Prague, Czech Republic

Prague, capital city of the Czech Republic, is bisected by the Vltava River. Nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires,” it is known for its Old Town Square, the heart of its historic core, with colorful baroque buildings, Gothic churches and the medieval Astronomical Clock, which gives an animated hourly show.

The historical capital of Bohemia, Prague is the 15th largest city in the European Union, being home to about 1.26 million people, while its larger urban zone is estimated to have a population of nearly 2 million. Founded during the Romanesque and flourishing by the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque eras, Prague has been a political, cultural, and economic centre of central Europe with waxing and waning fortunes during its history.

Prague is home to a number of famous cultural attractions, many of which survived the violence and destruction of 20th-century Europe. Main attractions include the Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, Old Town Square with the Prague astronomical clock, the Jewish Quarter, Petrin hill and Vysehrad. Since 1992, the extensive historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

The city boasts more than ten major museums, along with numerous theatres, galleries, cinemas, and other historical exhibits. An extensive modern public transportation system connects the city. Also, it is home to a wide range of public and private schools, including Charles University in Prague, the oldest university in Central Europe.

Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Prague has become one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Prague suffered considerably less damage during World War II than some other major cities in the region, allowing most of its historic architecture to stay true to form. It contains one of the world’s most pristine and varied collections of architecture, from Romanesque, to Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Gothic, Art Nouveau, Cubist, Neo-Classical and ultra-modern. Its rich history is the major reason for its popularity, the city receives more than 6.4 million international visitors annually, as of 2014. Prague is the fifth most visited European city after London, Paris, Istanbul and Rome.

The city forms the hub of the Czech railway system, with services to all parts of the Czech Republic and abroad. The railway system links Prague with major European cities (which can be reached without transfers), including Berlin (Germany); Munich (Germany); Vienna (Austria); Warsaw (Poland); Budapest (Hungary); Kosice (Slovakia); Zurich (Switzerland); Split (Croatia) and Moscow (Russia). The public transport infrastructure consists of a heavily used integrated transport system of Prague Metro, Prague tram system, Prague buses, funiculars, and six ferries. All services have a common ticketing system, and are run by the Prague Public Transport Company and several other companies. Taxi services make pick-ups on the streets or operate from regulated taxi stands.

Rail Travel Times:

Prague to Vienna: from 3 hrs 57 mins

Prague to Bratislava: 3 hrs 58 mins

Prague to Brno: from 2 hrs 28 mins

Prague to Munich: from 5 hrs

Pargue to Berlin: from 4 hrs 22 mins

Plan and Book:

Prague: See and Do

Prague is traditionally one of the cultural centres of Europe, hosting many cultural events. Some of the significant cultural institutions include the National Theatre (Narodni Divadlo) and the Estates Theatre (Stavovske or Tylovo or Nosticovo divadlo), where the premieres of Mozart’s Don Giovanni and La clemenza di Tito were held. Other major cultural institutions are the Rudolfinum which is home to the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and the Municipal House which is home to the Prague Symphony Orchestra. The Prague State Opera (Statni opera) performs at the Smetana Theatre.

The city has many world-class museums, including the National Museum (Narodni muzeum), the Museum of the Capital City of Prague, the Jewish Museum in Prague, the Alfons Mucha Museum, the African-Prague Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, the Naprstek Museum (Náprstkovo Muzeum), the Josef Sudek Gallery and The Josef Sudek Studio, the National Library and the National Gallery, which manages the largest collection of art in the Czech Republic.

There are hundreds of concert halls, galleries, cinemas and music clubs in the city. It hosts music festivals including the Prague Spring International Music Festival, the Prague Autumn International Music Festival, the Prague International Organ Festival and the Prague International Jazz Festival. Film festivals include the Febiofest, the One World Film Festival and Echoes of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. The city also hosts the Prague Writers’ Festival, the Prague Folklore Days, Prague Advent Choral Meeting the Summer Shakespeare Festival, the Prague Fringe Festival, the World Roma Festival, as well as the hundreds of Vernissages and fashion shows.

