I admit. I didn’t want to go to the Czech Republic at all!
Prague? Why go there when I could go to Spain, Iceland or even Austria?! My inner desire was non-existeeent! I was extremely doubtful of what Prague could offer me to be really honest with you.
But with a fellow travel junkie by my side (my sister of course), and the consistent prodding of family members who had been before and told me that I would be surprised…I wouldn’t regret it…bla la bla…I booked a short trip to test the waters.
Now, looking back…can’t believe I’m going to say this but…I wish I had stayed longer *hides face*
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As it turns out, Prague is a magical fairytale wonderland – WITHOUT exaggeration. It is such a vibrant, energetic, metropolitan city that encapsulates all of the best attributes of all of the best European cities, and SO MUCH MORE.
My 2 day trip to Prague was undoubtedly 100% better than I could have ever possibly imagined.
I don’t even know how to explain it. But Prague has this unforgettable essence. It is a timeless beauty. It is magnetic. With its auburn tiled rooftops, cobblestoned lanes, hidden pathways, centuries-old medieval buildings and architecture, outdoor cafés, the natural serenity of the Vltava River, and its secret hills, Prague is a time portal which transports you back to more historically enchanting times.
And I take it, if you’re reading this you also have the travel bug; and it’s itching for Prague.
So if you want some great ideas for the perfect way to spend 2 blissful summery days in Prague, then read on!
P.S. Before we dive in, don’t forget to grab your FREE “Globetrotter Girlie” Travel-Packing Checklist – a handy dandy tool to get you perfectly prepped for your next adventure!
Also, beware! Make sure you get comfy, grab a bag of popcorn or some chips, and your fave beverage to sip on, because this is LONG one! Hope you enjoy this account of my experiences in fairytale Prague, and that it inspires you to visit!
Below, you’ll read a very honest account of my travel experience there. I hope it inspires your future travel itinerary.
THE PERFECT TIME
So let me tell you, our stay in the summer, just before high season, was perfect. The sun was (uncomfortably) hot, perhaps the hottest we’d ever experienced in Europe; and whilst there were many tourists (Prague is an enormously popular tourist destination), it was not overwhelming. Personally, I believe that this is the best time to go if you can. Yes, June – September are its busiest months, but it’s also the time where you can have THE most fun without a jacket, boots or extra layers. Plus, as you know, I’m a tropical girl; I’m biased toward feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin.
However, the spring is also a great time to go if you enjoy perusing Easter markets happening in many of the squares. In April / May, winter would have officially gone bye-bye, so not only would you get to enjoy cooler, more comfortable outdoor temperatures, but the majority of tourists would not have arrived yet so you still get the joy of smaller crowds. WIN!
As in most European countries, winter equals cheaper flights and less crowds of course. Prague’s winters can be very cold, and extremely windy. Nevertheless, if you’re not afraid of the snow and freezing cold temperatures, and experiencing their Christmas Markets is on your bucketlist, then go for it! I heard it’s absolutely magical when covered in the snow. And I believe it.
But honestly, any time that suits your personality, budget, bucketlist goals, and idea of fun is the perfect time to go.
THE PERFECT ACCOMODATION
Sooo…we didn’t stay in the most perfect location. Our stay was at the Orea Hotel Pyramida. Overall, it’s a very good hotel, rated 4/5 on Tripadvisor.
But compared to our stays in Denmark and Holland, this hotel DID NOT have the X factor. In fact, it seemed a bit rundown to our naked eyes – in need of some paint, better outdoor maintenance, friendlier staff and better food for sure!
Let’s talk about it!
Cons
THE STAFF
The staff at reception were less friendly than the other parts of Europe we visited. Less smiling. Less pleasant. Less charm. More blunt and matter-of-fact. A tad bit distant or standoffish – almost as if they didn’t really want to help you but they knew they had to because it was their job. At first it caught me off guard and I wondered, “why do they behave like this at a hotel reception desk”?!
However, within 24h it soon dawned on me that the deep Russian influence that exists in the Czech Republic is ingrained in some of its people, which makes them seemingly less friendly or polite, and more harsh, blunt and straightforward than their Western Europe counterparts (Entry into Russia is a mere 6h drive away from Prague, plus after World War II Czechoslovakia had strong ties with the Soviet Union as it was also a Communist country).
