Some cities are so decorative, so historic and exquisite, that it’s laborious to look past their histories to the fashionable hive of exercise buzzing behind the facades. Prague is one such metropolis. With its Baroque buildings, cobblestoned streets and beer – oh a lot beer – you can spend weeks on this Czech metropolis, and it wouldn’t be sufficient. If you’re just a little low on time, we’ve deliberate the right 48 hours on this metropolis of multitudes – or you can give one in all our day excursions a whirl, it’s actually as much as you.
Day one: Prague meals and beer
8am
Head out of the previous metropolis previous Wenceslas Square and the National Museum to Kavárna Kaaba. This cafe is price visiting simply to take a look at its inside – the present house owners determined to retain the 60s-style furnishings, fittings and flooring after they took over the house. It now feels such as you’re stepping again in time to a mid-century imaginative and prescient of the long run – Jetsons-style. Get your repair of scrambled eggs or porridge and leaf by the assortment of magazines – all in Czech in fact – that line the tables. Finish up with an excellent espresso to prep your self for the day forward.
10am
Yes, it’s touristy, however each customer to Prague must see the famed Astronomical Clock do its factor each hour on the hour – it’s the world’s oldest working clock of its form, in any case. If you suppose it’s a bit underwhelming, put your self within the sneakers of the residents of Prague seeing it strike the hour for the primary time in 1410. Pretty mind-blowing, eh?
Astronomical clock, Prague
10:15am
Get the lay of the land by climbing to the highest of the Old Town Hall tower that rises above the clock. You may catch the raise, however then you definitely’d miss out on studying concerning the historical past of the constructing – from its development within the 1300s, to its near-destruction throughout the Second World War, and its later reconstruction. Once you get to the highest, take your vital selfies, and gaze down upon the spires of the town.
11am
All that strolling in all probability made you hungry, sure? On your strategy to your subsequent cease, decide up a trdelník from one of many many stalls that line most streets of the previous city of Prague. This rolled dough, coated in sugar and stuffed with something from cream with stewed apples and cinnamon to ice-cream with nutella, is the right cellular snack as you stroll to your subsequent vacation spot: the Charles Bridge, which, just like the Old Town Hall, started development within the 1300s. Check out the Catholic sculptures that line the bridge, and the painters and jewelry stalls flogging their wares. Once you’re virtually on the finish you’ll see some stairs to the left taking place. These will take you to a small island, separated from the ‘mainland’ by a canal. With its little alleyways, pubs and parkland, it’s good for a stroll alongside the river earlier than your subsequent cease, the Lennon Wall. A memorial to the legendary muso, followers of The Beatles, Lennon, and every little thing the bespectacled muso stood for (that will be peace and love for these enjoying at residence), it’s sadly been taken over by gangs of 18-year-olds who’ve in all probability by no means heard ‘Imagine’ guernsing for a selfie, however is well worth the go to if solely only for the very proficient Beatles buskers that congregate right here.
1:00pm
Lunchtime! Head over the Legii, or Legion Bridge, adjoining to the Charles Bridge. A few streets again from the river you’ll discover Švejk Restaurant U Karla, a super-trad Czech restaurant. With native goodies like beef goulash with bread dumplings, and pork neck with sauerkraut and potato dumplings, it’s good hearty, filling fare.
2:30pm
Now, you can head to the gothic cathedral of St Vitus, or maybe climb to the highest of one of many Charles Bridge towers – you can even go to the Petřín Lookout Tower, famed for its resemblance to the Eiffel Tower. These are all very worthy pursuits, however could we advocate one thing just a little completely different? The Dancing House is a Frank Gehry-designed workplace block. It doesn’t sound notably thrilling – Gehry’s work pops up all throughout the globe, in any case. But when you’ve had a squiz, you received’t remorse forsaking the historic sights… its curved structure set among the many vintage buildings of Prague is a real standout. If you’re feeling cashed up, head as much as the highest for a meal on the Fred & Ginger Restaurant. On a backpacker’s funds? It’s simply as cool from avenue stage.
