For too many years famous only for the dramatic historical events linked to the Soviet period, Prague was only rediscovered by tourism in the mid-1990s. And it was an astonishing discovery, because a true “Slavic Florence” emerged. A city cradle of history and beauty that has nothing to envy of the Italian and European cultural capitals. Prague confirms itself every year as an ideal tourist destination for autumn, a season that enhances its colours and flavours. As well as being a season full of cultural events that adapt perfectly to the city’s atmosphere.
When to go
As mentioned, Prague is beautiful in autumn. A question of colours, events and opportunities to be seized especially between September and November. But there is also a spring Prague that enhances tourism as much as the cold season. Those who want to come in the summer will still have a great experience, even if they will have to share the city with crowds from all over Europe. In winter, due to the low temperatures, Prague is not recommended… only a few adventurous romantics will come here to admire it among gray skies and ice, perhaps decorated with Christmas lights.
How to get to Prague
Prague can be reached by any means, it depends on the time available for a holiday. Every motorway in Europe leads to Prague, so getting there by car – or bus – is easy, but takes a long time.
If you are in Austria or Germany you can take advantage of a railway line that reaches Prague from Vienna in a few hours. The city’s main station is central and allows you to immediately be “in the core” of the capital.
Prague Airport (PRG) is an international airport that welcomes flights, especially low cost ones but not only, from all over Europe and Asia. Well connected to the city – which you can reach by a just 20-minute drive, by car – it offers numerous useful services.
How to move through Prague
Most of Prague’s historic areas can be explored comfortably on foot, without effort. Museums, churches and monuments are gathered in a few square kilometers and, if you really can’t walk, just jump on one of the many clean and efficient city buses.
The metro is the ideal way to move around the entire urban perimeter, making a visit to Prague much richer in itineraries. Alternatively you can use the romantic trams (cable cars), and there is even a nice cableway that takes you up Petrin Hill.
The good news is that Prague’s means of transport can be used with a cumulative ticket that you pay once and use for buses, trams or metro indifferently, with considerable savings.
What to see
There are two historic districts around which most tourist itineraries revolve: Staré Město and Nove Město, i.e. the old center and the new centre. But “new” so to speak, because it still collects nineteenth-century buildings, while the Staré Město is a riot of even older architecture. St. Vitus Cathedral and Charles Bridge are two other unmissable destinations on a visit to Prague, as is the panoramic neighborhood on Petrin Hill.
Don’t miss a visit to the Jewish Quarter, where the restless spirit of Kafka and his surreal stories still live. Castle enthusiasts will be able to admire the ancient Prague Castle and Vyserhad Castle.
The most beautiful museums in the capital are certainly the Franz Kafka Museum, the National Museum, the Museum of Technique. If you want to be more daring, try visiting the Museum of Illusions and… the Museum of Sex Machines! In the surroundings of Prague it is worth going as far as Plzen, to admire another fascinating urban center of the Czech Republic, or explore the Křivoklátsko Protected Nature Reserve.