Masked by stunning architecture and ornate buildings lies a city with a dark past and resilient people. Welcome to Prague. Today, the city has emerged as a lively, multi-cultural hotspot and a go-to destination for travelers. It is also one of Europe’s most affordable cities! Trust us, Prague is the perfect place to get lost (and to find yourself).
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
- Currency: Czech Koruna (pronounced crown)
- Population: 10.5 million
- Language: Czech
- Fun Fact: The Czech Republic consumes more beer per capita than any other country in the world.
LEARN THE LANGUAGE:
- Hello = Dobrý Den
- Goodbye/See You Later = Na schledanou
- Please = Prosim
- Thank you = Děkuji
- I don’t speak Czech = Nemluvím česky
- Beer = Pivo
WHAT TO SEE:
Prague Castle & St. Vitus Cathedral: Prague Castle, or Pražský Hrad, is unlike other European castles in that the castle itself is simple. Rather, it is the castle complex, perched atop the hill above the Vltava’s left bank, that lures visitors, offering them a stunning view of the city below. The complex also houses St. Vitus Cathedral, an intricate gothic structure that has served as the country’s most important religious site since its construction in 1344.
Charles Bridge: Finished in the early 1400s, Charles Bridge was built as a replacement to the former wooden model that stood in its place. For centuries, it served as the only permanent link between the two sides of the Vltava River.
Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock: Prague’s Old Town Square is one of the most magnificent and best-preserved in Europe. Unlike most central European capital cities that were destroyed entirely in World War II, many of Prague’s original buildings remain intact, including the pieces of the Astronomical Clock, which was originally constructed in 1410.
John Lennon Wall: In the 1980s, when the former Czechoslovakia was ruled by Communism, pacifist youth began marking the wall with John Lennon lyrics, quotes and peace messages. Today, the wall remains a site for words of peace, though it also offers visitors a chance to leave their mark on the city.
Czech out Prague on one of these great tours:
