Our communism tour of Prague began on the famous streets around Narodni Trida. What is today a busy commerce hub in Prague was once the site where communism came to a screeching halt in Czechoslovakia following the success of the Velvet Revolution in 1989. Here our English-speaking guide brought to life the face-off between embittered students who took to the streets in the hundreds and the steel wall of soviet tanks that sought to stop them in their tracks.

St Wenceslas Square

We then headed to one of the famed cornerstones of the city, St Wenceslas Square, where in a critical moment in 1968, the Russians attempted to shut down the national radio station, mistakenly firing bullets (the damage from which can still be seen today) into the National Museum. Only a few steps away, Czechs rallied against communism after two students set themselves ablaze in order to send a message of freedom to their countrymen. It was a moment that inspired the entire country. Tucked away in a well-kept garden bed on the square, our guide showed us the small plaque and a collection of candles from devotees to honor the sacrifice the two young students made.

On the other side of town, we learned how Prague once contained the largest statue of Joseph Stalin in all of Europe before it was torn down after he was defamed following his death. The statue took more than five years and a huge injection of capital from the Czechoslovakian government to complete and the only way to dispose of the enormous monument was to blow it up using two tons of explosives.

In its place atop a hill now stands an oversized and ever-swinging pendulum, a reminder to all Czechs that with the communist regime fallen, it is a new time and a new era.

Hidden in pedestrian underpasses, disguised in potted garden facades and concealed behind renovations, are further tributes to Czechs who challenged the communist take-over of their country. Along the walk our guide pointed them out, showing us these important landmarks which we might otherwise have missed. The tour goes through the New Town, into the Old Town and ends near the Jewish Quarter – all central and key tourist hubs for any visitor to Prague.

As well as these important landmarks, the guide provided an informative commentary of what life was like under the regime, the upsides (no unemployment) and the downsides (political persecution of even the children of regime dissidents). It was a look into Czech life we’d have been unable to see simply wandering the city on our own.

Browse more cultural and historical tours of Prague and read more about Communist History in Prague

Photos courtesy of John Reality.

- John Reality

Prague Communism Tour from Prague Things to Do

Beer cellar in Prague. Picture courtesy of Bruce Tuten on Flickr.

The Czechs drink more beer than other country in the world and most of their brews are lagers, brewed with a creamy head. Well-known Czech brands include Staropramen, Budvar, and the dark beer Kelt, but most famous of all is Pilsner Urquell.

Take a trip to the Pilsner Urquell Brewery in Pilsen to discover local brewing methods and sample a couple of glasses in the restaurant afterwards.

One of the best ways to enjoy tasting beer in Prague is to spend an evening in an atmospheric beer cellar; scattered around the city, they are traditionally found in the vaulted basements of 15th-century townhouses and are decked out with long wooden trestles. Nearly all Prague drinking holes sell a few dishes of traditional food such as goulash, schnitzel, and dumplings. Surprisingly, even in the more touristy havens, the beer is of decent quality and reasonable price.

There’s usually a beer menu outside the pub, which will detail the provenance and strength of the beer as well as its price. Standard measures are 0.5l liters (pivo) and 0.3l liters (male pivo); always specify which you are ordering because otherwise you’ll get a half liter. Most beer cellars open around 11.30am and close by 11pm, although in the center of Prague that may be as late as 2am.

Prague’s best beer cellars include U Medvídků in Staré Město (Old Town), one of the largest and most traditional in Prague, with 500 years experience of serving tip-top ale; the brewery here brews XBEER-33 – reputedly the strongest in the world. Luckily for some, the beer cellars are attached to a hotel. U vystřelenýho oka in Žižkov is as alternative as beer cellars get, named after a famous Czech general who was blinded in battle. It has a three-tier beer garden and serves local Mestan ales to the backdrop of anarchic grunge bands.

On an altogether more sophisticated level, the ornate gardens of Letenský zámeče in Letná have great views over the city and also serve a decent glass of pilsner. They are a great place for hanging out on balmy summer evening, when the place is packed with on-trend Prague 20-somethings.

Book a Prague beer tasting or a food and beer tour in Prague. 

–  Sasha Heseltine

The Guide to Beer in Prague from Prague Things to Do

The Jewish Cemetery in Prague. Picture courtesy of Kyle Simourd on Flickr.

There’s enough to see and do in this city to keep travelers entertained for weeks but if you’re short on time, here’s how to make the most of sightseeing in Prague in one day.

Kick off your whistle-stop tour with coffee and cake at Café Milena on Old Town Square in Prague’s Staré Město (Old Town) and be standing outside the Gothic Old Town Hall to coincide with the hourly (and on-the-hour) carillon performance underneath the ornate Astrological Clock. Ascend the tower of the Old Town Hall to see the Gothic spires and red roofs of the Old Town spread below you.

