Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Prague
A castle above a river of bridges, an old town that survived whole, and cheap beer.
A river city of spires and red roofs: a castle on the hill, a stone bridge lined with statues and an old town that survived the wars almost whole. Beer is cheap, the trams are easy, and Kutná Hora's bone chapel is a day trip by train (check).
Places to see
- Prague CastleSight · A long run of palaces, courtyards and churches along a ridge above the river, with the…≈ A$32
St Vitus CathedralChurch · A soaring Gothic cathedral inside the castle walls, with flying buttresses, a gilded tomb…Free- Charles BridgeWalk · A pedestrian stone bridge across the Vltava with a Gothic tower at each end and thirty…Free
When to go
- Jan1° / -4°Some rainQuiet
- Feb3° / -3°Some rainQuiet
- Mar8° / 0°Some rainBusy
- Apr14° / 4°Some rainBusy
- May19° / 8°Some rainVery busy
- Jun22° / 12°Often wetVery busy
- Jul24° / 13°Often wetVery busy
- Aug24° / 13°Often wetVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Old Town and Josefov. The medieval core: Old Town Square, the clock, the Jewish Quarter and the east end of Charles Bridge. Central, lively and dearer, with plenty of hostels.
New Town and Vyšehrad. Wenceslas Square, the National Museum and the river south to the Dancing House and the Vyšehrad fortress. Close to the main station, with good-value hostels.
Letná and Holešovice. North of the river: Letná Park's view and beer garden, cafes and galleries. A short tram ride in, and usually cheaper. Kutná Hora's bone chapel is a day trip by train from the main station (check).
Flying in
Prague Václav Havel (PRG): Bus 119 to Nádraží Veleslavín, then metro line A, about 45 min, ≈ A$4. One city transport ticket covers both; the Airport Express bus goes to the main station for a little more (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Prague; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$2. The old town, the bridge and the Lesser Town are walkable, but the castle is uphill: tram 22 or 23 to Pražský hrad saves the climb. Trams and the metro run late (check).
24-hour city transport ticket (≈ A$11, 24 hours): Worth it on days with four or more tram or metro rides, and it covers the Petřín funicular (check).
