What would you do with four days in Prague?
Jun 16th, 2008, 04:51 AM
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What would you do with four days in Prague?
Hi All,
I am hoping to travel to Prague the first week of December this year. I have never been there and am a solo female traveller. I believe the Christmas markets will be taking place, but other than that, what would you suggest? Budget is an issue, but I have some time to save up for a splurge or two. Any excursion? Any help is greatly appreciated.
I am hoping to travel to Prague the first week of December this year. I have never been there and am a solo female traveller. I believe the Christmas markets will be taking place, but other than that, what would you suggest? Budget is an issue, but I have some time to save up for a splurge or two. Any excursion? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Jun 16th, 2008, 05:20 AM
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I would certainly tour the castle and cathedral which can be done on foot and yes, I WOULD visit the astrological clock even though some say it is "too touristy."
Trams are one good way to get around and easy to use.
Trams are one good way to get around and easy to use.
Jun 16th, 2008, 05:27 AM
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Definately see the Castle, Royal Gardens, St. Vitus, and the surrounding area. Don't miss the Church of St. Nicholas. Also, make time for the Strahov Monastery and Library while on that side of the river. Church of Our Lady Victorious with the Holy Child of Prague is also near here. You might need two days for the above - one if you start very early and have unusual stamina.
If you like classical music, you'll be in heaven. See a concert of your choosing at one of the better known venues. You might also like the Mozrt Museum, Smetna Museum, or the Dvorák Museum. There is an abundance good jazz and rock to hear as well.
There is a museum didicated to the writer Franz Kafka.
Plan to walk the Charles Bridge at different times - it never gets old.
Visit the Old Jewish Cemetery and Old-New Synagogue one day. Then, spend some time reveling in the architecture of Old Town Square, taking in the Old Town Hall and the Astronomical Clock. People watch, have some Czech beer, and shop while in this neighborhood.
Some other ideas include Kinský Palace, a marrionette show, and the Museum of the City of Prague.
There are dozens of top-notch art museums as well covering a wide history, icluding Art Nouveau at the Alfons Mucha Museum, the National Gallery, Sternberský palác, and Veletrzní Palace.
Prague is a good walking city and also has handy subway and tram service. Explore the many squares, parks, etc.
<i>Any excursion?</i>
Not with a mere four days. But for a longer or second visit, there are many worthwhile ones.
If you like classical music, you'll be in heaven. See a concert of your choosing at one of the better known venues. You might also like the Mozrt Museum, Smetna Museum, or the Dvorák Museum. There is an abundance good jazz and rock to hear as well.
There is a museum didicated to the writer Franz Kafka.
Plan to walk the Charles Bridge at different times - it never gets old.
Visit the Old Jewish Cemetery and Old-New Synagogue one day. Then, spend some time reveling in the architecture of Old Town Square, taking in the Old Town Hall and the Astronomical Clock. People watch, have some Czech beer, and shop while in this neighborhood.
Some other ideas include Kinský Palace, a marrionette show, and the Museum of the City of Prague.
There are dozens of top-notch art museums as well covering a wide history, icluding Art Nouveau at the Alfons Mucha Museum, the National Gallery, Sternberský palác, and Veletrzní Palace.
Prague is a good walking city and also has handy subway and tram service. Explore the many squares, parks, etc.
<i>Any excursion?</i>
Not with a mere four days. But for a longer or second visit, there are many worthwhile ones.
Jun 16th, 2008, 07:19 AM
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I was in Prague for 5 nights in early December of 2007, elcon, and can specifically address the safety question (female, traveling alone).
I found Prague overall to be just fine from a safety point of view. The only part of town (that I visited) that struck me as a bit questionable was right around St. Wenceslas Square, where there are plenty of prostitutes and prospective clients (lots of hen and stag parties from the UK, it seemed). Touts for casinos and dodgy-looking clubs and so forth. But even that wasn't bad, and I met a tour group my first evening there (for a pub crawl, a good way to go out if you're alone---check out the group before you hand over your cash to make sure you're comfortable with the demographic).
I used trams and subways all over Prague without any problems. My hotel was a very nice one, the Eurostars David, which is located in Nove Mesto about a block from the riverfront. Quiet neighborhood, and the occasional male(s) I'd meet when out in the evening were never inappropriate (no "hey baby" at all).
Pickpockets are the usual issue in tourist-y areas, and the Christmas markets will be prime targets. The usual precautions apply. There was a nice market that a local friend told me about that I quite liked---I'll figure out the name of it (it was in front of a church) and post back. Upmarket locals rather than tourists, and busy but not mobbed.
I found Prague overall to be just fine from a safety point of view. The only part of town (that I visited) that struck me as a bit questionable was right around St. Wenceslas Square, where there are plenty of prostitutes and prospective clients (lots of hen and stag parties from the UK, it seemed). Touts for casinos and dodgy-looking clubs and so forth. But even that wasn't bad, and I met a tour group my first evening there (for a pub crawl, a good way to go out if you're alone---check out the group before you hand over your cash to make sure you're comfortable with the demographic).
I used trams and subways all over Prague without any problems. My hotel was a very nice one, the Eurostars David, which is located in Nove Mesto about a block from the riverfront. Quiet neighborhood, and the occasional male(s) I'd meet when out in the evening were never inappropriate (no "hey baby" at all).
Pickpockets are the usual issue in tourist-y areas, and the Christmas markets will be prime targets. The usual precautions apply. There was a nice market that a local friend told me about that I quite liked---I'll figure out the name of it (it was in front of a church) and post back. Upmarket locals rather than tourists, and busy but not mobbed.
Jun 16th, 2008, 07:20 AM
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Oh, and I meant to mention that "night" starts very early at that time of year in Prague: it gets dark in the afternoon, a bit disconcerting for somebody who lives much closer to the equator.
