If you are French, I recommend taking the 2 tours our guide Rezki organizes. He brings you to all the main places, he is super nice, gives you great explanations, and also brings you to hidden gems! Here is his number and email: +420 775 271 472 and rezkitours@yahoo.fr. You could also ask him for the contact of his colleagues in other languages. It is really worth it.
WHEN?
I would recommend going during spring (and summer but then it is getting hot and crowded) or during Christmas time for the Christmas market! This year I went the second week of May and the weather was perfect.
Access from the airport: There is a free shuttle until the metro and then the metro (40CKZ) takes you wherever you want. super easy and cheap!
WHAT TO PACK:
I do not have specific recommendations for that trip, apart from good shoes because you will walk a lot!
WHAT TO DO:
In general, there are tens of concerts in Prague every single day, check the venues and options online.
The “black light theatres” are super famous in Prague, you can buy tickets in many spots. WOW is a famous one.
Prague is known for its cubist architecture
Here is some info I saved:
EAST BANK:
North:
National Gallery Prague - Convent of St. Agnes: impressive roof/architecture
All the Jewish districts with the Old-New Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Spanish Synagogue, the Statue of Franz Kafka
If you want to visit it all there is a special ticket you can buy, ask at the
Parizska Street: The Champs Elysée of Praha
Central:
Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock (maybe the most famous thing here with Charles bridge). You can go to the tower and join a tour of the clock. You can also go with the same ticket to The West House. It’s 250 Czech Koruna usually but between 9 and 10 am it’s 125 Czech Koruna!
Just around: St Nicholas’ Church and Church of Our Lady before Týn
Havelské tržiště: Urban market since 1232 with stalls selling local fruits & vegetables, plus art, crafts & souvenirs.
U Zlatého tygra: a famous bar where Václav Havel brought Bill Clinton
East:
South / New town:
Wenceslas Square with the view on the Národní muzeum
Kino Lucerna and the reversed horse statue
The Cubist lamp post: it is the oldest one in the world!
Palác Adria, just check the facade for the cubist architecture
South / Along the river:
Staroměstská square with all the monuments around
Old Town Bridge Tower. You can go to the top.
Bedrich Smetana Museum, just for the view
National Theatre for the exterior
You have beautiful and typical houses all along the river
Every Saturday there is a Farmer’s market!
The all Vyšehrad complex. worth it!
Hidden gems:
The book “tunnel” in the Municipal Library of Prague, right at the entrance
Inside the New City Hall, at the very back, you have the old-style elevators!! So fun
The library in the Klementinum
So many statues all around: the Statue of Franz Kafka, World of Franz Kaftka, the Sigmund Freud hanging statue
Kino Lucerna and the reversed horse statue
The Cubist lamp post: it is the oldest one in the world!
Every Saturday there is a Farmer’s market along the river!
You can take a beer bath!
U Zlatého tygra: famous bar where Václav Havel brought Bill cLinton
I did not take the time to go but if you are interested:
If you like modern art, the Central Gallery (check what is the exhibition) and Museum Kampa
Dva kohouti: a brewery
You can take beer baths!
IN BETWEEN:
Join a cruise on the river! Book your cruise beforehand to ensure a ticket: Prague Cruises. You can have all kinds of drinks on the boat and bring your food so it’s a great option for “apero” and sunset
Charles Bridge: one of the most famous places in Praha
Rent pedal boats and cruise the river!
Manes bridge: great view on Charles bridge
Chill on the 2 main islands on the river. Perfect spots for a picnic or a nap!
WEST BANK:
I would recommend starting at the Strahov Monastery and then walking all the way down to the Castle and the river.
The Strahov Monastery: Pay to see the libraries, it is impressive!
View of Entire Old Town: panoramic viewpoint
Prague Castle (free) with the St. Vitus Cathedral (free) and the Golden Lane (free after 5 pm from April to October and after 4 pm the rest of the year. I would calculate my visit to arrive right when it gets free). You can see “changing the guard” in front of the castle every hour but the most famous one is at midday. You can also walk in the gardens of the Castle for free.
