Prague Travel Guide and Attractions Recommendation

Jay Chou once wrote in “Prague Square”: “I stand in the square of Prague at dusk, throw my hope into the wishing well… The square of Prague, the empty corridors…” I think most people’s first impression of Prague comes from this song, and many people are attracted by the beautiful pictures of “Prague Square”, “Wishing Well” and “Corridor”, and they long for it.

Prague has no square

When you actually go to Prague and try to find the wishing well in Prague Square to take pictures and make a wish, you will find that not only fairy tales, but also the lyrics are deceiving. Prague has no wishing well, no empty corridors, and not even a place called “Prague Square”. The square in the song actually refers to the Old Town Square of Prague. It’s just that Jay Chou didn’t come to Prague before writing the lyrics, and he built a utopia for the city purely based on his imagination. Although Prague Square is not quite the same as the lyrics, it is beautiful, absolutely the same!

What to play in Prague without a square

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, and it is also the largest city in the country. Thousands of well-preserved medieval buildings make it the first city in the world to be designated a World Heritage Site, and Goethe called it “the most beautiful city in Europe”. Gothic and Baroque spires can be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys of the old town, so Prague is called the “City of a Hundred Spires”.

Old Town Square of Prague

Although there is no wishing well or corridor in Prague Square, there is a very famous astronomical clock, located in the Old Town Square of Prague.

This unique astronomical clock has a history of nearly 700 years, and has been repaired several times in the middle, and has also added moving sculptures, which has made this astronomical clock even more famous. Tourists from all over the world come to visit it. The top of the astronomical clock is surrounded by clock faces, which can be seen from a distance, and it is also convenient for local people. Although the astronomical clock is hundreds of years old, it is still very accurate. Local people use the astronomical clock to set their watches.

How to get there?

Take metro line B (yellow line) to NamestiRepubliky station. You can also take tram No. 12 to MalostranskeNamesti station. There are many trams to choose from, such as No. 12, you can check googlemap.

Best viewing time

Every day from 9 am to 9 pm, the small window above the astronomical clock in the square will automatically open, and twelve apostles of Jesus will appear from beside the clock one by one, six turning left and six turning right, with the crowing of a rooster, the window closes and the clock chimes.

What to play in the square?

Enjoy the view of the Old Town Square and the surrounding scenery from the top of the clock tower. The tower is all stairs, not very steep, and it is easy to walk. It only takes a few minutes to walk up to the top of the clock tower. From the top of the clock tower, you can overlook the entire square. Especially at night, the lights flicker, and the square is like a castle in a fairy tale, very romantic.

There are also mechanical watches sold in the “Astronomical Clock” watch shop near the stairs in the clock tower. The most expensive one is less than 500 yuan, which is worth buying. If you think the mechanical ones are expensive, you can also buy “Astronomical Clock” souvenirs that are not mechanical. They are a good gift for family and friends.

During Easter, the trees around the Old Town Square will be decorated with colorful eggs and ribbons. Many eggs are not only painted with colors, but also have various patterns. When the wind blows, the ribbons on the eggs will flutter in the wind. A central area will be fenced off in the Old Town Square, with different animals inside, such as lambs and horses, and people will take pictures, but it will cost money.

Prague Castle

Prague has the largest castle in the world, Prague Castle. Prague Castle was built in the 9th century, covers an area of 70,000 square meters, which is about the size of 7 football fields. The Czech president lives and works here.

What to play in the castle?

There are many areas and buildings inside Prague Castle, the most famous are St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane. St. Vitus Cathedral is a very famous Gothic building. People always feel calm inside, but if you happen to meet a lot of tourists, it will be crowded. St. Vitus Cathedral is the largest Catholic church in Prague. Many people come here to pray. The windows inside are painted with religious paintings, and the colors of the windows are also colorful. Every day at 12 o’clock noon, there will be a changing of the guards ceremony in the first courtyard at the west entrance.