THE FOOD
The free buffet-style breakfast they had every morning at the hotel’s ‘Restaurant NEBULA’ also made me very sick. This is going to be SO TMI but I’m going to share it anyway because we’re all friends here…don’t tell anyone but the first day I left the breakfast buffet with a terrible need to puke as soon as I got back to the hotel room. Talk about queasy! But I wasn’t sure why.
Eggs…pancakes…sausages…beans…bread…coffee with milk and sugar…all very normal breakfast items. But after thinking back to my consumption, I had a feeling it was the eggs that I ate considering they were still a bit “runny” and not as golden, crisp and well-done as I’m used to eating them.
So, as much as I wanted to just head out the door and start my day in this new city, energized by my breakfast, I just COULDN’T! I literally had to lay down till I felt better. Of course I had no medication for an upset stomach. So this took approximately 1h before my stomach settled and I was ready to face the day.
Fast-forward to the next morning, I was ready with my newfound diagnosis, to steer clear of those runny eggs, sausages and beans. Coffee with milk and sugar…bread…croissants…cereal…orange juice…pancakes… yet, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN! But worse…
This was our last full day in Prague so we had a full itinerary of last-day activities to complete. I left breakfast completely fine thankfully. But it wasn’t until I went to explore the green park known as Letna Hill (more on this below), and had to climb what felt like 100 steps uphill in order to reach the top, that my stomach churning re-activated *tears*
Safe to say, my time exploring was non-existent. I’ll save you the gory details but let’s just say that I could not function properly until I threw up all my breakfast (I’m sure from both days) in the nearest (not the cleanest) public toilet I could find. Not my proudest moment. I’ll tell ya! I’m convinced that I contracted a slight case of food poisoning – it was that bad!
My sister, however, was perfectly fine. Go figure! My family also never experienced anything negative when it came to the food or the people. So, safe to say, this was my very own individual experience here at Restaurant NEBULA. Maybe my body was just sensitive to the breakfast menu, but these were the top (very important) reasons why this was not the perfect location for me. However, if you choose to book a stay here, or have stayed here before, of course your experience with everything from the food to the people would be completely different to mine.
There were some good things about this hotel though. It wasn’t all bad.
The Pros
The inside of the hotel was really nice.
We had really nice, spacious, cosy rooms.
The hotel pool was such a fun place to get some exercise and relaxation in.
The Franz Kafka Lobby restaurant and bar next to hotel reception served amazing food and drinks that NEVER made me sick, only made me happy, and the bar staff were so pleasant, polite, friendly, sociable, conversational.
They were always cracking jokes, asking us questions, being so helpful and attentive, and were oh so charming. The kitchen is also open until 11pm so all late night cravings were accommodated for.
They have the robot, Pepper, in the lobby, which made our trips to reception a lot more pleasurable.
Lastly, the hotel was very affordable according to European standards (and our use of the British Airways City Breaks Travel Deals, and perfectly situated in a more local, quiet part of town instead of the over-crowded, expensive Old Town Square where you can literally vanish into oblivion because there’s just so many people there.
Prague Castle is a 10 minute walk away, whilst Prague Loreta, Strahov Monastery and Lesser Town are all also within walking distance.
The nearest tram, the Malovanka tram stop is just 100 m away.
Coming to think of it, these were the only truly perfect things about it – price and positioning (although I do secretly wish we had been more central to Old Town Square – the location of Hotel Pyramida is quite isolated from the excitement of city life, approximately 15 minutes away with public transportation).
If I knew back then what I know now, these are 2 options battling for top choice of where I would have ideally stayed, and where you should to…
It’s a gorgeous pink gem of a hotel, tucked away in a charming street that is still quiet, calm, and not completely touristy, but only a mere 7 minute walk from Old Town Square.
2. Louren Hotel
This place is for my budget-friendly travellers. It is a quite sweet hotel that is away from the buzz and activity of the city centre.
From here you’d most likely need to catch an Uber or some form of public transportation, but it’s still so central that in less than 30 minutes you’ll be arriving at any of Prague’s top attractions. For more options of where to stay, see one of the best roundups I’ve found of accommodation choices to suit your budget, personality and desires right here.
