Unveiling the Majestic Beauty of Prague Castle: Best of 2024
Do you have the ideal getaway to the Czech Republic planned? Based on our own travel experiences, we will provide you with the greatest travel guidance, including recommendations for the most reasonably priced Prague hotels, eateries, boutiques, and airlines. Thank you for excellent trip guide!
Central Europe’s landlocked nation is the Czech Republic. Formerly known as Bohemia, it borders Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the southeast, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west. The land area of the Czech Republic, which is 78,871 square kilometers (30,452 sq mi), is hilly, and its temperature is generally temperate both on the continent and in the ocean. The largest and capital city of the nation is Prague; other significant cities and metropolitan areas include Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, and Liberec.
When to travel: The best time to visit Czech Republic is during spring (mid-March to mid May) and fall (September – mid November). This is when the crowds are just right, and the weather is consistently pleasant. The high season in Czech Republic is from June to August.
Language: The official language of the Czech Republic is Czech.
Currency: Czech Crowns . Euros are accepted in the places frequented by tourists
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=8 EUR, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=35 EUR
You can find more information about the visa here.
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Things to do
Castle of Prague
Prague Castle, which occupies an area of around seven hectares and is located on the Hradcany in Prague, Czech Republic, is the second-largest closed castle complex in the world. The castle complex has undergone major alterations since it was founded in the ninth century as a result of the work of numerous master builders who employed a variety of architectural styles as well as the passage of time. The Presidents of Czechoslovakia, the Kings of Bohemia, and two Holy Roman Emperors resided there. It now houses the Czech Republic’s president. Prague Castle’s central area is home to the Vitus Cathedral.
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John Lennon Wall
The John Lennon Wall is a wall of graffiti and street art located in Prague. It was painted in the 1980s and features phrases from John Lennon and The Beatles songs, love poems, and political statements from the 1960s. The wall is situated on Velkopřevorské náměstí in Prague’s Lesser Quarter and is owned by the Order of Malta. The graffiti has since been approved by the Order of Malta. Situated in a quiet, little area across from the French Embassy, the wall is covered in love poetry and brief messages written in opposition to the communist government and Russian occupation in the 1960s.
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Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge, which connects Prague’s Lesser Town to the left and Old Town to the right, is a historically significant bridge that was built in the fourteenth century over the Vltava River. It is among the oldest stone bridges in all of Europe and the oldest bridge spanning the Vltava River, which flows north. In 1870, the bridge was renamed in honor of Emperor Charles IV. It is acknowledged as a national cultural landmark as well as a civic emblem. The route of the Czech kings’ coronation was obstructed by the bridge.
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Old Town Square
The Old Town Square is a square that is in the center of Prague’s Old Town. The Old Town Hall, with its famous astronomical clock, the Rococo Golz-Kinsky Palace, the Gothic Tyn Church, and the Baroque Church of St. Nicholas are among the ancient buildings encircling Prague’s oldest and most important plaza. In the center lies a massive monument honoring Czech reformer Jan Hus. The Royal Route, the historic path taken for the crowning of the Bohemian kings, passes through the Old Town Square.
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Prague Astronomical Clock
Vitus Cathedral, the cathedral for the Prague Archdiocese, is the biggest building in the Czech Republic. It is located in Prague Castle. It was mostly built by the German master builder Peter Parler, starting in 1344, under the direction of Crown Prince Charles, who would later become Charles IV. The design was based on the style of the French royal cathedrals. Originally created by Matthias von Arras, a French architect. The cathedral served as the coronation church, and the Czech kings marched in a solemn procession from Prague’s Old Town along the Royal Route. The tombs of the Czech emperors are kept in the cathedral, as are the emblems of their coronation, which are preserved in the crown room. The Cathedral is part of Prague’s World Heritage Historical Center.
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Vitus Cathedral
Vitus Cathedral, the cathedral for the Prague Archdiocese, is the biggest building in the Czech Republic. It is located in Prague Castle. It was mostly built by the German master builder Peter Parler, starting in 1344, under the direction of Crown Prince Charles, who would later become Charles IV. The design was based on the style of the French royal cathedrals. Originally created by Matthias von Arras, a French architect. The cathedral served as the coronation church, and the Czech kings marched in a solemn procession from Prague’s Old Town along the Royal Route. The tombs of the Czech emperors are kept in the cathedral, as are the emblems of their coronation, which are preserved in the crown room. The Cathedral is part of Prague’s World Heritage Historical Center.
