Jun
01
2012
Aug
31
2012
Jun
01
2013
Aug
31
2013
Jun
01
2014
Aug
31
2014
Jun
01
2015
Aug
31
2015
Jun
01
2016
Aug
31
2016
Soak Up Old Town Prague
Published by Tyler Remington Harkness, Writer
Country: Czech Republic 
The Experience
Lying in the shadow of Prague Castle's twisted Gothic spires, Old Town Prague's twisting labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets enchant the traveller with visions of antiquity. Indeed, you will quickly find yourself lost amid artisans, street-vendors and fellow travellers. Visiting Old Town Prague is a discovery of the history, culture and people that make it captivating to the imagination. Lost behind the iron curtain of communism in its recent past, Prague has emerged as the cultural hub of Eastern Europe. Old Town Prague demonstrates this better than anywhere else in the region.
Like many other destination cities steeped in European antiquity, Prague's history, its culture and its unique character are truly discovered on its streets and in its cafes. Home to the oh-so-infamous astronomical clock, and the ever-so-bewildering sculptures of David Cerny, it has its iconic tourist draws. But Old Town Prague's true appeal is more absorbed in the repressed feel of its active communist-period intelligentsia, in exploring its deep religious roots, or by having a pint in one of its traditional pubs found throughout Old Town.
Prague was home to the famous modern novelist Franz Kafka, and Old Town Prague offers much for the Kafka enthusiast. It now hosts the unique and genuinely post-modern Kafka Museum, and you can walk the streets of Kafka's world with a Kafka tour. Or, you can wax philosophical while sipping coffee in one of the many "grand cafes" around Old Town Prague that Kafka once frequented. These gorgeous cafes are found throughout Old Town, and were home not only to Kafka and his crowd, but also to subversive intellectuals of the communist period, such as Milan Kundera and Vaclav Havel. Old town Prague's unique and enchanting ethos is further enhanced by a number of gorgeous Eastern Orthodox Cathedrals, and a well-preserved 13th century Jewish ghetto and cemetery, which speak volumes about Prague and its people.
If you’re less the history and literature enthusiast, and more the good food, beer and conversation sort, then Old Town Prague will not disappoint. With traditional Czech pubs scattered throughout Old Town Prague—each boasting a formidable array of local Czech beers and offering a variety of traditional Czech dishes—food and drink is an excellent way into understanding the Czech heart and mind. After wandering the tight cobbled streets of Mala Strana and Stare Mestro (the two Old Town Prague districts on either side of the Vltava River), there is nothing more welcoming than a bustling old Czech pub with warm lighting, old wooden benches and tables, cold beer on tap, and no shortage of fresh baked pretzels.
There are so many exciting facets of Old Town Prague's atmosphere and culture that you can only experience by wandering its streets and frequenting its cafes and pubs during both day and night. There is one experience that stands out from the rest as truly pulling you into the fairytale charm so unique to Old Town Prague. At the very heart of Prague's tumultuous and unsteady history, and connecting Mala Strana with Stare Mestro, lies Charles Bridge: a beautiful walking bridge lined with intricate and ornate statues, each giving their own snapshot into Prague's past. During the day it is also lined with artisans, painters and portrait artists, all selling their work to the many passersby, and filling the atmosphere with energy and excitement. In the morning, however, just as the sun is rising, while the mist still hovers just above the water and the town has yet to awaken, the bridge is still. Bring a cup of coffee and sit on the eastern bank, watching the light from the rising sun break onto the bridge and scatter the morning mist while Prague Castle looms just above on the opposite bank. Taking in this breathtaking scene, Old Town Prague will truly make you feel as though you have been written straight into the pages of a fairytale.
Like many other destination cities steeped in European antiquity, Prague's history, its culture and its unique character are truly discovered on its streets and in its cafes. Home to the oh-so-infamous astronomical clock, and the ever-so-bewildering sculptures of David Cerny, it has its iconic tourist draws. But Old Town Prague's true appeal is more absorbed in the repressed feel of its active communist-period intelligentsia, in exploring its deep religious roots, or by having a pint in one of its traditional pubs found throughout Old Town.
Prague was home to the famous modern novelist Franz Kafka, and Old Town Prague offers much for the Kafka enthusiast. It now hosts the unique and genuinely post-modern Kafka Museum, and you can walk the streets of Kafka's world with a Kafka tour. Or, you can wax philosophical while sipping coffee in one of the many "grand cafes" around Old Town Prague that Kafka once frequented. These gorgeous cafes are found throughout Old Town, and were home not only to Kafka and his crowd, but also to subversive intellectuals of the communist period, such as Milan Kundera and Vaclav Havel. Old town Prague's unique and enchanting ethos is further enhanced by a number of gorgeous Eastern Orthodox Cathedrals, and a well-preserved 13th century Jewish ghetto and cemetery, which speak volumes about Prague and its people.