Prague is filled with beauty and can be enjoyed and explored for days, months, or a lifetime – it is one of those kind of places. However the average visitor only has a few days to discover Prague’s many faces. Most people who have visited Prague recommend spending at least three days there. Three days are a good minimum to enjoy Prague’s sights and magical atmosphere. Additional time will allow you to head out of Prague and visit some of the other wonderful places in the Czech Republic. Three days will allow you to get to know Prague’s main sights and historical areas without feeling rushed.

If you’ve never been to Prague, you shouldn’t miss the Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, which can both be easily covered in a day. If you have more than three days available, you can explore Prague in more detail. There are always things to do and places to go and it is a pleasure to just stroll the streets of Lesser Town, Old Town and Hradcany. You can get outside of the historical centre and see more of the New Town. A lunch or dinner out in the pleasant residential area of Vinohrady will let you experience the less touristy side of Prague.

Prague is a great walking city and we recommend that you bring comfortable shoes and hit the cobblestones. The main sightseeing areas of Prague are separated by the Vltava River but are easy to get to on foot. On the left bank there is the Prague Castle area and Lesser Town. The right bank is home to the Old Town, the Jewish Quarter, and the New Town. Spanning the Vltava River and connecting the Old Town and Lesser Town is the beautiful Charles Bridge.

Best Time To Go

The city has its charm at any time of the year. Many visitors to Prague often ask when is a good time is to go to Prague. When’s the weather at its best? Are the winters tolerable? Will there be snow at Christmas time? Unfortunately, Czech Republic’s weather cannot be predicted very far in advance and can vary noticeably from year to year. In general though, your best chance of nice weather is in late spring and early autuumn, ie. in the month of May and the months of June and September. The weather is often quite pleasant then, with temperatures in the 20s (C), sunny or partly sunny skies, and mild evenings. If you like it hot, you should visit in July and August, Prague’s warmest and statistically driest months. You may also want to consider the daylight hours, which are long in late spring and summer (it stays light till 9 pm in May, 10 pm in July) and shorter in autumn (8 pm in September).

Prague is at its busiest in the summer months of July and August. Late spring and early fall are a little less touristy – still busy but not overwhelmingly so. The slowest times are during the cold months of November, January, February, and into March, so if you don’t mind the cold and prefer fewer tourists, this would be a good time for you to travel to Prague. The days are shorter in the winter and it gets dark between 4:30 and 5:30 pm in the winter months.

Prague has a special magic during Christmas time and when covered with snow. Christmas and snow unfortunately rarely come together. Even Prague residents hope for a white Christmas and get excited when it actually happens. The month before Christmas is beautiful even without the snow because Prague is decorated with Christmas lights and the Christmas markets are open. Visit our Prague Christmas section to read more about this special time of the year in Prague.

There is usually some snow in Prague before Christmas and then again in January, February, and even March, but every Prague winter is different. The good news is that January and February are Prague’s least touristy months, so you may be able to book your trip at the last minute and come to Prague during a snowy spell.

Prague is beautiful in autumn when the leaves on the trees change colour. This usually happens in the second half of October. You can expect typical autumn weather in October – a mixture of sunny and cloudy days, crisp air, possibly rain, and temperatures still above freezing. The autumn scenery is still beautiful in the first half of November when the colorful leaves cover the ground. November feels more wintry than October, so you’ll want to bring warm clothes and shoes with you.

Surrounding Area

Ceske Budejovice

Ceske Budejovice is the capital city of South Bohemia in the southern Czech Republic. Surrounded by arcaded houses, the grand Premysl Otakar II Square is home to the baroque Samson’s Fountain and the Town Hall with 3 spires. The Gothic-Renaissance Black Tower has views of the old town and Klet Mountain, southwest. Take a tour of the town’s largest brewery and home of “Budweiser” beer. Pilsen is 2 hrs 20 mins by train from Prague.

