12 things to do in Prague

1. Scale the Prague Castle

This is the largest castle complex in the world encompassing major tourist sites in itself. Once home to Bohemia's Kings, this is now where the President presides over, as it is the official residence and office of Czech Republic's President. The Castle walls protect the gothic St Vitus Cathedral. One can enjoy the vast Baroque style architecture by wandering within the walls of the castle, relaxing in the royal gardens, witnessing the insides of the cathedral. The castle does provide a fantastic view of the Vltava river. Enroll for the Prague Castle Walking tour to best appreciate this UNESCO world heritage site!

Backside of St Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle

St Vitus Cathedral entrance

2. Walk on Charles Bridge

This is one of the iconic bridges that comes to mind when we think of Europe. This UNESCO world heritage bridge is centuries old, crossing the Vltava river, making way to the Prague castle. Enter through the gothic old town bridge tower gates guarding the structure and see each and every statue lined up on the wall of the bridge. I missed out on seeing the spectacular lighting on the bridge with a sunset backdrop as it was winter and I felt very cold. The Bridge does provide a panoramic view of the river with historic buildings outlining it.

Old town bridge gate guarding one end of the bridge

Foggy day

Vltava river from Charles Bridge

While walking back on the bridge

3. Try to tell time on the astronomical clock

The oldest operating astronomical clock attached to the old town hall in the old town square will actually surprise you in its size. For all the hype that surrounds this clock, you'd expect it to be huge and inside a museum, but no. Much like the Mona Lisa painting in the Louvre museum, Paris or the Manneken Pis statue in Brussels, the astronomical clock in Prague is so small that it is can be easily missed while walking in the street. But this clock is one of the most famous tourist spots in Prague where people swarm around trying to click a picture of themselves with this clock each hour when it springs to life! 

4. Ride-on!

Taking a boat ride along the Vltava river is a fun activity that must be included in your trip to Prague. The boat ride gives you a complete view of the city at its best, perfect view of the Prague Castle, charm of the Charles Bridge, the buildings standing tall reaching the sky. You can also hire a rickshaw or rent a vintage car for an hour to go around the historic places in the city.

Boat ride

5. Visit Vysehrad Fortress

My most favorite part of my Prague trip was visiting this estranged fortress in Vysehrad. This offbeat place is usually not in the list of places to visit for most people but I am not most people. I love exploring new places especially if it is not attracting regular tourists, this way I get to enjoy it in peace and keep the experience all to myself (also get clear shots of the scenery). There are trams that go to Vysehrad from the Old town Square or the Palladium. The neo-gothic Basilica of St Peter and St Paul inside the fortress has stained glass windows and ornate artwork on the ceiling that must be enjoyed on a sunny day! The garden in the fortress is very large and lush green and maintained very well. It's the perfect spot for a picnic and pleasant walk on a sunny day or if you are anything like me, you will enjoy it even more when it is drizzling. The fortress overlooking the Vltava river, also provides a wide view of the Prague city.

Basilica in the Vysehrad Fortress garden

Basilica of St Peter and St Paul

Stained glass windows

Statues in the Fortress garden

Hand in hand, come rain or sunshine

View of the Prague city on the Vltava river, from the fortress

6. See the dancing building

After visiting Vysehrad, on our way back to the city centre we stopped at the dancing building. The unconventional architecture of the building among the otherwise Gothic and Baroque style buildings is catchy to the passers by. The building looks like two dancers, one female in skirt dancing with a male, hence the nickname Fred and Ginger. Apart from the offices and a hotel, there is a restaurant at the roof top of this dancing house from where you get a city view while sipping coffee. But you have to buy a ticket to go to the top, so if you have already been to Vysehrad or to the top of the old town hall, don't bother.

Fred and Ginger, or as we know it, the dancing building

7. Take the Sandyman walking tour

Sandyman walking tours are available in all cities in Europe.  It is a free of cost two-hour walk, starting in the city centre. In Prague, this is available in old town square. It is a decent way to get to know the ins and outs of the city, where to go, what to see, the nuances of the tourist places, significant spots, with a little bit of history and if you are lucky, you will get a funny enthusiastic guide like I got in my walking tour in Paris.

To be honest, my husband and I ditched the Prague walking tour in the middle of it and went back to our hotel. Not because he was giving a lecture on history lessons showing around historic buildings, no. But because it was so scripted that I felt he was not serious.

Sandyman tour guide

8. Relax in old town square

You'd think that the old town square is just to witness all the monuments and the UNESCO heritage but no! There is so much more going on at this square that you can spend your entire day and still not have enough of it. Everything begins and ends at old town square.

National Gallery behind the Jan Hus Monument

Me, Charles IV statue and the Clementium behind us

Band playing their music at the Old Town Square

St Nicholas Church at Old Town Square

Magic happens

Touch the statues in the Old Town Square, I dare you!

9. Check out the powder tower

At first we thought that it was just another building slightly different from the rest, standing in the middle of the town. But as it turns out, this gothic city gate separates the old town from the new town. Powder tower does look ethnic with it golden capping against the clear blue sky.

Powder tower city gate, Prague

10. Enjoy the night-life

Obviously, a city as beautiful and fun-filled as Prague is more alive and glowing along the night skies. One must view the Charles bridge glowing like a new bride at night. Sit in a comfortable spot where you can see the Prague Castle from the bridge. I am sure the entire city is as enchanting in the night as it is in the day. I did not get a chance to add this to my travel experiences because of the harsh winter. But I did find a cozy spot in the old town square and watched a lady perform fire tricks.

11. Shopping and Snacking

This is what most people look forward to. Like I already mentioned in my blog on Brno, Czech is very cheap when compared to the western Europe. So if you want to do some shopping, this is the right place. Everyone says Paris is the fashion centre of the world but I felt Prague women were equally up to date and stylish when it came to their fashion sense. Along the Charles Bridge, there are many small shops to indulge the shopaholic in you. 

As for snacking, there are food stalls all along the old town square that offers you lip smacking local delicacies. I experimented different outlets but was constrained due to my vegetarianism. Nevertheless I enjoyed this one India restaurant where we pay for the weight of the food we ate! Strange concept right?

Stall on Charles Bridge

Margarita pizza at pizza hut 

Indian food priced on its weight

12. Go Pub crawling

I did not get a chance to go pub crawling but husband did, when he went backpacking through Europe. This is more like the Sandyman walking tour of the city except in pub crawl you get to visit all the pubs and bars. You can drink, socialize with the people, enjoy the band and music. I think this is the best way to experience and ingest the nightlife of Prague if you are an extrovert.

One blog isn't enough to cover the beauty of this city so have a look at the city through our lens here.

Photo Credits: Srivathsan Ravi & Me
Visit: 18.02.2016 to 21.02.2016