Prague in my opinion is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I was recently in Prague to run a marathon, and I knew I would only have a few days to see this city. I spent quiet some time researching places I would like to see and activities I would like to experience. So now it’s settled—although I got to see quite a number of places and enjoyed a lot of activities, below are my non-negotiables for anyone who visits Prague with limited time.
1. See the Franz Kafka Statue by David Černý
You cannot visit Prague without making a stop to see and enjoy the Franz Kafka statue. Even before getting here, I had seen images and watched videos on YouTube of this sculpture moving.
For those who do not know Franz Kafka, he was one of Prague’s most famous literary figures. Probably his most popular books is, The Metamorphosis (Die Verwandlung in German). The book tells the story of Gregor Samsa, a man who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a giant insect. It is a fascinating book, you should check out a review here.
The statue which is near Národní třída is not your average monument. Created by Czech artist David Černý, the statue features 42 rotating layers that continuously reshape Kafka’s face. It is amazing to watch this work of art!
2. Walk Across Charles Bridge
Do not and I repeat, do not visit Prague without taking a walk across the Charles Bridge! It’s an unspoken tradition! This bridge is famous and no trip to Prague is complete without a stroll across it.
Built in the 14th century, this pedestrian bridge is lined with historic statues. I took so many pictures of the statues here. It’s really a great way to see how long ago Christianity as a religion for example has existed.
Even better than the historical details you learn about from the statues and plagues are the views from this bridge. It overlooks the Vltava River and the city skyline and is truly a beauty during the day and also at night.
3. Take a Boat Ride on Vltava River
You know what’s better than walking across the Charles Bridge? Taking a boat ride on the Vltava River beneath it. This is also a great way to see how the city looks during sunrise and how it changes during sunset.
From this river you can see some of the statues you saw while walking on the Charles Bridge.
You also get to see most of this beautiful city but with less crowds and a beautiful scenery. The guided tour I took passed by so many parts of the city including Municipal House, Štvanice Island, Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia, Čech Bridge, Expo 58 Building, Prague Castle, and Herget Brickyard, which houses some restaurants as well as Kafka Museum. The best part was there was free Wi-Fi on board so I could look up some of the places they mentioned and upload images I took.
4. Visit the Church of St. Salvator
The Church of St. Salvator is located at the entrance to the Old Town. You can walk to the church from the Charles Bridge. It is a beautiful church and as someone who loves architecture I enjoyed viewing this part of history. This church is sometimes used for classical music concerts.
5. Explore Prague Castle and Its Gardens
About 20 minutes away from the Charles Bridge is Prague Castle. It towers over the city and is a complex of palaces, courtyards, and gardens. It’s a great spot to take panoramic photos of the city. You can also walk along St. Vitus Cathedral.
6. Eat Like a Local at a Czech Restaurant
There are a lot of restaurants throughout the city where you can eat authentic Czech cuisine. You can try a bowl of goulash, enjoy traditional dumplings, or try the popular svíčková (marinated beef with creamy sauce).
If you enjoy candy or have a sweet tooth, then I recommend you stop by Sweet Candy Prague. They had the candies in barrels and yet there were so many options to choose from.
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