Pilsen

Ceske Budejovice is the capital city of South Bohemia in the southern Czech Republic. Surrounded by arcaded houses, the grand Premysl Otakar II Square is home to the baroque Samson’s Fountain and the Town Hall with 3 spires. The Gothic-Renaissance Black Tower has views of the old town and Klet Mountain, southwest. Take a tour of the town’s largest brewery and home of “Budweiser” beer. Pilsen is 2 hrs 9 mins by train from Prague.

Brno

Brno is a city in the Czech Republic. It is known for its modernist buildings, like the restored Villa Tugendhat, completed in 1930 by architect Mies van der Rohe. The medieval Spilberk Castle houses a city museum, gardens and a former prison with vaulted tunnels. The Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul has baroque altars, a 14th-century statue of the Madonna and Child, and city views from its steeple. Brno is 2 hrs 55 mins by train from Prague.

Cesky Krumlov

Cesky Krumlov (Czech: Cesky Krumlov, German: Krumau) is a beautiful town of 13,300 inhabitants located in Southern Bohemia in the Czech Republic. Like Prague, the town is situated on the Vltava River and is full of Baroque buildings housing cafes and bars, features a spectacular castle (the second largest in the Czech Republic), and an old-town square. The town’s appearance is little changed since the 18th century and the buildings have been well maintained and restored. In 1992 Cesky Krumlov was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The town is very popular among tourists, who outnumber the local population in the summer. Cesky Krumlov is 2 hrs 53 mins by train from Prague.

Hradec Kralove

Hradec Kralove is a city located in East Bohemia in the Czech Republic. The eighth largest city in the republic, with a population of nearly 100,000 inhabitants, Hradec Kralove stands as the capital of the Hradec Kralove Region. The city is also a major centre for higher education, business and transportation for much of East Bohemia. Due to their close proximity, Hradec Kralove shares a deep-seated rivalry with neighboring Pardubice. Often overshadowed by popular destinations like Prague, Ÿåeský Krumlov and Karlovy Vary, Hradec Kralove remains largely undiscovered by foreign tourists. Hradec Kralove is 2 hrs 10 mins by train from Prague.

Karlovy Vary

Karlovy Vary is the biggest spa town in central Europe with beautiful spa buildings, hot springs and geyser, easily reachable by bus. It is also famous for its whimsical architecture. For these reasons, it was a popular tourist destination in the 18th century with guests including, Mustafa Kemal Atatark, Tsar Peter the Great, Emperor Franz Josef I, Beethoven, Wagner, Brahms, Tolstoy, and Marx. Karlovy Vary is 3 hrs 13 mins by train from Prague.

Kromeriz

Kromeriz is a town in South Moravia, Czech Republic. Kromeriz stands on the site of an earlier ford across the River Morava, at the foot of the Chriby mountain range which dominates the central part of Moravia. The Archbishops Palace is situated just off of the main square it is an interesting examplke of the European Baroque Palace and has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Climb the tower of the Archbishops Palace for impressive views over the town and surrounding Landscape. Kromeriz is 3 hrs 20 mins by train from Prague.

Liberec

Liberec is nestled in the Jizera Mountains, at the foot of Jested mountain in the Bohemia region of the northern Czech Republic. Jested Mountain is a well-known dominant of Liberec city with a famous tower on the top. The tower built in 60’s has an unique hyperboloid shape, naturally extending the silhouette of the mountain. It serves as a hotel and TV transmitter. In good weather you can overlook most of northern Bohemia as well as part of Germany and Poland from the summit. Olomouc is 3 hrs 36 mins by train from Prague.

