Before concluding our series on Prague we decided to briefly mention those places we visited during our vacation in 2009 but skipped in 2023. All of these are popular sites that we recommend first time visitors to Prague consider.
Petřínská Rozhledna (Petrin Tower): Inspired by the Eiffel Tower (though at 1/5th the size), Petrin Tower is located high on a hill above Prague with great views over the entire city. If you do not want to hike up the hill, take a ride on the funicular. While there spend some time enjoying Petřínské Sady (Petrin Gardens).
After scaling Petrin Tower you can wander the trails back down the hill, or walk over to Strahov Monastery.
Strahovský Klášter (Strahov Monastery): A medieval monastery known for its library, picture gallery, Baroque church, and craft beer brewery. The library rooms are beautiful; unfortunately your view is limited from the hall door.
The brewery is a great place for a beer to reward yourself for skipping the funicular and walking up Petrin Hill.
Several gardens are found in Malá Strana, worth visiting in the spring and summer: Zahrady pod Pražským Hradem (Gardens below Prague Castle); Valdštejnská Zahrada (Waldstein Gardens); and, Vrtbovská zahrada (Vrtba Gardens).
Our favorite of these three is the Gardens below Prague Castle.
Staroměstská Radnice (Old Town Hall Tower): This is an absolute must if you like tower views, one of the best in Prague. In addition to the observation level, you will see several halls in the Town Hall, a small chapel, and the underground. Gently sloping ramps make for a fairly easy walk up or down. Or you can pay an extra for an elevator ride to the top of the tower.
When Stephanie and I visited Old Town Hall Tower in 2009, we took the elevator up and walked the ramps down. The guy working the elevator told us, while laughing: “Two tickets to go up the lift is 60 Kč, jumping down is free.”
I remember thinking that this guy would be fired and/or sued for that in the United States.
On this trip I noticed metal bars around the observation level of the tower that were not there in 2009. Jumping down is no longer an option.
Židovské Muzeum v Praze (the Jewish Museum in Prague): A couple of ticket options are available for the Old Jewish Cemetery, Old-New Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Klausen Synagogue, the Ceremonial Hall, and temporary exhibitions in the Robert Guttmann Gallery.
A ticket is valid for seven days, but you can cover all of these sites in a day.
Klemintinum: A former Jesuit College, this complex includes a Baroque library, an exhibition on astronomical instruments, and an astronomical tower.
The main draw here is the Klemintinum tower, with perhaps the best view of all the towers in the city.
We have long been a fan of day trips when traveling. In 2009 we took two, to Hrad Křivoklát (Křivoklát Castle) and Terezín.
Křivoklát Castle is probably the least visited of the several castles outside of Prague. It is one of the oldest Royal Castles, serving as a residence and later a prison. If there is such a thing as an old castle look (towers, fortress walls, central courtyard), Křivoklát Castle has it.
Terezín is home to the Theresienstadt, a Jewish Ghetto formed by the Nazis within the old Terezín fortress. Serving as a transit camp for those being sent to extermination camps, Theresienstadt was also dressed up as a model camp for visits by the Red Cross.
Today there are several museums and sites across town comprising the Terezín Memorial. This is probably one of the best day trips that we have ever taken.
Will we return to Prague for a third time? It is a definite possibility. Despite having been here twice, there are still things we would like to do, such as going to a concert at Rudolfinum, visiting the Mucha Museum and Clam-Gallas Palace, touring Konopiště Castle, and taking in more horse races at Chuchle Arena Prague.
If we are to return, we will most likely stay in either Holešovice (Praha 7) or Karlin (Praha 8) as we really enjoyed our short visits to these neighborhoods.
Before I forget, the three best views in Prague, in my opinion:
ONE: On the east side of Most Legií (Legion Bridge), with sweeping views of Prague Castle and Charles Bridge.
TWO: In Petrin Park, of the Prague Castle, Hradčany, and Malá Strana (Lesser Town).
THREE: From Letna Park, the view of Staré Město (Old Town) and the Vltava River.
Garrett and Stephanie
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