Author: Irina
In February, I went to Prague, one of the closest and most affordable European capitals for Russians. Therefore, what follows is not a list taken from the first available guidebook, but a top that I have compiled, with "liked / disliked", tips and secret places.
What to see in Prague in 3 days? On your own or on tour? Do you have enough time to feel the atmosphere, drink Czech beer and see the sights? I analyze it by personal example.
How I went to Prague
A task: explore the main sights of Prague.
Given: a girl with no definite travel plans, her husband with quite a business trip, their 2-year-old daughter, whose plans include playgrounds and ice cream as mandatory items.
The solution of the problem: accommodation in the center-center, a backpack with a set for all occasions, a stroller, comfortable shoes, public transport app PID Litacka and the Sputnik8 service for one sightseeing tour. Nice weather at the end of February as a pleasant bonus (+ 13 ° C during the day).
Do not forget that the Czech Republic needs Schengen! This year I received exactly Czech. No difficulties, but at the visa center they are very trying to sell additional services (delivery by courier, filling out a questionnaire, skipping the line ...) Somehow - brrr! - unpleasant.
Total: 4 out of 10 most attractive tourist destinations done ✓. And some have been studied many, many times from different angles.
The Charles Bridge
We have been on the Charles Bridge several times
Our hotel (all names and prices - in the section "My Tips") was a 3-minute walk from the Charles Bridge. Given this geographic feature, we crossed it back and forth at least 10 times!
When you live in the historic center, Prague = sights. In 1 day, you can bypass all the main tourist points on your own, even without using public transport.
Charles Bridge, as a landmark, I liked more from the "lower" angles: at the foot, from the side of Prague Castle, there are platforms with an excellent view.
- The first is if you walk through Kampa Park along the embankment.
- The second is actually for children. With swings, slides and a wooden ship "plowing" the waters of the Vltava *. There are benches with amazing views. Minus: open from 8.00 to 17.00 in winter, until 19.00 in summer.
* In childhood fantasies, of course.
And we took this Prague review for 100 euros for three. From the guide we learned a curious fact about the Charles Bridge!
Old Town Square
From the editor: we were not very lucky with the clock in the square (it was raining),
but we saw the performance
Three important sights are concentrated here at once:
➢ The Old Town Square itself
➢ Old Town Hall with chimes
➢ Tyn Temple
The whole trinity is located on a section that can be crossed diagonally in 5-10 minutes, depending on the number of tourists hindering the movement. Usually there are a lot of them. It is also full of animators, taxi drivers, very extravagant retro cars and waiters scurrying between the tables of the cafe's summer terraces (even in winter).
Famous chimes, every hour playing a mini-performance, are located on the side of the town hall, which is not directly visible from the square - you need to turn the corner.
I specially brought the child to the beginning of the show, which I read about on the Internet. But while we were trying to find a point in the crowd of people from where there would be a decent view, both the music and any movement of figures in the windows ended. So, either take seats strictly in the center of the main entrance in advance, or fill it in and move on - you can't see anything from the side.
Tyn temple we only appreciated the outside. But those who wish can freely and free of charge get inside according to the schedule. Information on the operating mode:
- Monday is a day off,
- Sunday from 10:00 to 12:00,
- on other days from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 17:00.
In the area of the square, we discovered another important tourist point - not one of those that must be seen, but one that need to try. Krčma - the best bar of those that we have visited, in terms of price-quality ratio. Despite the location. For 3 dinners with beer, they paid 398 kroons *, including tips. By the way, in Prague you can leave a tip by paying with a card.
* One Czech crown is equal to approximately 3 rubles (2.80 official rate).
Wenceslas Square
We were on Wenceslas Square in the middle of the night, so we didn't take a photo.
Instead, there will be a view of Prague 🙂
The fact that Wenceslas Square is also a tourist attraction, I learned after the fact. We passed through it for the sole purpose of visiting the Výtopna restaurant-pub, where small trains carry drinks. The square itself looked dull: construction work was underway, equipment was parked, half of the pedestrian zone was blocked by mesh fences. Summer, I think, will be more fun!
