Day 6 of my 2-week road trip
Tropical Islands – Sachsenhausen – Berlin – Dresden – Prague – Vienna – Devin Castle – Sandberg – Bratislava – Lake Balaton – Bokodi – Budapest
I visited Prague as part of my 2-week road trip across Europe with my partner, Alex. We spent 2 nights at a hotel in the centre of Prague, giving us a full day to see the highlights of the city. Here’s how to do Prague in a day. Don’t forget your walking trainers, as you will be clocking up a lot of millages! We walked a whooping 14.2 miles! If you do have more days to spare, I recommend spreading out what we did over a few days.
Hotel
We spent two nights staying at the beautiful, 4-star Hotel Alwyn. The hotel is located in the centre of Prague but a 30 minute walk away from some of the most popular tourist attractions: Old Town Square and Charles Bridge. However, if you wanted to rest of your feet, you can just hop onto the Metro or the tram from the hotel to the Old Town easily enough.
A room will cost around £80 per night, depending on what day you stay and the time of year. A lovely breakfast was included in our room price too. There is a city tax to pay when you arrive, CZK 15 per night, which is about 50 pence. There is parking outside the hotel on a first come first bases. Parking costs CZK 200 per night, which is around £7.
Food
Czech has some lovely, traditional food. Here are the ones I tried on my visit to Prague and absolutely loved.
Czech Goulash
On the night we arrived in Prague, we decided to find somewhere for tea near the hotel. We were both feeling quite tired from the long drive from Berlin and the potter around Dresden in the baking heat. We found a lovely little local restaurant called Gate. Located just 3 minutes from our hotel on the main street, Sokolovska. This is the street you would go to catch a tram into Old Town Prague.
The weather was lovely so we decided to sit outside and enjoy our evening meal. I tried the traditional Czech Goulash with a strong Czech Espresso in order to try and keep myself awake. My partner Alex enjoyed a pint of local beer, Pilsner with a good old-fashioned Italian Carbonara. Our meal came to CZK 501, which is about £17.
Fried Cheese
Fried cheese was my favourite Czech meal I had. On our 2nd night in Prague, we found a beautiful Czech restaurant, Restaurace U Templaru. It was located just a 5-minute walk from the Old Town Square, down Celetna Street. They had lovely live music playing, while we sat outside and enjoyed a cocktail and some fried cheese with tartar sauce and fries. It was a lovely setting and a lot quieter compared to the rest of the bars and restaurants in the square. I can’t remember how much the meal came to as I’ve miss placed the receipt. However, I do not recall it been expensive.
If you are after trying some local Czech cakes and pastries, I recommend you look for somewhere off the beaten tracks. You will pay half the price for them. We found one called Liberske Lahudky, located down Vodickova Street. It takes around 12 minutes to walk to from the Dancing House and takes about 13 minutes to walk from to from the Old Town Square. There was so much choice to choose from, including traditional Czech sandwiches if you fancy something more savoury. If you are feeling thirsty, you can grab a coffee to enjoy with your sandwich and cake.
Transport
We found the transport in Prague fantastic. The best way to get around in the city is hopping on and off their trams and using their underground trains. You can buy a 24-hour travel card for CZK 110 which is about £3.70. You can purchase one from either the train stations or a tobacco store. We purchased ours from the tobacco store as the train station would only accept coins. You must remember to activate the travel card before getting on your first train or tram. If you did not validate your ticket, you can get heavily fined if caught.
Visiting the Sights of Prague in a day
As mentioned earlier on in this blog, we did Prague in a day. Below are the sights we visited and the order we visited them in. We used public transport to help to save our feet at times and managed to clock up a whopping 14.2 miles on foot! If you want good photos, the earlier you start the day the better. We managed to see the Old Town Square, St Charles Bridge, and the Castle District before the coach parties arrived. Our day started at 7 am. Coach parties tend to start arriving from 9 am onwards.
If you only have a day to spare just like we did, here are all the important sights to see and the best order I recommend you to see them in:
Powder Tower
The Powder Tower/Powder Gate is a Gothic Tower and one of the original city gates. It separates the Old Town from the New Town. It is located next to the Municipal House.
Directions to the Powder Tower:
We caught the Metro from our hotel to the Powder Tower. The nearest Metro and tram station is the Namesti Republiky. If you wanted to get the tram, catch the 6, 8, 15, 26, 91, 92, 94 or 92 tram. For the Metro take line B.