Olomouc

Olomouc has the second largest and second oldest historic preservation zone in the Czech Republic (after Prague). Olomouc lies astride the Morava River and is surrounded by the fertile Hana plain. It was the capital of Moravia until 1641 and is the six-largest city in the country, with approximately 99,500 inhabitants. Olomouc is doubtless the undiscovered gem of the Czech Republic. It is home to countless beautiful buildings, great culture (home of the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra), and hundreds of unique restaurants, bars, and pubs. Olomouc is totally off the radar of most tourists, feeling quietly normal and relaxed even on a nice day in July. Olomouc is 2 hrs 27 mins by train from Prague.

Kutna Hora

Kutna Hora was a silver mining town in medieval times: once the second Czech city to Prague in terms of population. Today it is home to about 21000 people. Although Kutna Hora has some comparatively drab modern architecture, it was enscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995 for the Historical Town Centre, including the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec, the Church of St Barbara and the Sedlec Ossuary, decorated with the remains of 40,000 human skeletons who were largely plague victims. At both ends of the town there are some beautiful buildings, and the higher points of the town are home to restored older architecture, with Medieval, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings. Tours of the accessible portions of the old silver mines mines operate daily. Beroun is 1 hr 18 mins by train from Prague.

Beroun

Beroun, on an important railway line between Prague and Pilsen, has a lovely main square with St. Jacob’s Church in gothic style. You will find other interesting places at the main square or around the river. Beroun is the gateway to two protected landscape/conservation areas: Cesky kras and the Krivoklat region (about 40 minutes by train to Krivoklat castle). If you want to see (and taste) something unique, don’t miss family brewery, Berounsky medved. The brewery can be found close to the main railway station (2 mins on foot), hidden in the areal of old sugar factory (seeing it from distance, you would hardly expect the coolest restaurant in Beroun is hidden here). Every second weekend of May, the town holds an annual Pottery Fair. Beroun is 37 mins by train from Prague.

Karlstejn Castle

Karlstejn Castle is located approximately 20km west of Prague. It is the most visited and one of the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic. Construction of the castle was completed in 1365 under the reign of Holy Roman Emporer Charles IV. There is a national forest around the castle with some very nice hiking. Nearby in the village of Svaty Jan Pod Skalou you can visit a beautiful monastery including the ‘holy cave’ that it was built upon. Recommended is a 12km or 20km hiking trip in the unexploited forests of the Cesky kras protected area around Karlstejn. Karlstejn is 40 mins by train from Prague.

Benesov

Benesov is a town in the Czech Republic, notable for nearby Konopiste Castle. Konopiste was the residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne). He purchased the castle and took up residence several years prior to his assassination in Sarajevo. Archduke Ferdinand married a woman of Czech nobility (a scandalous affair due to her only being a duchess). Feeling ostracized from the nobility in Vienna, he chose KonopištŸõ as his residence instead. There is a great brewery and pub located near the castle’s lake. If you are into motorcycles, don’t miss the Museum of historical motorcycles, next to the Konopiste castle). The Museum shows the factory manufacture and sport successes of Czech motorcycles in the 20th century. Benesov is 39 mins by train from Prague.

Drone Prachov Rocks, Bohemian Paradise

Bohemian Paradise

The Bohemian Paradise (Czech: Cesky Raj) is a protected landscape area located in North Bohemia, Czech Republic. It provides numerous options for hiking and biking through the environment. There are only few places in the world where you can find such a wide variety of geological phenomena and where its diversity play such an important role in shaping the environment. All places are suitable for excursions for all who wish to enjoy the pleasures and excitements of geotourism and they are interesting and accessible even for people with minimal geological knowledge.


Notable features include Kozakov Hill, Bazkov Dolomite Caves and the Bartosova pec and Ondrikovice karst system. A seasonal tourist buses provide the transport across the main sites in Geopark during the main summer season, which cover the main pedestrian and biking paths, and railway stations. Turnov, a town near Bohemian Paradise, is 1 hr 47 mins by train from Prague.