48 hours in Prague – Weekend Edition
Prague In Less Than 48 Words
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The city has a history dating back more than a thousand years, and has become a culture capital with its fascinating museums and art galleries.
Charles Bridge (Photo by Francisco Antunes)
First 24 Hours
Touch down at Prague, one of Europe’s premier tourist destinations, via the Prague Ruzyně Airport, which is the city’s main hub for international arrivals. It is located 10 kilometers west of the city center. From there, you can hire a minibus to take you to the heart of the city. A particular minibus service, Cedaz (00 420 224 281 005), offers a ride for up to four persons to one address, charging 480Kc. You can also ride a 119 bus for only 20Kc, although it will only take you as far as the Dejvicka metro station. After arriving at the station, you will have to take a ride on the city’s three-line underground network. Tickets there cost around 14Kc.
Prague is bisected by the Vltava River, and has two major districts: Stare Mesto (Old Town) and Nove Mesto (New Town). You can learn more about the city, its attractions, and transportation at its main tourist office (Old Town Square, 00 420 12 444, website). The office is open daily between 9 am and 7 pm (only until 6 pm on weekends). Don’t forget to get a street map there.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Prague’s hotels
Golden Well (Photo by Golden Well)
Once in the heart of the city, you can rest your tired mind and body at one of Prague’s excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is Golden Well (U Zlate Studne 166 / 4 | Praha 1-Hradcany, Prague 11800, 00420 257 011 213, website). It has an exceptionally attentive staff and services, and is highly recommended by most visitors.
A nice alternative is the Arcadia Residence (Hostivitova 3, Prague 128 00, 420724027525, website), at an ideal location, offering spacious, comfortable, and clean rooms stocked with complete amenities. You can also try out the Alchymist Residence Nosticova (Nosticova 1, Prague 11800, +420 257312513, website). It provides an attentive and friendly staff, a great atmosphere, beautiful décor, plus luxurious and spacious rooms.
PETRIN: Let’s take a view
Petřínská rozhledna (Photo by my5theye)
A popular tourist attraction in Prague is the Petřín hill, which is a popular recreational area for the locals as well as tourists. It is located near the left bank of the Vltava River, and stands hall at 130 meters. The area is covered by parks, and has been depicted in the works of authors such as Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera. You can reach the top of the hill via the Petřín funicular, a train ride which will cost you around 14Kc for a single ticket. Once there, you can see historical sights such as the Hunger Wall, the Strahov Monastery, and the Memorial to the Victims of Communism.
However, the highlight there is the Petřínská rozhledna, otherwise known as the Petřín lookout tower. It is a 60-meter tall steel framework tower that closely resembles Paris’ Eiffel Tower. You can brave its 299 steps to the summit, where you will be rewarded with sweeping views of the cityscape. The tower also has a gift shop and a small café. It is open daily between 10 am and 10 pm from April to October, and on weekends between 10 am and 5 pm from November to March.
The hill also houses the Štefánik’s Observatory (Štefánikova hvězdárna, Petřín 205, 118 46 Prague 1, +420 257 320 540, website). The observatory specializes in astronomy and related natural sciences, and is known for its three domes fitted with powerful telescopes. It is open to public daytime and nighttime observation of the sky. Entrance will set you back around 65Kc.
CHARLES BRIDGE: Cross the river on a historical bridge
Perhaps one of Prague’s most popular landmarks is the Charles Bridge (3 Křižovnické náměstí 110 00 Prague 1). It was built in 1357, and stretches for 516 meters across the Vltava River supported by 16 arches. You’ll see there a decoration of around 30 statues and statuaries crafted in a distinct baroque style. The bridge is quiet by night, but if you pass through it during the day, you’ll find that it bustles with traders, merchants, painters, and of course, tourists.
At one end of the bridge, you can find the Charles Bridge Museum (3 Křižovnické náměstí 110 00 Prague 1, 776 776 779, website). Inside, you’ll see various exhibits about the bridge’s history, as well as from the lives of the people who had lived around it. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, and admission will cost you around 150 Kc.
