HOW TO SPEND FOUR DAYS IN

PRAGUE
October 30, 2014 / By NomadicMatt

Prague is a destination that always seems to be in vogue. Its been on the

tourist map for a long time, and the crowds show no signs of abating.

Prague is a gorgeous, well-preserved medieval city coupled with a rich history,

expansive parks, Vegas-style nightlife, and a hint of romance. The city holds a
special place in my heart: it was the first city I backpacked through on my
round-the-world trip in 2006. It was where I stayed at my first genuine hostel,
the first place I was on my own, and the first place I went to where signs
werent in English. I grew as a traveler here.

After many years away, I was happy to come back not once, but twice this
year. A lot has changed there are more tourists, prices are higher, the food
is more international, and more foreigners live in the city. But the citys
essence all the clich stuff (cobblestone streets, quaint medieval houses,
incredible charm) that makes Prague Prague is still there, and I was happy
to reconnect with the city.

After spending weeks roaming the city, todays blog post puts the best Prague
has to offer into a manageable four-day itinerary. If you are looking for a way
to organize your trip, this itinerary, like previous ones Ive put together, will
help you do so.

Day 1
Take a free walking tour
Walking tours are a smart way to orient yourself to a new city, learn some
history, and hear about the main attractions. There are a TON of free walking
tours in Prague, so youll have plenty of options. All the tour companies meet
near the astronomical clock in the Old Town Square at 10 a.m. and last about
three hours. They will give you an overview of the main sites like the Old Town
Square, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, the Jewish Quarter, and more.

My favorite company is New Europe. They operate free tours around Europe
and tend to have upbeat guides and lots of historically accurate information.
Visit Prague Castle

The famous Prague Castle is the next logical place to visit, since all the
walking tours end near this popular sight. The castle, which lords over the city,
consists of multiple sections: St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, The
Story of Prague Castle, St. Georges Basilica, Golden Lane with Daliborka
Tower, the Powder Tower, and Rosenberg Palace. You can buy a ticket to any
or all of these sights from the box office. The most famous structure is St.
Vitus Cathedral this is the large building you see when you look up at the
castle from outside the city walls.
Walk around Petrn Park

Petrn Park is the citys biggest and most beautiful park, with sweeping views
of Prague. Youll find a garden, a maze, and a lookout tower that looks like the
Eiffel Tower. What I love about this expansive park is how easy it is to get lost
among the trees. Paths meander throughout, and its a relaxing contrast to the
crowds of the historic center. Keep in mind that this park is on a big hill and
walking to the top can be strenuous. There is a funicular that can take you
down (and up) the hill if you dont feel like making the trek.
Visit the John Lennon Wall

After Pet?n Park, head down towards Kampa, a neighborhood by the river,
and visit the John Lennon Wall. Toward the end of Communism in the 1980s,
students started writing John Lennon lyrics on this wall as a way to air their
grievances. Today, the wall represents love and peace. Tourists are allowed to
write or paint on it too.

Relax on the waterfront

Its been a long day, so relax in Kampa with a satiating drink, some food, or a
coffee. There are a number of appealing restaurants and cafs in the area. To
get here, just keep walking toward the river from the John Lennon Wall. Youll
cross a little bridge and there you are! Youll find lots of places to eat, sit, and
relax, and when youre done you can walk across the famous Charles Bridge
back toward the city center.

Day 2
Explore the Old Town Square

Though you got an overview of the Old Town Square during your walking tour,
today you can savor the squares attractions in detail. Some of the highlights
include:

Hanging out in the square The people-watching is unbeatable as

tourists, families, students, and touts pass through the square. Sit on one
of the benches, eat a sandwich, and enjoy! Moreover, there are a
number of talented musicians ranging from jazz musicians to Scottish
bagpipe players, and everything in between that perform in the
square.

Astronomical Clock Watch the most overhyped attraction in all of

Prague! While the hourly chime that people line up for is anticlimactic,
the detail and artistry of the clock make it one of the most beautiful in
Europe.

Visit the churches The beautiful Tyn and St. Nicholas churches ring
the square. St. Nicholas is open all day, but Tyn is only open in the
mornings and late afternoons.
 Explore the catacombs Under the Old Town Hall, youll find a series
of catacombs worth exploring. They were the first level of the medieval
houses that used to be in the square. Now, they are an exhibit (enter
through the tourism office) showcasing medieval life.

Explore the Jewish Quarter

The historic Jewish Quarter is one of the most popular attractions in Prague.
Hitler saved it from Nazi destruction because he wanted to make the area a
museum to the lost Jewish race. Now, the museums, synagogues, and
historic graveyard in the area honor the history of what was one of the largest
Jewish communities in Europe.
Explore Letensk sady (Letn Park)

This park, across the river from the Jewish Quarter, features several walking
trails, a caf, and expansive views of the city. Youll see a lot of art students
painting the cityscape. Cross over to Chotkovy sady for beautiful gardens and
rear views of the Prague Castle. Its quiet, with secluded paths that make for
an intimate romantic stroll.

Take an underground Prague tour

Prague Underground Tours runs an underground tour of the medieval

houses in the city center. There are many catacombs in Prague, and this tour,
though short, provides detailed history about medieval Prague.

Day 3
Take a day trip to Kutn Hora

Kutn Hora was an important center for silver mining in medieval Bohemia. It
helped keep the kings of Prague rich. Now the town is famous for its creepy
bone church, Sedlec Ossuary, which contains 40,000-70,000 bones. Since the
church takes only about 15 minutes to see, head into the historic city center to
see some of Kutn Horas other attractions, including marvelous medieval
churches, overlooks, well-preserved streets, and a large town square. Its a
small and quiet town that feels like Prague without the crowds.

Day 4
Explore Vyehrad

While Prague Castle gets all the love, Vyehrad, located in the southern part
of the city, was also one of the original castles of the kings of Prague. It was
built around the 10th century and contains Pragues oldest surviving building,
the Rotunda of St Martin. Few tourists ever come here, so youll get the castle
and its views of Prague to yourself. It also offers good upriver views of the city.

Walk up the river back into town

From the castle, you can take a nice walk along the river back into the center
of town. There are walking and bikes paths as well as places to stop, sit, and
maybe read a book. Its mostly locals around here, despite it being about 20
minutes from the city center.
Visit the Powder Tower

Back in town, be sure to check out this medieval tower, one of the original
13 city gates. Construction began in 1475 and, during the 17th century, the
tower used to store gunpowder. It was heavily damaged in 1757 and most of
the sculptures on it were replaced in 1876.
Wander the streets of Prague

Prague is a stunning city. Meander its winding streets. Find random

restaurants, markets, and churches. Sit and watch the people go by. Just get
happily lost.

Other Activities:

See a concert Prague is famous for its classical music, and there
are concert halls throughout the city.

Visit the Franz Kafka Museum Love Kafka? He was from Prague
and there is a museum dedicated to him.

Suggested Restaurants:

Country Life Cheap vegetarian buffet that offers travelers great

value for their money

VinoGraf Off-the-beaten-path wine bar serving only Czech wines. Its

small, candlelight setting is also a good date spot.
 U Medvdku Traditional Czech food with delicious soup and goulash.
They also brew their own beer

Las Adelitas Delicious and authentic Mexican food for those with a
fiery palate, the best Ive found in continental Europe

Prague Beer Museum Despite its cheesy name, this place has a
wide selection of beer and good food with large portions.

Prague has been one of my favorite cities in the world since I first visited in
2006. Though there is a constant mass of tourists, Pragues magnificence will
always make this touristy city one worth visiting. And hopefully this itinerary
will help.