Everyone has heard of the city where more than 100 towers rise.
The city where beer flows and is cheaper than water. The city that hides its secrets and legends, locked in beautiful cathedrals, bridges, palaces, and bell towers.
This is Prague – a fairy-tale city that lives in the future.
For those who know me, it’s no secret that Prague was my first conscious journey. Although I was only 5 years old at the time, it made a lasting impression, and I clearly remember three things: the beautiful clock with the twelve apostles, Charles Bridge, and how my parents had bought me a sweet that I dropped into the river while watching the swans, and cried over it, but most of all, my first ride on the metro! Since then, I’ve been visiting this place regularly, and every time I discover and visit new spots that I want to share with you.
I’ll start with my latest visit, when my colleagues from ABUJET, and I were invited by the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Prague to present our anthology book, “The Anthology of Mirages”. At the end of November, our cheerful group landed at Václav Havel Airport – Prague, where we were greeted and then headed to our hotel. We spent 3 unforgettable and exciting days there, but I’m sure you’re more interested in how to make your stay in the Czech capital just as amazing 😊
Let me begin with the useful tips you can’t do without!
Airport Transfer ✈️ <-> City Center and Public Transport 🚂
The easiest and most convenient way to transfer to the city center is by using the public bus lines, with intervals as short as a few minutes. You’ll easily find the bus stops—they are located right in front of the terminal. To get to the city center quickly, I recommend taking bus 119 and getting off at Veleslavin Railway Station, where you can then take the “A” metro line. From there, you can easily reach any part of the city in no time.
Public transport tickets must be purchased in advance before boarding the bus. Tickets are sold at the Visitor Center, at the public transport company’s counters in the arrival halls, or from ticket vending machines located in both terminals and directly at the bus stops. Most ticket machines accept contactless payments with credit and debit cards.
Tickets can also be purchased via SMS or the “Lítačka” mobile app, which can also help you find the best public transport connection. The app is available for both Android and iOS.
Of course, you can use a taxi, Uber, or a rental car to get to the center of Prague or wherever you’re staying. However, I generally recommend using public transportation. The city has a very well-developed network of buses and trams, which can take you almost anywhere in the city. For the central area, I recommend taking trams, as they offer incredible views. Prague has 3 metro lines, which are also very convenient, especially if you want to avoid traffic. The great thing is that you can pay directly with your card on any vehicle, and your ticket is valid for 90 minutes, costing 40 Czech crowns (about 1.50 EUR). There are also 30-minute tickets, which cost 30 crowns (around 1.20 BGN).
Accommodation 🏡
The choices for accommodation in Prague are vast! Personally, I would recommend staying somewhere in the city center or in the Old Town (Staré Město). This way, all the main attractions will be within walking distance, and you won’t have to rely on public transport. You’ll also be close to restaurants and cafes. I stayed at Hotel Residence Bene, which is near Náměstí Republiky, one of the central squares. This area is well connected by several trams and the C metro line. The Clock Tower is a 5-minute walk away, and the Charles Bridge is 10 minutes on foot. The hotel is clean and pleasant, located on a quiet street, and the prices are reasonable.
Food and Beer 🍻
We all know that in Prague, beer flows everywhere, and there is no tourist who won’t smell the fragrant hoppy beverage! In the colder months, I highly recommend trying the dark beer (cerne pivo), which has a slightly sweet taste. The light beer is also a must-try, but whichever you choose, I recommend the traditional local beer – Kozel.
Traditional Czech food is a nightmare for anyone on a diet! There’s no way around it—get ready for lots of beer and plenty of delicious food. Ducks, pork knuckles, goulash served with roasted potatoes, sweet-and-sour cabbage, and dumplings—these are must-try dishes (though not all in one sitting, of course 😉)!
So, the real question is: where can we try all these delights?
Personally, I recommend the following traditional restaurants, which will impress you not only with their amazing food, but also with their cozy, Czech-style atmosphere and reasonable prices:
Be sure to make a reservation, as the restaurants are usually full and you might have to wait for a table to become available.
