Prague is often described as one of Europe's most beautiful cities, and after spending three days exploring its historic streets, it is easy to see why. With its magnificent architecture, medieval squares, iconic bridges, rich Jewish heritage, and vibrant atmosphere, the Czech capital offers a perfect blend of history and culture. From wandering through the charming Old Town and visiting Prague Castle to cruising along the Vltava River and sampling traditional Czech cuisine, our time in Prague was filled with unforgettable experiences and lasting memories.
Day 1
After our early morning flight from London, we arrived in Prague and took a taxi to our accommodation. We stayed in a self-catering apartment in the Old Town, within walking distance of most of the popular tourist attractions.
We immediately set out to explore, walking towards the Old Town Square. There were still numerous Easter Market stalls selling a variety of food, crafts, and souvenirs. The square is surrounded by magnificent buildings, including the Old Town Hall with its famous Astronomical Clock. Built in 1410, it is the oldest operating clock of its kind in the world. Among other things, it displays the position of the sun and the phases of the moon. Every hour, two small doors open and figures representing the Twelve Apostles move past the openings.
Walking towards the Manes Bridge we crossed the Vltava River, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the iconic Charles Bridge. Closer to Charles Bridge, we passed the Lennon Wall, located at Velkopřevorské náměstí (Grand Priory Square), Malá Strana. Following John Lennon's death in 1980, an unknown artist painted a mural of Lennon here, and over the years many other artworks and pieces of graffiti have been added. The wall has become a symbol of protest and the advancement of various social causes.
From here we walked across Charles Bridge, with its 30 statues and 16 arches, back towards the Old Town. Construction of Charles Bridge began in 1357 and was completed 45 years later in 1402. The bridge is 516 metres long and almost 10 metres wide.
Lunch was at a restaurant with a peaceful courtyard. A delicious bowl of soup helped combat the slight chill in the air (around 12°C). On our way back to our accommodation, we picked up a few groceries from a supermarket and spent some time relaxing in our beautifully decorated apartment.
For dinner, we enjoyed bread, cheese, and cold meats at our apartment before heading back out to experience the city after dark.
Day 2
We got up early to take photographs while the streets were still relatively quiet before joining a guided city tour. It was bitterly cold, and we walked through icy rain; at one point, even a few snowflakes began to fall.
Our tour started in the Jewish Quarter and ended back in the Old Town. The Jewish Quarter is home to several synagogues, including the Old-New Synagogue, completed in 1270 it is the oldest active synagogue in Europe.
Dinner consisted of authentic Czech cuisine at Restaurace Mincovna near the Old Town Square. For starters we tried their fried cheese with cranberry sauce, followed by a main course of traditional beef goulash and potato dumplings, washed down with a Czech beer. Beer in the Czech Republic is arguably more abundant than water, and the country has held the record for the highest per-capita beer consumption in the world for more than 30 years — an impressive 135–148 litres per person annually.
Day 3
After meeting our guide and the rest of our group for a tour of Prague Castle, we took a tram up the hill, where the tour began.
Prague Castle is a vast castle complex that currently serves, among other functions, as the official workplace of the President of the Czech Republic. Built in the 9th century, it has long served as the seat of the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors, and modern-day presidents. It is the largest ancient castle in the world, covering an area of nearly 70,000 square metres. From up here on the hill you have a beautiful panoramic view over the city.
We watched the changing of the guard around midday and spent some additional time exploring the area before walking back towards the Old Town. Along the way, we wandered through the beautiful Wallenstein Garden beside the Senate building.
Back at our accommodation, we packed our bags before heading out on a boat cruise along the Vltava River and the Devil’s Channel. After the cruise, we each bought a trdelník in the Old Town Square. This traditional pastry, found in various Eastern European countries, is made from dough wrapped around a spit, baked over hot coals, and coated with sugar and a walnut mixture.
Prague exceeded every expectation during our three-day visit, combining stunning architecture, rich history, and a vibrant atmosphere. From exploring the beautiful Old Town Square and witnessing the famous Astronomical Clock, to walking across the iconic Charles Bridge and discovering the artistic Lennon Wall, the city offered something memorable around every corner. Guided tours of the Jewish Quarter and Prague Castle provided fascinating insights into the city's past, while a scenic cruise along the Vltava River offered a different perspective of Prague's landmarks. Despite the cold weather, authentic Czech cuisine, local beer, charming streets, and countless historic sights made this an unforgettable experience in one of Europe's most beautiful and captivating cities.