Lunch on Czech dumplings and pilsner lager between Old Town and Josefov before discovering the somber sights of Prague’s Jewish Museum and the 100,000 higgledy-piggledy tombs in the Jewish Cemetery, which are both closed Saturday. Wander through the charming tangle of cobbled streets through the Old Town towards Charles Bridge and cross the River Vltava, admiring the hordes of buskers and bristling statuary on your way.

The Charles Bridge in Prague. Picture courtesy of Francisco Antunes on Flickr.

Pop into wildly ornate St Nicholas Church on your way up to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Prague Castle. If time permits, take the funicular up Petřín Hill (between Charles and Legii bridges, off Karmelitská) and walk through the gardens to the castle.

Otherwise wend your way through pretty Mala Straná up the stone steps to Prague Castle – in Czech ‘Pražský hrad’ – which sits atop Hradcany Hill. Highlights here are the stained-glass windows in Neo-Gothic St Vitus’ Cathedral plus the glorious views over central Prague from the top of the 295-foot (90-meter) bell tower, the Old Royal Palace, and the cute pastel-colored houses in 16th-century Golden Lane; existential writer Franz Kafka lived at No. 22. Afterwards wander through Ledebour Gardens back down to the riverside.

Spend the evening of your one day in Prague either on a River Vltava dinner cruise to discover the twinkling city lights by night or book in advance for a table at Kampa Park, in pole position for pretty views over the comings and goings on the river.

– Sasha Heseltine

How to Spend One Day in Prague from Prague Things to Do

The National Museum. Photo courtesy of burge5k via flickr.

The architecturally and culturally rich Prague offers visitors plenty to do — includng some of the country’s (and Europe’s) best museums. From art to history, Czech Republic‘s capital city is packed with opportunities to learn more not only about its historic roots, but also to catch glimpses at works of art, history and many things in between.

Housing perhaps the best collection of European art on the continent, the 13th century bohemian Sternberg Palace is a national gallery with pieces from the classical era all the way to the end of the Baroque era. Here, visitors can see El Greco, Rembrandt, Goya and more. Another art museum worth a stop is the Mucha Museum, which focuses solely on the life and art of Alphonse Mucha, an acclaimed Czech art nouveau artist. For more contemporary art, visit the Artbanka Museum of Young Art. This gallery displays art from popular contemporary Czech artists and is located near the Charles Bridge.

Thanks to the close proximity of Artbanka to the Charles Bridge, it makes sense to then visit the Charles Bridge Museum. The stunning bridge has a story of its own, and at the Charles Bridge Museum, visitors can learn about its history and construction.

For those looking to learn more about the country’s communist history, stopping in to the Museum of Communism is a must. Here, visitors can learn more about what life for people was like when Czech Republic was ruled by the Soviet Union. It provides an interesting glimpse into the recent history and is the only museum that offers such a look in the city.

It is hard to ignore the music scene in Prague, and, thanks to the Czech Museum of Music, people can learn more about the history of music and attend classical concerts. The museum is home to nearly 700,000 items which help tell the tale of music through the ages.

Finally, a museum not to be missed is the National Museum. While part of the museum is undergoing renovations for a few years, the rotating exhibits in this historic property which formerly housed Parliament, now delves into natural history, theater, and more.

- Diana Edelman

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The Best Museums in Prague from Prague Things to Do

Golden Lane at Prague Castle. Picture courtesy of RyanGWU82 on Flickr.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Prague Castle – in Czech ’Pražský hrad’ – sits majestically atop Hradcany Hill overlooking Malá Strana in the Czech Republic’s photogenic capital city. Home to the Bohemian Royal Family, Holy Roman Emperors, and more recently the offices of the president, the complex has grown almost organically since 870AD and is the largest in Europe. Its myriad buildings now include a charming mixture of Gothic and Classical architecture, Prague’s cathedral, museums, and galleries, all accessible through a series of elegant Renaissance courtyards.

Entrance to the castle’s First Courtyard through vast wrought-iron gates leads through a passageway to the Second Courtyard, where the ticket office is sited. The courtyards are free to explore but tickets must be bought to enter the buildings. Audio-guides are available as well as guided tours.

The Second Courtyard contains Prague Castle Picture Gallery, worth a visit for the Titans and Rubens. Otherwise the treasury of St Vitus Cathedral and contemporary artwork in the Imperial Stables are of limited interest, except for the occasional big-name exhibition in the stables.

Through the passageway into the Third Courtyard is St Vitus Cathedral – this Neo-Gothic incarnation was fully restored in 1929 – windows ablaze with dramatic stained-glass scenes. Inside it’s always crowded so instead climb 287 steps up the 295-foot (90-meter) bell tower for peerless views over the Gothic towers of Prague’s Staré Město (Old Town).