I strongly do NOT recommend the restaurant “Švejk” ❌! Big hype for absolutely nothing. Small portions and high prices—your typical tourist trap. I made the mistake of eating there once and wouldn’t do it again, so save yourself the trouble.
If you want to have a coffee and try something sweet with a nice view of the river, I recommend„SmetanaQ Café & Bistro“. It’s always lively and full of young people.
Of course, as you walk through the streets, you might stumble upon other great restaurants and beer halls—the city is full of them! Just don’t forget to share your discoveries with me afterward so I can check them out too.
The etiquette here expects you to leave a tip, and when you ask for the bill, the waiter will likely tell you that service is not included. It’s customary, so make sure to leave at least 10% of the bill as a tip.
What to See?
Prague is a magical city, wrapped in countless myths and legends that still live on in its cobblestone streets, among the mysterious shadows cast by glowing lanterns and the dark silhouettes of Gothic cathedrals.
Now that I’ve shared the most important tips about staying in Prague, it’s time to explore the city’s landmarks, many of which are tied to bizarre tales, sometimes involving mythical beings and supernatural creatures!
It is believed that the city was founded in 1,306 BC by the ancient king Boja, but throughout the city, you will hear an interesting story about a young and beautiful princess.
A long time ago, the Czechs were ruled by the wise and noble Princess Libuše, who was both just and decisive. She was highly respected by all the people for her prophetic abilities, which allowed her to predict the distant future. One day, while standing on a rock in Vyšehrad and looking down towards the Vltava River, towards the areas where Prague is now located, the dark forests before her eyes parted, and the trees began to take the shape of houses, palaces, and cathedrals with tall towers. Struck by the vision, Libuše spoke aloud: “I see a great city, whose glory will reach the stars! If it is the will of the gods, so be it. I shall lay the foundation of this city and let it grow and thrive for the glory of my family and future generations.” The next day, Libuše sent servants to find the best place to found the city and ordered them: “Remember! If you see anyone working in these places, I will name the future city after him!” The men reached the plain beneath today’s Petřín Hill and found the place suitable for founding the new city. There, they came across two men who were carving a thick tree trunk. “What are you doing here?” they asked. “We are carving a threshold,” the carpenters replied. The men returned to the rock in Vyšehrad and told the princess what they had seen. “Then at this place, I shall found a city that will one day achieve unprecedented glory!” Libuše replied, “And I will call it Prague (Praha), after the threshold (prah) the men were carving there.” And so it happened. To this day, no ruler has dared to change the city’s name!
The Old Town Astronomical Clock
Undoubtedly, the medieval mechanical astronomical clock is one of the most famous and well-known landmarks of Prague, impressing both young and old! It is located in the oldest square in the historical center (Staroměstské náměstí). Every full hour between 9:00 AM and 11:00 PM, 12 figures of apostles appear on the clock.
The famous Prague Astronomical Clock adorns the facade of the Old Town Hall, dating back to 1410. A special stone extension was built on the southern side of the tower to house the entire mechanical system. The clock consists of several parts – in addition to the astronomical and calendar plates, it is equipped with a mechanism featuring twelve apostles who appear in two small windows every hour.
During the Apostles’ Parade, other figures from the sides of the clock also come to life with mechanical movement – Death rings the bell, turns the hourglass, and shows the Turk standing next to it that his time has run out, who responds by nodding his head in disdain.
There are many legends surrounding the creation of the square, and I’ll share the most interesting one. According to the legend, the city officials commissioned the local clockmaker Jan Hanus to create a clock. After several months of tireless work, the clock was finished, and everyone was amazed by its magnificence and elegance! The councilors decided that this clock should be one of a kind in the world, and in order to ensure this, they came up with a devious plan—to break into Hanus’s house, blinding him with a heated iron rod, so he wouldn’t be able to recreate the greatness and beauty of his creation.
