Prague: The City of a Hundred Spires

History

Prague's history stretches back more than a millennium and has long been a crossroads of Central Europe. As the historic seat of Czech kings and later a key city in the Habsburg Empire, it accumulated an extraordinary architectural legacy—Romanesque foundations, Gothic cathedrals, Renaissance palaces, and Baroque façades that together tell the story of shifting power, art, and ideas.

Current status

Today Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and a dynamic European cultural and economic center. It balances preservation and innovation: tourism thrives alongside growing tech, creative industries, and a lively arts scene, while the city wrestles with sustainable growth and the challenges of maintaining its historic fabric.

Local culture

Praguers take quiet pride in their literary, musical, and theatrical traditions; the city has produced composers, writers, and thinkers who shaped European culture. Social life centers on cafés, beer halls, neighborhood markets, and public spaces where informal conversation and music blend with a thoughtful, sometimes ironic, Czech sense of humor.

Food

Czech cuisine in Prague is hearty and comforting—think roast meats, dumplings, and rich sauces—balanced by an exceptional beer culture where lagers and craft brews are central to dining. Contemporary Prague also offers international flavors and inventive modern restaurants that reinterpret traditional dishes, alongside markets and bakeries where you can sample street-friendly treats like trdelník or fresh open-faced sandwiches.

Attractions

Prague Castle

Perched above the Vltava River, Prague Castle is a vast complex of palaces, churches, and gardens that has been the seat of Czech rulers for centuries. Its skyline-dominating St. Vitus Cathedral and the panoramic views from the castle grounds make it an essential stop for history and architecture lovers.

Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge, lined with Baroque statues and spanning the Vltava, is both a historic engineering feat and a vibrant pedestrian artery. At dawn the bridge feels meditative and timeless; later in the day it becomes animated with artists, musicians, and vendors, offering a living portrait of the city's energy.

Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock

Old Town Square is Prague's atmospheric heart, anchored by colorful merchant houses and the medieval Astronomical Clock that performs its small-hourly spectacle. The square's layers of history—from Gothic to Rococo—make it a natural gathering place and a perfect spot to watch the city’s rhythms.

Jewish Quarter (Josefov)

The Jewish Quarter preserves synagogues, a poignant cemetery, and a living museum that trace the long and complex history of Prague's Jewish community. Walking its narrow streets reveals both tragic history and the resilience of cultural memory, presented with care in well-curated exhibits.

Vyšehrad

Vyšehrad, a historic fort perched on a rocky promontory, offers quieter views and a different perspective on Prague's past. The fortress grounds, cemetery, and riverside terraces provide a reflective escape from the busier tourist routes, with sweeping panoramas across the city.

Final notes

Prague is compact enough to explore on foot and layered enough to reward repeated visits: each bridge, square, and lane unfolds stories of art, politics, and daily life. Whether you come for history, music, food, or simply the atmosphere, Prague invites slow discovery and frequent returns.

Prague — Practical Travel Tips

Local customs

• Greet with a firm handshake; formalities matter in shops and restaurants. (reuters.com)
• Learn a few Czech words (please/díky/ano/ne); small effort is appreciated. (reuters.com)
• Dress respectfully when visiting churches and the castle (no beachwear). (reuters.com)
• When invited to a Czech home, bring a small gift (flowers or chocolates) and remove shoes if requested. (reuters.com)
• Toasting: make eye contact for each clink; it’s considered polite. (reuters.com)

Transportation options & tips

• Prague has an integrated public transport system (metro, trams, buses) — fast and reliable. (pid.cz)
• Buy 24h/72h or 30/90-min tickets (paper or Lítačka app). Validate (stamp) paper tickets once on first use; app/touchscreen tickets may be valid immediately. (pid.cz)
• Ticket prices (example): 30 min ~36–39 CZK; 90 min ~46–50 CZK; 24h ~140–150 CZK (use current rates before travel). (pid.cz)
• Trams are scenic and frequent in the centre; metro is fastest across longer distances. (pid.cz)
• Use official taxi apps (Bolt, Uber) or licensed taxis; avoid touts at stations/attractions. (discoveringprague.com)
• Allow extra time for peak crowds or occasional transport disruptions (power outages have happened). (apnews.com)

Safety

• Prague is generally safe but watch for pickpockets in crowded areas (Old Town, Charles Bridge, trams). Keep valuables secured. (magazineoftravel.net)
• Be wary of distraction scams and people posing as police—ask for ID and call local police if unsure. (magazineoftravel.net)
• Use ATMs inside banks or well-lit locations; cover your PIN. Prefer card payments where possible. (prague.com)
• Stick to well-lit main streets at night; avoid isolated alleys. (discoveringprague.com)

Insider tips

• Start early to visit Charles Bridge and Old Town before crowds. (reuters.com)
• Try a 24h/72h transport pass — it often pays off if you’ll hop between sights. (pid.cz)
• Sample local cuisine (svíčková, goulash) and Czech beer at neighborhood pubs away from tourist traps. (reuters.com)
• Organized nighttime pub-crawls face restrictions; expect quieter late-night guided party options. Be respectful of residents. (theguardian.com)
• Explore lesser-known neighborhoods (Letná, Holešovice) for cafés, galleries, and craft breweries. (reuters.com)
• Keep a printed or screenshot map for offline use; mobile signals can drop in narrow lanes. (apnews.com)