At the end of my two-day tour in Prague, I was still complaining of not having enough time to see all that The Czech Republic Capital has to offer. With so much to see, the complaint was easily understandable. But for those who wish to see the whole and the best of Prague, I would suggest to take your place in the Prague All Inclusive Tour that shows you the ‘best of Prague’ or stay here for at least three days.
Prague Castle is the most visited attraction in the city. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, The Prague Castle — The King of all Castles — is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, with an area of almost 70,000 square meters. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it consists of palaces and ecclesiastical buildings of various architectural styles, from Roman-style to Gothic. The castle has three huge courtyards, so allow yourself at least a few hours when visiting it. It is the castle where the Kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperors and Presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have had their offices. The Bohemian Crown Jewels are kept here. The sheer beauty and magnificence of the entire castle will leave you spellbound.
Prague’s heart beats in the Old Town Square. This famous square was the stage of many major events, tragic or glorious, throughout Czech history. The present day square is a magical place, with an unmistakable atmosphere, perhaps because it is as old as the city itself. The square is filled with tourists, terraces, souvenir shops and galleries. It is also the starting point for the horse drawn carriage rides or meeting place for different city tours. One can see buildings in different architectural styles that lend this place a unique atmosphere. The Rococo Kinsky Palace, the Gothic Tyn Cathedral and the monumental Baroque St. Nicholas Church are the known buildings. The Square is dominated by the monument of Jan Hus, one of the most important Czech reformers and nationalists.
I was tempted to just sit down in one of the pavements cafes that dot the entire square to fully appreciate the beauty of it. After coming here, one should not miss to climb the Old Town Hall Tower for a stunning 360 degree view over the square. The medieval Orloj (astronomical clock), one of Prague’s best-known monuments, outside the Hall Tower, is very popular for its intricate construction. Every hour a small trap door opens and Christ marches out ahead of his disciples — the 12 Apostles, while the skeleton of death tolls the bell to a defiant statue of a Turk.
Walking on the Charles Bridge or taking a cruise on the river Vltava is yet another must-do thing in Prague. The river winds through Prague like a silver ribbon. It divides the city into two and without it, Prague would not be Prague, and probably would not exist at all. Charles Bridge is the most famous and most stunning of all Prague bridges built on the Vltava River. Spanning 16 arches and lined with 30 Baroque statues of religious figures, the bridge is 1,700 ft. long and imparts a gorgeous view of the city and the river. Every afternoon, painters and hot-dog vendors line up here and so do tourists who soak in the best views of the Vltava River. If you arrive at dawn, you will beat the crowds and enjoy a glorious sunrise. You can have your portrait sketched by one of the street artists, or peruse the many stands of photos, prints and paintings of Prague for sale. But on your way don’t forget to stop and touch the statue of St. John of Nepomuk! You will notice it by its plaque, polished to a shine by the many tourists who have already touched it as it is supposed to bring good luck.
Right by Charles Bridge is Kampa Island where you can have a wonderful stroll. Beautiful vistas of the river, Charles Bridge, the Lesser Town and the Old Town open up from here. You will come across an artificially constructed canal called the Devil’s Canal. The first Prague mill delivering flour even to the Prague Castle used to be on Kampa. The original huge millwheel of Smeltry Mill from the 13th century can be seen here when it was the property of the knights of St.John. Nowadays it’s considered to be the most picturesque corner on the whole of Kampa. While strolling you might come across Lenon’s Wall too which was once a normal wall since the murder of Beatles’ John Lenon. It’s filled with Lennon-inspired graffiti and pieces of lyrics from Beatles’ songs. Tourists make their own sketches and get themselves photographed too.
Another place to take a stroll is up the Petrin Hill which is a landscaped hill above the left bank of the Vltava River. To reach the top, I took the Funicular Railway, which departs from Ujezd Street in the Lesser Town but one can take a taxi too. There is a Petrin Observation Tower which was built as free copy of the Paris’ Eiffel Tower. It is 60m high, five times smaller than the Eiffel Tower but it gives a magnificent view of Prague.
While in Prague, one must take a leisurely walk on the famous Neruda Street, one of the quaintest streets. Named after Jan Neruda, an important Czech poet, writer and journalist, the street is a living textbook of Baroque style houses which are decorated with lovely, ornately-shaped gables and, in places, with pretty portals. Every building could tell a story about the extraordinary lives of its owners, including famous people.
