Prague is nicknamed the “The Golden City of a Hundred Spires,” and it’s easy to see why, it dazzles with Gothic grandeur, baroque brilliance, and medieval buildings that connect to cobblestone streets. Known for its fairy-tale façades, Prague is by no means a dated city – it has jazz spilling from cellar bars, trams rattling through neighborhoods, and coffee shops that beckon you to stay a while.
Needless to say, you’ll never run out of things to do in Prague, it’s a city that grabs hold of your heart and makes you promise to return here.
Forget Venice, Prague is the real city of love. Everywhere you look it feels romantic, from the storybook stone bridges crossing the Vltava River to the violinist playin in an Old Town Square.
Whether you’re visiting on a romantic weekend, a family trip, or backpacking across Europe, I can guarantee you’ll fall in love with this captivating city.
The astronomical clock is a major tourist attraction in the city. It’s located in the Old Town Square (famous for its Christmas Market), on the Old Town Hall Tower and it has been ticking away since 1410. As the world’s third-oldest astronomical clock, it’s a marvel of medieval engineering and the only one that is still operational today.
The clock has a number of different features, but the most important part is the astronomical dial. This allows you to tell the relative positions of the Sun, Moon, Earth, and Zodiac constellations. Visitors will also see a church calendar, which displays the 365 days a year and its holidays.
But perhaps what draws all the crowds to the Astronomical Clock in Prague is the hourly show known as the “Walk of the Apostles.” Two windows open to reveal twelve apostles circling the clock. As the figures move around, a rooster crows and bells ring out. It’s quite a spectacle!
2. Visit Prague Castle
Prague Castle is one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of the Czech Republic. It is a massive complex that encompasses several buildings, including churches, palaces, and a fortress. In fact, it’s the largest ancient castle in the world.
Construction on the castle began in the ninth century, and it has been expanded and renovated over the years. Today, Prague Castle is a popular tourist destination, visited by people from all over the world.
Inside the Prague Castle complex is Saint Vitus Cathedral. This Gothic cathedral is one of the largest in Europe, and it features beautiful stained glass windows and intricate carvings. Other notable attractions in the Prague Castle include Golden Lane, a street of colorful houses dating back to the 16th century, and the Mihulka Powder Tower, which served as a cannon tower during medieval times.
3. Visit the most romantic bridge in the world; Charles Bridge
If you’re looking for romance, then we’ve got the perfect place for you. The Charles Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in Prague, if not, all of Europe. It was completed in 1357 and spans the Vltava River, connecting Prague Castle with the old city center.
Before it was built, the only way to cross the river was by boat. The bridge quickly became popular and soon became an important part of the city’s infrastructure. The bridge is named after Charles IV, the Holy Roman Emperor who commissioned its construction.
The bow bridge is 516 meters long and has 16 arches, as well as 30 statues of saints on the bridge. The most famous and oldest statue is that of St. John of Nepomuk, who was the patron saint of Prague.
The bridge is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great place to take pictures or just to enjoy the view of the river, especially as a family. It is one of the most photographed locations in the world, and it can get quite crowded during the day. If you want to experience Charles Bridge without the crowds, sunrise is the perfect time to do so!
4. See the Quirky Dancing House
Perhaps the most unusual building in Prague is the Dancing House, otherwise known as Fred and Ginger. Built on a site that was destroyed by US bombs in WWII, the building was designed by architects Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry and was completed in 1996.
The Dancing House was created as a tribute to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, two of the best dancers in film history.
It is said that Gehry was inspired by their dancing style when he designed the building. The Dancing House is made up of two towers, which are connected by a large atrium. It is almost as if the two buildings are “dancing” with each other.
Nowadays, the building is being used as offices and a conference center. It also has a gallery with different exhibitions, as well as a restaurant. But what tourists mustn’t miss is the rooftop terrace that offers stunning panoramic views of Prague.