If you’re less the history and literature enthusiast, and more the good food, beer and conversation sort, then Old Town Prague will not disappoint. With traditional Czech pubs scattered throughout Old Town Prague—each boasting a formidable array of local Czech beers and offering a variety of traditional Czech dishes—food and drink is an excellent way into understanding the Czech heart and mind. After wandering the tight cobbled streets of Mala Strana and Stare Mestro (the two Old Town Prague districts on either side of the Vltava River), there is nothing more welcoming than a bustling old Czech pub with warm lighting, old wooden benches and tables, cold beer on tap, and no shortage of fresh baked pretzels.
There are so many exciting facets of Old Town Prague's atmosphere and culture that you can only experience by wandering its streets and frequenting its cafes and pubs during both day and night. There is one experience that stands out from the rest as truly pulling you into the fairytale charm so unique to Old Town Prague. At the very heart of Prague's tumultuous and unsteady history, and connecting Mala Strana with Stare Mestro, lies Charles Bridge: a beautiful walking bridge lined with intricate and ornate statues, each giving their own snapshot into Prague's past. During the day it is also lined with artisans, painters and portrait artists, all selling their work to the many passersby, and filling the atmosphere with energy and excitement. In the morning, however, just as the sun is rising, while the mist still hovers just above the water and the town has yet to awaken, the bridge is still. Bring a cup of coffee and sit on the eastern bank, watching the light from the rising sun break onto the bridge and scatter the morning mist while Prague Castle looms just above on the opposite bank. Taking in this breathtaking scene, Old Town Prague will truly make you feel as though you have been written straight into the pages of a fairytale.
When to Go to Old Town Prague
Prague has one main airport: Prague Ruzyne, and it hosts several well-known and reputable international airlines, as well as a number of cheap, budget airlines that Europe is so well known for. If your travelling Europe, and you’re not going by rail pass, it will be worth your while to look into budget airlines, which, though a little uncomfortable, offer incredibly cheap prices if you time it right. Prague can also be reached by rail, and a Euro-rail pass can get you there from nearly any other location in Europe.
Odds n' Ends
Relative to most of Western Europe, Prague is a very affordable city to visit in Europe. Czech currency is the Koruna, and the U.S. dollar gets you about 20 Koruna minus exchange fees. That said, Prague is maturing into a world-class destination city, and restaurant and accommodation prices tend to reflect this, especially during the travel season. Rates and prices are much cheaper during the off-season, but Prague is also immersed in snow, often several feet deep during this period. Off-season is frigid and snowy, but the city is much less populated, and you can land a 4-star hotel right in the center of Old Town for about 50 bucks, which in the world of European destination cities is absolutely unheard of. A winter visit to Prague offers some other charms as well. Much of the populace commute through the city on cross-country skis, for example, and the warm pub atmosphere is that much better after coming in out of the snapping cold winter air.
Still, although rates are much higher and the city is far more crowded, Prague in-season perhaps offers the more relaxing, immersing holiday. So much of experiencing Old-town Prague is in getting absorbed into the atmosphere and ethos of the streets and the people. The freezing off-season cold can, therefore, distract from an otherwise perfect lackadaisical stroll through Prague's beautiful streets. In-season travel also means the city gardens will be in full bloom, and the nightlife will be more energetic.
Still, although rates are much higher and the city is far more crowded, Prague in-season perhaps offers the more relaxing, immersing holiday. So much of experiencing Old-town Prague is in getting absorbed into the atmosphere and ethos of the streets and the people. The freezing off-season cold can, therefore, distract from an otherwise perfect lackadaisical stroll through Prague's beautiful streets. In-season travel also means the city gardens will be in full bloom, and the nightlife will be more energetic.
Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
Under the \"Roulette\" system, the customer receives a considerable discount on the price. The name of the hotel is revealed a minimum of 72 hours ... 0 miles away
$847 CZK+
Hotel is locally known as CERNA LISKA. It is situated directly on the Old Town Square right behind the Astronomical clock. It is also in ... 0 miles away
$1445 CZK+
+ 23 others. Show all.
More Experiences Nearby
- The Time-Honoured Astronomical Clock of Old Town Prague
- Every year, thousands of people flock to Old Town Square in Prague to get a glimpse of the Astronomical Clock, one of the finest examples of its kind still around in Europe. Located on the south wall of Prague’s Town Hall, the Astronomical Clock has an equally colourful history to match its colourful facade. Its oldest part was built in 1410 by a local clockmaker and a professor of astronomy. Other elements, such as the calendar dial and the moving statues, were added in the intervening centuries. Upon first glance, it can be difficult to figure out what you're seeing, ...0 miles away.
While You're There - Tours and Trips Nearby
Your evening begins with a coach ride from the Powder Tower to the River Vltava, where an air-conditioned boat awaits you. After a welcome aperitif, ... via Prague.
$73+
+ 20 others. Show all.
Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!
You'll travel by coach past the State Opera, National Museum and Wenceslas Square with its statue of St. Wenceslas. Then continue across Charles Square to ...
Starting from $34.75 per person.
Starting from $34.75 per person.
Books and DVDs
Elsewhere on the Web
Travel Insurance. Simple & Flexible.
Language Guides
Russian 
is one of the languages spoken in Czech Republic. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
Discussion
Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.
Recent Tweets
Listed below are the most recent comments made on Twitter for "old town prague":
