Prague, in the Czech Republic, is a world-class city full of incredible attractions. It’s one of the most visited places in eastern Europe, and for good reason. It has attractions, food, and old-world charm that you’ll remember forever. But if you’re a first timer heading to Prague, you might be wondering about which things to check out first. You’re in luck, because Viewcation presents, the best things to do in Prague for first timers!
Charles Bridge
Perhaps the quintessential Prague attraction, the Charles Bridge has long been one of the best places to go for a sense of what Prague is like. It is the connecting structure between Old Town Prague and Prague Castle, and provides visitors with breathtaking views of the river and the city that surrounds it. It has Baroque statues all along it, and it easy to walk along. Artists and writers of all kinds have been known to come to the Charles Bridge to sit and get inspiration for their work. Of course, because it’s perhaps the most famous attraction in Prague, it tends to get quite crowded. So the best bet is to arrive either very early in the morning, or late at night. You’ll have a better chance of moving freely and not battled the throngs of tourists.
Old Town Square
For a classic look at the history of this gorgeous city, head to Old Town Square. While it’s not vast, Old Town Square is jammed full of historic buildings and monuments that are a fitting tribute to years past. And at over 600 years old, it has a long history. One of the highlights is the giant status of Jan Hus, who was a martyred religious leader. There here’s the Gothic church, featured oddly uneven towers. But despite this odd construction site, (or perhaps because of it) the church is very cool so look at. And perhaps the most noteworthy site within Old Town Square is the Astronomical Clock. It’s a simple, yet charming and fun sight that attracts tourists from all over. Every hour, the clock performs a small show for the people in the square below. There’s a rooster that crows, and a skeleton that rings the bell. Then the 12 apostles walk around the clock, before the clock itself finally rings out. As the name suggests, the clock is an astronomical dial, and was created hundreds of years ago, making it a technological marvel at the time. One thing to note is that the square gets crowded near the clock as the hour approaches. So it’s a good idea to go 5 or 10 minutes early so you can get a good spot. There are great walking tours that leave from the northern edge of Old Town Square, and best of all, they’re free!
Drink the Beer!
If you’re a beer drinker, then Prague is going to be heaven for your taste buds. There were times in the not too distant past when a pint of beer cost less than a bottle of water in Prague. While we can’t vouch for pricing that low these days, the city is full of great beers and places to drink them. One surefire way to get a great taste of them is to book a beer tour. A local beer expert will guide you through the many microbreweries in the city and get you a taste of the multitude of Prague-based brews. But even if you don’t want to go the official tour route, you can easily do you own pub hopping tour and come away with many different tastes of many types of beers. In the city proper, there are more than 100 night clubs and 600 bars. So if and when you’re seeking some beer tasting and some nightlife, you won’t have to look far.
The John Lennon Wall
Now, obviously John Lennon was not a Prague native. This famous Liverpudlian and Beatle was as English as could be. But the breadth of the influence of Lennon and the Beatles is certainly worldwide. And Lennon’s political stances have inspired people of all ages for decades. This is true at the John Lennon wall in Prague, which features graffiti and lyrics from the songs of the Fab Four.
After Lennon was assassinated in 1980, images of him started popping up on this wall as a tribute. Of course, this was still during the era of Communist rule in Prague, which was then part of Czechoslovakia. So the wall quickly became a symbol of rebellion against the ruling government. The locals would put up quotes, writings, and more John Lennon-related scribblings, and then the government would come paint over it. And then the locals would write back over the paint.
This tradition has continued in a way, even long after Communist rule here ended. That’s because the wall is constantly changing, as people add to it and make alterations to it. So it’s a beautiful site that will be different virtually every time you visit Prague!
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Kasarna Karlin
This is a classically Prague-ian art complex. It was formerly an army barracks before it was concerted into a multi purpose space for a variety of arts. The large courtyard there hosts a variety of events, ranging from beach volleyball and outdoor movie projections in the summer. Then in the winter it transforms into an ice rink with hot chocolate vendors on the side. The buildings are put to good use as well. There was an army swimming pool as well as several garages that were turned into bars and spaces for live entertainment. And throughout, local artists show off their pieces on the walls. Basically, you could stay at Kasarna Karlin for days before getting remotely bored.
Eat a Pork Knuckle
We know, we know. Eating a pork knuckle sounds weird and potentially gross. But it’s not, trust us. It’s a delicacy in Prague, and is served all over the city. And pork knuckles are big, so you’ll want to arrive with a big appetite. We are fans of the restaurant Mlejnice, which serves some of the best pork knuckle in the city at their two locations. Plus you get a lot of food for your money at both spots!
Letna Park
IF you’re looking to get another incredible panoramic view of Prague on your isit there, you’re gonna want to visit Letna Park. It’s located in Prague 7, (the city is divided into districts that are numbered) and sits above the rest of the cirt. The area used to be kind of a chill, suburban one. But in recent years it has gone through a transformation. It’s now a hub of boutiques, art, resutarants, and more. And the park itself it quite the sight. One of the highlights is a giant movie sculpture of a metronome. The base of the sculpture used to serve a distinctly different purpose though – it was the bottom of a statue of Stalin. (The statue was torn down in 1962). There’s a beer garden within Letna Park where locals and tourists alike often sit to admire the view of Old Town as well as the Vltava River. One slight drawback is that you are forbidden from bringing in your own food or drink, but there’s plenty on offer in the beer garden, so you won’t go hungry as you chill and watch over the city.
SmetanaQ
If you’ve been hitting the tourist attractions hard all day, and are looking for a place to relax for some coffee and snacks, this is a great option. It’s a little café that sits on the banks of the Vltava River. They specialize in medovnik, which is a type of honey cake, and it’s delicious. You can sit with a honey cake and coffee and look out the huge bay windows onto the river. Or you can head upstairs, where SmetanaQ has a reading room with its own set of books you can grab and enjoy. When you finish your food and drink, you can pop next door, where there’s a shop selling textiles and jewelry from local designers. There’s even a design studio on the upper floor that you can check out.
Prague is a major European city that attracts tourists from all over the globe, year round. As such, it can be daunting as a first time tourists. Hopefully this video has given you a good starting point for your trip there. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with most of the places in Prague, as its an excellent city for visitors. The people are lovely, the food and drinks are fantastic, and the attractions are world-class and gorgeous. And we’d imagine that not that many of you watching this speak Czech, and that’s not an issue. You’ll find that pretty much everyone speaks English there, and is more than happy to help guide you if you’re lost. Prague is a wondrous city that deserves a look for your next European vacation.
So there you have it – the best things to do in Prague. Now it’s time to hear from you. Did we miss any of your favorite things to do in Prague? Let us know in the comments section below. And before you go, make sure to give this video a like, and subscribe to Viewcation if you haven’t already. Click the bell icon to stay updated on all our latest content.