READ MORE: A Travel Diary: How To Spend 4 Wonderful Days In Amsterdam (Things To See &Do + Travel Tips)
PERFECT TRANSPORTATION
For us, Prague felt a bit more traditional and outdated (for lack of better words) compared to London, Copenhagen and Amsterdam (perhaps that’s what adds to its charm?). To our dismay, there was no Citymapper GPS for Prague. So, for the two days we were there we primarily relied on the ease of booking an Uber to get us to a spot in the city, from which we could just walk to wherever we wanted to go.
It felt easier to do than to organize tickets for the subways and trams, which we felt uncomfortable taking somehow – especially in the sweltering, unbearable heat. I’m from the tropics and I had NO idea heat like that existed! For us it just felt more complicated and uncomfortable.
Besides, we were only there for 2 days.
As such, your girl has no real-life account of the efficiency and ease-of-use of Prague’s public transportation. But what I can tell you is this… If you know that you’ll be taking public transportation whilst you’re there, get yourself a Prague Card. I only stumbled upon this AFTER my trip. Ugh!
If we had Prague Card’s we would have saved so much time and money, especially on transportation into the city and back. There is also a Prague City Pass that many visitors use when they come to the city, but the Prague Card offers way more benefits and discounts.
For example, unlike the 30 day validity of the City Pass, the Card is valid for a whole year from purchase. Furthermore, the City Pass affords you free entry into 15 attractions whilst the Card offers 50! And did I mention that with the Card you enjoy unlimited use of the local transportation, including FREE rides to the airport? They have a 100% money-back guarantee too that is valid until the moment you pick up your Card, if you change your mind or travel plans and cannot collect the card, or if you do not use it or activate it within 10 days of collection. Not bad right?
The easiest thing to do is just choose between 2, 3 or 4 day stays, pre-order online, and then collect when you arrive at the airport or city centre. If you change your mind, the refund is there.
The next time I visit, I’ll definitely be taking advantage of that!
But with 2 full days to explore the beautiful wonderland that is Prague, let’s not delay any further.
Let’s see how we easily squeezed in as many attractions as possible before flying out again.
Ready? Let’s go!
WHERE TO GO
Day 1: Prague Castle / Mala Strana / Charles Bridge / Old Town Square
1. Prague Castle / St. Vitus Cathedral
Address: III. nádvoří 48/2, 119 01 Praha 1-Hradčany, Czechia
To start off our Prague experience, the first place we headed to was Prague Castle and its St. Vitus Cathedral.
With our trusty Uber, we arrived in less than 10 minutes, uncertain of what to expect.
We walked into the grounds, passed security, and the very first thing we saw was a beautiful water fountain, surrounded by a garden of well-manicured, landscaped grass and the most lush flowers very near to the entrance.
Following in the footsteps of some tourists we saw snapping photos in front of us, we quickly got our cameras ready for our very own photo ops, thinking yes, this is going to be an amazing day!
From the garden, we caught glimpses of the tall, dark, gothic steeples of the St. Vitus Cathedral, jutting past the trees and heading towards the clouds. Overwhelmed by excitement at its tease, we quickly wrapped up our photoshoot at the water fountain and headed toward the real top attraction.
Walking along the wide pedestrian walkway, patrolled by both armed guards and fellow visitors, the Cathedral kept beckoning to us. On the walkway, you can easily witness the majesty of this structure, towering above all surrounding buildings. Taking pictures with the Cathedral along the walkway was the simplest way to get a snapshot of it in its entirety – and you still wouldn’t be able to squeeze the entire structure into the frame. It is so big!
The towers of St. Vitus Cathedral dominate the skyline – your eyes are glued to nothing else. Its spire stretches towards the heavens. This cathedral is the most important religious building in all of Czechia. Begun in medieval 1344, it took almost 600 years to complete. But the time and patience was absolutely worth it! The beautifully stained glass windows, the high towers, the majestic arches and the menacing gargoyles make it a worthy sight.
Not to mention, this was our first encounter with the realisation that Prague was teeming with visitors – and it wasn’t even high season yet! From couples, to families, to groups of school children from all over the globe, to us two sisters from the Caribbean, the nearer we got to the Cathedral, the more we lost personal space.
