Prague Bohemia
5
Day Itinerary •
Czech Republic
Five days in Prague and Bohemia gives you time to explore one of the most beautiful capital cities in Europe and the extraordinary Bohemian countryside beyond. Prague's remarkable UNESCO historic centre, which survived World War II largely intact, has Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture at every turn. The extraordinary Charles Bridge, the fine Prague Castle complex and the remarkable Old Town Square make it the finest city in Central Europe. This route covers the complete Prague and Bohemia experience. The extraordinary Jewish Quarter Josefov, the remarkable Strahov Monastery Library, the fine Vysehrad fortress, the outstanding Cesky Krumlov UNESCO town, the extraordinary Kutna Hora bone ossuary and St Barbara's Cathedral make five days of remarkable Bohemian culture, history and architectural splendour.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Prague Vaclav Havel Airport (PRG), direct from most European cities
Getting Around
Metro, tram and walking
Budget Per Day
Approx 1,500 to 3,500 CZK per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking on cobblestones
DAY 1
OLD TOWN AND JEWISH QUARTER
MORNING
CHARLES BRIDGE AND OLD TOWN SQUARE
Charles Bridge, the extraordinary 14th-century stone bridge across the Vltava decorated with 30 remarkable Baroque statues, is the finest bridge in Central Europe. Cross it at dawn before the crowds arrive and it is one of the most extraordinary experiences in Prague. The remarkable Old Town Square with its outstanding Astronomical Clock, the extraordinary twin-towered Church of Our Lady Before Tyn and the fine Jan Hus monument are all outstanding. Astronomical Clock striking on the hour. Free. Travel: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
OLD TOWN HALL AND ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK
The Prague Astronomical Clock, the remarkable medieval mechanism installed in 1410 and the third oldest in the world still operating, performs an extraordinary hourly procession of apostles and figures of Death. The fine Old Town Hall tower gives the most outstanding view of the Old Town Square from above. The remarkable Gothic and Baroque architecture visible from the tower in every direction is the finest panorama of the historic city. Entry tower approx 250 CZK. Travel: 5 min walk
AFTERNOON
JEWISH QUARTER JOSEFOV
The Josefov Jewish Quarter, the most extraordinary surviving medieval Jewish ghetto in Central Europe, has six remarkable synagogues and the fine Old Jewish Cemetery where 12,000 gravestones are stacked in layers. The extraordinary Spanish Synagogue with its remarkable Moorish interior, the outstanding Pinkas Synagogue with the names of 77,297 Bohemian and Moravian Holocaust victims written on the walls and the remarkable Old-New Synagogue are all outstanding. Combined entry approx 500 CZK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Tyn Courtyard behind the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, the most atmospheric hidden courtyard in the Old Town, was the centre of Prague's medieval merchant trade. The remarkable arcaded buildings and the quiet contrast with the busy square outside are outstanding. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Louvre, Narodni The finest traditional Prague cafe since 1902. Kafka was a regular. | Lunch: Lokál, Dlouhá The finest Czech pub lunch in the Old Town. Outstanding tankové pivo. | Dinner: Cafe Savoy, Mala Strana The most beautiful cafe interior in Prague for a first evening dinner.