Old Town Square
Old Town Square has been ranked as one of Europe’s most beautiful squares. I have to say I agree. The best time to visit is early morning before 9 am to beat the crowds. By lunchtime, the square is packed with people. It’s one of Prague’s most touristy spots. The square has a history dating back to the 12th Century, witnessing many historical events. One of the most distinctive landmarks on the square is the ‘Church of our Lady before Tyn’. A twin tower church with tall, black, Gothic spires towering above the square. The square is also home to the famous Astronomical Clock that charms every hour on the hour. Unfortunately, on our visit it was covered in scaffolding, having maintenance work done to it.
Directions to the square:
We walked from the Powder Tower to the square taking us just 7 minutes. There is not a tram that goes directly to Old Town Square. The closest tram stops are the Powder Tower or Charles Bridge. Charles Bridge is a 10-minute walk away.
Embryo Drain Pipe
The Embryo Drain Pipe was made in 2008 by an artist called David Cerny. The sculpture is hidden in the corner of Prague’s Na Zabradli Theatre. It is just one of his controversial sculptures in the city. The meaning behind the sculpture is about a fetus trying to get through a narrow pipe. This refers to how artists find it hard to be understood by people with a narrow mind.
Directions to the Embryo Drain Pipe:
We took an 8-minute walk from Old Town Square to the Na Zabradli Theatre were the Embryo Drain Pipe is located. The closest tram stop is the Staromestska. You can catch the 2, 13, 14, 17, 18 or 93 tram to here. The bus 194 also goes to this stop. From the Staromestska stop, there is s 5-minute walk to the theatre.
Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge is a beautiful sandstone bridge with runs over the River Vltava, connecting Old Town Prague with the Castle District. Construction started in the 13th Century and was completed 50 years later in 1402. To beat the crowds, try and visit the bridge before 9 am. As the day goes on, the bridge becomes very congested with tourists.
Directions to the bridge: We took a 5-minute walk from Na Zabradli Theatre to the bridge. If you are traveling from a different location then catch the 2, 13, 14, 17, 18, or 93 tram to Staromestska station or the 194 bus to this station. From the station, there is a 6-minute walk to the bridge.
Castle District
The Castle District is an ancient symbol of the Czech State and one of the most important cultural institutions in the country. Before entering the castle grounds you have to go through security checks with bag searches. My biggest advice I can provide you with is to arrive early as there can be very long queues to get in. My partner and I arrived at 9 am and there were already queues!
Once you’re on the castle grounds you can buy tickets to go do Golden Lane and visit inside some of the beautiful, historical buildings. Golden Lane in a little lane full of little houses was the servants use to live. Our ticket included entry to everywhere however, as we were short of time we only looked down Golden Lane. If you do want not to spend any money, you can still enjoy the castle grounds for free. There is a guide change that happens every hour. This is a good to see. You can also enjoy a bite to eat in the cafe and enjoy a fantastic view of the city. For more information on ticket prices and opening times, please see the following link: Prague Castle.
Directions to the castle:
We caught the 22 tram from Charles Bridge to the Castle District to rest our legs. If you did not want to catch the tram, you can walk it. It took about 30 minutes and it’s all the way uphill.
The Metronome
The Metronome, located in Letna Park is a 75-foot tall functioning metronome. Letna Park is a famous beer garden and skateboarding park. If you can persuade yourself to climb the steps up to the Metronome, you will get to see great, panoramic views of the Vltava River and of the city, Prague. The metronome is a permanent reminder in the area to memorialize the Czech struggles under the communism.
While your standing next to the Metronome you may notice shoes hanging off a power line. The locals nor the tourist fully know why they are there. Some people believe hanging shoes over power lines symbolize where the drugs are sold. Some people believe it’s a popular thing to do all around the world like putting love locks on bridges. Some people believe it’s the skateboarders who throw their own shoes over the line to mark their time skating here as people from all over the world come to Letna Park to skateboard. Maybe we will never know the true meaning behind the hanging shoes.
Directions to the Metronome:
We walked down the castle steps from the castle grounds and caught the tram to Cechuv Most tram stop. From the tram stop, there is a short 5-minute walk up some set of steps to the Metronome. You can catch 5, 15, 17 or 93 tram. If you did not want to catch the tram, the walk from the castle steps to the Metronome will take you about 15 minutes.
