11 FEB 2023

PRAGUE: WHAT TO SEE? ATTRACTIONS, TRAVEL IDEAS AND TOURS: ALL THE THINGS TO SEE AND DO AND USER ADVICE, FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE HOLIDAY.
IT IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN EUROPE, A “MAGICAL CITY”, AN OPEN-AIR MUSEUM AND FOR THIS PROCLAIMED A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. It is Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, full of a unique atmosphere between myth and reality that gives every tourist unforgettable experiences.
What to see absolutely in Prague? Top 10 things to see in Prague
Prague is a magical city, a capital where East and West of the European continent meet. Walking through its alleys instills a sense of mystery and curiosity, like the many legends that speak of this city and the strong attachment of the local population to popular traditions. Mark down the 10 absolutely unmissable places that we suggest.

1. The Castle
   It is the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic and over the centuries has been the residence of the kings who ruled there. It has always been the symbol of power as well as one of the symbols that recurs so much in Kafka’s novels. Unlike what one might believe, it is an architectural complex built over a thousand years that houses churches, towers, courtyards and palaces, all to be seen, halfway between history and legend, the sacred and the profane. The Church of the Virgin Mary, commissioned in 880 by Prince Bořivoj, is the oldest building among all, followed by the Basilica of St. George and the Royal Palace built in the 10th century.
2. St. Vitus Cathedral
   Protected by the castle walls, stands one of the largest cathedrals in Europe as well as the most important in the whole Czech Republic. A centuries-old history behind it which, despite the Gothic imprint that is expressed in its tall and pointed spiers, is a mixture of ancient and modern art. The oldest parts date back to the 14th century, while the more modern ones date back to the beginning of the last century. To visit the Chapel of San Wenceslas, the underground crypt where the sepulchres of the Bohemian kings and the jewels for the coronation of the sovereigns are kept.
3. Mala Strana
   It is the original name which in Czech means “Parte Piccola” which indicates the part of the city rebuilt in the sixteenth century in Baroque and Renaissance style by Italian artists and architects. A way and a name attributed to it since the fourteenth century to distinguish this district, full of small squares and buildings dominated by the castle, from the New Town. The focal point of the neighborhood is the Church of San Nicola which divides Malá Strana in two.
4. Charles Bridge
   It connects the two parts of the city, the Old Town and the Malá Strana district. It represents one of the most romantic views in the whole world, with watchtowers at both ends, full of devotional statues and always populated by street artists and musicians. Wanted by the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Charles IV who commissioned it in 1357, it is a structure that has resisted even the vagaries of the river for centuries. The most beautiful photos are taken early in the morning and at sunset.
5. The Old City
   Another fulcrum of Prague as well as a very famous and historic district of Prague, Stare Mesto, today as in the past, was and is the scene of the most important events in the history of the city, both positive and negative. And all this is found in the succession of different styles but all in harmony with each other. It is the gateway to savor the spirit of the city, between history and modernity. The center of the district that rises to the right of the Vltava river is the Old Town Square, the most beautiful in all of Prague, while the main attraction is the astronomical clock of the Town Hall which always attracts many tourists.
6. The Astronomical Clock
   Symbol par excellence of the city, the Town Hall Clock is located in the Old Town Square. It was designed in the 15th century and marks the positions of the sky, the moon and the months of the year. Its peculiarity lies in its mechanism which involves the “Corteo degli Apostoli” with the 12 figures of the apostles who begin to move at the stroke of every hour following an ancient ritual.
7. Wenceslas Square
   It is the place par excellence of today’s nightlife, day and night. A long avenue, and not a real square, not far from the Old Town, dedicated to the patron saint of the Czech Republic, St. Wenceslas. On one side of the avenue, which the people of Prague have renamed Little Champs-Élysées due to its resemblance to the famous boulevard in Paris, stands the equestrian statue in honor of the saint. In the past this place was very significant for Prague’s history: from the uprisings of 1848, to the declaration of independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, to the street protests of 1968 up to the Velvet Revolution up to the terrible episode made the student Jan Palach protagonist who set himself on fire during the Prague spring, in the name of freedom.
8. Jewish Ghetto
   It is the neighborhood where Jews lived for years until the beginning of the eighteenth century, Josefov, which is located a few steps from the Old Town Square. The ghetto is almost a labyrinth. Jews were forced to live in small spaces and so they learned to exploit every corner. Narrow streets between shops and workshops that lead to the four synagogues and the old cemetery, a fascinating place steeped in mystery. According to legend, Rabbi Jehuda Löw, the inventor of the Golem, a terrible clay monster created to defend the Jews of Prague from persecution, is buried here.
9. Dancing house
   Symbol par excellence of deconstructivism, the building built between 1994 and 1996 is located in the New Town, synonymous with sinuosity and plasticity of forms that recall two dancers. Indeed, the house is a tribute to the dancing couple Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. An extraordinary glance that no tourist can miss. Two buildings, designed and built by the architect F.O Gerhy, which with soft shapes really look like a couple of dancers. On the top floor a French restaurant and a splendid view.
10. Novy Svet
    This district also deserves to be seen, a small and suggestive corner of Prague characterized by small and low houses, with a pastel color, narrow and cobbled streets and an indescribable sense of tranquility and peace. It is the part of the city that you do not expect, which goes beyond the imposing and somewhat sad buildings of the communist era. Near the Castle and behind the Loreta, there is this little known place from the classic tourist routes but which is worth a visit

What to see in Prague with children
For those traveling with the family and with children or teenagers in tow, here are some suggestions for everyone’s enjoyment. The cruise on the Vltava is an unmissable itinerary to see the city from another angle. In the Prague castle there is an exhibition of toys, while in the museum on the history of the castle a game is included for children, who have to engage in a series of tasks to complete. The changing of the guard every hour in front of the castle entrance will be of interest to all ages.
Also for those traveling with children, the Prague Zoo, the Fairgrounds with the amusement park, the Truhlar puppet factory and the Kampa island where there is a large park to let the children go wild are not to be missed. Finally, Moldova can be explored aboard a pedal boat in the shape of a yellow duck, which can be rented by the hour.
What to see around Prague
The most interesting places to visit in the vicinity of Prague are the Bohemian Castles, such as Karlštejn Castle (35 km), Konopiště Castle (40 km) and Krivoklat Castle, as well as some of the best-known breweries and vineyards in the republic Czech Republic. For the visit to the Castles you can refer to the organized visits which allow you to see not only the buildings, but also the most beautiful landscapes of the area. There are also many noteworthy medieval towns. Kutna Hora, for example, is an hour’s drive from Prague via the D11 or can be reached by train from Prague station. Its center has been declared a World Heritage Site.
Terezin, 60 km away, is also very beautiful due to its historical value, given the presence of a very large concentration camp. A little further away is Karlovy Vary (140 km), a pretty spa town known since the Middle Ages, reachable by train in about 2 hours and 20 minutes or by car via the E48.d