DAY 2
PRAGUE CASTLE AND MALA STRANA
MORNING
PRAGUE CASTLE COMPLEX
Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle complex in the world at 70,000 square metres, is the most extraordinary collection of royal and ecclesiastical buildings in Central Europe. The remarkable St Vitus Cathedral, the finest Gothic building in Bohemia, the outstanding Old Royal Palace with its Vladislav Hall, the fine St George's Basilica and the extraordinary Golden Lane, the row of tiny medieval houses where alchemists and castle servants lived, are all outstanding. Entry circuit approx 350 CZK. Travel: 20 min walk or tram
MIDDAY
STRAHOV MONASTERY LIBRARY
The Strahov Monastery Library, with its extraordinary Theological and Philosophical Halls, is the most beautiful library interior in the Czech Republic and one of the finest Baroque library rooms in Europe. The remarkable 18th-century ceiling fresco in the Philosophical Hall, the outstanding collection of illuminated manuscripts and the fine views of Prague from the monastery terrace are all remarkable. Entry approx 150 CZK. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
MALA STRANA AND KAMPA ISLAND
Mala Strana, the extraordinary Lesser Town below Prague Castle, has the finest Baroque architecture in Prague. The remarkable Church of St Nicholas, the outstanding Wallenstein Palace gardens and the fine Kampa Island with its remarkable museums and the extraordinary millstream channel are all outstanding. The view from the Mala Strana embankment of Charles Bridge and the Castle at dusk is the finest single view in Prague. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Loreta Prague pilgrimage complex in Hradcany, the remarkable 1626 sanctuary built around a copy of the Santa Casa with its extraordinary treasury of diamond monstrance, is the finest hidden attraction near Prague Castle. Entry approx 180 CZK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel Savoy cafe or Mala Strana bakery Good breakfast near the Castle approach. | Lunch: Strahov Monastery brewery restaurant Outstanding Czech food in the brewery of the most beautiful library. | Dinner: Hergetova Cihelna, Mala Strana The finest riverside restaurant in Prague with the extraordinary Castle view.
DAY 3
VYSEHRAD AND WENCESLAS SQUARE
MORNING
VYSEHRAD FORTRESS AND CEMETERY
Vysehrad, the extraordinary rock fortress above the Vltava south of the city centre, is the mythological birthplace of Prague and the most atmospheric part of the city. The remarkable neo-Gothic Church of Saints Peter and Paul, the outstanding Slavin Cemetery where the finest Czechs including Dvorak and Smetana are buried, and the extraordinary Romanesque rotunda are all outstanding. The fine views of the Vltava and the city from the fortress ramparts are the finest outside the Castle. Free. Travel: 20 min metro
MIDDAY
VINOHRADY AND ZIZKOV NEIGHBOURHOODS
Vinohrady, Prague's most extraordinary residential neighbourhood, has the finest Art Nouveau apartment buildings in the city, the remarkable Peace Square with its outstanding Church of St Ludmila and the fine neighbourhood cafes and restaurants that locals actually use. The extraordinary Zizkov Television Tower with its remarkable crawling baby sculptures on the exterior and the fine observation deck are outstanding. Tower entry approx 250 CZK. Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
NATIONAL MUSEUM AND WENCESLAS SQUARE
Wenceslas Square, the remarkable 750-metre long boulevard that is the commercial heart of Prague and the site of the extraordinary 1989 Velvet Revolution, is the finest urban boulevard in the Czech Republic. The outstanding National Museum at its head, recently restored after decades of restoration, and the remarkable St Wenceslas statue where Czechs gather at moments of national importance are both outstanding. Museum entry approx 250 CZK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Nuselsky Bridge in Prague, a 485-metre concrete bridge above the Nusle Valley with the metro running inside it, is the most unusual infrastructure in Prague. The fine view from Vysehrad of the bridge and the valley is outstanding. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Imperial, Na Porici The extraordinary 1914 Art Nouveau cafe with the finest tiled interior in Prague. | Lunch: Vinohrady neighbourhood restaurant Excellent Czech lunch in the finest local neighbourhood. | Dinner: Nota Bene, Miru Square Outstanding modern Czech cuisine in the finest Vinohrady address.
