Prague: The City of a Hundred Spires in 5 Days

Staré Město: The Medieval Heart

Prague's Old Town (Staré Město) is an open-air museum. The Old Town Square, with the Church of Our Lady before Týn and its twin Gothic towers, is the perfect starting point.

Prague's Astronomical Clock (Orloj) has been working since 1410. Every hour on the hour, the mechanical figures come to life. Arrive a few minutes early to get a good spot.

The Jewish Quarter (Josefov) houses 13th-century synagogues and the old Jewish cemetery, where tombstones pile on top of each other in centuries-old layers. The Spanish Synagogue, with its golden arabesques, is dazzling.

The Municipal House (Obecní dům) is an art nouveau gem. Have a coffee in its café to admire Alfons Mucha's frescoes while enjoying an apple strudel.

Charles Bridge and Malá Strana

Charles Bridge (Karlův most), built in 1357, is Prague's soul. Crossing it at sunrise, when there are no tourists and the baroque statues stand silhouetted against the pink sky, is magical.

Malá Strana (the Lesser Town) is a maze of cobblestone streets, baroque palaces and secret gardens. St. Nicholas Church has one of the most spectacular baroque interiors in Europe.

The John Lennon Wall, covered in graffiti and peace messages, remains a pilgrimage site. The hidden Vrtba Gardens, behind a discreet door, offer panoramic city views.

Climb Petřín Tower (a mini Eiffel Tower) for the best panoramic views of Prague. The mirror maze next to the tower is pure fun.

Prague Castle and Beyond

Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) is the largest ancient castle complex in the world. St. Vitus Cathedral, with its Mucha stained glass windows, requires time to absorb every detail.

Golden Lane (Zlatá ulička), with its colorful 16th-century houses, was where the king's goldsmiths lived. Kafka wrote at house nº 22.

Vyšehrad, the fortress above the Vltava River, is much less touristy than the Castle but equally impressive. The cemetery holds the graves of Dvořák and Mucha, among others.

For a different experience, visit the DOX art museum in Holešovice, Prague's hippest neighborhood. Galleries, craft breweries and street food markets coexist in former industrial buildings.

Practical Tips and Budget

**Best time:** Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). Christmas is magical but very crowded.

**Budget per person (5 days):** - Flights: €80-200 (low cost from Europe) - Accommodation: €200-350 - Food and beer: €100-180 - Transport and metro: €30-50 - Monument tickets: €40-70 - **Estimated total: €450-850**

**Essential tips:** - Czech koruna (CZK) is the official currency; avoid exchanging in the center - Czech beer is the world's best and cheaper than water - Public transport works perfectly: buy a 3-day pass - Book Prague Castle online to skip queues - Trdelník (chimney cakes) are touristy but delicious