My dear travellers and lovers of unusual journeys, welcome to the new travelogue on the Mr.M blog. After a series of travelogues from Asia that won your hearts, it’s time to focus on European metropolises. There are cities that you visit once and forget about after a week. There are those where you spend a good time, but nothing pulls you back. And among them there is a city like Prague. A city that conquers you at first sight from the first step on the cobblestones of the Old Town and never lets you go with spectacular memories. Traveling to Prague was one of those experiences that reminded me why I travel in the first place, not for taking social media photos, but for that feeling when I stand on a six-and-a-half-century-old bridge and realise that I’m looking at a similar, if not the same, sight that kings, composers and poets have seen as so many others before me.
Before starting today’s travelogue about Prague, I want to express my special thanks to the United Nations World Tourism Organization – UN Tourism and The Mozart Prague Hotel for supporting and promoting quality tourism around the world. Their dedication to connecting cultures and destinations is an inspiration to all of us who believe that travel enriches the soul. This is my personal guide to this magnificent city, written with the desire to help all of you who are planning a trip to Prague understand what awaits you here.
PRAGUE: A THOUSAND YEARS OF HISTORY ON THE BANK OF THE VLTAVA
To understand Prague in the best possible way, we must first go back in time. This city was founded in the ninth century and since then has been continuously one of the most important places in Central Europe. It was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire during the time of Charles IV, who in the fourteenth century built the Charles Bridge, founded the first university in Central Europe and turned Prague into one of the most brilliant capitals of his time.
Over the centuries, this city has survived wars, occupations, revolutions and political upheavals, but somehow managed to preserve its architectural integrity almost intact. That is precisely why the historical center of Prague is included in the list of world heritage under the protection of UNESCO. Today, walking through the streets of this city, you can see Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Art Nouveau and Cubism all in one place, often on the same street. Few cities in the world can boast such a variety of styles.
The numbers speak for themselves. According to data from the Czech Statistical Office, Prague will attract over 8 million visitors in 2025. Germans make up the largest group of foreign tourists, followed by Americans and Britons. As many as sixty-six percent of visitors choose four- or five-star hotels, which clearly shows what kind of tourists this city attracts today. It is interesting that the number of tourists from Asia is growing the fastest, with an increase of twenty-eight percent in one year. Prague is increasingly positioning itself as a destination for more demanding travelers looking for cultural experiences, top gastronomy and quality accommodation.
PRAGUE: OLD TOWN SQUARE, THE HEART THAT BEATS FOR SIX CENTURIES
Every trip to Prague starts at Old Town Square. This is a place where all eras meet, where every building tells its own story and where you feel as if you have stepped into a living history book. I stood in this square in the early hours of the morning, before the crowds had formed and looked at the facades painted in pink, yellow, blue and green, each with its own baroque decorations, sculptures and coats of arms.
On one side of the square, the Tina Church dominates with its recognizable Gothic towers that rise like spears towards the sky. On the other side stands the tower of the Old Town Factory with the famous astronomical clock, known as Orloj. This clock was installed in 1410, making it one of the oldest surviving mechanical clocks in the world that is still working. Every full hour, figurines of the twelve apostles appear in the small windows above the dial, attracting hundreds of tourists who wait with their heads held high for this brief but unforgettable display.
In the center of the square stands a powerful monument to Jan Hus, the Czech reformer who was burned at the stake in 1415. The inscription on the monument calls for love of truth and justice for every human being, a message that still resonates strongly today. In addition to the monument, there is also the restored Marian column, which adds another dimension to this incredible space.
PRAGUE: THE STREETS OF THE OLD TOWN WHERE EVERY STEP IS LIKE A NEW DISCOVERY
Streets diverge from the Old Town Square, which in themselves deserve special attention. One of the most beautiful is Celetna, an old shopping street that leads to the Dust Gate. Walking along it, I noticed how the Gothic tower of the Dust Gate was slowly revealed in the distance, framed by facades on both sides. On every building you come across a new story, forged inscriptions with symbols of old crafts, golden coats of arms above the doors, statues of saints in the niches of the facades.
I was particularly attracted to the building of V.J. Rott near the square, the facade of which is painted with vivid frescoes in warm colors depicting artisans and farmers. This building dates back to the 19th century, but its frescoes look as if they have been there forever. A little further, on the corner of Mala Strana, stands the house Dům U Zlaté Studny with rich sculptural decoration on the facade, one of the most beautifully decorated buildings in the city.
Walking through the narrow cobbled streets was one of my favorite experiences. At every corner, a new view awaited me, a church tower appearing between the roofs, a forged lamp on the wall of an old house or a jewelry store window with Czech shells. The Old Town in Prague is not an open-air museum. The old town is a living organism in which everyday life and centuries-old history intertwine in the most natural way.