Piss Sculpture
The Piss Sculpture was made in 2004 by an artist called David Cerny. The sculpture is located outside the Franz Kafka Museum in Mala Strana, it is just one of his controversial sculptures. The sculpture is of two men urinating into a pool shaped like the Czech Republic. The two men move in an alarmingly realistic manner, spelling out quotes from the political leaders. Some people like his sculptures, others will not agree with his artwork. I liked them; they are very different from what you would normally see in a city.
Directions to the Piss Sculpture:
We took a walk from the Metronome to the sculpture taking us just over 10 minutes to walk. The nearest tram stop is the Malostranska. From the tram stop, it is a 3-minute walk. You can catch the 2, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, or 97 tram to the Malostranska stop. If you are accessing the sculpture from Charles Bridge, it was just under 5 minutes to walk to it.
Prague’s Narrowest Street
Prague’s narrowest street, located it Prague’s oldest neighbourhood, Mala Strana, is that narrow it has it’s own set of traffic lights to prevent people colliding into each other. The street is just a tiny 19.6 inches wide. If you are claustrophobic, maybe give it a miss!
Directions to Prague’s narrowest street:
It’s just a short 1-minute walk from the Piss sculpture. The nearest tram stop is the Malostranska. From the tram stop, it is a 4-minute walk. You can catch the 2, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, or 97 tram to the Malostranska stop. If you are accessing the sculpture from Charles Bridge, it was just under 5 minutes to walk to it.
Lover’s Bridge
Lover’s Bridge is a place for stating your love for the person you are in love with. There is not a lot to see here other than the canal, the water mill and a metal fence covered in love padlocks.
Location of Lover’s Bridge:
We walked to it from Prague’s narrowest street, taking us just short of 5 minutes. If you are walking from Charles Bridge it took roughly the same amount of time. The nearest tram stop is the Hellichova or the Malostranske Namesti stop. From both stops, it is a 5-minute walk. You can catch the 1, 12, 15, 20, 22, 23, or 97 tram to the Hellichova stop. You can catch the 5, 7, 12, 15, 20, 22, 23, or 97 tram to the Malostranske Namesti stop.
Yellow Penguins
The Yellow Penguins are located in Kampa Park. There are 34 of them all placed in a line waiting for a ship to take them to Antarctica. They were designed by an Italian artist called Tomas Klima.
Directions to the Yellow Penguins:
We took a short 3-minute walk from Lover’s Bridge to the 34 Yellow Penguins. The nearest tram stop is the Hellichova stop. From there it is a short 3-minute walk. You can catch the 1, 12, 15, 20, 22, 23, or 97 tram to the Hellichova stop. If you are walking from Charles Bridge, it will take you about 10 minutes to walk.
The Three Bronze Babies
Located next to Museum Kampa in Kampa Park are three large, bronzed babies. Along with the piss sculpture, this is another one of David Cerny’s controversial sculptures. These three bronzed babies with no face arrived in the park in 2008 and guide the entrance to the museum.
Direction to the bronze babies:
The three babies are located next to the Yellow Penguins so we did not have to travel far. The nearest tram stop is the Hellichova stop. From there it is a short 3-minute walk. You can catch the 1, 12, 15, 20, 22, 23, or 97 tram to the Hellichova stop. If you are walking from Charles Bridge, it will take you about 10 minutes to walk.
Lennon’s Wall
The wall was once called The Crying Wall that was associated with protest text, lyrics, and art. However, on the 8th December 1980, everything changed with the murder of John Lennon. The Crying Wall became the place for the outpouring of grief and protest against his death. Overnight with the painting and the old gravestone, it became the John Lennon Wall. It is the only place in the city where graffiti is legal. While we were there visiting, there was a local guitarist playing some of the famous Beetles tracks.
Directions to Lennon’s Wall:
We took a 6-minute walk from Kampa Park to the wall. If you are walking from Charles Bridge it will take you 6 minutes to walk. The nearest tram stop is the Hellichova or the Malostranske Namesti stop. From both stops, it is a 5-minute walk. You can catch the 1, 12, 15, 20, 22, 23, or 97 tram to the Hellichova stop. You can catch the 5, 7, 12, 15, 20, 22, 23, or 97 tram to the Malostranske Namesti stop.
Josefov
The Josefov is the old Jewish Quarter. Everywhere you look has a sobering reminder of it’s past. You do formative guide tours around Josefov. We did not have time to do one however, it is something I would like to do if I ever have the opportunity to go back to Prague.
Directions to Josefov:
We took a tram to Josefov from Lennon’s Wall. You can walk it. It will take about 20 minutes to walk it. The nearest tram stops it Pravnicka Fakulta. From there it will take you 3 minutes to walk. You can catch the 2, 17, or 93 tram to this stop. You can also catch the 133 or 207 bus to this stop.