Once we entered the courtyard and came face to face with the Cathedral, however, we understood why.
It was clear that this was the top attraction at Prague Castle!
Just take a look at this!
There were literal hordes of people stooping or even lying down to take photos of as much of the Cathedral as possible, to waiting in line to take pictures on the front steps and standing in front of those two doors…my sister and I included.
We were the paparazzi and the Cathedral was the star.
And we understood why.
But this monument is actually housed in what is called, Prague Castle.
Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle complex in the world, and every year approximately 2 million visitors come to see it with their own two eyes.
Located in a neighbourhood called Hradcany, the Castle is just one of four monuments located on this vast campus. Dating as far back as the 9th century, this complex is home to the Prague Castle, the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, the Romanesque Basilica of St. George, and the Spanish Hall. Additionally, there are numerous museums, including the National Gallery Collection of Baroque Art.
If you wish for more personal space, however, you can climb the 287 stairs to the top of the St. Vitus Cathedral Bell Tower to enjoy jaw-dropping panoramic views of Prague from above. This is the largest place of worship in the city. But it is also a cultural hub.
Although our main quest was to see St. Vitus Cathedral in the flesh, I learned that there are so many cool things you can experience at the Castle if you want to fully immerse yourself. From exhibitions, to concerts, to lectures, culture at the Castle is the real deal.
FUN FACT: Did you know that Prague Castle actually isn’t a castle in the traditional sense of the word? It is not a single building with majestic towers and architecture. It is in fact a VAST (18 acres) conglomeration of palaces, St. Vitus Cathedral, churches, the President’s state offices and apartments, a monastery, the Golden Lane, several museums and art galleries all cuddled together on three main courtyards.
We didn’t know this until after – as true novices, we thought that Prague Castle was St. Vitus Cathedral. I mean, the cathedral looks like it could be a castle right?! We had no idea it was an established campus with lots to offer, so we missed out on many things unknowingly. But now you know the facts, so you don’t have to 😉
2. Malá Strana
Once we exited Prague Castle, high off of our experience, and even meeting friendly tourists, we didn’t really have much of an exact plan of how to get to our next destination.
As with most places, we expected to exit onto maybe a parking lot, a back street or a street leading towards the city centre, and from there we’d figure things out. For sure we were winging it. But what we saw was COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED. Take a look…
We were dumbfounded. In awe. Our mouths were agape at the beautiful sight before us. Trust me, pictures don’t do it any justice. To see the reality of this magnificence you MUST book a ticket and just go!
Before us was the majesty of the metropolis.
At this point, all plans went out the window. Adjacent to this backdrop there was a staircase leading downward to…God knows where. From the top, you couldn’t see where you were going exactly, but we trusted the sight of many people heading down and went with them.
Best decision we made.
After stopping by a local “hole in the wall” for a delicious, refreshing lemonade and some cold air from the nearby fan (it was baking ya’ll), we joyously headed down that secret pathway and guys, at this point, I literally trusted my intuition and my senses. I followed the direction that most cars and people were heading in. The adventurer in me thought, “if most people are going there, there must be something there to be seen or explored“.
I chose spontaneity. I trusted my intuition, my good sense of judgement, and it lead me to every single item on my short-stay itinerary – and more! What a wonderful experience it was!
This was genuinely one of my proudest travel moments as I chose to rely on my own good judgement instead of being dependent on a travel app (love you Citymapper!) to get me anywhere, or fearful that “following the crowd” won’t lead me to anywhere on my makeshift itinerary except for lost, in danger, or unhappy with my explorations.
By following my senses, we stumbled upon so many cool and interesting discoveries!
It was amazing that this spontaneous journey through the various streets led us to the Malá Strana. A place I had jotted down on my itinerary as a top spot according to other travellers, but uncertain of where it was located or what it really was. Then low and behold, it dawned on me that without even trying we had made it there!
Malá Strana, also known as Lesser Town, sits at the feet of Prague Castle and is a very trendy hillside area with amazing views that scan across the Vltava River over into Old Town.