THE VLTAVA RIVER: THE MIRROR OF PRAGUE
Before moving on to the Charles Bridge, I have to say something about the river that gives this city a special dimension. The Vltava flows through Prague like a wide, peaceful lane that divides the city into two worlds: the Old Town in the east and the Lesser Town with its castle in the west. From the quay by the river, the view of Prague Castle with St. Vitus Cathedral is one of those unforgettable sights.
I noticed that many local residents come to the quay to walk, run or just sit on the benches and watch the river. On the Vltava I saw wooden boats, pedal boats and cruise ships passing under the arches of the Charles Bridge. On the other side of the river, the National Theater with its gold-rimmed dome is a magnificent sight, especially at sunset. This neoclassical building, a symbol of the Czech national revival, appears to rise out of the water when viewed from the shores of Mala Strana.
CHARLES BRIDGE: A WALK THROUGH LIVING HISTORY
If Old Town Square represents the heart of Prague, then Charles Bridge is its backbone. This stone bridge over the Vltava River is over five hundred meters long and decorated with thirty sculptures and groups of statues of saints. It was built by Emperor Karl IV in 1357, and according to legend, construction began on July 9 of that year at five thirty-one minutes in the morning. The date and time were chosen because they formed an increasing palindromic sequence, which astrologers of the time believed guaranteed the eternity of the bridge construction.
I walked the Charles Bridge several times during this visit to Prague. Each experience was special in its own way. In the morning I could look at each statue in peace, feel the texture of the old stone under my fingers and enjoy the view of the Prague Castle rising on the hill on the other side of the river. In the afternoon, however, I felt the energy of the city, heard conversations in twenty different languages and understood why this bridge is crossed by around five million pedestrians every year.
The bridge offers one of the most beautiful city views in all of Europe. On one side you see the silhouette of the Prague Castle with the towers of St. Vitus Cathedral, and on the other side the panorama of the Old Town with its towers and domes. The photos I took of the Charles Bridge are among the best of the entire trip.
PRAGUE CASTLE: THE BIGGEST CASTLE IN THE WORLD
After crossing the Charles Bridge and climbing through the narrow streets of Mala Strana, I reached Prague Castle. According to the Guinness Book of Records, this is the largest ancient castle in the world, with a total area of almost seven hectares. The castle was founded in the ninth century and since then has served as the seat of Czech rulers, from kings and emperors to the current president of the republic.
Entrance to the palace complex is free, and the first impression is monumental. You pass through a gate decorated with sculptures of fighters, past a guard of honor and enter a huge courtyard. There you will be greeted by the 18th-century Cole fountain, around which hundreds of visitors gather every day. You continue further and come to the Cathedral of St. Vitus, an imposing Gothic building whose construction took almost six hundred years. It was started in 1344 and completed only in 1929. Its southern portal is decorated with a magnificent mosaic of the Last Judgment from the fourteenth century, made up of over a million pieces of glass.
Inside the palace complex is the Basilica of St. George with its distinctive red facade, one of the oldest preserved churches in Prague. There is also the old Royal Palace, Golden Street with small painted houses where artisans and alchemists once lived, as well as beautiful gardens with an unforgettable view of the city. The view from the castle on the red roofs of Mala Strana and the Vltava river in the distance is simply breathtaking.
From Hradčany Square, in front of the entrance to the castle, you can see the Archbishop’s Palace with its elegant baroque facade, as well as the monument to Tomasz Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia. At the foot of the stairs leading to the castle, I came across a stone sculpture by one of the Czech artists, placed against the wall of an old house, a detail that you can easily miss, but which perfectly illustrates how rich this city is in cultural layers.
MALA STRANA: PEACE, QUIET, INTIMATE
After the castle, I descended back into Mala Strana, the district that stretches between the castle and the Vltava. Unlike the Old Town, which is teeming with tourists, Mala Strana offers a quieter rhythm. The streets are narrower, the houses are lower, and the atmosphere is more intimate. At every turn you come across small cafes, galleries, souvenir shops and unexpected views of the castle that appear around every corner.
Malostranski trg is dominated by the Church of St. Nicholas with its distinctive green dome and clock tower, one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings in Central Europe. Passing through Mostecka Street, which connects the Charles Bridge with this square, provided a special pleasure as I watched the church tower gradually reveal itself between the roofs of the surrounding houses.
One of the most interesting places in this part of the city is Campa Island, home to David Cerny’s famous sculptures, giant bronze babies crawling around the park. These sculptures have become one of the most recognizable symbols of modern Prague. Cerni’s work is provocative, witty and completely unexpected in the context of the baroque setting, but that’s exactly why it works perfectly. Prague is a city that knows how to combine past and present without conflict.
