For the past two years, Prague kept popping up as a destination and the more photos I saw, the more I wanted to go! I finally managed to go with two of my girls in October 2017 for five nights. The weather was actually perfect in October. I thought it would be too cold, but it was nice. I even got to see the autumn leaves before they fall. I liked that time of the year because it wasn't too busy.
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Although Prague is a compact city, you can easily spend a week there to see everything. I would advice you to do your research and decide the things you want to do before getting there. Hopefully this post will give you a few ideas based on the activities I have done and enjoyed.
Content:
Prague's Transportation
Prague's Activities
Prague's Budget
Prague's Areas & Accommodations
Prague's Vegan and Vegetarian food
Muslims in Prague
Day Trip from Prague
Prague's Transportation
The city is not big, so you can surly do it only by foot, but if you decided to stay slightly further out like we did, then their trams and buses will be a good option! I used Google Maps for times and directions. There are digital boards by the tram stops to tell you when to expect your ride. I thought the easiest thing is to get a 72 hours pass (310czk) to use all transports, but you can keep buying tickets based on your need. they have a single ticket valid for 30 mins (24czk) and 90mins (32czk). There is a 24 hours pass (110czk) as well. You get your tickets from the machines near the trams. I got mine from the airport and I used it for the bus from the airport to the city and the rest of my transportation for my time there. You have to validate the ticket once you get on the tram or bus.
Prague's Activities
I fully packed my three days there and I really loved it. This little city can keep you very busy for a few days! I had to go see the churches, synagogues and a number of secular buildings. The walking tours I took were the highlight of my trip. Keep on reading to find out about the activities in details!
First Activity in Prague: Wandering in the old town
The first part of the old town -before you cross the bridge to go to the castle side- is really cool and that's how I started getting to know the city. In there you can visit the Mucha Museum, Town Hall, Prague's astronomical and the St. Nicholas Church. There is certainly more to see, but those are the four I enjoyed the most.
Mucha Museum was my highlight though. Photography and video isn't allowed, but I enjoyed his work. It's a small museum, so expect to finish it in an hour, but it's full of creativity and I think it will help you understand the art scene of the city.
For the town hall, we went on the guided tour and it was very informative, but it took longer than expected and it was too detailed. It was really interesting seeing the famous clock from the inside. The Prague's astronomical clock were nice to see, but I didn't find them exceptionally memorable. When the clock ticks on the hour and the sculpted saints come out, the whole space in front of the clock is filled with people.
St. Nicholas Church was fabulous. I really liked the light airy interior space inside with the chandelier. It's a small space and only took me 20 minutes including reading the information and taking the picture, but it was nice to go in.
Second Activity in Prague: Visit the Jewish Quarter
I think one of my favourite activities in Prague was going on the Jewish quarter tour. I found the history fascinating and the guide knew everything there is to know. You can do this on your own and pay each admission and just read the information, but the tour was very reasonably priced for three hours. Dedicated post on this coming up!
Book your tour: Prague: Jewish Quarter with Admission Tickets
Third Activity in Prague: Crossing the bridge to the Prague Castle
Heads up, the Prague castle is a square shape complex as you see in the picture below, but when you pass it you get to see a number of interesting buildings. My highlight was the fascinating St. Vitus Cathedral, which is the gothic building you see popping from the other side of the river. I booked an afternoon tour to go to that side, which was such a good timing because it was really quiet and I got to learn so much about the history and the mythes of the city.
Book your tour: Prague Castle Complex 2-Hour Guided Tour
Fourth Activity in Prague: Go see Prague from the top
The architecture in Prague is unique and churches are famous for the "onion shaped" domes. The city looks even more beautiful from the top. There are a few points to see the city from up high. The one I went to and enjoyed was the Powder Tower (Tip: You get an entrance for it with the town hall ticket!)
Not so impressive Prague activities:
Many bloggers raved about a handful of "must see" places that I didn't find mind blowing and thought I will share my opinion with you in case your time is tight in you are trying to choose between activities. The three not so impressive activities were the Charles Bridge, the National museum and the John Lennon Wall. Don't get me wrong they are lovely, but they aren't as amazing as I was lead to believe. The Charles Bridge is SUPER crowded and people barley move. You stop every two second because someone is taking a picture. I really loved the sculptures on it and the myth of the bridge.
