and Strahov Monastery.


I have left so much out..but this should help a little and other will give you ( better) ideas)

http://www.prague.net/itineraries-in-prague
this is a very good website, I have posted it on the itinaries page so you can have an idea of what you can do.
Charles bridge especially at sunrise /sunset is a must,as is the Municiple house. You will, be in the castle area and the Loreto is a stunning place just up the hill a bit,nearby to there is the Strahov monestry and the newly refurbished library well worth visiting,the Klasterni Pivovar there is a good place to stop for lunch. I liked the Mucha museum but it has been a few years since I was in there.
hope this gives you some ideas,when are you actually visiting?,I will be in Prague at the end of May.

you can ask what color metro takes you to Prague castle the answer is none, metro dose't go there, tram 22 is the one you need. take it past the castle 2 stops to Pohorelec, that way you have an easy wander down hill,avoids the crowds ,are close to Strahov and have to walk past Loreto, very good traditional pub in this area.U Cerneho Vola.
http://www.praguepubs.co.uk/pubs-details.php?id=23
the profits from this place go to running a school for disabled children, great beer ,limited food, grumpy waiter, you will have to share a table but a true Prague experience.

Yep, I woke up at 5 :30 AM to be at Charles Bridge at sunrise

Like turnip says no crowds....because during the day on Charles Bridge, it can be a madhouse :)

Municipal House was mentioned... Should you see it ..Yes !

It is at the Republic Square, and right next to the Municipal House is the Powder Tower....it looks like one of the Charles Bridge Towers.

Let me just say that a lot of the tours of Prague start at the Republic Square..so you might wind up here anyway.

Prague is a walking place....it is not for huge tour buses.

hate to critise Percy again but the no 23 tram has not run that route for about 4 years now,does not run at all now.

Republic square is Namesti Republiky, you will need to use that rather than the anglised version of the name.There is a big new shopping center near there if the ladies need a shopping fix,Palladium is it name ,you can't miss it.( sports bar on the top floor if you want to leave them too it, or the Beer museum pub on Dlouha ( a few minutes walk away) 30 beers on tap to try.

Prague is lovely. I was there in 1965 ( and again in 2003). The remarkable sight that stuck in my mind from '65 was the Jewish cemetery. Don't miss it.

There are ton(ne)s of bad areas of Prague, but in terms of where a tourist wants to be just stay in Prague 1, visit Prague 1 and vinohrady and you'll be fine.

Only two days in Prague, so sad. Castle Hill and St Vitus Cathedral; the stained glass windows by Mucha just blew me away.

Well Thank you unclegus.

I have a six month old map and directory of Prague and is says

"The Prague tram system is extensive ,efficient and very cheap."
The 22 and 23 go to Prague Castle, National Theatre and Strahov Monastery."
"The 17 trams runs along the river."

I spent a week in Prague last June/July.

I walked every where, others took the Metro and Tram.

Thanks for telling me !

BigRuss:

I am sure there are ("bad") places inPrague but as John Q tourist I never ( and did not want to ) see any of them.:)

I did go to the Vysehrad Castle/ Cemetery complex with the steeples of the Basilica of Sts.Peter and Paul towering over the complex.

On my way to the Airport on my final day,I left earlier so the driver could take me (for photos) to Brenov Monastery, and the Memorial to WWI and WII ( across the street from the Monastery... then

I wanted to take pictures also at White Mountain Hunting Lodge.
Since the Battle of White Mountain played such an important role in Czech history

They are all on the way to the airport (almost).

Thanks for keeping me on my toes !!:)

Sheeyoot, Percy - there's a thriving sex trade and Prague is (in)famous for auto thievery, which is why rental agencies proscribe taking their cars there.

That said, it's a great place to visit.

Sex Trade...Now you tell me :)

Hi Percy,
I used your great info when planning Costa Rica, I will use this now (printed the entire post, thank you all) for planning Prague. What a wealth of info...

Hi xyz99:

Glad we could all help, have a greast time in Prague.

It really is quite the place.

If you have more question...just ask us.

<<you can ask what color metro takes you to Prague castle the answer is none>>

You can actually take the metro to Hradcanska and walk down the hill to the castle, I've done it. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to tourists with only 2 days in Prague though :)

Thank you, Percy for that detailed walking itinerary. Like xyz99, I have printed this post in its entirety, for our upcoming visit to Prague this summer. Appreciate you taking time to post it.>:D<

I do agree with Adrienne that you haven't stated your interest, and about the best sight seeing here are few ones like Prague castle, Astronomical Clock, Wenceslas square, Patrin Hill, The Naional Museum.

