Prague
What cities have you fallen in love with on your travels?
There are only a handful for me as I prefer mountains and ocean rather than the hustle and bustle of the city, but there are exceptions to every rule, right?
Istanbul, Lisbon, Cape Town and now Prague has been added to my list of favourite cities!
Every time I looked up or turned around there was something new to see and it was so colourful, clean and safe! So many different styles of architecture from Gothic to Cubism. Everything is old, but so many historic influences in architecture really make it quite special.
Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. It is a massive complex of churches, palaces, residences, offices, courtyards and gardens covering over 753,474 square feet. Suffice it to say, I only saw a small part of it.
Prague also has the world's oldest, still functioning astronomical clock. This historic beauty can be found in the Old Town square in Prague, Czech Republic. Hundreds of people gather hourly to see and hear the clock through its procession of ancient movements. It’s quite a marvel, seeing as it was installed in the 1400’s and it is still ticking!
Sure you can wander by and admire the clock on your own, but to really appreciate it's complexities you'll want a great guide. They'll share with you the unique symbolism, its quirks and legends. From the walk of the apostles to its ghost! Don’t you want to know why the apostles are walking and what the four men in the corners are representing? I don’t want to spill all the secrets, you should go see it for yourself!
Charles Bridge
Stretching 516 meters across the Vltava River, with 16 archways and 30 statues, Charles Bridge is a sight to behold. From its ancient engineering to its tumultuous history, it is absolutely fascinating to hear the stories of days gone by.
Today the bridge is one of the most visited attractions in the city. From mid-morning until sunset you'll find a variety of vendors selling paintings, photographs, jewellery and caricatures. You'll see buskers dancing or playing music and lovers strolling hand in hand taking in the beauty.
If you want to avoid the crowds, early morning is key! You'll find a few locals, some delivery trolleys and dedicated photographers strolling the bridge early in the morning, but you won't be bumping into anyone.
Dancing House
Some will say that architecture can be boring or that everything looks the same. That certainly can't be said for the controversial and beautiful construction of Dancing House in Prague, named after its resemblance to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The building is now a small luxury hotel with a rooftop restaurant and terrace. It was recognized as Time magazine's design of the year in 1996 and part of the National Bank's commemorative coins for ten centuries of architecture.
It's well worth a visit to see the unique design up close and to get amazing views of the city, river and castle from the rooftop terrace.
How much time should I spend in Prague?
If you think you can see Prague in a day, you're doing yourself a disservice. Just to see the highlight reel without exploring anything in-depth, you'll need two full days. Even then, you'll find you are short on time and will feel like you are missing out. I would recommend spending three nights in Prague and the better part of four days.
Day tours with a good guide are essential to learning about the history and making your way efficiently to the best sites at the best time of day. Sure you can wander the historical centre or meander through Prague Castle on your own, but you'll be missing out on the insider secrets! From beer-brewing monks to cheekily named coffee shops to claims of local street foods and jewellery that aren't really local at all ... a great guide is the secret to a truly authentic experience, even in the most touristy areas.
From the best food tours to sustainable boat tours along the Vltava River. From the best spots to take in the sunset or even a photo tour with a local photographer, we have the inside scoop on all of these special experiences and more for our clients.
If Prague has crept up on your travel list and you are ready to explore the city of 100 spires, book a consultation now to learn about working with us to plan and manage your next amazing adventure.
The Czech Republic has definitely moved up my list… and, Croatia has moved down a spot or two. I still want to go to Croatia, though!! Re Prague, I feel like I’d want a week there; maybe even more if I decided to do a few day trips from there. But, it might make more sense to move on from Prague, and do at least an overnight in those other places. (Something we could discuss in a consultation?? ) I’m
remembering how glad I was to have spent 3 nights in Sintra rather than visiting on a day trip from Lisbon.)
I’m sure you will love it, Kim! You’ll find so much to see and explore. I’m sure you’ll walk around saying ‘wow’ constantly like I did. You could certainly spend a week in Prague, but I’d suggest maybe 4 – 5 days and then spend a few days in one of the other ‘provinces’. There’s so much more to see than just Prague! I think as North Americans we just don’t know much about the other areas. The spa towns are beautiful, the castles are pretty incredible and there are so many small towns worth a visit! Going to Prague only and nowhere else is like visiting Halifax but not making it to Lunenburg or the Valley!
Prague has been on my wish list for years!
Well make sure you don’t leave it there for years more! It’s a beautiful city!