Visit Prague

Prague is a city of dark stone and gold tipped towers that has survived centuries of occupation to remain a perfectly preserved labyrinth. It is the definitive starting point for a Prague road trip through the deep forests of Bohemia. You should walk the narrow street called Nový Svět near the castle to see the tiny houses where the city's poorest once lived in the shadow of the palace. The local identity is found in the Hospoda where the beer is poured with a thick head of foam and the menus are written on chalkboards. For a unique view away from the bridges head to the Vitkov Hill where a massive bronze statue of Jan Žižka stands on a ridge overlooking the industrial district of Žižkov.

The city is connected by the Vltava river which is crossed by several historic bridges including the Mánes Bridge where you can find carvings representing the lives of the local fishermen. In the New Town you should look for the rotating head of Franz Kafka which is a kinetic sculpture made of forty two layers of stainless steel. The Vinohrady district gives a look at the city's affluent past with its grand apartment blocks and the Neo Gothic Church of Saint Ludmila. You can find the remnants of the Velvet Revolution in the small memorials on Národní street where the modern history of the nation was forged in the 1980s.

Driving out of the city toward the south takes you along the riverbanks toward the Zbraslav monastery and the deep canyons of the Sázava. The road system is organized around several ring roads that bypass the medieval core making it easy to reach the highways heading toward the border. You will notice the landscape change from the spires of the city to the limestone cliffs and silver mines of the surrounding hills. Prague remains a place of mystery and heavy wood and dark beer that prepares you for the legends of the Czech countryside. It is the artistic and political heart of the region. A place of immense character.

Top sights to visitNovy Svet Street Skip the main castle gates and wander through this quiet cluster of fairytale houses tucked behind the fortifications. Look for the "Golden Pear" and other house signs that served as addresses before numbers existed. This is the only place in the center where you can experience Prague’s medieval silence away from the tourist crush.
The Lennon Wall Bring a permanent marker and leave your own message of peace or lyrics on this ever-changing stone canvas. Snap a photo of the vibrant layers of paint that have served as a symbol of free speech since the 1980s. It is a rare spot where you are encouraged to add to the history of the city rather than just look at it.
Vitkov Hill Statue Hike up to the base of the massive bronze equestrian statue to stand in the shadow of one of the world’s largest monuments. Take in the raw, panoramic view of Prague’s industrial skyline and the Žižkov Television Tower from the edge of the ridge. This park offers a authentic perspective of the capital that most tourists never see.
Kafka Rotating Head Stop by the Quadrio shopping center at the top of the hour to watch 42 stainless steel layers twist and turn. Watch as the mirror-finish plates independently realign to perfectly reconstruct the face of Franz Kafka. It is a mesmerizing blend of modern engineering and literary tribute that demands a video.
Strahov Monastery Library Enter the Philosophical Hall to gaze at the floor-to-ceiling walnut bookshelves and stunning baroque frescoes. Breathe in the scent of thousands of ancient, leather-bound volumes that have been preserved for centuries. It is an intellectual sanctuary that offers a much needed moment of awe during a busy road trip.
The Astronomical Clock Secure a spot in the Old Town Square a few minutes before the hour to witness the 600-year-old mechanical Walk of the Apostles. Study the complex dial below the clock face to see the current zodiac sign and the exact phase of the moon. This is a masterclass in medieval technology that still keeps perfect time today.
Letna Beer Garden Park near the Technical Museum and walk to the edge of the park for a world-class view of Prague’s Vltava bridges. Grab a local draught beer from the wooden kiosk and find a spot at a long table under the leafy trees. It is the ultimate local ritual for watching the sunset over the "City of a Hundred Spires."
The Narrowest Street Follow the signs in the Mala Strana district to a tiny alleyway controlled by a pedestrian traffic light. Press the button and wait for the green light to navigate the 70 centimeter wide path down to the riverfront. It is a quirky, fun bottleneck that provides a great story and a unique view of the Charles Bridge.
Strahov Stadium Drive up to the hill to see the crumbling remains of what was once the largest stadium on Earth. Peer through the gates to imagine the scale of 250,000 people gathering for massive gymnastic displays. This is a haunting, colossal relic of the 20th century that feels like a modern Roman ruin.
Pinkas Synagogue Memorial Walk through the interior to see the names of nearly 80,000 Holocaust victims meticulously handwritten across every inch of the walls. Step into the adjacent Old Jewish Cemetery to see headstones from the 15th century stacked tightly together. This is a powerful experience that provides a deep connection to the city's tragic history.
Dancing House Pull over on the riverbank to admire the "Fred and Ginger" building that looks like it’s swaying in the wind. Head to the rooftop bar for a drink and a 360-degree view of the Vltava River and the Prague Castle. This architectural rebel stands out as a bold symbol of the city's post-communist creativity.
Vysehrad Fortress Walk the massive stone ramparts of this 10th-century fort for a peaceful view of the southern river loop. Visit the Slavín Cemetery within the walls to see the ornate tombs of famous Czech composers and artists. It is a legendary site that offers more space and local soul than the main castle.

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History of Prague

Prague is the City of a Hundred Spires, a place where the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV decided to build a capital worthy of the heavens. In the 14th century, he established the first university in Central Europe and built the Charles Bridge, which was fortified with egg yolks mixed into the mortar to ensure it would stand for eternity. Prague became a center for alchemy and astronomy, a mysterious city where legends of the Golem and the magical movements of the Astronomical Clock blur the line between science and folklore.

The city has a habit of sparking major European shifts, most famously through the Defenestrations of Prague, where officials were literally thrown out of windows, triggering the Thirty Years' War. Unlike many of its neighbors, Prague’s medieval heart remained largely untouched by the destruction of the World Wars, preserving a dense forest of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. It stood as a silent witness to the Nazi occupation and the heavy Soviet years, eventually finding its voice again during the peaceful Velvet Revolution of 1989.

Driving into Prague today feels like entering a time machine. The narrow alleys of the Old Town still follow the same curves they did a thousand years ago, while the brutalist monuments of the communist era provide a stark, gray contrast to the golden spires. It is a city that loves beer, literature, and dark humor, where the ghosts of Franz Kafka and Good King Wenceslas feel just as present as the modern crowds. Prague remains a jewel of the continent, a resilient survivor that never lost its sense of mystery.