St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle. Picture courtesy of Rures on Flickr.

Opposite the cathedral, the partly Romanesque Old Royal Palace houses the 16th-century stone-vaulted Vladislav Hall, scene of coronations and lately the inductions of Czech presidents – there are great views over the palace gardens from here.

An illuminating exhibition on the history of the castle is found behind the Old Royal Palace, and beyond that you’ll have to fight your way through the throngs to appreciate the cute, decorative façades of cobbled Golden Lane – Franz Kafka lived at No. 22.

The Ledebour Gardens lie just beneath the castle to the north, with the Stag Moat sandwiched between the two; viewing terraces and restaurants run the length of the southern façade of the castle overlooking the city and Vltava River below.

Time your visit to finish just before 12pm, missing the tourist hordes and allowing time to catch the Changing of the Guard in the First Courtyard.

The best way to access the castle is to trundle up Petřín Hill by funicular (between Charles and Legii bridges, off Karmelitská) and walk through the gardens to the castle. Otherwise take tram 22 or climb up the stone steps from Malá Strana.

– Sasha Heseltine

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Visiting Prague Castle from Prague Things to Do

Medovník. Photo courtesy of Dezidor via wikimedia.

Most European capitals have their own spin on dessert, and Prague is no exception. Tourists with a sweet tooth will find themselves in good company in the City of a Hundred Spires. The first thing you’ll want to do while seeking to slake your appetite is sample a piece of one of the country’s signature confections.

Medovník, a semi-sweet honey cake with layers that are a little bit like tiramisu (although much less sweet and considerably more hearty), is available all over the city. Light brown in color, it contains a mixture of flour, nuts, and layers of light, sweet cream. While you can get quality Medovník practically anywhere that serves or carries Czech foodstuffs, the best place to try it out is Obecní dům (“municipal house”). Located in central Prague, this iconic Art Nouveau establishment was built in the early 20th century for the use of the citizens of the country. The building is beautiful enough to deserve paying the price for the official guided tour. The restaurant is positively gorgeous, with its murals and chandeliers, and it’s a great place to take a date. Avoid other pricey menu items and opt instead for a slice of Medovník and an espresso

If you’re braving the throngs of tourists in Wenceslas Square, head a short distance up Vodičkova Street and pop your head into the famous Mysak Sweet Shop. Its caramel cups, cakes, and other sweets have been popular with Praguers for more than a 100 years.

If you feel like something a little less stately, pop into any grocery store and pick up one of several flavors of oplatky. These seemingly innocuous wafer cookies are cheap and delicious. Don’t let the low price fool you, however, these things are positively addictive.

-John Reality

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Sweets and Treats in Prague from Prague Things to Do

Czech Beers

Many of the world’s best and most popular beers originated in traditional Czech lands, and they continue to evolve and develop to this day. Few populations have better (and cheaper) access to high quality brew, and the Czechs (who drink more beer per capita than any other nationality) make the most of it. The following are a few of the most easily accessible and affordable brands and varieties in the country (many of which, thankfully, are also brewed for export).

1) Budvar

Located in the Czech city of České Budějovice, this brewery is the elder and better of that American icon of watered down lager, Budweiser. Happily there is nothing watered down or poor quality going on here. Known in the US and Canada as Czechvar for trademark reasons, Budvar remains far superior to its Western rival.

2) Pilsner Urquell

More strongly hopped than the average pilsner, this world famous brew arises from the Czech town of Plzeňský Prazdroj, which literally translates as “Original Source of Pilsner”, and it shows.

3) Staropramen and Gambrinus

These staple beers are ubiquitous in the pubs, hernas (dive bars), and sports arenas around Prague and the country as a whole. They are cheap and hearty. Don’t let the words “cheap” and “ubiquitous” throw you off, however, these two brands are hardly Coors and Bud.

4) Cerná Hora

A personal favorite, Cerná Hora is produced by one of the oldest breweries in Moravia. They produce an assemblage of lagers, special drafts and malt liquors that are much more heavily hopped than the average Czech beer, but they are also unusually smooth.

-John Reality

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Czech Beers from Prague Things to Do

The Bone Church in Kutná Hora near Prague. Picture courtesy of lyng883 on Flickr.

There’s enough to see and do in gorgeous Prague to keep travelers entertained for days. But beyond this architecturally stunning city lies even more beauty; the grandeur of the countryside of Bohemia, fairy-tale castle, cosmopolitan cities, and a church decorated with bones.

Visit the Nizbor Bohemia glass factory to buy souvenirs for home, and sample Czech pilsner at the Urquell Brewery. The 14th-century Karlštejn Castle in Bohemia is within easy reach south-west of Prague and makes a great half-day trip – although in summer it can get over-run with visitors. The imposing white stronghold sits atop a rocky crag, looking like something out of a Disney film; in the Middle Ages the Bohemian Crown Jewels were stored here.