Municipal Library of Prague
The Municipal Library is one of Prague’s largest libraries. Located in the foyer, there is a unique sculpture made out of books, the book tower. As you look inside the book tower, you see a never-ending tower of books. The sculpture was made by a Slovak artist, Matej Kren.
Location of the Municipal Library:
We took a 5-minute walk from Josefov to the Municipal Library. It is a 5-minute walk from Old Town Square and a 6-minute walk from Charles Bridge. If you are traveling from a different location then catch the 2, 13, 14, 17, 18, or 93 tram to Staromestska station or the 194 bus to this station. From the station, there is a 3-minute walk to the library.
Man Hanging Out Sculpture
The Man Hanging Out is another of David Cerny’s controversial sculptures. Placed in 1997, the meaning behind the sculpture is about mocking the famous psychoanalyst’s own phobias.
Directions to the Man Hanging Out Sculpture:
We took a 5-minute walk from the library to this statue, which is located in the old town. From Old Town Square it is a 6-minute walk away and from Charles Bridge, it is an 8-minute walk away. Mustek is the nearest underground Metro station. The B line will take you to this station. From the station, there is a 5-minute walk to the sculpture.
Metalmorphosis Sculpture of Franz Kafka
The Metalmorphosis sculpture of Franz Kafka was created in 2014 by David Cerny. Franz Kafka was a famous Czech writer in the 20th century. the sculpture is 11-metres tall, weight 39 tonnes, and contains 42 mobile tiers. It is located next to the Quadrio Business Centre. The different tiers move around. Unfortunately, when we were there it did not move for some reason.
Directions to the Metalmorphosis sculpture:
We took a 4-minute walk from the Man Hanging Out sculpture to the Metalmorphosis sculpture. It is a 9-minute walk from Old Town Square and a 13-minute walk from Charles Bridge. The nearest tram and Metro station is the Narodni Trida station. You can catch the 1, 2, 9, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 93, 97, 98, or 99 tram or the B line on the Metro. It is a 2-minute walk from the Narodni Trida station to the sculpture.
Dancing House
The Dancing House is one of my favourite photographed buildings in Prague. The building is meant to represent two dancers. The nickname for the Dancing House is Fred and Ginger. It was built in 1996 and home to one of Prague’s best restaurants, The Fred and Ginger Restaurant. The house is a 4-star hotel with an average cost of £200 per night to stay in.
Location of the Dancing House:
Located in New Town Prague, we took a 15-minute walk from the Metalmorphosis sculpture to the Dancing House. The nearest tram and bus stop is the Jiraskovo Namesti stop. You can catch the 1, 5, 12, 14, 17, or 25 tram or the 904 or 910 bus. The stop is right next to the Dancing House.
Umbrella Hanging Man Sculpture
The Umbrella Hanging Out is another of David Cerny’s controversial sculptures. I’m not sure about the meaning behind this sculpture. Is he trying to be Mary Poppins?
Location of the Umbrella Hanging Man sculpture:
It is located outside the bar La Loca in New Town Prague. We took a 7-minute walk from the Dancing House. The nearest tram and bus station is the Myslikova station. You can catch the 5 or 17 tram or the 904 or 910 bus to this station. The station is less than a 1-minute walk away from the sculpture.
The Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord
The Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord is a Roman Catholic Church. The church was built between 1929 and 1932 and designed by the Slovene architect Jože Plečnik. It is one of the most unique structures in Prague.
Direction to the Roman Catholic Church:
We took a 30-minute walk to the church from the Umbrella Hanging Man sculpture via the bakery for some delicious Czech cakes. The nearest tram and Metro stop to the church is the Jiriho Z Podebrad. You can catch the 11 or 13 tram or line A on the Metro to this station. The church is located right outside the station.
Zizkov TV Tower
The Zizkov TV Tower was built from 1985 to 1992. It is 216-metres tall with a viewing platform open to the public. It had been voted as one of the ugliest buildings in the world. Some people say the design of the tower reminds them of the soviet missiles more than a TV tower.
Direction to the TV tower:
We took a short 7-minute walk from the Roman Catholic church to the TV tower. The nearest tram and Metro stop to the tower is the Jiriho Z Podebrad. You can catch the 11 or 13 tram or line A on the Metro to this station. The tower is a 7-minute walk away from the station.
