Prague has been number one on my bucket list since college. It sounds ridiculous, but ever since I watched the movie, Chasing Liberty with Mandy Moore (a part of which took place in Prague), I had to go.  Years went by, and for one reason or another, Prague just hadn’t happened yet.  But last year, I decided enough was enough, and I was going to Prague in 2018.  I convinced my friend Ryan to come along for the ride, and he then convinced his mom, Robin, to join us as well.  We spent 5 days in Prague, capping off an amazing European vacation (read about Munich and Salzburg here).  It’s a place I would recommend to anyone wanting to experience old, European charm because you’ll find it everywhere you look.

 

Top 5 – Prague

1 – Old Town Square
Old Town Square is the center of Prague and surrounded by beautiful old buildings, churches, shops and cafes.  Spend some time people watching and exploring, while relaxing and enjoying a trdelník.  The famous Prague astronomical clock is also located just off the square, and is one of the most recognized and visited sights in the city.  Unfortunately for us, it was under construction while we were there, so we weren’t able to see it.  It is scheduled to re-open in the fall, so plan your trip accordingly if you really want to see it.  It’s now my reason to go back again some day.

 

2 – Charles Bridge
The Charles Bridge construction was finished in 1402, connecting Old Town to Malá Strana.  It’s signature Prague and the best and most scenic way to go between the two neighborhoods.  We walked over the bridge our first morning there, taking in the views, people watching and shopping from the street vendors.  A piece of advice, walk the bridge early.  It was literally wall to wall people by noon, and I imagine not near as much fun wandering across later in the day.

 

3 – Day Trip to Bohemian Switzerland National Park
We took a day trip from Prague to Bohemian Switzerland National Park with Northern Hikes.  Bohemian Switzerland National Park is in the northern part of the Czech republic, along the German border.  The Czech side of the park is called Bohemian Switzerland National Park, but you also spend part of the day on the German side of the park, which is called Saxon National Park.  There are a couple of options for the day, in terms of how much hiking you do.  We chose the 4 mile hike with a boat ride on the River Elbe.  It was a great day with decent exercise, and allowed us to see the beautiful Bastei Bridge and the sandstone towers.  The tour also includes lunch at a traditional Czech restaurant, which was outstanding.  It was a really great day away from the city, and a nice way to see the beautiful Czech (and German) countryside.

 

4 – Prague Municipal House
Robin was nice enough to treat us to a concert in the Municipal House our first night in Prague.  Turning the corner and seeing the outside of the Municipal House was a highlight of the trip for me.  It is gorgeous and realizing that I was actually in Prague and checking things off my bucket list was pretty amazing.  The inside of the Municipal House is also stunning, where we had excellent seats for a special violin concert with the Prague Symphony Orchestra.  I have never been to a classical music concert before, and enjoyed it more than I ever thought I would.  Check their schedule for the listing of concerts, as there is something almost daily and you can get relatively inexpensive tickets.  I can’t thank Robin enough for a beautiful night to kick off our time in Prague.

 

5 – Parks
The parks in Prague have one thing in common…amazing views.  Take the time to walk through Letná Park and make your way up to the beer garden and take in the river and Old Town below with a refreshing Czech beer or cider.  Walk (or take the funicular) up Petřín Hill to the Observation Tower for views of all of Prague and the Bohemian country side.  Climb the 299 steps to the top, for unobstructed, panoramic views of the city.  You’ll get some exercise in and get the perfect Instagram shot.  If you have time, also wander through Kampa Park in Malá Strana, Wallenstein Gardens, and the Royal Garden of Prague Castle for more beautiful scenery and photo ops.

 

Honorable Mention

Prague Castle
Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world, per the Guinness Book of World Records.  Construction started in 870!  It sits high above they city and you can see it from almost everywhere.  We didn’t end up going inside the castle, but there is a lot to see if you decided to do so.  However, if you choose to not go inside, you can still visit St. Vitas Cathedral, located inside the castle complex, as well as the castle grounds and gardens for free, both of which are gorgeous.

 

Museum of Senses
If you’ve ever wanted to lay on an actual bed of nails or if you love an optical illusion, then the Museum of Senses should be on your list.  It’s a small but interesting museum with quirky and fun exhibits.  We took some weird pictures and had a fun couple of hours exploring.

 

Malá Strana
Malá Strana is the neighborhood across the river from Old Town.  It is charming and artsy, with lots of shops, bars and cafes.  Definitely make time to wander through the streets and along the river, check out the John Lennon wall, and explore the parks on your way to Prague Castle or the Petřín Observatory.

 

 

I had the best time in Prague and would go back tomorrow.  It’s always great when something lives up to your expectations, and Prague lived up to and surpassed mine.  Now to decide what becomes my new number one bucket list destination…not the worst problem to have!