From Mala Strana, you climb the stairs to the castle, which are an experience in themselves. At the top of one of the stairs stands a baroque statue of a saint with a golden halo, and next to it is the green facade of a house with relief decorations and inscriptions on the way to the Sternberg Palace and the Prague Palace. These stairs are quieter than the main routes, and the view that opens up from each new level is worth every step. The streets of Mala Strana also hide small pubs, traditional Czech restaurants and antique shops where you can spend hours looking through old books and maps.
NOVÉ MĚSTO AND Wenceslas Square: MODERN PRAGUE
From the Old Town, the road took me to Nové Město, a district that, despite its name, dates back to the fourteenth century. The centerpiece of this part of the city is Wenceslas Square, a long boulevard that stretches from the National Museum at the top to the tram roundabout at the bottom. This square was the scene of key moments in Czech history from the declaration of independence in 1918 to the Velvet Revolution in 1989.
The National Museum at the top of the square impresses with its neoclassical facade with a golden dome. Today, the boulevard is filled with shops, cafes and restaurants, and the streets that branch off from it hide numerous architectural gems, from Art Nouveau facades to cubist buildings, such as the famous House near the Black Virgin. I passed by the building of the Czech National Bank, whose monumental facade with a statue on top leaves a strong impression.
Not far from there, on Celetna Street, which connects the Old Town Square with the Dust Gate, I found one of the most picturesque promenades in the city. The Dust Gate, a Gothic tower from the fifteenth century, is the former entrance to the Old Town. Next to it is the Municipal House, a pearl of Prague Art Nouveau whose facade decorated with mosaics and sculptures is one of the most beautiful buildings of that style in Europe. The mosaic on the facade of the Municipal House depicts allegorical scenes from Czech history and culture, and the building itself hides one of the most beautiful concert halls in Central Europe, the Smetana Hall, where the prestigious Prague Spring music festival opens every year.
PAŘÍŽSKÁ STREET: LUXURY IN A BAROQUE ENVIRONMENT
For those who love fashion and luxury, Pařížská Street is a must stop. This elegant street that stretches from Old Town Square to the banks of the Vltava is home to the world’s most famous brands. I passed by windows displaying the latest collections of leading fashion houses, housed in buildings with Art Nouveau facades. The combination of high luxury and historic architecture makes this street one of the most elegant shopping destinations in Europe. Here, the two worlds of fashion and history come together in a way that is unique to Prague. It is interesting that on the same street, in addition to fashion houses, there are also galleries, antiques and cafes that preserve the spirit of old Prague. It is this mixture of glamor and authenticity that makes Pařížská Street so special.
PRAGUE: CZECH GASTRONOMY AND PUB CULTURE
A trip to Prague would not be complete without a review of food and drink. Czech cuisine is hearty, hearty and perfect for cold days. During my stay, I tried pork knee roasted in beer sauce, svička beef in a creamy sauce with dumplings, and of course the famous trdelnik, a sweet cake baked on a roll and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. Czech beer is a special story, this country has the longest brewing tradition in Europe and the highest consumption of beer per capita in the world. In small pubs far from the tourist routes, a pint of beer costs less than two euros, and the quality is impeccable.
The pub culture in Prague has a long tradition. Back in the nineteenth century, taverns were places where writers, artists and revolutionaries met. In Pacht’s Palace, where The Mozart Hotel is today, there was a famous Slavonic Tavern, which in the revolutionary year of 1848 was a meeting place for young political activists. Today, you can drink coffee in one of the many elegant cafeterias of the Old Town and feel the spirit of that tradition.
THE MOZART PRAGUE: THE PALACE WHERE MOZART COMPOSED
During my stay in Prague, I stayed at The Mozart Prague Hotel, a luxurious five-star establishment located in the historic Pacht Palace, right on the banks of the Vltava River, literally a few steps from the Charles Bridge. This palace was built in 1770 according to the project of the architect Jan Jozef Virh, the same master who also designed the Archbishop’s Palace near the Prague Castle. Count Pachta, a passionate lover of art and music, turned his palace into the center of Prague’s cultural life. In these rooms, in February 1787, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed six German dances in less than an hour, because the count did not allow him to attend the ball before he wrote something for him.
Today, the hotel has seventy rooms and suites, many of which are decorated with original frescoes from the eighteenth century. The interior pays tribute to the building’s rich past with baroque sculptures by Ignac Franz Placer, contemporary artworks, marble statues and the largest collection of historical maps in Prague. In 2021, the hotel was renamed from Smetana Hotel to The Mozart Prague, precisely to emphasize the deep connection of this palace with the world of music. Since that year, it has been a member of the prestigious organization of historical hotels of the world. Two elegant courtyards, a cafeteria and a restaurant complete the offer of this exceptional accommodation.