Translating to “Little Quarter”, it is filled with hotels, casual restaurants, traditional pubs, cobbled streets, ice cream parlours and so much more! It is also home to a bajillion tourists! My goodness!
This is where my sister and I stopped to have a rest, a cold drink, and our first proper meal of the day.
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3. Charles Bridge
With full stomachs and rested feet, we were eventually rejuvenated and ready to keep moving. But moving to where?
Again…with no GPS system, we trusted the movement of the crowd and kept heading toward where most people seemed interested and determined in their pursuits.
This led us to a beautiful, quaint, strip of retail stores lined side by side along a cobbled pathway, all bidding tourists to come in and buy. From ice cream parlours selling luscious flavours served in cinnamon cones, to fine jewellery stores, to souvenir shops, to casual eateries that beckoned us to enter, we fell in love with what we were seeing.
However, we yielded not to temptation.
As we moved further into the Malá Strana, we noticed that the crowds suddenly, somehow got more voluminous. How on earth was that possible?! We were really confused by it until we found ourselves staring over at Old Town Square, separated only by this huge bridge that we had no idea was Charles Bridge (it didn’t click until we got to maybe half of the bridge), and an expansive, charming river we also didn’t realize was Vltava – filled with boats moving to and fro.
We were mesmerized yet again!
In disbelief that we had actually walked toward another Prague highlight just by being aware of our surroundings, we realized just how much of Prague is connected and how much you can easily see in just one day.
We took our time walking over the bridge. There was just so much to soak in. We stared at all of its pillar statues, stopped to take pictures of the Vltava from both sides, read its plaques, discovered more hidden steps leading to places that weren’t obvious to the naked eye, and we even took pictures with other tourists.
During this time, I looked at my itinerary and googled Charles Bridge to confirm that I was indeed there in the flesh.
It’s hard to not take your time walking along Charles Bridge.
Completed in 1390, this is a pedestrian-only bridge that crosses the Vltava River. Steeped in folklore and legends, it has been pedestrian-only since the late 1970s. Known as “Karlův most” to the locals, this large stone bridge is what divides the new towns from the old. It was actually the ONLY link between the Old Town and Prague Castle, from its completion until 1841.
Without this bridge, the Vltava River would have split the city into two. Built during the reign of Charles IV, it is lined on both sides with 30 Baroque statues which look down at you as you cross over, many of which hold religious symbolism. These statues showcase the various saints who were highly esteemed during the construction of the bridge.
It wasn’t even high season yet, but the Bridge was teeming with other visitors. It’s surprising, the amount of people who were there, so I can only imagine the limited body space once high season rolls around. But in addition to the visitors, you’ll find musicians and art vendors proudly showcasing their talents.
From Charles Bridge you also see stunning views on either side of the river; and the distant, seemingly endless bridges on either side which knit the old town with the new.
We went during the middle of the day, so the Bridge was packed! But if you want to escape the crowds and have the Bridge all to yourself, the best times to cross the bridge are in the early morning or late evening, either before or after the artists, crowds, peddlers, and general bridge-busyness vanishes.
Truthfully though, it’s damn near impossible to find a time of the day where it isn’t packed with tourists!
FUN FACT I: Did you know that the Baroque Statues on Charles Bridge are replicas? Yes! The original statues are located in the Lapidarium at the National Museum.
FUN FACT II: There are now 17 bridges which sync old town with new town.
4. Old Town Square / Astronomical Clock
Address: Staroměstské náměstí 1/3, 110 00 Praha 1- Staré Město
Once we had gotten to the other side of Charles Bridge, the Malá Strana far off into the distance, the first thing we encountered were people selling Vltava River Cruise tickets.
Without delay, we purchased two tickets for the next day, especially since with one look at the sky we could see that night was about to fall.
With boat tour tickets in tow, again we continued to just walk the footsteps of those before us – literally!
Believe it or not, on the other side of Charles Bridge there were even more people.
This made it more difficult to know which direction we should walk into, however, a true DIYer to heart, I continued to just trust my instincts along the curves of the cobbled streets and shops that belonged to Old Town, or “Staré Mĕsto” to the Czechs. As I turned one more corner, what made me realize my exact location was the sight of the Prague Astronomical Clock.
