Long Weekend in Prague

Map tips: each color represents a different day. Click a marker to learn more about the spot, and click the star in the map header to save the entire map under Your Places in Google Maps.

Day 1

• Národní muzeum, Wenceslas Square
• Jindřišská
• Powder Tower
• Municipal House
• Old Town Square
• Prague Astronomical Clock
• Church of Our Lady before Týn
• St. Nicholas’ Church
• Charles Bridge

Arrived in the morning by flight, took bus into town and then the metro to our hotel which was a 10-minute walk from the National Museum. Started there, walked down the wide street towards Old Town. Stopped off at Henry’s Bell Tower (Jindrisska Tower), worth the quick detour. Walked past the Powder Tower and Municipal House, then to Old Town Square. Walked around, took some pictures of the Old Town Hall Tower and Astronomical Clock, Church of Our Lady before Tyn (the double-spired building that’s basically surrounded by other buildings) and the Church of St. Nicholas. Then went to the Charles Bridge, and circled back for dinner right by Old Town Square.

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Day 2

• Old Castle Stairs
• Prague Castle
• St. Vitus Cathedral
• Golden Lane
• Dancing House

Took the metro across the river to the castle area. Walked up the Old Castle Steps (would recommend) and toured Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. We went up the tower, and I can’t say that it’s 100% a must-do. There are some good views of the Charles Bridge from the general area that you can get without paying to go up, but the view from the top is nice. Went down Golden Lane, which we really enjoyed. Walked back across Charles Bridge, had lunch and walked around. Went down to see the Dancing House, grabbed some drinks and went paddle-boating on the Vltava River at dusk.

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Day 3: Sedlec Ossuary (Bone Church)

Last day we went to the train station for a day trip to Kutna Hora to see the Bone Church. When you’re at the train station, make sure to go to the upper level. It almost has a ghostly feel because it seems so old and abandoned, yet right below is a very modern, busy train station. The contrast is very noticeable and one of my favorite memories from this trip. Getting to the Bone Church is very easy, convenient and a cheap side trip while in Prague. You can walk there when you get to the train station in Kutna Hora, and there’s also an awesome church (St. Barbara’s) which we didn’t have time to see but looks worth it if you have the time. The Bone Church is small but really neat (well, as neat as a church decorated in bones can be). Took the train back to Prague, walked down to Old Town Square for some more food and to take in the sites one last time before going back to our room and heading back to the airport for an evening flight.

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Final thoughts

I’d been to Prague a couple times before this trip and would definitely recommend staying within walking distance or a short metro ride away from Old Town Square. Prague is my favorite city in the world, in terms of architecture and food, and it doesn’t get better than Old Town Square. I’d say 3 days is perfect, but I could spend a whole day just in Old Town looking around and trying all the different foods from the stalls (and beer).  The medieval feel here is authentic and there are so many interesting buildings and towers all over the city. Of all the towers that you can go up in, I would say the Old Town Hall Tower is my pick. Overlooking Old Town Square is just awesome, and you can see the castle area and the other towers sticking up above everything else in all directions. It’s a very affordable place, public transportation is good, and I have a feeling Prague will be my most-visited city in Europe when it’s all said and done.

Traveled in August 2011