It’s no secret by now that Prague is one of the most enchanting destinations in the entire European continent. 5 minutes among its perfectly-preserved medieval atmosphere will make you forget what year it really is in reality. Here’s what you should definitely not miss out on during any visit to Prague:
1. Old Town Square
Prague’s historic, old square is the bustling center of this charming city. Here you will find several sights of interest such as the Astronomical Clock, where TONS of people gather each hour for its hourly mechanical performance, the elegant Town Hall tower with spectacular views from the top, the Tyn Cathedral, the Church of St. Nicolas, and several beautiful multicolored houses scattered among these historical gems. This square is the beating heart of Prague and its simply unparalleled in terms of the sheer number of important landmarks in a square of its size.
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Astronomical Clock that puts on a “show” every hour and draws quite the crowd
Church of St. Nicolas
2. Charles Bridge
A quick stroll away from the Old Town Square is Charles Bridge, which links the old town with the new town. This 14th-century bridge features several symmetrical Baroque statues that line each side. It’s bustling with tourists and locals alike – and each day you’ll find musicians, food vendors, and artists fighting for spots on the bridge to entertain visitors. I also hear that the sunrise light in the mornings gives Charles Bridge an even more ethereal atmosphere than the daytime if it were even possible.
3. John Lennon Wall
Since Prague’s communist days, this particular wall in the new part of town just across from Charles Bridge has been covered in graffiti. Apparently, young Czechs in the 1980s would write grievances about the repressive regime and sadly get harsh repercussions from it. If you know me, you know I love a good political protest so I was super eager to see this famous wall. Nowadays it features a combination of colorful art, a massive portrait of Lennon (who is an international symbol of peace, really), some of his lyrics, and other inspirational quotes. I visited during the time period of Trump being elected, so it was interesting and valuable for me to see how others were demonstrating political protests on this wall many decades later.
4. Eat Many Trdelniks
A Trdelnik is a famous dessert from the Czech Republic which is basically grilled dough baked in a circular formation with sugar and/or nuts sprinkled on top of it, and then ice cream inside if you feel so inclined. I visited Prague in February when it was much too cold for ice cream, but still ate this fantastic and traditional dessert every day! Super delicious.
5. Visit Prague Castle
This huge castle complex dating back to the 9th century is the current place of residence for the President of the Czech Republic. It’s one of the most important historical attractions of the entire country so you kinda just have to visit while in the city. Plus, it offers arguably the best views of Prague from the top!
6. Dancing House
The Dancing House is a daring, curvy building set among the medieval, ancient buildings in Prague, giving it a really neat contrast to the rest of the city. That’s probably what made it become the popular tourist attraction that it is today. It’s located at Jiráskovo nám. 1981/6, 120 00 Nové Město, Czechia but don’t ask me to pronounce that. The top floor of the building is open to the public and is a fancy restaurant, though I just appreciated the cool architecture from the outside.
There you have it! What every first-time visitor to Prague should have on their itinerary in my humble opinion! I hope you enjoyed Prague just as much as I did!
