Prague

The heart of Prague — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992 — is one of the largest preserved historical old towns in Europe. The main squares and sights:

• Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) — central square with the town hall, the famous astronomical clock (Prague Orloj from 1410), and the Church of Our Lady before Týn. Every hour, the apostles of the clock dance
• Charles Bridge (Karlův most) — Prague's landmark, constructed from 1357 under Charles IV, adorned with 30 baroque statues of saints; connects Old Town with Lesser Town
• Powder Tower (Prašná brána) — Gothic city tower, entrance to the Old Town from Republic Square
• Jewish Quarter (Josefov) — Old Jewish Cemetery, Old-New Synagogue (the oldest still active in Europe), and other synagogues
• Klementinum — Baroque library with an astronomical tower, one of the most beautiful historical libraries in the world

The Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) is, according to the Guinness Book, the largest coherent castle complex in the world (approx. 70,000 m²). Official seat of the state president. Core of the ensemble:

• St. Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála svatého Víta) — Gothic main cathedral, burial site of Bohemian kings and the crown jewels
• Old Royal Palace — with the monumental Vladislav Hall
• St. George's Basilica — the oldest Romanesque church in Prague (from 920)
• Golden Lane (Zlatá ulička) — narrow lane with colorful miniature houses, one of which was temporarily home to Franz Kafka
• Loreta — Baroque pilgrimage site right next to the castle with a carillon
• Strahov Monastery — with one of the most magnificent historical library halls in Europe

The guard changes at the castle gates hourly, the grand ceremony is every day at 12 PM.

Beneath the castle lies the charming Lesser Town (Malá Strana) — one of Prague's most atmospheric districts with baroque palaces, gardens, and hidden alleys.

• St. Nicholas Church — Masterpiece of Prague Baroque
• Wallenstein Palace & Gardens — today the seat of the Czech Senate, the garden is open to the public
• John Lennon Wall — continuously covered with graffiti since the 1980s, a symbol of freedom
• Kampa Island — idyllic Vltava island with the Kampa Museum
• Petřín Hill — with observation tower (miniature Eiffel Tower), rose garden, and funicular

A boat trip on the Vltava or a sunset from the Charles Bridge towards the castle are unforgettable Prague moments.

The Prague New Town (Nové Město) was founded in 1348 under Charles IV and is today the commercial center. Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) — more boulevard than square — is the main axis with shops, hotels, and the National Museum at the head end.

• National Museum — magnificently restored, extensive natural history and historical collections
• National Theatre — symbol of the Czech revival in the 19th century
• Dancing House (Tančící dům) — modern deconstructivist building by Frank Gehry on the Vltava, often called "Fred and Ginger"
• Vyšehrad — legendary castle south of the city center; Dvořák and Smetana are buried here in the Slavín Cemetery; fantastic view of the Vltava

Wenceslas Square was the scene of the "Velvet Revolution" in 1989, which ended the communist regime in the former Czechoslovakia.

Prague offers every culinary direction — from tourist traps at the Old Town Square to Michelin stars. As a rule of thumb: One or two streets away from the main paths, the food gets better and significantly cheaper.

Czech Classics

• Svíčková — Beef sirloin in cream sauce with dumplings and cranberries (the national dish)
• Vepřo knedlo zelo — Roast pork, dumplings, cabbage
• Guláš — Czech goulash, usually with dumplings
• Smažený sýr — Fried cheese, a Czech fast-food classic
• Trdelník — Spiral pastry (tourist souvenir, not traditionally Czech — adapted from Hungary/Slovakia)

Beer Culture

Czech beer (Pivo) is world-class. Classics: Pilsner Urquell, Budweiser Budvar, Staropramen, Kozel, Krušovice. Many brewery pubs (“pivnice") offer barrels directly from the cellar. The Prague brewery U Fleků (since 1499) is touristy but atmospheric.