Another sight that my family said was a must see!
Another box on my itinerary ticked – all in one day!
We were finally in the centre of Prague – Old Town Square. This is the tourist hub of the city. It makes sense now why it was so easy to navigate this part of town without a GPS, just by following the massive crowds. We were all there to see and experience the same things.
Obviously, we first headed in the direction of the clock because I knew that at the top of every hour the clock chimes (9.00am – 11.00pm) and I HAD to witness it.
FYI, if you didn’t see the Astronomical Clock, you didn’t actually visit Prague.
That’s how embedded this clock is into Czech culture. First installed in 1410, it’s the 3rd oldest astronomical clock in the world, and the oldest, fully functional clock of its kind. The Gothic Old Town Hall Tower, in which the Clock is located, also dates back to the 1300s, making it the oldest part of the town hall.
So what is an astronomical clock? Basically, it is a clock which not only tells the time but also showcases the relative positioning of the sun, moon, constellations, and sometimes major planets. Cool, huh?
The Clock is encased by a beautiful town square as well. Hands down my most favourite place in Prague. Old Town Square is just amazing – unlike any place I’d ever experienced. From a world-famous favourite like Starbucks to the most luxurious 5-star fine dining restaurants, you’re spoiled for choice on a multitude of eateries in the Square whilst you wait for the hour to strike.
Still content with our full lunch in Malá Strana, however, we waited approx. 40 mins to see the clock chime. Lucky for us, we got there in such a good time that we managed to secure our standing places directly in front of the clock.
Why were we lucky? Well…10-15 minutes before the clock strikes, you won’t even see the signs of it happening until it does, but like a swarm of bees, tons of people literally swarm the Square, all to stand shoulder to shoulder in front of this Clock and witness its chime. I had never seen anything like this either. This made me realize just how popular the Clock is. Prior, I had no clue!
So united we all stood, waiting for the clock to chime, and when it did, we all fell silent, filming, and photographing. What was so mesmerizing about it though?
Well, with eyes glued, you witness the 12 apostles appear from out of the clock (the Walk of the Apostles), parade past the windows above the clock, and nod to the speechless crowd (for all of 45 seconds). The face of the clock also portrays the four figures of Vanity, Greed, Death and Lust, who were the representation of the most evil vices of 15th century Prague. Vanity clutches his mirror to admire himself, Death is depicted as a skeleton, Greed is represented by a miser holding a bag of gold, and Lust is shown as a figure representing earthly pleasures.
The four figures below these are the Chronicler, the Angel, the Astronomer, and the Philosopher.
I would say more about the clock and what happens when it strikes, but na! You have to go see it for yourself.
5. Church of Our Lady before Týn
Address: Staroměstské nám., 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia
After seeing the clock strike, my sister and I came back down to earth and saw groups of people just sitting down on the cobbled stones of Old Town Square; talking, drinking, eating and enjoying the summer heat – without a care or rush or worry in the world – and we thought that was so cool!
These people – tourists and locals – were living in the present moment, enjoying the company of food and each other, and we wanted to do the same. So we headed toward the vast square, sat down in front of yet another gothic-inspired church, and had a picnic in the dark with some snacks from Starbucks.
This church was the towering Church of Our Lady before Týn (and by far my most favourite structure in all of Prague – took a million pictures of the same view of this castle because I loved it so much).
Towering and majestic with its twin gothic-style spires, this landmark made such a strong impression on me. Seeing it after dark, I just fell in love.
Built from the mid-14th century to early 16th century, it is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture, and has practically remained untouched since. It also boasts a collection of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque art works which I must see on my next return.
We picnicked in front of this work of art for over an hour, just hanging out amongst the locals.
I could not have imagined myself anywhere else on this first night. I realized that I was engulfed in a paradise of culture, history and science as I marvelled at the gothic architecture, medieval cathedrals and Victorian age buildlings that surrounded me.
This was how our ‘Day 1’ in Prague ended.
We went back to our hotel via Uber (again, so easy!) and went into the lounge bar/restaurant for dinner and drinks.
Then with aching feet, we soon drifted off to sleep…excited.
Day 2 could not come soon enough!
