Prague is beautiful. From the spires that dominate its skyline, to the art and architecture left behind by centuries of classical composers and Bohemian kings, this Baroque city is best explored on foot, on the cobblestone lanes that define it, stopping for a break in the many courtyards.
All the main sightseeing spots sit on either side of River Vltava. On the left side is the Prague Castle, a complex of medieval buildings with Baroque churches and a royal palace on the top of the hill. The Prague Castle is the largest medieval castle complex in Europe and the ancient seat of Czech kings throughout the ages. Today, it is the seat of the President of the Czech RepublicIt is Prague’s premier tourist attraction.
Charles Bridge is a 14th century stone bridge linking the two sides of Prague. The open air gallery of beautiful statues which adorn the bridge walls make a stroll here more than worthwhile. The Vltava river flows beneath it and the enchanting towers of Prague Castle are visible from here.
On the right of the River Vltava are the Old Town, New Town and the Jewish quarter, popular for its medieval synagogues and cemetery.
The Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Hall is the oldest such working clock in the world. Every hour between 9 am and 9 pm, as the minute passes 12, windows open and little wooden saints and 12 apostles emerge to enact a short play about medieval morality, featuring greed, pleasure, death and vanity. This little distraction aside, the clock also shows the movement of the sun and the moon through the zodiac, and gives us the time in three formats (Central European, Old Czech and Babylonian)
Catch a performance at the grand Estates Theatre, where Mozart premiered Don Giovanni in 1787
If you're looking for small shops selling handmade souvenirs, explore the Lesser Town (Mala Strana) and the Old Town Square. These places are also good for buying some of Prague's most famous bric-a-brac, glass and crystal; garnets and amber; and marionettes.
Prague is famous for its Bohemian beers and beer gardens. The best place to experience these is in Zizkov, rumored to have the most number of pubs per capita n any city in Europe.
The building appropriately named the “Dancing House” is quite a rarity in Prague. Most buildings in Prague are standard or centuries old. However, the Dancing House is a magnificent display of modern architecture! It’s daring, curvy outlines landed the glass building its name. At the top of the building, visitors can dine at one of the finest restaurants in Prague, Celeste Restaurant.