St Vitus Cathedral, Prague
4pm
What’s a visit to Prague and not using a go to to one in all its beer halls? Hops have been grown in what’s now the Czech Republic for the reason that twelfth century, and its residents drink extra beer per head than anyplace else on this planet. We counsel you dip your toe in at U Fleku, which isn’t only one beer corridor, however eight, and solely a 10-minute stroll from the Dancing House. It additionally homes its very personal micro-brewery. From there head to U Medvidku, which has been brewing beer since 1466. Here the beer is reasonable and it’ll match a number of hundred of your mates. If you possibly can nonetheless stand, stumble to Double Trouble, a beer corridor in a Gothic Cellar. The bar attracts locals and vacationers, and the one factor all of them have in frequent is that they like to drink beer.
7pm
You’ve already tried basic Czech delicacies at Švejk Restaurant U Karla. Now it’s time to present modern Czech meals a whirl at Nota Bene. Here, the menu adjustments every day relying on the supply of produce, and there’s a give attention to six microbrews if you wish to hold the social gathering going. The menu is brief and candy, so that you received’t want an excessive amount of time to try to determine what you’d wish to order .
8:30pm
For a nightcap stroll for about quarter-hour to a different beer corridor, U Pinkasů. This old-school native hang-out has had one in all its pilsners, Pilsner Urquell, on faucet since 1843. Spread throughout three storeys, this historic pub’s cellar was the crypt for the church subsequent door. They’re actual severe about beer right here, so throw again a pair earlier than hitting the hay.
Day two: Jewish Quarter and Prague museums
9am
Have a lie-in to work off final night time’s beer, then head to Cafe Louvre for a chunk. This eatery has been kicking round since 1902, and was a favorite of luminaries comparable to Franz Kafka and Albert Einstein. Though the communists ravaged the place within the Forties, it was restored to its former glory within the early nineties. Other than historical past, although, the Louvre does a roaring commerce in good espresso and even higher meals. Everything from croissants to scrambled eggs, goulash and pancakes are served for breakfast right here. We advocate the ‘Northern Breakfast’… primarily for the glowing wine served alongside it.
10am
For some purpose Prague is residence to many, many fantastic and wacky museums. We counsel spending till lunchtime exploring them. There’s the Apple Museum – a set of Apple computer systems from 1976 to current – the Museum of Historical Chamber Pots and Toilets, which is strictly what it seems like; the Sex Machines Museum; the Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments; and the Gingerbread Museum. Or, if you happen to’re after one thing a bit much less bizarre, a bit extra instructional, there’s additionally the Museum of Communism and the Kafka Museum.
1pm
Josefov is the previous Jewish Quarter of Prague, and effectively price a go to. Bohemia Bagel was opened in 1996 and serves American-style bagels; an excellent place to begin your go to to this former Jewish ghetto.
2pm
Spend the afternoon wandering across the Jewish Quarter. Filled with historic buildings, its pavements echoes with the historical past of the Jews from throughout Europe who had been compelled to reside shoulder-to-shoulder in its cramped situations. The Spanish Synagogue was opened in 1868, and was constructed within the Moorish Revival fashion with oriental motifs and gold galore. The Old Jewish Cemetery can be price a go to; it’s the biggest Jewish cemetery in Europe and filled with historic monuments. Cheer your self up with a baked goodie from Bakeshop, which is stuffed with recent desserts, biscuits, meringues and extra.
Jewish cemetery, Prague
5pm
Before dinner, have a gander at Luxor Bookshop. While most of its 4 (sure, 4) flooring have solely Czech-language books, head to the underside stage. Here you’ll discover a wide variety of English-language books, together with loads of basic Czech titles translated into English.
They even have an honest assortment of English-languages magazines from England, America and Australia amongst others. Also take a look at the facade of the close by Europa Hotel – it’s deserted now, however its exterior nonetheless retains a sure bygone glamour.
6pm
Feeling fancy? Go to La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise for dinner. Here, regionally sourced substances are became a number of degustation programs with Czech wines. The restaurant has one of many nation’s three Michelin stars. Budget travellers ought to check out Klub Architektů, the place they’ll get a top-notch pasta or maybe a confit duck liver for beneath AUD$15.
8pm
The Prague National Theatre is the right place to spherical out a day of exploration and tradition. Built within the late Renaissance fashion, with a sprinkling of sculptures of well-known Czech figures, on any given night time you’ll discover opera, drama or a ballet. The theatre additionally hosts a variety of bars and eating places to whereas away the intermissions.
Want to get probably the most from Prague? Explore the town with an area chief on one in all our Czech Republic small group journeys.