VYSEHRAD: See the birthplace of Prague
Don’t forget to pay a visit to Vyšehrad (5b V Pevnosti 128 00 Prague 2, +4202.4141.0348, website). It is a castle that is a popular landmark, and is believed to have been the location of the first settlement that would eventually become Prague. It dates back to the 10th century, and is home to the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul and the Vyšehrad Cemetery. The former is a neo-Gothic church known for its impressive stone mosaic, while the latter is the final resting place of some of the most famous people from Czech history, such as Dvorak, Smetana, and Neruda. The site is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm, and entrance will cost you 10 Kc.
The walls of Vyšehrad castle (Photo by Steven Ballegeer)
DINNER TIME: Discover Prague’s restaurants
A perfect way to relax after sightseeing is by recharging at the superb restaurants found all over the city. One of the best dining experiences is available at the La Degustation (Hastalska 18, Prague, 420 222 311 234, website). It offers beautifully presented and delicious meals, plus fine local and foreign wine selection, an elegant and romantic atmosphere, and attentive service.
A nice alternative is the Coda Restaurant (Trziste 9, Prague 118 00, 420 225 334 761, website), which is a Michelin-star restaurant with delicious seafood dishes and friendly staff. You can also try out Vinarna V zatisi (Liliova 1, Prague, 420 222-220-629, website), where you can get first class fine dining, an efficient and friendly staff, and very delicious course meals.
Next 24 Hours
Church of Our Lady Before Tyn (Photo by Alistair Young)
Your next 24 hours in Prague can be used to discover the city’s other tourist attractions. One of the must-sees in the city is the Obecní dům (Republiky 5, 111 21 Prague 1, +420/222 002 101, website). Also known as the Municipal Hall, it is a major civic landmark, and is located near the very heart of the city. It is also one of the most significant Art Nouveau buildings in Prague, and was designed and decorated by some of the finest Czech painters and sculptors of the 1900s. It functions as a concert hall as well, and has been witness to performances by local and international artists. The site is open daily between 10 am and 7 pm.
OUR LADY BEFORE TYN: Let’s go to church
Another major Prague landmark is the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn (Staromestské námestí 604, Praha 1, Staré Mesto 110 00, 222 318 186, website). It dominates the skyline of Prague’s Old City at a height of 80 meters, and dates back to the 14th century. The church has an impressive Late Gothic architectural style plus a Baroque interior. Inside, you will see the oldest pipe organ in the city, an early Baroque altarpiece, and the marble tomb of the famous Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe.
PRAGUE CASTLE: Visit one of the biggest castles in the world
Don’t forget to visit the Prague Castle (Hradcanské námestí 110 00 Prague 1, +420 224 371 111, website). It is one of the biggest castles in the world with an area of around 70,000 square meters, and is the office of the President of the Czech Republic. The castle also was once the residence of the Kings of Bohemia and the Holy Roman Emperors. It is believed to date back to 880, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can admire its architecture, and take a stroll across the Royal Garden. The site is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm during April to October, and between 9 am to 4 pm during November to March.
Prague Castle (Photo from Google images)
NATIONAL MUSEUM: Learn more about Czech history
You can also head to the National Museum of Prague (68 Václavské námestí 115 79 Prague 1, +420 224 497 111, website). It is a Czech museum where you can see more than 14 million exhibits concerning natural history, the arts, music, history, and so on. It is also noted for its impressive neo-Renaissance architectural style. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, except on the first Tuesdays.
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Prague’s vibrant nightlife scene
During the last night you can enjoy the thrilling nightlife offered by Prague’s bars and clubs. One of the most popular is the Lavka Bar & Club (Novotneho Lavka 1, Old Town, Prague 1, 221 082 278, website). It has a great location by the Charles Bridge, and is a hot dancing spot during winter and a popular bar spot during summer. A nice alternative is the Bombay Cocktail & Music Bar (Dlouha 13, Old Town, Prague 1, 420 222 328 400, website), which is frequented by an international crowd, and serves a diverse range of cocktails; recommended drinks are the margaritas and rum runners.
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