Vyšehrad has one of the most famous early medieval castle ramparts in all of Bohemia. Situated south of Prague’s New Town, it is perched on a hill that rises dramatically above the right bank of the Vltava River at the mouth of the Botič River. Built as the second Prague fortress of the Přemyslids in the tenth century, it saw numerous extensions throughout the Romanesque and Gothic periods. But the main factor influencing its current appearance is the conversion to a baroque fortification. Within the castle are the St. Peter and Paul Basilica and the Vyšehrad Cemetery, which is the resting place of numerous statesmen, scientists, and artists.
The National Museum in Prague is the best museum in the Czech Republic for natural and cultural history. It has many collections, exhibition spaces, and historically significant buildings. The main Wenceslas Square building houses an archaeological-historical department covering the prehistory and early history of the present state region, as well as departments dedicated to anthropology, zoology, and mineralogy.
Located on Republic Square in Prague, the 65-meter-tall Prague Powder Tower is a gate tower. It was constructed in the fifteenth century as a component of the previous royal court’s defenses. It has a colossal, historically noteworthy entrance gate to Prague’s Old Town and is a representative example of a late Gothic decorative work in Bohemia. Gunpowder was kept inside the tower until the end of the 17th century, which gave rise to the tower’s name. The Zeltnergasse, the first segment of the historic Royal Route that connects Prague Castle with the former royal court, starts at the tower.
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The Dancing House
The office building in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, was named The Dancing House when it was constructed in 1996. Together with Canadian architect Frank Gehry, the Czech architect Vlado Milunić, who was born in Zagreb, produced the construction ideas. Located right on the Vltava River, it houses offices for numerous businesses, most of them are multinationals.
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Clementinum
Prague’s Clementinum was a Jesuit college. The large baroque structure is situated in the old town right on the Charles Bridge. It now houses a number of research institutes as well as the Czech National Library. Since November 15, 1995, the building complex has been recognized as a national cultural monument of the Czech Republic.
The State Opera has a fascinating history, which has garnered significant interest from most Czech media outlets since its renovation and public reopening on January 5. The German community in Prague constructed a new theater in the late 1880s in response to the Czech National Theatre’s recent construction. They also needed a larger space because the German Estates Theatre, which was established a century earlier, could no longer accommodate the theater’s expanding staging needs.
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Old Town Bridge
Prague’s Old Town Bridge Tower is a Gothic gate tower from the fourteenth century. It is located at the Charles Bridge’s east end.
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Church of St. Nicholas
In the center of Prague’s Lesser Town Square, the former Jesuit college and the Church of St. Nicholas are situated in the Czech capital. One of the most significant baroque church structures in all of Europe is the imposing structure.
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Rudolfinum
Situated in Prague’s Old Town on the right bank of the Vltava River, the Rudolfinum is a performance and gallery building designed in the Neo-Renaissance style. The Czech Philharmonic, which has its main office here, owns the building.
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Old Town Hall
Situated near the southwest corner of Prague’s Old Town Square stands the Old Town Hall.
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Jerusalem Synagogue
There is a synagogue in Prague’s New Town called the Jerusalem Synagogue. It may be found at 7 Jerusalemer Straße.
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Where to stay
Where to eat
Traditional dishes to try in Czech Republic
Vepřo Knedlo Zelo: Sauerkraut, pork, and dumplings Traditional Czech tomato sauce, rajská omáčka, is typically served with meat. Smažený Řízek – Potato Salad with Schnitzel Czech Garlic Soup – GulášČesnečka
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Svíčková na Smetaně: Sour Cream Sauced Roast Sirloin with Dumplings Moravá omáčka, dill-creamy sauce Pečená Kachna se Zelím – Duck Roast served with Dumplings and Sauerkraut Kulajda: Potato, Dill, and Mushroom Soup Pork knee, or vepřové koleno
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Customary sweets: Kynuté Knedlíky S Ovocem – Dumplings with Fruit The Bread Pudding, Žemlovka A piece of fruit, like prunes or apricots, is wrapped in a ring of sweet, puffed dough to make koláče. Trdelník is a pastry made of baked or grilled dough.
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Restaurants
U Pivrnce – The menu offers classic Prague fare such spiced veal stew or goulash, along with the house specialty, Pilsen beer. You should definitely taste their black beer. Koubkova – This eatery is situated on Londynska Street, one of the city’s busiest tourist destinations. They offer more than just lunch and dinner; they are open early in the morning to provide delicious buffet breakfasts. The fact that it is a self-service restaurant should be one consideration. At the counter, you select your meal and pay based on the weight of it.
U Matejicku has a selection of homemade Czech cuisine like schnitzel and their amazing sausages, all of which go well with craft beer. In addition, the personnel is incredibly kind and accommodating, always willing to assist with any inquiries you might have. One of the greatest places to eat meat dishes in Prague Old Town is Krcma, which serves roasted duck, sausages, hog, and grilled rib eye.