And here Výtopna did not disappoint! Railways, locomotives scurrying with glasses around the hall, bridges. The cuisine is more European: burgers, pasta. Dinner for three with alcohol cost us 769 kroons (2,155 rubles). In addition, a fee of 25 CZK per person is charged - for the pleasure of contemplating mini-railway trains.
Vltava river
This place in Prague (Petrin Hill) I remember most of all,
therefore I advise 🙂 You can allocate half a day
The river dividing the city into two parts is not only a picturesque landscape, but also:
- Steamers and walks on them
- Swans
- Bridges (fortunately not drawbones!)
Ticket price for an hour walk on a steamship - 325 CZK (910 rubles). On the loudspeaker they tell about the main sights, past which you sail. Including in Russian. Upstairs, on the open deck, it is quiet (if the neighbors are quiet). You can have tea (50 CZK) or something stronger (beer 0.5 - 85 CZK).
Swans. Prague has forever changed my opinion of these creatures as majestic, proud birds. On the left bank of the Vltava, a little further downstream from Charles Bridge, there is a small area (on the Google map, the location is designated as Náplavka), where snow-white swans are ready to tear off their hands / bite off their fingers for a fresh roll. The photos are very beautiful, the main thing is to remove the horror from the arrogance of the birds from the face!
Petrin Hill
Alas and ah, the huge park and all the interesting places inside it were left uncovered on this trip. And it would be worth it! After all, there:
➢ Funicular
➢ TV Tower a la Eiffel
➢ Incredible views of Prague
➢ Memorial to the victims of communism
➢ Observatory
➢ Flower gardens and much more
Of course, you can climb to the top of the hill on foot. But is it necessary? The height is 327 m after all! If sporting achievements are not included in your plans, it is better to use a trailer. Tickets for it are no different from ordinary public transport passes (24 kroons - minimum).
In addition to the classic paper ticket, public transport in Prague can be paid via PID Lítačka application... It is in Czech, but intuitively understandable (even this "dark" in terms of technology to me). A virtual pass is valid for half an hour after purchase. They do not need to "peep" anywhere. I believe that it is necessary to present the screen of the device in which case. However, neither paper nor electronic tickets have ever been checked with us. Europe w!
Prague Castle
Prague Castle is visible from different parts of the city and it is difficult to confuse it
Under one name there are such a lot of interesting things that you can walk and walk!
- Guard of honor
- Palaces
- St. Vitus Cathedral
- Zlata street
Considering that the entrance to most of the above places is still paid (well, except for the guard, the change of which can be seen daily at 12:00 for free), a sightseeing tour to Prague Castle will be very useful. There are several options, you can choose the route that seems the most suitable.
Vysehrad
On the opposite side of the Vltava is Vysehrad - a historical district, by analogy with Prague Castle (and its main competitor :)). This is no longer the city center and the trip here is not so obvious. The atmosphere is more peaceful. From the walls of the fortress you can see views of the capital of the Czech Republic, at a glance.
For the most part, a walk in Vysehrad is free. Opening hours: from 9:30 to 17:00 in winter, until 18:00 in summer.
Tickets must be purchased to enter individual buildings:
- Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul - 50 CZK
- Rotunda of St. Martin - 150 CZK
- "Invisible" church - 50 CZK
- Basilica of St. Lawrence - 10 CZK
In the Czech Republic, as in many other European cities, it is quite quiet at night. Attractions close at 17-18, cafes - at 00:00. The parks (if open) are quite dark in the evenings. But from high points the city lights look beautiful.
Dancing House
So that the rest in Prague does not seem completely "medieval", it makes sense to dilute the Prague route with several attractions from the "modern" world. The Dancing House with a slightly scandalous architectural history eventually appeared on the pages of all city tourist guidebooks.
You can view the inside of the house by visiting the restaurant on the first floor of the building. But the prices in the institution are cosmic, and the beauty of the building is outside!
John Lennon Wall
A significant part of Czech history is associated with people's protests against the communist regime. John Lennon's wall appeared in the 70s of the 20th century and has a symbolic relationship to the musician: he himself has never been to Prague. Pictures, inscriptions and graffiti on the fence of the Maltese Garden - all this is the Czech spirit of rebelliousness and freedom.
Metronome
Another place of completely new history. In the Letensky Gardens, on the site of the monument to Stalin, which was removed in the 60s, potatoes were stored in the 70s, a rock club was opened in the 80s, and in the 90s a radio station with the uncomplicated name "Radio Stalin" was based there.
