Visit Prague: What to See & Do for Tourists
Charles Bridge at Sunrise
Many say Prague is the most beautiful city in Eastern Europe and many of them would be right. Whether it is the allure of a sunrise alone on Charles Bridge, Hiking through the Golden Lane at Prague Castle, or watching the astronomical clock chime away in the old town square Prague has so many sites to see and all in an amazingly beautiful way.
Split by the Vlatava River Prague is divided into five basic tourist areas. The Old Town, The Small Quarter, The Jewish Quarter, The Castle District and The New Town. Each has their own treats and delights to keep you busy and take your money.
Old town square video at night
First we have the Stare Mesto, the Old Town. You will see it on the post cards at the unbelievably dark train station and believe me you will be buying one of those same cards to write to your friends about your time in Prague. The old town square is graced with many sites two churches the Tyn Church (the really cool looking one with the funky pointy spires from the middle 1300’s. Then you will notice another more austere church on an opposite corner. That is St. Nicholas’ another place to stop in and say a prayer for your liver (I will get into that later). Then on the square you have a memorial to Jan Hus who was a religious reformer who crossed the church a bit too much and was put to death.
Old Town Square
Then you will see the funny looking clock with the skeleton. That is the astronomical clock that all the guide books talk about. Its worth checking out. It rings two or three times a day depending on the season. It tells you the time, the day, the season, star sign and maybe even the future (as we all die in the end so the skeleton is kind of the future). Anyway, it is quite a site to see, but make sure you watch your wallets as pickpockets work the area during the chiming.
Astronomical Clock Chiming in Prague
After enjoying the clock chime away take a stroll down to Charles Bridge. The Bridge is lined with saints, tourists and buskers. It is a beautiful site in town and should not be missed. I personally love walking to the bridge in the early morning and watching the sunrise all by myself as the bridge is virtually empty in the Morning.
Charles Bridge and the Story of the Faithful Monk
When you come across the bridge you enter the Small or Little Quarter which has some restaurants and bars and some nice shops for marionettes and other souvenirs. You also start here on your hike up to the Castle.
Prague Castle and Boat Tours
A castle has been gracing this hill since the 9th century and contains many amazing sites. Not to mention the view.
View from Prague Castle
You will notice a lot of older buildings that have been kept up rather well, that is because the castle complex is still being used today by government officials.
Front View of Prague Castle.
When you get inside Prague Castle the first thing you will note is St. Vitus Cathedral. Inside are the remains and relics of Czech royalty. For example good king Wenceslas (Christmas Song guy for those of you who do not recognize).
St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague
Around the back side of the castle you have a museum to visit as well as another church. The Basilica of St. George.
Basilica of St. George.
And a bit farther you come to the “Golden Lane” which is now populated by tourist shops, so much so that you have to pay to even walk down the lane (a big no no in my book). But it does have some nice things to see and the street is quite quaint. (at least it was last time I was there and you did not have to pay to enter it).
Also while at the castle you may be lucky enough to see the changing of the guard. Though not as well known or draped in pomp and circumstance as the one in London, it still makes a poignant ceremony to see.
Now coming back down the hill you may wonder why you walked up this far when you see the Tram 22 rolling by. Tram 22 is basically a tourist tram for Prague. It goes by many famous sites including the castle and makes for an easy hop on hop off guide of the city. Though be careful with pickpockets.
Tram 22 and the National Theater.
Back on the non-castle side of the river just up from the old town square you have the old Jewish quarter.
Jewish Quarter of Prague.
The Jewish Museum has a combine ticket that lets you visit some synagogues and museums in the quarter. My personal favorites are the Old New Synagogue and the Jewish Cemetary.
Jewish Cemetery in Prague
And when you get to the river after walking through the Jewish quarter you may notice a large metronome on the hillside. That is where a large statue of Joseph Stalin used to stand. The metronome reminds us that no matter how bad a government is eventually it will fall to time.
The Metronome in Prague
Coming back to the train station part of town, we have the New Town. Here you have Wenceslas Square and the National Museum. The good king is a national hero and legend says that he will come back when the Czechs need him most.
Wenceslas Square and the National Museum
Of course in Prague there are many souvenirs you can take home to the family. Replica astronomical clocks, beer mugs, t-shirts. What I found the coolest were marionettes. Not the cheap crappy ones, but the handmade amazing ones you see in the Little Quarter.
Marionettes in Prague
And if you want to be a good little tourist, it always helps to know some basic words, so here are some basic Czech words and phrases you may use on your trip. Now Realize, I do not speak Czech and I got the words from our hotel concierge so let’s hope they help you as much as they helped me have a great stay in Prague.
Learn Czech: Basic Phrases
Hello – Dobry den. Hi – Ahoj. Goodbye – Na Shledanou. Yes – ano. No – Ne
Please/Thank you – prosim, Thank you – dekuji, I don’t understand – Nerozumim
How much? – Kolik? Where? – Kde? Station – Nadrazi, toilet – toalety
1 – jen, 2 – dva, 3 – tri
Other Helpful Websites
Wolters World Czech Republic & Slovakia Country Page - Travel Information & Tips from Wolters World
Wolters World Prague City Page - What to See, Do & Enjoy in the Czech Capital.
Wolters World Bratislava City Page - The Best & Worst of What Bratislava Has to Offer.
Wolters World Czech & Slovak Language Videos – Learn a Few Words to Be a Good Tourist.
www.slovakia.travel – Offical Website of the Slovakian Tourism Board
www.czechtourism.com – Official Travel Website for Visiting The Czech Republic