You have received so much good advice above but one thing that IMO is a must was left out. On the Charles Bridge you will see stairs going down to the Island below. That is Kampa Island. After a day of running around take the stairs to the Island around dusk and you will be in the Island's square. Walk through its square to the park that is directly ahead. Sit on one of the benches along the river, relax and watch old town light up across the river before your eyes - it is beautiful. If you want to have dinner on the island we like the restaurant at #14 (or is it 15) on the square. Order the strudel for dessert.

I am very pleased that Percy has become such an expert on a city as large and diverse as Prague after a weeks visit I really think everyone should listen.
I have only been travelling to Prague for 20 years usually twice but often 3 times a year spending around 15-20 days a year in the city, My most recent map is just over a year old and it does not have the no23 tram on it ,and as any traveller knows directories are out of date as soon as they are printed.I was last in the city for 5 days at the end of October , I have several friends there and I use the public transport extensivly to all parts of the city.
I am sorry that I seem to have upset Percy so much ,but I would rather do that than have visitors trying to get to places by means and by trams that just do not exsist.
I will be back in Prague on the 25th may to visit the Czech beer festival staying in the Dejvicka area,you can get both trams and metros there.
BTW I have walked from Hradcanska metro to the castle area,well to the Klasterini Pivovary for a beer with some friends,I would not recommend this for folk new to the city.

sorry in my last reply i should say that like Gwan I would not reccommend it to folk new to the city.

unclegus

You certainly have not upset me in the least.

I never claimed to be an expert on Prague.

You are more of the expert that I ever will be.

I have no idea why Prague would give out a map and directory and a pamphlet ,all listing that the 23 Tram goes where I said it was going.

I visited Prague for a full week last year.

Let me tell you when you are touring from 8AM to 10 PM for a week in Prague, you will admit ,you can see a lot of places.

I did my homework very well before I went and knew where 95 % of the places were.

It is not that I was there for a week ....but rather I studied where all the places were for months.

I have not visited Prague as often as you have (I wish I could).

I tried to help the Poster ,hummerhaven ,as best as I could from what I know about Prague.

I do not think that I mentioned anything , that I did not see or do, or anything untrue ( intentionally).
I never took Tram 23.

I walked everywhere 90% of the time.

If you read my very last sentence on my first posting it read:

"I have left so much out,but this should help a little and other will give you (better) ideas."

Well ,one of those others is you.

I never mentioned walking up Petrin Hill and Climbing the Petrin Tower for those fantastic view of Prague.

Not because Petrin Hill and Park is not important ,but you cannot mention everything in Prague.

Nor did I mention walking over the Legions Bridge or the Manes Bridge...there is so much to see in a lovely city like Prague.

I did the complete Jewish Quarter but I did not mention it ,

basingstoke2:

Very good idea, your are correct ,in your direction to reach Kampa Island and it is a lovely place.

I am glad you mentioned it because most people do not get all the Charles Bridge halfway down... to go to Kampa Island.

Ahhh!I should have had the Apple Strudel. :)

So unclegus:

If you say Tram 23 does not run,and you are there 3 times a year.....then I accept your statement that it does not run.

Next time you are there mention it to the tourist bureau. :)

Percy; unclegus is one of the experts on Prague. However, in your week visit, you have done a lovely service for the poster in what you have experienced. Good job. P.S. We have been to Prague three times and could not express what you have on your visit. But we could never hope to supply the vast information that 'unclegus' has given to tourists. Best to All.

Thank You iris1745

I have not read anything by unclegus and that is perhaps because I do not come to the Europe Forum that often.

I am usually in the Mexico, Costa Rica , Cruise and the Africa Forum.

I am sure unclegus is a wealth of information on Prague.

Too bad I did not come across any of his postings when I was doing all my research on Prague.

Wow !! Three times to Prague..lucky you:)

:) Lots of good advice in this thread. For current tram, metro, bus routes, check out www.dpp.cz They do have an English translation.

As far as bad parts of Prague, I haven´t run into any that I would be afraid in. The personal safety level is high here and the car theft rate is no different than many other cities in Central Europe. Just do not leave anythin visible in the car and you should be fine.

My must see sites would include wanderin through Malostranska, walking up to the Castle district, wandering through the Old Town which should include a walking tour. The Jewish quarter is a must see, Petrin Hill is a nice break from the rush of the city (but smack int he center of it). Try to see a concert while you are here. Indulge in some excellent Czech pivo. :)

bookmarking for later -- thanks

Percy; [or anyone] Just click on 'unclegus' and read on.

