Going on a city trip to the Czech Republic, Prague. The city constantly appears on lists of the best European city breaks, but what makes Prague so special? After watching countless fun YouTube videos, we decided to explore the city ourselves — and we did so with great enthusiasm.

What attracted us most was the sheer number of things to see, combined with the fact that I had never visited this part of Europe on a city trip before. That alone made it extra appealing.

Prague is a compact city, which makes it perfect for exploring on foot. Almost all highlights are within walking distance, and a long weekend of three days is more than enough to really get to know the city. Walking from the castle to the city centre via the iconic bridge is about 3.5 kilometres and roughly 45 minutes. In short: the perfect recipe for a relaxed and versatile city trip.

What I personally love about travelling is when a city teaches you something new about culture or history and offers a fresh perspective on the world. Prague does this exceptionally well. Because the city largely escaped heavy bombing during World War II, the historic centre has remained beautifully intact. At the same time, the war left deep scars — especially visible in the Jewish Quarter, an impressive and meaningful place to visit.

Hotel and transport

Prague Airport is easily accessible with direct flights from many European cities and served by a wide range of airlines. Once you arrive, there are several convenient ways to reach the city centre. Uber works perfectly, and both train and metro connections will get you downtown quickly.

As mentioned earlier, the historic centre is compact and ideal for exploring on foot. If you prefer not to walk, the tram network is excellent. Keep in mind that many streets in the old town are pedestrian-only — wonderful for wandering around, but less practical if you plan to reach your hotel by car.

There is a huge selection of Airbnbs and hotels in the city centre, suitable for every budget and travel style. We stayed in a lovely Airbnb on the main shopping street Na Příkopě: spacious, modern and right in the heart of the city. Similar accommodations can be found all over Prague.

The most beautiful places in Prague (for us)

An overview of the main highlights in Prague:

• Old Town Square with the Týn Church A beautiful square filled with historic façades and cosy terraces. Here you’ll also find the famous Astronomical Clock (Orloj), which performs a small show every hour for large crowds of tourists.

• The city centre Packed with great restaurants, cafés and shops. From fine dining to pub food — everything is available. The Czech Republic has a strong beer culture, something we thoroughly enjoyed. Besides well-known chains, you’ll find plenty of local shops selling jewellery, Christmas decorations and even (yes, really) rubber ducks.

• Prague Castle From the city centre, you can walk across the Charles Bridge to reach Prague Castle. This enormous complex feels like a village in itself and consists of multiple buildings, each with its own story. Visit early in the morning if you can, as it gets very crowded later in the day.

Golden Lane : A colourful, narrow street with tiny houses where you can see how people used to live in the past.

One of the houses contains a small bookshop selling works by Franz Kafka, famous for his writings about bureaucracy and its dark sides — themes that still feel surprisingly relevant today.

• Charles Bridge This iconic bridge over the Vltava River offers stunning views of the city. During the day it’s lively with street musicians, artists and tourists. The river itself is constantly in use by sightseeing boats and… pedal boats.

• Jewish Quarter (Josefov) A district with diverse architectural styles and a powerful history. Be sure to visit the Spanish Synagogue, which also functions as a museum about Jewish life before, during and after World War II.

• The Dancing House (Tančící dům) A striking modern building that contrasts sharply with Prague’s classic architecture. Definitely worth a short walk-by.

• John Lennon Wall A colourful wall covered in graffiti inspired by John Lennon and The Beatles. Fun to see, although we personally found it a bit less impressive than expected.

• Petřín Lookout Tower – the Eiffel Tower of Prague Located just outside the city centre, this tower offers beautiful views over Prague. You can walk up or take the funicular railway.

• Boat trip on the Vltava River We opted for a boat tour lasting about one and a half hours — a great way to see the city from a different perspective.

A few surprises in Prague

• The Astronomical Clock (Orloj) Because of the huge crowds gathering every hour, we expected a lot — but honestly, it’s quite underwhelming. Fun to see once, but definitely not a must.

• Prague’s sweet treat: Trdelník While wandering through Prague’s streets, it’s impossible to miss Trdelník. On almost every corner, you’ll smell the sweet scent of freshly baked dough, sugar and cinnamon. The dough is wrapped around a wooden stick and baked over an open flame, resulting in a crispy outside and a soft inside.

• Bachelor and bachelorette parties You’ll see them everywhere: groups of men and women in outrageous outfits, drinking beer and roaming the streets. Surprisingly, they’re not annoying at all — quite the opposite, actually pretty entertaining.

• Pedal boats on the Vltava In all kinds of shapes and sizes, from cars to animals. A fun and eye-catching detail of the city.

• The beer cellars We accidentally ended up in a restaurant that led underground into massive halls filled with long tables, live music, people in costume and large partying groups. It felt like stepping into a fantasy world — bizarre, but incredibly fun.