Unfortunately, the clockmaker learned of this cruel plan, and to protect himself, he destroyed the clock as well as all the plans and drawings for it. It took around 100 years to restore the clock to its full glory.
If you want to visit the tower and enjoy views of Prague from above, you can purchase tickets here in advance to avoid the queues.
Charles Bridge
Another must-visit spot in Prague! One piece of advice from me: if you plan to visit the bridge, as I did during the cold months of the year, be sure to bring a hat, scarf, and gloves… and of course, thick clothes are a must!
The oldest bridge in Prague was built on the site of the Judith Bridge, which was demolished in 1342. The Stone Bridge, or Prague Bridge, known as Charles Bridge since 1870, was founded in 1357 by Charles IV and completed in 1402. The bridge is made of sandstone blocks, and two fairytale towers protect it from both sides—Malostranské Tower and Staroměstská Bridge Tower.
Between 1683 and 1928, 30 statues of saints were mounted on the bridge’s pillars, the most famous and oldest of which is the statue of St. John Nepomuk. The last addition to the bridge was the statue of the brothers St. Cyril and Methodius in 1928.
The first stone of the bridge was laid by Charles IV on September 7, 1357, at 5:31 AM, and according to some, this date and time were not chosen randomly!
If we write the numbers in the following way: 1 3 5 7 (year) 9 (day) 7 (month) 5 3 1 (time), we get an ascending and descending scale with a peak at 9.
It is still debated whether the numbers have any effect on the bridge’s durability, but the fact remains that thousands of people cross it every day, and it has survived several devastating wars and floods.
Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral
As you walk along the Charles Bridge or the river, you can’t help but notice the fairytale towers of the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, which seem to tear through the sky.
The Gothic cathedral, one of the spiritual symbols of the Czech Republic, was founded in 1344 on the site of the original Romanesque rotunda. Its construction lasted nearly 600 years and was finally completed in 1929. Inside, you will find the St. Wenceslas Chapel, beautifully decorated with paintings and semi-precious stones, as well as the tomb of St. Wenceslas. Beneath the cathedral lies the tomb of the Czech kings and the Crown Chamber, where the royal coronation jewels are kept.
If you wish to visit the cathedral, you will need to purchase a ticket! I was surprised during my last visit to learn that there is an entrance fee. In previous visits, there was no charge, but since October 2023, construction and renovation works have started at the cathedral. As a result, entry is now allowed only with a ticket, which you can purchase in advance here o avoid waiting in line.
Naturally, there are many legends surrounding the cathedral, with the most interesting one related to the death of Czech King Charles IV. In 1378, shortly before his death, all the bells in the cathedral’s bell tower began to ring on their own, and gradually, all the bells across the country joined in. Charles heard them, and just before he passed away, he exclaimed: “Here, children, God is with you forever!”
It is also said that the sound of the bells changes depending on the prevailing mood of the Czech people. For example, after the Battle of White Mountain, it is claimed that their tolling was so mournful that once the people heard it, they began to cry uncontrollably.
The St. Vitus Cathedral is located within one of the largest castle complexes, not only in Prague but in the entire world. This is the Prague Castle (Pražský hrad). From here, you can enjoy a unique panoramic view of Prague.
Take a stroll through the castle’s courtyards, visit the Old Royal Palace, explore the St. George’s Basilica, or wander down the picturesque Golden Lane. I also recommend a walk through the Royal Garden, where you’ll not only discover many charming corners but also encounter Renaissance gems – the Ballroom and Queen Anne’s Summer Palace, also known as Belvedere.
Founded in the 9th century, Prague Castle has been a symbol of the Czech state for over a thousand years. It became the residence of Czech kings and later presidents.
To get here, you can take tram 22 or 23 and get off at the Pražský hrad stop. Trams 1, 2, 25, 96, and 97 also stop nearby at Prašný most. If you enjoy walking, I recommend hiking up from Charles Bridge.
Strahov Monastery
Since you’re already heading up to the hill with Prague Castle and the cathedral, why not take a walk to Strahov Monastery as well? In addition to being impressed by the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the view of the large Strahov Gardens, there are two very interesting spots here that I would highly recommend visiting!
