Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   Europe (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/)
-   -   What is your favorite thing(s) to do in Prague? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/what-is-your-favorite-thing-s-to-do-in-prague-1037129/)

tenthumbs Feb 11th, 2015 11:50 AM

What is your favorite thing(s) to do in Prague?
 
Is it sitting in a cafe people watching? Visiting a particular park or museum? Watching the sunset from a particular location? I'm not searching for specific information, I just like to hear about things or places people have enjoyed during their trip in order to give me a few ideas about my upcoming trip.

maitaitom Feb 11th, 2015 12:02 PM

If I returned to Prague, the first thing I would do (if it was a nice day) is walk up to the Bellavista restaurant, plant myself at an outside table with a gorgeous view, and order a dark Urquell pivo on tap.

((H))

Andrew Feb 11th, 2015 01:28 PM

Walking across the Charles Bridge at daybreak, before it's mobbed with tourists.

Prague is a wonderful, compact walking city as long as you can dodge the crowds. During the day, the walk from Mala Strana across the Charles Bridge into Old Town is very busy. Otherwise, if you stay off of that route, walking is much more fun.

nyse Feb 11th, 2015 02:07 PM

My favorite spot was the Astronomical Clock - never tired of it.
Also the Charles Bridge, as Andrew mentioned.

If you like, read up a bit on the Velvet Revolution. Who thought keys could make so powerful a statement?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvet_Revolution

Sassafrass Feb 11th, 2015 02:28 PM

Maitaitom,
Glad you made that rec. I seek out some of your recs when we travel. This one goes on my list.
When sitting at the Buza Bar in Dubrovnik, DH and I made a toast to you.

greg Feb 11th, 2015 02:36 PM

Walking across the Charles Bridge at daybreak... may not be mobbed by tourists, but mobbed by photographers with tripods trying to capture the sunrise above Charles Bridge.

Eating Trdelnik after playing telescope with it.

DebitNM Feb 11th, 2015 02:54 PM

We did a great walking tour using Rick Steves audio guide and it was great.

While it may seem a bit maudlin, we went to the Jewish Cemetery and the surrounding building - it was very moving.

DebitNM Feb 11th, 2015 02:56 PM

http://www.prague.net/itineraries-in-prague

iris1745 Feb 11th, 2015 03:40 PM

[The surrounding building] On our trips to Prague, the first in the mid to early 90's, seeing the names of Jews being inscribed on the walls within the building.

Then perhaps 10 years later, maybe longer, seeing all the names of Jews inscribed on the walls, 80 thousand or more, that were sent to the death camps.

It was indeed very moving.

And yes, the clock, the bridge, the old time square, the castle, the lane, all very beautiful.

DebitNM Feb 11th, 2015 03:42 PM

I should have said the surrounding buildingS;there are a few.

Andrew Feb 11th, 2015 03:46 PM

You're right, greg! On my last visit to Prague in 2012, we had a gorgeous orange sky at daybreak one morning and there were a number of photographers out trying to catch it, but I wouldn't call it "mobbed:"

http://portlandbridges.com/01,M25D0I...-republic.html

On a previous visit in 2005, I also got up early to check out the bridge - because I was jetlagged - and it was overcast. I was about the only person on the bridge at daybreak.

I recommend climbing the tower (whatever it's called) above the astronomical clock - partly by elevator as I recall. Great views from up there - right before dusk was great.

DebitNM Feb 11th, 2015 03:55 PM

I found that the buildings lit up at night were even more spellbinding that during the day.

carolyn Feb 11th, 2015 04:01 PM

We had dinner at a restaurant beneath the Charles Bridge that was very pleasant. I don't remember the name--there are several along the river.

We enjoyed walking around Old Town and eating gelato, and we very much enjoyed a walking tour with a local guide.

We went on a day trip to Cesky Krumlov, and that was lovely, too.

iris1745 Feb 11th, 2015 04:20 PM

We didn't climb the tower that Andrew mentioned, but one tower at the beginning of the Charles Bridge can be climbed.

Great view.

maitaitom Feb 11th, 2015 04:43 PM

Hi sassafrass, scroll down to Day 2 and there are a couple of photos taken from the Bellavista.

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/chap...e-death-march/

((H))

tenthumbs Feb 11th, 2015 04:44 PM

Those pictures were stunning, Andrew, thank you for sharing. All of these things sound lovely.......... :)

iris1745 Feb 11th, 2015 05:09 PM

Debit, you may have seen pebbles on the grave stones in the Jewish cemetery. It's in honor of a persons memory.

It touched me so much, that in my Japanese garden where I used much large stone,

iris1745 Feb 11th, 2015 05:10 PM

cont; I started putting small pebbles on top of the stone.

Many people visiting the garden commented on the practice.

kja Feb 11th, 2015 05:14 PM

Walking around -- its a GREAT walking city IMO, and every step seemed to me to offer yet another wonderful view, whether the river or the architecture or whatever. Enjoy!

nytraveler Feb 11th, 2015 05:19 PM

We did a fantastic architectural tour of the old town - led by a university student - explaining the organic growth through the centuries (not found in many major cities in europe due to WWII bomb damage). We got it at City Hall, it was practically free and since there were only 7 of us we really got a lot of useful information.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:12 PM.