Key Notes (Or What I Wish I Knew Before Going):
Prague is one of the most popular European destinations in the world so if you’re venturing into the city centre for its top attractions, please do expect massive crowds.
Prague is full of hidden gems, secret pathways and unexpected surprises so don’t underestimate it compared to other European cities where you always know what you’re going to get. Prague will surprise you in the most pleasant ways.
Unlike Western Europe, Prague is a very affordable city…I would even go as far as to say a cheap city…when it comes to enjoying the food culture, especially if you earn Euros, US dollars or Pound Sterling.
Position yourself perfectly in front of the Astronomical Clock approx. 20mins before the hour because before you know it you’ll be surrounded by many many other spectators, all vying for the best view of the Clock.
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Day 2: Letenske Sady (Letna Park) / Souvenir Shopping / Boat Cruise on Vltava River
6. Letná Park
Address: Letná, 170 00 Prague 7, Czechia
So, as you already know from the beginning of this post, I had an awful breakfast that was about to ruin my life on Letná Park.
However, I still have to mention it because it is yet another hidden gem in this city.
On the way home from Old Town Square the night before, I saw a curious set of steps that again led to a destination I could not obviously see. In asking our Uber driver where those steps were headed, he told me it was toward Letná Park, which was actually another itinerary destination.
Knowing what it was and where it was, I knew that this was going to be our first destination on Day 2.
So at the start of the day, we arrived at the park and began our climb up those steps – curious to see what was at the top.
Boy! Those steps were a challenge! In the flat sandals I wore, my poor feet were not happy, and those steps made me realize just how unfit I really was with my burning legs, deep breathing and desperate need to take breaks.
This unexpected, intense physical activity is what I am sure activated the battle between my stomach and my breakfast. There was so much hatred between them.
But this didn’t prevent me from seeing the beautiful landscape of Prague from Letná Park.
Also called “Letenské sady”, this huge, lush public green space filled with trees, walkways, and healthy green grass was home to runners, dog walkers, cyclists, skateboarders and curious tourists like my sister and I. It was almost like it was a world of its own – known to only a select few who were in on its secret location.
It also overlooked a spectacular view of the Vltava River.
There was also a quaint restaurant located at the top of the hill, which served the most refreshing breeze in addition to its diverse menu. I went there for some peppermint tea to calm my spirit after my bodily ordeal in the public toilet – ew!
Once I felt better, I was fully able to enjoy the park, however, and soak in amazing views like this…
FUN FACT: The former site of Stalin’s statue on Letná Hill, known as the Stalin area, is now a skateboarders’ paradise. Its granite surface make it the perfect place to play on the hilltop.
7. Souvenirs at Havelský Street Market
Address: Havelská 13, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia
After Letná Park, we walked back down those steps (a much better experience) and headed back toward Old Town Square, again following the crowd.
Instead of heading straight to Vltava River for our boat cruise, we strolled through the streets of Old Town, taking pictures of everything (the streets and architecture are just so stunning!) and spontaneously ended up at a most charming, local market.
Of course there were typical souvenir shops in this area that sold snow globes, magnets and keyrings. But at Havelský Market they sold so many unique gifts – from Franz Kafka memorabilia to notebooks made out of recycled paper to Jewish memorabilia to personalized mirrors – we had no idea how to choose, but we knew that we just had to go home with a memory from this beautiful place.
As such, I got my hands on a Franz Kafka notebook made out of recycled paper because I am obsessed with all things stationary, and my sister got a personalized hand vanity mirror for quick touch ups. With our purchases in hand, this local souvenir market led us right back to Old Town Square – my favourite place and exactly where we needed to be.
I just have to say, wandering through Old Town Square is SO MUCH FUN, and one of the best things you can do whilst there. There is a host of tiny winding streets, secretive pathways and hidden squares for you to play hide and seek with. Don’t miss out on them.
8. Vltava River Boat Cruise
Finally, for our last stop on the trip, we walked through Old Town Square once again, and headed toward Charles Bridge for our boat cruise.
After enjoying yet another stroll across Charles Bridge and marvelling at our surroundings, we found ourselves heading down one of those secret steps we observed the day before, and ended up at the pick-up spot for Prague Boats.