Still in Bohemia, take the waters at the Vojenský State Baths in Karlovy Vary, the swankiest spa in the Czech Republic and then head for Grand Hotel Pupp (as featured in Casino Royale) for afternoon tea – a visit to the spa at Marianske Lazne can be added as a side trip. The elegant Renaissance castle of Czesky Krumlov overlooks the River Vltava on a promontory, dominating the red-roofed medieval town around it; a day trip also incorporates a tour of the magnificent Church of St Vitus.

Kutná Hora was once the richest town in Bohemia. It’s east of Prague and day trips take in the Gothic St Barbara’s Cathedral and the eerie Bone Church (or Ossuary) in the suburb of Sedlec, where coats of arms, chandeliers, and even chairs are made from the remains of 40,000 skeletons.

Heading northwards, a somber but educational day out from Prague takes in the horrors of Terezin Concentration Camp and the evocative but optimistic Terezin Memorial; other options include Dresden in Germany is another choice for a (long) day trip, which takes in the famous masterpieces at the Zwinger Gallery and Dresden Castle, perfectly restored after being razed to the ground in World War II. To the south lies another great capital city, sophisticated Vienna in Austria; tours take in the architecture of the Ringstrasse and the 1,500 room Rococo Schönbrunn Castle.

– Sasha Heseltine

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The Best Day Trips from Prague from Prague Things to Do

Prague. Photo courtesy of Moyan_Brenn on Flickr.

The Vltava River starts its journey in Šumava, southern Bohemia, and it flows 270 miles (433 km) through Prague before joining the Laber River at Mělník in the north of the Czech Republic. For more than 1,000 years Prague has grown up around the Vltava; the river separates the Baroque Malá Strana (Lower Town) and majestic Prague Castle on the west banks from the largely Gothic Staré Město and the bustling streets of the modern-day city to the east.

Malá Strana and Prague Castle from the Vltava River in Prague. Picture courtesy of Akuppa on Flickr.

Tours along Prague’s romantic Vltava River encompass views of some of the city’s greatest attractions, including the world-famous Charles Bridge, bristling with statues and groaning with souvenir sellers. All boats turn around by Charles Bridge for views of the Strahovské Monastery, the Baroque spires of St Nicholas Church in Malá Strana, and Prague Castle standing proud upon Hradcany Hill before continuing upstream to pass Vysehrad Castle.

River cruises along the Vltava start either at Charles or Palacký bridges – 17 bridges span the river in Prague alone – and come in many packages; one- and two-hour tours, with multi-lingual audio-guides allow time to see the heart of the city, with its gorgeous architecture and multi-colored houses. There are steamboats, hotel boats, restaurant boats, and even wooden boats that are small enough to squeeze into the narrow Devil’s Stream, once a millrace around Kampa Island.

Combine a river trip in Prague with a guided tour of the castle, take afternoon tea as you cruise downriver, or choose a night-time tour with dinner as you float romantically downstream with the city illuminated all around. Further out of Prague there are canoes for hire at Český Krumlov and boats trips from Orlík Castle to view the dam across the Vltava.

– Sasha Heseltine

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Floating Down the Vltava River in Prague from Prague Things to Do

Kolbenova flea market in Prague, Czech Republic. Picture courtesy of Jamtea on Flickr.

Straggling along banks of the River Vltava from the Čechův Bridge and open 9am-4pm, pretty much anything from genuine antiques to knock-off jewelry and second-hand clothes, can be found in this scrum of a marketplace where stalls are little more than a blanket on the ground.

A second market takes place on the last Saturday of the summer months at Náměstí Míru in Vinohrady, which is good for finding old books and pieces of Bohemian glass. Be prepared to scrabble among boxes of tat to discover your treasure. There are also a few stands here selling Czech street food such as knedliky (beef dumplings) and goulash soup.

Further out of the city center, close to Kolbenova Metro and known to Prague locals as Bleší trhy, the notorious weekend flea market (opens Saturday and Sunday 7am-2pm) covers 50,000 sq meters and is the biggest in the Czech Republic. It can degenerate into a jumble sale, with makeshift stalls consisting of upturned boxes or car trunks. Traders come here from all over eastern Europe – Russians and Romanians dominate – and it provides a glimpse into the explosion of black marketeering since the fall of Communism in the 1990s. Among the broken dolls, cheap T-shirts, and worn car tires for sale, there are occasional antique treasures to find but be sure to bargain hard; crafty vendors sense weakness in reticent foreigners and cheerfully rip them off.

Contributed by Sasha Heseltine

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Flea Markets in Prague from Prague Things to Do