Jun 16th, 2008, 09:44 AM
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Figured out the name of the church where I liked the Christmas market the best: St. Ludmila. The square is Namesti Miru, and that's the name of the tram stop as well, I believe. I happened to be there on St. Nicholas, so it was especially cool to see all the little children (girls generally with angel wings attached, boys generally wearing little devil horns that lit up) in the market, and there was a service held in the church. That's where I spent my last evening in Prague.
The Christmas markets in Old Town were generally quite crowded.
The Christmas markets in Old Town were generally quite crowded.
Jun 16th, 2008, 10:15 AM
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I was in Prague during the Christmas 2007 for 4 nights. Here are the photos I took then. Mostly of the Old Town Square but also of Namesti Miru (Peace Square) with Ludmila Church (heard it was used for a Omen movie) and of Wenceslas Square. Miru's market was small, perhpas only 30 stands but I liked it, more local feel than the Old Town Square. Also Café Sahara facing the Miru square is a very nice place to stop by.
http://s139.photobucket.com/albums/q...20B/?start=all
Actually I'm hesitating between Prague and Venice for this year's Christmas.
http://s139.photobucket.com/albums/q...20B/?start=all
Actually I'm hesitating between Prague and Venice for this year's Christmas.
Jun 16th, 2008, 12:50 PM
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Lovely photos, kappa.
As for cabs, public transit is so good that there's not much need for a cab unless you really can't walk even a few blocks. The exception that a lot of people consider is to/from the airport, but even then the public transit in Prague is fine. There's public bus that links the airport with the train station, and I found it quick and easy to use as long as you've packed a bag that you can easily lift on your own.
As for cabs, public transit is so good that there's not much need for a cab unless you really can't walk even a few blocks. The exception that a lot of people consider is to/from the airport, but even then the public transit in Prague is fine. There's public bus that links the airport with the train station, and I found it quick and easy to use as long as you've packed a bag that you can easily lift on your own.
Jun 16th, 2008, 01:10 PM
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Things to do at night as a single female:
1. Join an organized pub crawl. I did this the first night I was there, in part to fend off jet lag. I hadn't arranged this ahead of time, just used the company that provided the map that my hotel had handed out when I checked in. I showed up at the arranged place and time (at the base of the horse in St. Wenceslas Square at 7:30, I think) and checked out the others on the tour. Two middle-aged English couples, two younger Finnish women (sisters, one of them pregnant but not showing; it was the lack of drinking that gave it away), a middle-aged American guy there on business, and me. And the tour guide, a local student in his 20s. The tour included a not great but not bad dinner + beer at a pub, and two additional beers at two more pubs. The tour was reasonably entertaining, and since the group was small and fairly agreeable the guide stayed out late and took us to a total of five places. Additional drinks were on your own tab, of course, but very inexpensive.
2. Ballet at the National Theatre. A friend picked up tickets for me in advance, and I saw Onegin. Excellent. Any event at the National Theatre would be great. There's a special Christmas concert that was sold out while I was there.
3. Ballet at Estates Theatre. I bought tickets at the theatre's box office which is right around the corner from the theatre.
4. Dinner out with my local friend. This was actually somebody I'd met on-line (not at Fodors), so we'd never met in person before this evening, but it was very nice. I travel solo quite a bit, and not infrequently meet people this way.
5. Christmas market at Namesti Miru, as mentioned above.
I ate virtually no meals out other than the ones I describe above, as I don't like eating in restaurants alone and it gives me the chance to cut a few calories.
1. Join an organized pub crawl. I did this the first night I was there, in part to fend off jet lag. I hadn't arranged this ahead of time, just used the company that provided the map that my hotel had handed out when I checked in. I showed up at the arranged place and time (at the base of the horse in St. Wenceslas Square at 7:30, I think) and checked out the others on the tour. Two middle-aged English couples, two younger Finnish women (sisters, one of them pregnant but not showing; it was the lack of drinking that gave it away), a middle-aged American guy there on business, and me. And the tour guide, a local student in his 20s. The tour included a not great but not bad dinner + beer at a pub, and two additional beers at two more pubs. The tour was reasonably entertaining, and since the group was small and fairly agreeable the guide stayed out late and took us to a total of five places. Additional drinks were on your own tab, of course, but very inexpensive.
2. Ballet at the National Theatre. A friend picked up tickets for me in advance, and I saw Onegin. Excellent. Any event at the National Theatre would be great. There's a special Christmas concert that was sold out while I was there.
3. Ballet at Estates Theatre. I bought tickets at the theatre's box office which is right around the corner from the theatre.
4. Dinner out with my local friend. This was actually somebody I'd met on-line (not at Fodors), so we'd never met in person before this evening, but it was very nice. I travel solo quite a bit, and not infrequently meet people this way.
5. Christmas market at Namesti Miru, as mentioned above.
I ate virtually no meals out other than the ones I describe above, as I don't like eating in restaurants alone and it gives me the chance to cut a few calories.
Jul 10th, 2008, 12:42 AM
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Hi,
I traveled all over the Eastern Europe in the last summer and was in Prague for 5 days. Itīs the great city with interesting places, galleries and museums. I booked room through www.a-prague.com. It seems to be interesting website full of cheap and interesting hotels in Prague. They have discount now so you can look at www.a-prague.com.
wish you a good stay!!!!
I traveled all over the Eastern Europe in the last summer and was in Prague for 5 days. Itīs the great city with interesting places, galleries and museums. I booked room through www.a-prague.com. It seems to be interesting website full of cheap and interesting hotels in Prague. They have discount now so you can look at www.a-prague.com.
wish you a good stay!!!!