St. Nicholas Church and the Church of Our Lady Victorious and The Infant Jesus of Prague. The latest is super famous in the catholic world because the Infant Jesus of Prague is an icon.
Lennon Wall: iconic
Čertovka Water Wheel Bridge: cute canal viewpoint
Check the narrowest street of Prague. There is even a traffic light to regulate people!
The Kafka Museum to at least check the famous peeing status in the front
Waldstein Palace (Senate): open only on Saturdays, from April 1st to October 30th. Every Thursday there is a free concert.
The Waldstein Garden: a beautiful park and do not miss the Dripstone wall!
Hidden gems:
The dripstone wall: one of my favorite spots in Praha
The peeing status in front of the Kafka Museum
The crawling babies statues and the Statue Of Harmony
I did not take the time to go but if you are interested:
Petrin Tower: I would have loved to go to see the view. You can walk or take the funicular (it’s part of the Prague transportation system, you can use the same tickets for the funicular as you do for the trams and the metro.)
Letna Park with the Prague Metronome. They recommend watching the sunset there.
All the Holešovice district that seems to be the new up-and-coming spot
Divoká Šárka: A natural reserve located within the borders of Prague, with some of the best urban hiking imaginable. The park has a gorge, lots of hiking and biking trails, a public swimming pool, and a reservoir that also allows swimming. Easily accessible by public transportation, Divoká Šárka is a favorite among locals (and their dogs) and is home to wildlife, rare birds, and even mini waterfalls.
WHERE TO EAT?
EAST BANK:
First of all, you need to try the famous Trdelnik, a kind of a “chimney cake” or “rolled pastry”. You will see them everywhere and with different toppings. I would recommend one for two haha
Gouslash and dumplings are also super famous. I found really good vegan options here: Maitrea restaurace. I think it’s my favorite restaurant in Praha
Try local pastries at Ovocný Světozor. The most famous one is the “Medovnic gâteau”
Dhaba Beas is an Indian and vegetarian food chain. You will find several restaurants in Praha. It’s really good, cheap and super fast.
Palo Verde Bistro: my second favorite place in Praha. Great patio (call to book even) and great menu. Ideal for brunch
Marina ristorante: you pay for the view but I have to say it is gorgeous at sunset and for dinner. Good pizzas and risotto. When we were there “you could only pay by cash, they had an issue with the machine” but I think they always say this.
Cafe Restaurant Střelecky Ostrov: restaurant on the island in the middle of the river. Cute and chill vibe
Mistral Cafe: For breakfast and brunch!
Kavarna Trieste: terrace on the river and nice architecture
Cathedral Cafe: nice patio terrace
My Raw Cafe: for breakfast or “gouter”
TURQUOISE-Mediterranean kitchen: beautiful setup and a lot of options
Pastacaffé: for Bunch or lunch
Forky's Old Town: a bit of everything so at least everyone will find something they like!
VENUE: famous and trendy spot for brunch but you need to book or arrive early
Do NOT go to MeetBurger, it is really expensive for what it is and not really good.
For coffee:
Café Truhlárna: adorable terrace
In the Vyšehrad park, there is a cafe/terrace: Staré Purkrabství. Super chill vibe
WEST BANK:
Way fewer options on this side of the river, or a super touristic one, so I would say check where you will stop for food before going this side.
Velkopřevorský Mlýn: adorable terrace on a canal
PikNik Park: cure restaurant in the park
Café restaurant museum kampa: great view of the river
Restaurace Čertovka: typical food, ask for a table on the terrace
SV. Norbert: typical restaurant, no veggie options, but they make their own beer!
Cosmai Café: for a coffee/cake
WHERE TO SLEEP?
I always took accommodations close to Old Town Square because it is super central and practical. There are so many options in Praha, I leave it to you to choose the vibe you want. There are good metro/tram connections.
If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate marieceline.piednoir@gmail.com