DAY 4
CESKY KRUMLOV
MORNING
CESKY KRUMLOV DAY TRIP
in town Cesky Krumlov, 3 hours south of Prague by bus, is the most extraordinary small town in Bohemia and one of the finest in Central Europe. The remarkable castle complex, the second largest in the Czech Republic, the outstanding Baroque theatre with its original stage machinery and the extraordinary historic town centre enclosed in a meander of the Vltava river are all remarkable. The UNESCO World Heritage designation is entirely merited. Castle entry approx 300 CZK. Travel: 3 hours bus
MIDDAY
CESKY KRUMLOV CASTLE BAROQUE THEATRE
The Cesky Krumlov Baroque Theatre, the finest preserved Baroque theatre in Europe with its original 17th-century stage machinery, painted backdrops and extraordinary costume collection, is the most remarkable theatre in Central Europe. The remarkable guided tour demonstrates the extraordinary technical ingenuity of the 350-year-old stage mechanisms. Entry approx 380 CZK. Book ahead. Travel: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
CESKY KRUMLOV TOWN AND RETURN
The extraordinary Cesky Krumlov town centre, its remarkable historic streets protected within the UNESCO zone, has the finest small-town atmosphere in Bohemia. The remarkable Latran Street, the outstanding Namesti Svornosti town square and the fine Vltava river walk are all outstanding before the return bus to Prague. The extraordinary combination of castle, theatre and medieval town makes Cesky Krumlov the finest day trip from Prague. Bus back approx 200 CZK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Holasovice UNESCO village in South Bohemia, 14km from Cesky Krumlov, is the finest example of South Bohemian Baroque rural architecture in the Czech Republic. The remarkable village square is entirely preserved. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Prague hotel Early start for the Cesky Krumlov bus. | Lunch: Cesky Krumlov restaurant Traditional Czech svickova in the finest small town in Bohemia. | Dinner: Prague return evening Na Prikope area or Novy Svet neighbourhood on return.
DAY 5
KUTNA HORA
MORNING
KUTNA HORA BONE CHURCH
Kutna Hora, 80km east of Prague by train, has the most extraordinary ossuary in the world. The remarkable Sedlec Ossuary, decorated entirely with the bones of 40,000 to 70,000 people arranged in extraordinary artistic patterns including a bone chandelier and bone Schwarzenberg coat of arms, is the most unusual building in Bohemia. The fine St Barbara's Cathedral, the outstanding Gothic masterpiece of the silver mining town, is the finest Gothic church outside Prague. Entry ossuary approx 120 CZK. Travel: 1 hour train
MIDDAY
ST BARBARA'S CATHEDRAL AND SILVER MINE
St Barbara's Cathedral in Kutna Hora, built from the wealth of the extraordinary Bohemian silver mines that made the town the second richest in Central Europe, is the most beautiful Gothic cathedral in Bohemia outside Prague. The remarkable flying buttresses, the outstanding late Gothic vaulting and the fine frescoes of medieval miners are all outstanding. The remarkable silver mine tour beneath the city gives the finest insight into the extraordinary wealth that built these masterpieces. Cathedral entry free, mine approx 200 CZK. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO PRAGUE AND FAREWELL
Return to Prague for a final evening in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. A final walk across the extraordinary Charles Bridge at dusk, when the remarkable Castle glows on the hill and the fine Baroque statues cast long shadows across the bridge, is the finest farewell to Prague. The outstanding Czech beer, the remarkable Czech cuisine and the extraordinary architecture at every turn make Prague one of the finest cities in Europe. Train back approx 120 CZK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Sedlec Cathedral, the first Gothic church in Bohemia built in 1320 and the UNESCO World Heritage mother church of the Sedlec ossuary complex, is almost entirely overlooked by visitors to the ossuary. Entry approx 120 CZK with the ossuary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Prague hotel Good breakfast before the Kutna Hora train. | Lunch: Kutna Hora restaurant Traditional Czech lunch in the silver mining capital of medieval Bohemia. | Dinner: Final Prague dinner Farewell dinner in the most beautiful city in Central Europe. V Zatisi or Bellevue.
Where To Stay
Old Town or Mala Strana, all nights The finest location in Prague. Approx 2,000 to 4,000 CZK per night. Vinohrady option Quieter, cheaper, excellent metro access. Approx 1,500 to 2,500 CZK. Booking ahead Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead in summer and the Christmas market season.
Top Tips
1. Cross Charles Bridge before 7am to have it almost to yourself. The dawn light is extraordinary.
2. Prague Castle entry circuit includes St Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane.
3. The Sedlec Ossuary in Kutna Hora is the most extraordinary building in Bohemia. Book ahead.
4. Czech beer is the finest in the world. A half-litre costs about 50 CZK in a local pub.
5. The Strahov Library photography permit is worth buying. The Baroque halls are outstanding.
6. Josefov is expensive but essential. The Pinkas Synagogue Holocaust memorial is unmissable.
Total Budget
2,200 to 5,100 CZK/day