Prague – “The Golden City”
- Dara Wissinger Pütz
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Nestled in the heart of the Czech Republic is the charming city of Prague. Originating as the heart of the holy roman empire with times under rule of the Kingdom of Bohemia, Habsburg rule, and Czechoslovakia before the Czech Republic was established. Prague has a rich and turbulent history sprinkled with a history of musical excellence. For example, on October 29, 1787, Mozart's opera Don Giovanni premiered in Prague, at the Estates Theater. Einstein lived briefly in Prague where he worked as a professor of theoretical physics at the German University of Prague which is known today as Charles University. Around every corner of this stunning city there is a nugget of interesting history, engaging architecture and vibrancy.
What to See
There is so much to see and do in Prague, a day or two is simply not enough time to see it all. Even having been to Prague several times I have barely scratched the surface on all there is to see and do. There are several places which I would recommend not to miss. First off is Prague Castle. We completed the self-guided tour and to be honest this was just okay. I recommend exploring the grounds for free in the evening after 5pm. The crowds have cleared out and you are able to see so much of the area in peace.
Next up is visiting the old town square and specifically taking a tour of the old town hall and the astronomical clock tower. Make sure to see the clock tower ‘perform’ every hour and when you take this tour you can also see its mechanics on the inside. The climb up to the top of the clock tower is an easy climb with slopes to make it up and this is worth the view at the top. As of writing this article, every day for the first hour of admission the price of the clock tower ticket is 50% off. I recommend doing this not just for the price cut but also to avoid crowds.
I highly recommend seeing the city by water via a one-hour evening river cruise on the Vltava River. There are plenty of online tour operators you can find to book this experience. I do not recommend booking one of the dinner cruises. The food and staff were fine as well as the boat but what is not shared with you is that more than half the time is spent in canal locks. This was very disheartening as the locks are not the portion I truly wanted to see. Interestingly, we came very close to a nutria in the locks and that was fascinating. Personally, I would book a nice dinner at a traditional Czech restaurant in the city and do an evening cruise before or after your meal depending on the time of year for only an hour. The shorter cruises do not need to go through the canal locks, which allows you to still see all of the main attractions on the river.
What to Eat
There are many iconic foods associated with a visit to Prague with the most notable being the chimney cakes or Trdelník as they are called in Czech. Stalls for chimney cakes are on every corner and you can smell their sweet aroma before you see them. It is best advised to share one with a friend unless you have a large appetite and a big, sweet tooth. If you are visiting in the warmer months choose one filled with ice cream!
Chimney cakes are not actually Czech in origin but rather Hungarian. Thus, making this sweet treat not completely traditional. Don’t worry though there is a delicious, sweet treat that is authentically Czech and that is the filled Kolace pastry. They are often filled with poppy seeds, fruit or a local sweet cheese. The Kolacherie in the city center of Prague is the perfect cute café to pop in and try a few.
Some traditional hearty meal options include Svíčková which is braised beef with bread dumplings in a creamy vegetable sauce and goulash which is a hearty stew of vegetables and beef also served with bread dumplings. Roast duck is often served with sauerkraut and dumplings is also a popular dish choice. Pork knuckle is also easily found on many menus. Make sure you come to Prague hungry!
Prague is also known for one other element of food and drink – the local Pilsner beer! Pilsen is located 1.5-hour drive from Prague, and the original brewery is still in operation today. The original recipe from 1842 is the exact same one utilized today to make this full-flavored Saaz hops beer. If you aren’t a beer drinker another traditional regional drink is Kofola. This is described as a Czech cola alternative, but I would not say the taste is at all like a Coca-Cola.