Whilst fuelling up our tanks with huge bottles of water (it was so hot!), our boat arrived, opened its doors and called for us to enter.
We immediately headed to two front row seats on the top deck and enjoyed the beauty, charm and serenity of the Vltava River and its surroundings whilst the boat’s automated narrator gave us historic anecdotes about the places and buildings that surrounded us. We cruised for 1h on the longest river that flows through the country.
We sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed Prague from a different point of view. We were able to see so many other monuments which laced the Vltava waterfront that we otherwise would not have been able to out of time constraints or sheer disinterest.
After our amazing cruise, we were definitely in need of an enjoyable dinner.
9. Host Restaurant
Address: Loretánská 179, 118 00 Praha 1-Hradčany, Czechia
We headed back in the direction of our hotel to find somewhere that (for once) served food I could truly enjoy.
To end our stay I was determined to have a great experience with food in Prague.
And thanks to my food savvy sister, I did.
She googled and found the most gorgeous restaurant, mere metres away from our hotel (talk about convenience!) which overlooked the Malá Strana and Old Town in the distance. It was a most gorgeous view.
And in true Prague fashion, it was such a hidden gem. We couldn’t even find it from the main street it was located on. We had to walk down an alley with a staircase that led to some mysterious place that we couldn’t see immediately.
Along the alleyway, there was a small door that lead into the quaintest restaurant. There were maybe just 8 tables. Yet, when we went it was completely empty. As if we were too early for dinner. But this seclusion made the restaurant all ours. And we loved it.
Better than the seclusion and the amazing view was *drumroll please* ….the food!!
As if to redeem my past poor experiences I didn’t leave a drop of food on this plate.
The food here was simply (unexpectedly) delicious. I would have been happy with seconds.
With tasty food in my stomach, I could not imagine a more perfect end to Day 2 of our stay in Prague.
We walked back to Hotel Pyramida, lounged in the bar with our new friends, and then went back to our rooms to pack and prepare for our departure out of Prague and back to London.
Believe it or not, I was sad.
What I wouldn’t give for 2 more days.
Key Notes (Or What I Wish I Knew Before Going):
Wear sneakers when heading toward Letná Park; you’ll be most comfortable.
If you know that you have a sensitive stomach, sensitive tastebuds, or your body doesn’t always agree with foods you’ve never had before, be careful when eating food or drinking water in public places
You can always guarantee great food at Host Restaurant.
Definitely visit for more than 2 days; and when you do (with your trusty Prague Card in your back pocket), these attractions are the bare minimum that you don’t want to miss!
FUTURE MUST SEES:
Old Jewish Quarter, Josevov (The Jewish district in the Old Town of Prague which is home to the best preserved historical Jewish monuments and homes in Europe – Hitler wanted to preserve this area as a “Museum of an Extinct Race”)
The Franz Kafka Museum
The John Lennon Wall
Petrin Hill
Kutná Hora (UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for the Sedlec Ossuary; the bone church)
Karlovy Vary – a little spa town west of Prague
A Sandemans Walking Tour (to learn more about the history, landmarks, architecture and local legends that govern Old Town and New Town
In Conclusion…….
Without question, Prague is a wildly popular European destination. For a history buff like me, its diverse history, which goes all the way back to the 8th century, and knowledge of its rich mix of Romanesque, Gothic, Russian, Slavic, Austrian, Hungarian and Bohemian cultural traditions captivated me.
When you enter this medieval city you literally feel like you’ve stepped back in time. I can see why it is considered to be one of the prettiest cities in Europe.
It is also such an enchanting fairytale city with a subtle romantic air to it as well. The perfect place for lovebirds, it is filled with so many secret pathways, colourful homes, medieval architecture, artsy shops, quaint cafes and hidden squares, that it is worth putting down your GPS and wandering off the common path.
Just follow your feet. As I learned, you really don’t even need GPS – be spontaneous and just follow the crowds…see where it leads you. It may lead you to surprises you may have never imagined.
I’m already thinking of when I can book another ticket!
Over To You
Is Prague on your Travel Bucketlist?
What would a stay in Prague look like for you?
Share your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to hear all about them!
[If you made it to the end of this, YOU ARE AMAZING! Thank you so much for reading!]
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