According to one of legends, the builders of the Charles Bridge decided to strengthen the bridge by adding raw eggs into a mortar. There were not enough eggs in Prague, so that they were brought from every corner of the land and the inhabitants in one of the regions were afraid that the eggs would break during the transport, so that they sent them boiled – to the great amusement of the whole of Prague (source).
I was very looking forward to the John Lennon Wall, but the graffiti when I went was very basic and immature. It changes all the time, so maybe I just didn't have a great luck in seeing something creative. The only highlight was the cute owl that I took a photo with. The wall itself is on the small side, so manage your expectations.
The National Museum was my biggest let down, but I am to blame for not researching it enough before visiting. The museum has moved from the gorgeous looking old building to a new modern glass building, which wasn't impressive. The collection in there was also average and I felt like I really wasted my time going there. I wish I used those two hours going somewhere else.
Charles Bridge
John Lennon Wall
Prague's Budget How much money do you need for Prague?
Let's talk money because it is an important aspect of your trip! Here's the breakdown of my trip. You can either do it cheaper or more expensive depending on your choices.
Flights
Ryan Air £40 (return from/to London Stansted)Accommodations
£25.25/night in a basic hotel for a single bed room slightly out of the town centreTransportation
72 hours pass 310czkActivities
Castle Tour 300 czk
Jewish Quarter Tour 1200 czk adults / 950 czk students
National Museum 200 czk adults / 140 czk students
Mucha Museum 240 czk adults / 160 czk students
Old Town Hall with Astronomical Clock 250 czk adults / 150 czk students
Day Trip Tour to Kutna Hora 700 czk
Food
Food was my biggest spending. I just couldn't help myself! I love good food.
I spent about 120czk (£4) for most meals, but sometimes it went to 350czk (£12) for some of the fancy dinners I had.
Prague's Areas & Accommodations
When I visited Prague, I stayed in Pension Prague City. It was a really nice and basic hotel with cleaning bedding. The staff were very nice to me and helped me with directions. This place has two buildings and doesn't have an elevator! Thankfully, I was given a room on the first floor, so it was only one flight of stairs for me. The area was safe, but the bar/resturant across the street is a little loud.
I also looked up a few other options that are also on a midrange budget in good locations if you would like to take a look at them.
You can also do your own search in whatever trusted accommodation website you like the most. I use booking because of the easy map and review functions.
Prague's Vegan and Vegetarian food
I was impressed with the vegan options in Prague. I surly wasn't expecting that! There is a dedicated post for the food coming up! In terms of halal food in Prague, I didn't really seek any since I was very happy with the vegan options they had! If you really want halal option you can look at them on the Zabiha website.
Muslims in Prague
I was a little worried going to Prague with a scarf especially after an article about me was published in Czech magazine. Sadly it didn't get a lot of love, but I am glad I didn't let the "not very nice" comments stop me and I went anyway. My two friends and I were visibly Muslims with our headscarves, but thankfully we didn't get any abuse. People there were friendly and helpful. I also did two days solo before my friends joined me and the treatment was still ok. We were only there for four days, so not a great measure, but I felt absolutely comfortable. Here is an article from Talah Nadeem about Life as a Muslim in Prague. In terms of mosques in Prague, I didn't personally go to any, but when I looked up mosques on Google I got these two main ones: Islámské centrum v centru Prahy and Mosque Černý Most. Both seem to be within a regular building style.
Day Trip from Prague
I love day trips as you might have noticed! I just don't like to only stay in the city. Venturing out always gives me a better understanding of the place, so when I planned my trip, I knew this is something I wanted to do. There are a few day trips, but many cool places are three hours a way and I didn't want to travel for ages, so I opted for Kutna Hora, which was one hour a way! I have a dedicated post about it coming up!
Book your tour: Prague Kutna Hora and Bone Chapel Tour
I really hope you enjoyed this post. I think Prague is surly worth a visit. If you want to get a better feel of the city. You are welcome to watch my Prague videos on Youtube!