Where to Stay
My first time to Prague, we stayed in the city center. While this was convenient, it was noisy and crowded. This was also a challenge to get to with driving into the city center. For our most recent visit we stayed at Hotel Monastery situated on the grounds of Strahov Monastery. While this stay was a bit above the city it is the perfect place to stay for your visit to Prague. We would walk down the hill in the morning for the daily activities in the city and take the tram back up the hill with a stop 5 minutes away from the monastery entrance. Tram rides only cost around $1 per ride per person as well. Making it a very affordable alternative to walking up the hill at the end of a long day.
The hotel itself is set in the middle of the garden area of the monastery, making it a peaceful and beautiful retreat in the heart of the city. There are restaurants within walking distance with delicious options for everyone (some of the best chicken schnitzels I have ever had were at the local monastery brewery restaurant next door). Staff were excellent and very attentive – welcoming us with a glass of champagne upon arrival. Parking is provided on site – though do pay close attention to the size limitations as the gate to enter the parking area is quite small. Our room faced the monastery gardens and flowing views of the city. There is no air conditioning, but this was no problem as we left the giant windows open to blow in the hilltop breeze.
Please note I am in no way affiliated with Hotel Monastery and there is no monetary value for me to recommend staying here we simply loved our experience staying there.
When to Go
No matter what time of year you decide to visit Prague the city always feels alive. The most magical (and coldest) time to visit is during Christmas time to experience the famous Christmas market. What is nice about the Christmas market in Prague is that it runs until the Epiphany which is January 6th. Most markets in Europe close on December 24th so this is a great place to go to extend holiday cheer. Another great time in which I have personally been to Prague is in June. This is usually a period with great weather and before the summer crowds and summer heat. If you do go in the summer, it does get quite warm so finding a hotel with air conditioning is advised.
Tips and Tricks
Pickpocketing in the Old Town Square and Charles Bridge is a common occurrence, and all tour guides greatly warn against these dangers. Make sure to keep all belongings in a sealed, zippered and even locked bag close to the front of you. While we felt safe in Prague we were on high alert in the very touristy areas as these are prime pick pocket locations. To note, many bachelor and bachelorette parties come to Prague from neighboring European countries as it is cheap and has lax laws on marijuana use. To avoid the bigger influx of these groups, I do recommend to either travel in the off season when the weather isn’t as great or to avoid travel on the weekend if you can.
Make sure to check the neighboring countries holidays and school calendar to find the optimal time to go. Prague is a very popular tourist destinations for Germans on a long weekend. River cruises often include Prague as a destination as well. Be mindful of these groups as they are often made up of an aging population. Please be courteous and patient with these groups – many are American or British and it can take some time to navigate around the groups in some settings.
You will be walking and most likely up or down a hill at some point. To avoid complete exhaustion, utilize the excellent public transportation system. While there are no gates or tap in system do ensure you buy a ticket. If you buy a physical ticket, it must be validated when you get on the public transit system with the date and time. If you do not purchase a ticket or validate the one you bought you can be fined up to 60 euros. While tickets are not checked on every single ride, ‘hidden’ transport system workers can stop you at any time and ask to see a ticket.
Prague is a stunning city full of vibrant attractions and deep history. We are extremely lucky we live within driving (and train) distance of this beautiful city. The conversion rate of the Czech Crowns lends Prague to be a very affordable city to visit in Europe even during peak tourist seasons. Prague is a city you can easily visit repeatedly while always seeing something new.
Meet Dara
Originally I am from the very first and second smallest state in America, Delaware. After achieving my masters degree I wanted to take a 'gap year' to work in Shanghai, China with Disney. I met my husband in Shanghai and somehow that 'gap year' turned into more than 8 years of living abroad! I have lived across three continents and four countries before I turned 30 and I wouldn't be surprised if those statistics change again before I am 40. I currently reside in the land of fairytale inspiration itself, Bavaria, Germany with my German husband. I love the thrill of visiting somewhere new and I am passionate about planning every single detail for all of our trips. I have always wanted to share my knowledge and expertise from this magical life abroad and thus this column was born. Join me as I take you from Delaware to Everywhere.
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