A long weekend in Prague – surrounded by pastel-coloured views and terracotta roofs
Prague has always fascinated me – pretty buildings, cultural attractions, and an affordable price tag, what more could a girl want from a city break?
With all that in mind, a weekend in this scenic city was definitely on the cards, and Prague was the next destination myself and my boyfriend had planned to visit in Europe. Here is our guide to a long weekend in Prague.
Our mini adventure would begin after a night’s sleep in our okay-ish hotel. The Hotel Colosseum was well located to attractions and to be honest, pretty cheap. I’m not snobby when it comes to hotels, I literally sleep there.
Seeing the quirky Dancing House
The Hotel Colosseum was less than five minutes from the celebrated Dancing House or ‘Fred and Ginger’ and this was our first stop.
This deconstructivist style building features quirky architectural design and fascinates many in its place amongst a myriad of Baroque, Rococo and Renaissance buildings, to name a few architectural styles found within Prague.
Step back in time in the Old Town
We gave the Dancing House a quick glance and raced towards the UNESCO-listed Old Town – naturally.
Stepping into the Old Town in Prague is very charming, lined with ornate buildings, street food vendors, the grand Church of Our Lady before Týn and of course, the wonderful Astronomical Clock.
Embellished with cobbled streets, Gothic churches and an array of architectural styles, the whole city is very romantic. Our favourite start to each day was coffee together in the Old Town square each morning.
Czech out the local delicacies and try traditional trdelník
While in Prague, be sure to sample some Czech delicacies by indulging in some delicious street food.
Local delicacies include trdelník (a spiralised pastry with delicious fillings), as well as famed sausages and hams.
Watch the Astronomical Clock procession
What did we love most about the quaint Old Town and its buzzing square? It would have to be the famed Astronomical Clock.
Be sure to await the hourly procession for a truly lovely show, with rhythmic chimes and animated figures. We managed to miss it about eight times during our stay before finally seeing it!
Another cultural delight that mesmerised me was the exquisite Gothic Church of our Lady on Tyn. It is a grand building that dominates the Old Town skyline.
Its interior is almost as astounding as its exterior and it dates back to the 14th century.
Get lost for a moment in Letenské Sady Park
However, there is another church that dominates the Prague cityscape, and that is St. Vitus Cathedral, a beautiful church within the mighty walls of the Prague Castle compound.
Uphill, we made our way through the lush Letenské Sady Park to the castle. There is so much green space in Prague, it is truly fabulous.
Once you have made your way to the top of Letenské Sady, ensure to stop a moment and appreciate the wonderful view of the city beneath you. It is so picturesque, a sea of pastel houses, terracotta roofs, and trams.
Prague is separated by the delicate and winding Vltava river and within the park, you get to see a magical birdseye view of it.
See how the other half lived at Prague Castle
As you enter, you’ll need to purchase a ticket for Prague Castle. Within Prague Castle’s compound, you’ll find:
- Old Royal Palace
- St. Vitus Catherdral
- Golden Lane
- St. George’s Basilica Detail
- The Story of the Prague Castle
- Great South Tower of the Cathedral
Discover the ornate St. Vitus Cathedral
For me, St. Vitus Cathedral is the focal point of the area. Its dark exterior boldly contrasts against the smooth and light pastel walls surrounding it.
Similar to the other churches in Prague, the interior is sublime, truly beautiful for any fan of churches.
Take a stroll down the colourful Golden Lane
After a rather disappointing venture into the castle’s interior, we had a bite to eat and wandered down towards Golden Lane, a collection of former and rather cosmopolitan-looking homes of seamstresses, moviemakers, and herbalists that used to live within the castle grounds.
Walk with saints at Charles Bridge
Afterward, we went to Charles Bridge. Strolling along the winding Vltava River it is almost impossible to miss the entrance to the grand Charles Bridge. It becomes an even more impressive affair as you cross it, adorned with religious statues along its ancient stone walls.
Step into a fairytale in Malá Strana
Charles Bridge connects the Old Town with the pastel-coloured streets of the historic district of Malá Strana. It is like crossing into a fairytale, with many a ‘wow’ moment.
Take a snap at the John Lennon Wall
The backstreets of Malá Strana are amazing to wander. You will discover an array of food vendors, cosy riverside views and sweet lock bridges in abundance.
An interesting stop in the area, is the John Lennon Wall. A graffiti shine to the late Beatles singer and songwriter which is adorned with some peculiar quotes and imagery.
Discover the castle ruins at Petřín Hill
We took the steep climb from Malá Strana, past the exquisite Baroque St. Nicholas Church, up to Petřín Hill to explore some more. Here we discovered more incredible views alongside the old castle ruins.
It really is nice to just step away from the city for a moment to stop and see it all. We decided against Petřín Tower, already having gained some incredible views from walking through the parks alone.
Sip unique cocktails at AnonymouS Bar
After all the walking and with a recommendation from a friend, we decided to celebrate one evening with a few quirky cocktails at AnonymouS Bar.
Tucked away near Old Town Square, this quirky bar sells some strong cocktails and does so in an animated and exciting fashion. Trust me on this one, try it out and try to get a glimpse of the secret menu.
How did we find our long weekend in Prague?
Prague is a truly romantic city brimming with things to see and do. If you’re looking for a European city break with some flair, opt for a long weekend in Prague!
After our whirlwind weekend, we managed to walk about 30 miles (public transport really isn’t too necessary), see all of the attractions we desired, and had a truly amazing time.
I would recommend Prague to anyone and would be more than happy to give some advice if needed!
Have you been to Prague? Where is the next European destination on your travel list?
Stephanie xox
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