Thanks, everybody. Your responses give us a lot to consider. We're lucky to hear from so many experienced travelers. You make me even more eager to get to Prague -- and even more wishful that our tour package permitted more time there.

Prague Six is full of interesting upscale areas.The functionalist Muller Villa and the hilltop neighborhood of Baba reflect the modern design of pre -war Czechoslovakia. You do NOT have to stay in Prague One! Walkable Vinorady is full of art nouveau architecture from the days of the Austro -Hungarian Empire. You can also take the metro to the North side of the river to the Holosovice District. There is the art nouveau Vytaviste Expo Center and the Veletrzni Palac (Trade Palace). The latter is a magnificent pre war functionalist building that houses 20th century Czech art!(from the Cubists through the modernists, the Communists to folk art of the day) Wonderful and very Czech. I also recommend the Anesky Kloster (St Agnes cloister) for its wonderful medieval Bohemian ecclesiastical art collection.Finally I highly recommend the green certified hotel and adjacent restaurant on the grounds of the Brevnov Monastery. Directly accessible by Tram 22. Four stops or so past the Castle Gate stop.

EastBerlin:

There is nothing wrong with what you said and the places you mentioned.

But hummerhaven is coming off a Danube River Cruise and has only two days in Prague.

She could extend her days in Prague but then it would counteract to the good price she said she got on her Tour.

That is why I thought that being in Prague 1 area might be better , due to her time constraints !

(PS I stopped off at the Brevnov Monastery on my way to the airport)

I wasn't the OP, but thanks for all the info

We will be in Prague in May

Wow, Prague in two days? Already my feet are tired. Yes, this is a charming city where walking is recommended. You can rely on public transportation when needed. Info from Percy as corrected by unclegus seems good enough. Of course must-sees will be Old Town Square with Tyn Church, Charles Bridge with statues, the magnificent Castle, and I indeed would include if time that small Mucha museum, also Jewish quarter.

And just don't look like tourists, okay? You know, looking up and gawking. I do think in cities like Prague, Budapest, Athens and such you must be on your guard.

Bill in Boston (and older than you)

I think one of the problems in giving information is that we never really know what a person may like or more so...

what their walking capabilities are.

They are in a group of six.! Will they all be together in one group always ( !?)

If so you move slower in a group, chat more, discuss more, all of which is good...BUT ,you only have 2 days !

Prague is a walking city ,if you can walk, AND if you know where the major places are, then you can see a lot in your 2days...the major places that have been mentioned here for sure.

And don't think you cannot get lost !:)

There was only two of us , my friend got lost the minute we left our hotel and got to the Old Town Square .

He paniced when he momentarily lost me in the crowd..

Several times he just sat down and had a beer and let me go alone for a few hours.!

The Mucha Museum is nice ,however if you only have 2 days , then walking up one side and down the other on Wenceslas Square admiring all the lovely buildings may be better.

The Mucha Museum is only a block off Wenceslas Square by the Henry Church and Henry Tower.

The trouble with Museum ( at least for me ) is that as great as many are, they consume a lot of time.

I was in Vienna for a full week and when I started visiting Museum ,I wished I had another week.:)

Are you really older than me Bill :)

I'm no expert on any destination, not even my own home town!

But,

Here's something that I enjoyed a lot in Prague because it was one of those unexpected hidden gems that one stumbles upon by accident.

http://www.european-city-parks.com/p...jnska-zahrada/

I believe that the way to get in is, if you emerge from the Malostranska metro stop, turn to the right (like it's a dead end street) and there's that wooden door...


I also agree with SloJan that if at all possible, attend a musical event in Prague Castle. We attended a concert in the Spanish Hall, an absolutely magnificent room.


Oh, and don't forget to rub the statute of St John Nepomuk on the Charles Bridge for good luck!

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travelbl...?destId=358835

Percy, yes I am older than you! :- ( And have slowed down in walking. Newly relocated from Missouri to Boston area (hence mixed up posting ID). Added thought: we did enjoy a concert in a church...might take time for an evening performance.

Bill in Boston

Dick ,depending when In May you are visiting this may be of interest to you or indeed anyone visting in the later part of May.
http://www.ceskypivnifestival.cz/en/...festival.shtml
This Beer festival is great fun I will be there from the 25th may ,then away to Brno for a few days before returning for the last few days of the festival.
is not just beer but thats the main theme, great food , live music and pretty girls and boys to serve you, fine for a few evenings entertainment and easy to get to from anywhere in the city.