You can take tram or metro to the castle, but walking is also a good choice. After all, every attraction in Prague is not very far from each other, and walking is a better way to appreciate the beautiful scenery. Moreover, it is a good place to stroll. If you go to the castle, it is best to go early. Whether it is winter time or summer time, the castle closes relatively early, and you can’t enter before 5 o’clock at the latest. And there are places where you can rent audio guides, so you can better understand the history of the castle and the stories of each building. The castle is different in all four seasons, but it is recommended to go in winter, especially on snowy days. Although the weather is a bit cold, the snow in Prague will generally cover the entire top of the castle, which is very beautiful.

Tips: Tickets: All-inclusive ticket (9 attractions) 350 Czech koruna / Small ticket (4 attractions) 250 Czech koruna / Audio guide 350 Czech koruna

How to get there?

Take metro line A (green) to Malostranska station. You can take trams No. 15, No. 22, or No. 23.

Prague City Library

Go here just to check in the rotating book tower. It’s actually because there’s a mirror on the top and bottom of this circular book tower, which will reflect infinitely.

Strahov Monastery Theological Library

Another library worth checking in in Prague, built in the 12th century, belongs to Strahov Monastery, with a magnificent Baroque style. It is known as one of the most beautiful libraries. However, due to the protection of the original, visitors can only stand at the entrance and cannot enter to view the interior. If you want to visit, you must make an appointment a long time in advance, and the daily quota is very small.

Library website: https://www.strahovskyklaster.cz/en/

The Black Madonna House

There are 3 cafes in Prague that are worth checking in, and the Black Madonna House is one of them. However, it seems that everyone does not go for its coffee, but specifically to see the uniquely constructed stairs.

Whether it is from top to bottom or from bottom to top, it is shaped like a light bulb, full of architectural aesthetics.

Rooftop Restaurant & Cafe (TerasaUPrince)

TerasaUPrince has the best terrace in Prague, and the view is of the Old Town Square. It is recommended to book in advance for this restaurant. The seats upstairs are too few, and there is a high probability that there will be no seats for walk-ins. At least the best viewing position downstairs is definitely not available. You don’t have to eat at TerasaUPrince. It is most suitable to order a drink and a dessert.

Cafe Louvre

Many people travel from all over the world to this cafe in Prague, hoping to find traces of Kafka here. Kafka finished his famous “Metamorphosis” in this cafe and encountered an unrequited love. In addition, Cafe Louvre is also Einstein’s favorite cafe in Prague. It has the most European service, the most fragrant hot chocolate, and reasonably priced Czech food.

Lennon Wall

A wall full of graffiti, the Lennon Wall is always changing, so this moment may be the only one, and the next time you come, it will be a completely different graffiti. It’s a good choice to go early in the morning, and you may be faced with a wall of people if you go in the afternoon.

Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge is crowded with people, and you can only come over in the early morning or late evening. It seems that the hotel I stayed at is also nearby, and it takes less than 5 minutes to walk to Charles Bridge. It is often said that you have not been to Prague until you have crossed this bridge, and it is true that Charles Bridge is a work of art. There are 30 statues on both sides of the bridge, each with its own story.

Dancing House

A photo spot for tourists, the house looks like two lovers cuddling, and many tourists come here to take pictures.

Strahov Church

I didn’t recommend St. Vitus Cathedral, Tyn Church, and St. Nicholas Church, but instead recommended Strahov Church. It’s not because the three churches are bad, they are all great. It’s just that there are too many churches in Europe, and Strahov Church is more like an art gallery, more modern, and refreshing.

On the banks of the Vltava River

The mother river of the Czech Republic, which crosses Prague, you have to admire its beauty and romance. When traveling in Prague, don’t arrange too tight a schedule. It’s very comfortable to walk along the river or sit on a boat to watch the sunset.

If you want to see the panoramic view of Prague, climbing a tower (many church towers can be climbed for a fee) is a good choice. For example, the tower of St. Vitus Cathedral is really the best place to see the panoramic view of Prague.

There are also many rooftops in the old town that can be climbed. You may fall in love with a city because of the red roofs.