THE MOZART PRAGUE: MY EXPERIENCE IN THE CASTLE AND RIVER VIEW EXECUTIVE SUITE
I stayed in one of the most beautiful suites of the hotel, a spacious Executive Suite with a view of Prague Castle and the Vltava River. When I entered the room, the first impression was like entering a royal chamber. The walls were covered in refined burgundy wallpaper, and in the center of the room stood a four-poster bed made of dark wood, decorated with silk curtains in gold and beige tones. The parquet was immaculate, and Persian carpets lay on the floor, giving the space warmth and elegance.
The windows of the room look directly at the Vltava River, Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. A morning in this apartment was an unforgettable experience. I put on my red silk pajamas, sat down on the chaise longue by the window, opened my laptop and watched the morning sun illuminate the castle and the red roofs of Mala Strana. That sight is worth more than any awakening I can think of. The view was so good that I spent a good part of the morning just sitting and watching the boats on the Vltava and the walkers on the quay below the window.
The breakfast at the hotel was at a level befitting a five-star accommodation. The buffet of fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, smoked meats, kimchi and pickled vegetables in glass jars looked like something out of a magazine. In addition to the buffet, I ordered a warm variant of eggs benedict with smoked salmon, topped with creamy hollandaise and sprinkled with fresh chives. Everything is served on a black ceramic plate, elegant and delicious.
What makes this hotel special is not just the room or the breakfast, but the whole atmosphere. When you walk down the corridor and pass by baroque sculptures and contemporary works of art, you feel like you are in a small private museum. The hotel’s courtyard, with its colorful bull statue and elegant coffee tables, provides an oasis of peace in the midst of the city’s hustle and bustle. The staff is extremely friendly and professional, and the fact that the hotel is located in the palace where Mozart actually stayed adds an emotional dimension that no amount of money can buy. If you are planning a trip to Prague and looking for accommodation that combines history with luxury, The Mozart Prague is a place I highly recommend.
TIPS FOR FUTURE VISITORS TO PRAGUE
Based on my experience, here are some tips for anyone planning a trip to Prague. First, come in spring or fall, I was in April and the weather was perfect for walking. Summer can be very hot and the crowds are incomparably greater. Spring brings green leaves, flowering trees and pleasant temperatures, which make walking around the city a real pleasure.
Be sure to get up early at least one morning and walk across the Charles Bridge before eight o’clock. At that time the bridge is almost empty and you can take photos without hundreds of tourists in the frame. Visit the Prague Castle immediately after opening, as queues form very quickly. You don’t have to wait for Orloj on the Old Town Square, the clock strikes every full hour, so you can always catch the next opportunity.
For accommodation, I highly recommend choosing a hotel in the Old Town or on the banks of the Vltava. Location means everything in Prague, as the main sights are close enough to walk around. Prague is an extremely safe city to walk around, even at night. Public transport is excellent, and trams are a particularly practical way to travel long distances.
Another tip, don’t limit yourself to just the main sights. Turn into the side streets, have a coffee in one of the smaller bars away from the tourist routes and allow yourself to get lost. It is in those moments that Prague shows its true face through interesting quiet courtyards, hidden churches, unexpected views and inscriptions on the facades that speak of tools and crafts from several centuries ago.
As for currency, the Czech Republic uses the Czech crown, not the euro. Exchange offices in the city center often offer bad exchange rates, so it is best to use a card or exchange money in banks. Most restaurants, hotels and shops accept cards without problems. For transportation from the airport to the center, the simplest is to take a bus to the metro station and from there continue by subway, the whole journey takes about forty minutes and costs only a few euros.
PRAGUE: THE CITY THAT ALWAYS HAS SOMETHING ELSE TO SHOW
Leaving Prague for the fourth time, I had the feeling that I had seen a lot, but not everything. This city has so many layers that it would take you several visits to discover them all. From the medieval Old Town, through the baroque Lesser Town, the Gothic castle and art nouveau boulevards, to contemporary art on the island of Kampa, Prague is a city that combines eras in a way that few other cities can.
With over eight million visitors a year, Prague is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, and for good reason. You have it all here: history, architecture, culture, great food, affordable prices compared to Western European capitals and an atmosphere that keeps you coming back. The average price of a hotel room is around one hundred and twenty-three euros per night, which is comparable to Berlin or Vienna, and for that money you get something that neither Berlin nor Vienna can offer, a city that seems to have stopped time.
Prague is not just a destination. The threshold is an experience. And anyone who loves travel, history and beauty should put it at the top of their list. This city has a special power to make you slow down, look up at the facades, pause on the bridge and simply be present in the moment. In a world where everything is in a hurry, Prague reminds us that beauty requires time and attention.
Feel free to leave your impressions, comments or questions below the text or contact me via email and social networks. All information is available on the CONTACT page.
I will definitely come back, because this city simply does not get old.
With Love from Prague,
Mr.M
This post is sponsored by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) and the The Mozart Prague Hotel, as well as other local partners who selflessly supported this project. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.