If you want to eat traditional Czech food in Prague, U Parlamentu is one of the greatest places to go. Since its opening in the late 1800s, the stunning Neo-Renaissance cafe has been known as Cafe Savoy. It’s frequently mentioned as one of the greatest places to eat breakfast in Prague. All the same, a lot of people visit for their pastries—the vetrnik in particular. Try the deer and dumplings with bread sauce and cranberries at Vinohradský Pivovar; they’re truly exceptional dishes.
Saving Tips
U Parlamentu is one of the best locations to go in Prague if you want to enjoy authentic Czech cuisine. Cafe Savoy is the name given to the magnificent Neo-Renaissance cafe that opened its doors in the late 1800s. It’s widely regarded as one of the best spots in Prague for breakfast. Still, a lot of people come here for the pastries, especially the vetrnik. At Vinohradský Pivovar, try the deer and dumplings with bread sauce and cranberries; these are really great dishes.
Tipping is not too complicated in Prague. If you got good service, just put ten percent on your invoice. Take public transportation rather than a cab. Steer clear of costly sushi and Italian restaurants located near the city center. Steer clear of every minimarket in the historical district. Some eateries charge an additional cost for certain basic services, especially in highly touristed regions (such as the vicinity of Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square). Ti
If you choose not to go by car and would like further information on tours, things to see, and things to do, we suggest these two firms. They offer tours for any kind of activity you can think of, and you can purchase trips from them for a lot less money than you would if you were to buy them when you get there. Being able to save some money is always beneficial! The greatest things to do in the area are Viator and Get Your Guide!
Shopping
Wolfgang: The Finest Clothes Shop El Nino Snow and Skate Shop: Look Around for Cool Sports Gear Havelska Market: Gourmet: Discover Specialty Food Products Parizska Street – Avenue of Fashion Kotva Department Store: A Compact Retail Center Na Prikope: upscale shopping centers along a pedestrianized promenade Cerna Ruze: The Pride of Prague’s Old Town
Prague’s Narodni neighborhood is a hive of mid-range retail establishments. Visit Farmer’s Markets to Purchase Fresh Produce Westfield Chodov is a contemporary mall. Mint Design Market: Examine A Selection Hand-Selected Pragtique: The Finest Selection Of Keepsakes Fashion Arena Prague Outlet is a branded shopping center with a variety of popular categories. A Few Adorable Toys at the Rocking Horse Toy Store Smíchov Nový Shopping Center family-friendly shopping center SmetanaQ Showroom & Deelive Designs: Intelligent Products Bohemian Retro: Vintage Assortment
Getting Around
Via Train There are two types of trains in the Czech Republic: osobní trains go at an average speed of 30 km/h and stop at every minor station, whilst rychlík (R) or spěšný (Sp) trains are quicker and only stop at big towns. Fast trains are further subdivided into EuroCity, InterCity, and SuperCity, which are first-class only. Prior to departure or on the day of departure, tickets can be purchased at the station. ČD offers affordable sleepers to several nearby nations; reservations are recommended in advance. In the Czech Republic, passes for Eurail and InterRail are accepted.
Regional buses, which are mostly operated by the state bus operator, travel to most locations. On well-traveled intercity routes, private firms offer an option. Bus stations are typically located next to rail stations; some have ticket offices, but the drivers will typically sell you tickets.
You may take boats, buses, metro, trams, and even cable cars in Prague. There is also a thorough public transit network in Brno, Ostrava, Pilsen, Liberec, and other cities.
In order to utilize Prague’s public transportation, you must purchase a ticket. You can select from the following options: Adults pay CZK 40 (EUR 1.50; USD 1.8) for the base rate. A one-day ticket costs CZK 120 (EUR 4,6; USD 5,5), which is convenient if you are visiting Prague for a single day. If you are planning to remain for the weekend, a three-day ticket costs CZK 330 (EUR 12,7; USD 15).
Getting Here
One of Europe’s primary transit hubs is the Czech Republic. The international airport in Prague-Ruzyně, formerly known as Václav Havel Airport Prague, is the biggest and most important airport in the country. Direct flights are available to Prague’s Ruzyně Airport, located 10km northwest of the city, from over a dozen airports in the UK, key cities in Europe, and New York JFK. Brno is served by numerous international lines, and there are a few weekly flights to and from Karlovy Vary.
Direct rail connections are available from many major European cities, such as Bratislava, Berlin, Vienna, and Budapest, to Prague. From Western Europe, the easiest ways to go to the Czech Republic are through Berlin, Cologne, Nuremberg, Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna or Zurich. Both Student Agency and Eurolines provide reliable international bus services to and from the Czech Republic, including stops in Prague and other Czech cities. Prague, Brno, Olomouc, and other significant cities are served by tourbus.