You Need to See These Magical Places Before You Leave Prague

It’s not all hidden gems, though. The Czech capital is full of wondrous art that rivals the likes of London’s and Paris’s collections. Here you can see a wealth of Bohemian canvases that offer a snapshot of the glowing gothic masterpieces of its countrymen and women. Oh, and let’s not even mention the Art Nouveau of Alphonse Mucha, the incredibly impressive collection of 20th-century surrealists, constructivists and cubists on show in the Veletržní Palác. Epic.

And if you love beer, you’re off to the right place. The golden stuff is godly in these parts. Home of Pilsner, there’s plenty to try, from local brews to the world’s finest hops.

Still not convinced? Here are just a few places that will give you a little Praguelust!

The visually stunning hilltop fortress is home to the head of the Czech Republic, and once used to be the seat of the Austrian Empire. Now, the UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site is fully open to explore. What to expect? Oodles of palaces, churches, magical alleyways and some rather impressive ornamental gardens.

While you’re exploring all the wonders in Prague Castle, stop off at St Vitus Cathedral, a mammoth place that took over 600 years to build. Aside from the stunning stained-glass windows, see the crypts of Bohemia’s early Roman emperors and marvel at the cathedral’s beautifully crafted stone nave.

This is where all the magic happens. Since medieval times, the gothic square has witnessed all sorts, including the rise and fall of numerous regimes and lots and lots of bloodshed. Now, thankfully, things have calmed down a little. There are few finer charms than watching the moon rise and set between the towers of the Church of Our Lady Before Týn, and let’s not forget the Czech capital’s most famous landmark, the spectacular Astronomical Clock…

This little clock is why countless buzzing tourists descend on the city of Prague every year. Decorated with numerous statues and paintings by Josef Mánes, the astronomical beauty not only tells the time but also relates the singular movements of the planets around the Earth, sun and moon through the signs of the zodiac. Impressive, no?

Hands down the most spectacular bridge in the world. Linking the New Town and the Old Town across the River Vltava, the Charles Bridge is Prague’s most famous icon. Since its construction between 1357 and 1402, Karluv most (its fancy Czech name) has witnessed royal processions, battles, grizzly executions (you can still see the spikes today) and has even had the odd starring role in Hollywood blockbusters. Best feature? The gallery of 30 statues that line the bridge from start to finish. Total Instagram gold.

A jungle of tombstones. At first you might think it morbid, but this tiny graveyard gives you an idea of just how many people lived and worshipped in the surrounding ghetto. Bleak, yes; worth the visit, definitely.

Views for days. The best thing about this place is that you get a chance to see Prague’s wondrous cityscape, for free! Other highlights include numerous forested footpaths and the old Ukrainian church, supposedly one of the most romantic places in the city.

Visit this baroque beauty for fantastic Kodak moments and for a chance to see plenty of priceless antiquities inside the treasury – trust us, it really is quite something.

They say this is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, and we’re inclined to agree. A prime example of classical baroque, the library first opened in 1722 as part of a Jesuit university, and houses an astonishing 20,000 books.

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