As a book lover, I couldn’t miss visiting the Strahov Library! It is part of the monastic complex and is one of the best-preserved historical libraries, with its collections numbering over 200,000 volumes. The library has two rooms: a Baroque theological room and a classical philosophical room.
As I mentioned, the Strahov collections hold around 200,000 volumes (e.g., the Strahov Gospel from the 9th-10th century). The books are stored not only in the two main rooms but also in nearby storage areas. A significant portion of the collection consists of early printed books from 1501–1800. The collection of original prints (over 1500 volumes) and manuscripts (about 3000 volumes) is also valuable, and they are kept in a special room—the vault.
To enter the library, you need to pay an entry fee of 280 CZK, which is about 22 BGN. If you are a fan of books and interested in the art of literature, you must visit! However, if you’re not particularly eager to go inside, I recommend the brewery at the monastery – Pivovar Strahov! It’s another great place worth visiting here! Besides the unique atmosphere, you’ll find incredible beer brewed on-site.
The history of Klášterní pivovar Strahov (“Strahov Monastery Brewery”) dates back to 1400, and is closely tied to the history of the monastery itself, which was founded in 1140. The first written records date back to 1400, when the brewery was leased for “four times sixty groschen, a pound of pepper, and one fattened rabbit annually.” However, in 1907, the brewery was closed, and in 1919, it was even converted into stables. Between 1959-1963, the vault in the western part of the building was demolished and partially converted into a large hall with a raised stage.
The brewery was only reopened in 2000, as part of an extensive and engaging reconstruction of the entire building. In May 2001, the former stables were transformed into a brewery with a capacity of 1,000 hectoliters per year. The first batch of beer was brewed in June of that same year, on the feast day of Saint Norbert, the patron saint of the monastery.
Personally, I would recommend Brown Ale – a beer with a dark honey taste that ranges from sweet caramel to a pleasant intense bitterness. It also has the taste of Phantasm – an ingredient used in craft beers, containing frozen hops and extract from the skins of Sauvignon Blanc grapes, grown in New Zealand. The alcohol content is 5.9%.
Café Slavia and Aleko Konstantinov
On the banks of the Vltava River, directly across from the National Theatre (Národní divadlo), is the famous Café Slavia. From here, you can enjoy an incredible view of Hradčany, Malá Strana, and the Charles Bridge. Many prominent figures have been guests at the café, but perhaps one of the most interesting visitors for us was none other than Aleko Konstantinov, the renowned Bulgarian writer.
When he visited Prague, he always stayed at the café, choosing a table in front of the large painting by Viktor Oliva in the second hall, titled “Absinthe Drinker”. The painting also has an unofficial title – “The Muse of the Creator” or simply “The Muse”, in front of which Aleko Konstantinov, undisturbed by anyone, wrote part of his novel “Bay Ganyo”. It’s worth visiting the place – the food is nothing special, the prices are a bit higher, but the atmosphere is definitely worth it.
The Dancing House
In addition to the Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic styles, right by the banks of the gently flowing Vltava River, stands a building from the future – Tančící dům, also known as The Dancing House. The Dancing House is an unforgettable and magnificent structure, now an integral part of Prague. The building gets its name from its towers, which resemble the figures of dancers Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. Here, you can visit a gallery, a restaurant, and a bar with a panoramic terrace, from which you can admire Prague from a 360-degree view.
There are more places in Prague that I could share interesting facts, stories, and legends about, but I promise it will be soon! Prague is one of those cities where time seems to stand still, yet it never feels like enough. You might say it’s cliché when I say that once you’ve been here, you’ll want to come back. But trust me – there’s a reason for it! Beautiful towers rise into the sky, castles and palaces from fairy tales come to life before your eyes, romantic cobblestone streets and mysterious alleys will tempt you to wander through them, a rich historical and cultural heritage, as well as incredibly delicious food and beer… isn’t that enough to make you want to come back?