In 1991, a giant metronome was installed on the site, with an excellent view of Prague. In 2021 (secretly), in the dark, young people smoke next to him what, in theory, you can smoke only in Amsterdam.
And the metronome counts down the time, reminding that everything is not eternal!
What to see in Prague in 3 days on your own?
So, if you only have 3 days left, what kind of entertainment is Prague fraught with? Where to go first? In fact, you don't have to fuss: the main attractions, which are worth seeing, are located quite compactly. They can be really bypassed in 1 day:
➢ Wenceslas Square
➢ Charles Bridge
➢ Prague Castle
The historic center of Prague, which you can walk up and down, with stops to eat trdelnik, in half a day, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In 2 days, plus:
➢ Take a boat ride
➢ Petrin Hill
3rd day maybe by interests:
➢ Or Vysehrad
➢ Or one of the museums (about which below)
➢ Or any other area of interest (Dancing House, Metronome, Lennon Wall, parks, gardens, etc.)
And also, when planning a three-day trip, on the 1st day a sightseeing tour of Prague is good - you can catch a glimpse of everything and spend the rest of the time on what "hooked". Any excursion is possible with a Russian-speaking guide (Prague in this sense is a very “Russian-speaking” city).
5 best museums in Prague
To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of museums. Especially in spring, when it is warm and sunny! But the photos with the description of some of the places, which will be discussed below, look very tempting (and in case of rains, you need to have a backup option!)
- Clementinum - I would call it a complex of museums! The most famous part: the hall of the old library. Pictures of the room evoke thoughts of Narnia, medieval sailors and other wonders. The entrance is limited: it will not be possible to wander among the books, only to look at the door. In addition to the library, the excursion includes a tour of the Meridian Hall and the ascent to the Astronomical Tower. Cost: CZK 300 for adults, CZK 200 for students over 6 years old.
- National Museum - the main one in the country. The building on Wenceslas Square houses collections on natural history and history, a library. For a long time the building was under reconstruction and literally this year it was reopened to visitors. The exhibits are not yet presented in full.
Price: 250 CZK. - Franz Kafka Museum - to all fans of the writer. From the outside, the building looks quite extravagant, I think, and inside there is something to see.
Entrance: 200 CZK. - Kampa Museum - located next to the Kafka Museum. Modern Art.
Price: 180 CZK. - Toy Museum - the answer to the question of where to go with the children. There will be a lot of impressions! Tears and pleas to take at least one toy with you are not excluded.
Tickets: 70 CZK for adults, 50 CZK for children.
My tips for tourists
✓ Our hotel with a good location - 4 * EA Residence U Bílé kuželky - cost 23,000 rubles for 5 days for three. Breakfasts, junior suite (bedroom + small but comfortable study). And all because we went to the non-se-zone!
✓ In my opinion, Prague is good both as a specific destination and as part of a difficult tour to Europe (from Prague to Vienna and to Dresden, for example, it takes about 3 hours by car).
✓ But in general, if you didn't know, Prague is like European Turkey. In the sense that this is the most developed "cultural and educational" (and inexpensive) destination for a trip on a voucher. A tour to Prague can be taken not only from Moscow, but also from the regions. See options and prices on aggregators:
- Travelata
- Level.Travel
- Onlinetours
✓ If you are planning a trip for a week or longer, it makes sense to "expand the horizons" of what to see in the Czech Republic. There are many interesting places in the vicinity of the capital: breweries, castles. You can rent a car (Myrentacar works with local distributors, which means it's cheaper) or use public transport. A lot of shuttle buses go to the homeland of Becherovka, in Karlovy Vary (fare from € 3.5).
✓ Are you going to Prague for the New Year? Read the feature article - my own authorship 🙂
✓ As for the euro with you: so that your pockets are not bursting with cash, put the euro on the card and pay without conversion or withdraw without commissions.
✓ One last tip: before you travel, be sure to check what information is available on the Internet on the opening hours of individual places. The city loves fairly short modes. The sights of Prague can only be accessed a couple of hours a week. Description on official sites or a fresh review - upon arrival, drop us a line in the comments! - will be very useful.
