Meet Chuchu, our guest travel blogger. Let's check out the amazing photo spots in Prague and soak in its rich history and breathtaking medieval-style architecture together!
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, primarily divided into various districts such as the Old Town (Staré Město), the Jewish Quarter (Josefov), Lesser Town (Malá Strana), Vyšehrad (the Upper Castle District), Hradčany (the Castle District), and the New Town (Nové Město). Notable attractions include the Powder Tower, Astronomical Clock, and bustling Hus Square in the Old Town; the panoramic and less crowded Upper Castle District offering great strolling opportunities; the Castle District with St. Vitus Cathedral, gardens, and the ancient castle; the picturesque Lesser Town with Charles Bridge and views of the Vltava River; every corner of Prague is a sightseeing gem. Spending a full two days exploring these areas is the highlight of our trip!
Prague - Vltava River Cruise + Onboard Lunch + Outlet Shopping
□ Morning: Explore Vyšehrad, Powder Tower, and Astronomical Clock
□ Noon: Vltava River Cruise with onboard lunch
□ Afternoon: Visit Botanicus in Botanická zahrada Troja and go shopping at the Fashion Arena Outlet
□ Meals: Lunch (Buffet on the cruise), Dinner (Self-pay, 10 euros provided)
□ Accommodation: INTERNATIONAL Hotel (4★)
After exploring the Vyšehrad district early in the morning, we chose to take the subway back to the Old Town. This was a rather unique experience within our guided tour, as the entire journey had primarily involved traveling by tour bus. Introducing a subway ride added an interesting dimension to our exploration. Navigating public transportation in a foreign country is a delightful and engaging aspect of travel. Spending time researching station names, routes, and purchasing tickets becomes one of the most enjoyable and fascinating activities during the trip.
Ｗhoever frequently take the subway and buses are usually adept at reading route maps, and they can navigate public transportation effortlessly no matter which country they are in. The real challenge, however, often arises when the station names are not written in English!
Always keep an eye on your belongings while taking the subway have probably been emphasized countless times, and even when traveling with a guided tour, it's crucial not to let your guard down!
The Powder Tower - Prašná brána
The Powder Tower (Prašná brána) is a Gothic-style city gate in the Old Town of Prague. Constructed in 1475, it stands as a landmark among the city's earliest thirteen gates. In the 16th century, the tower was used by the king to conduct alchemical experiments, and during the 17th century, it served as a gunpowder storage facility, hence its name.
Today, the Powder Tower has been transformed into a museum, showcasing medieval paintings, artifacts related to astronomy and alchemy. Visitors can purchase tickets to explore the interior and enjoy the exhibits.
The Powder Tower may appear dark from a distance, but upon closer inspection, you'll discover intricate and exquisitely detailed reliefs adorning the building. Most of these reliefs depict figures such as Bohemian monarchs and patron saints of the Czech Republic. This site was once used for the coronation ceremonies of Bohemian kings and serves as the starting point of Prague's "Royal Route." Therefore, when exploring the Old Town of Prague, starting your journey from the Powder Tower is a wonderful choice!
The Municipal House - Obecní dům
The Municipal House (Obecní dům), situated next to the Powder Tower, is also a captivating sight! It serves as Prague's concert hall and stands as a landmark building located on Republic Square, between the Old Town and the New Town. It is renowned as one of Prague's most beautiful and outstanding examples of Art Nouveau architecture.
The Hybernia Theatre - Divadlo Hybernia
The Hybernia Theatre (Divadlo Hybernia), located across from the Municipal House, is a Baroque-style building from the 17th century that was originally a church. Compared to the elaborate Baroque architecture, the Hybernia Theatre features a more simple and modest design. After undergoing renovations in 2006, the interior is now luxurious and comfortable, equipped with air conditioning.
The theatre hosts a variety of performances, including classical music concerts, operas, and musicals. With a seating capacity of 1000, the venue also includes two restaurants, four bars, and a summer garden, providing a versatile and enjoyable cultural experience for its patrons.
Prague Old Car
Seeing this cute car by the roadside made me want to take a photo, but as I continued walking, I stumbled upon an even more impressive golden one! In the Old Town, various colored vintage cars can be spotted all around. You can hop on one of these classic rides to explore every street in the area. If you prefer not to walk, touring the Old Town in a vintage car is quite a stylish option!
On the roadside, you'll often see people soliciting business, much like taxi drivers approaching you as you exit a train station, asking if you'd like a ride, XD.
Old Town Square - Staroměstské náměstí
Finally, I've arrived at the Prague Square I've been eagerly anticipating – all thanks to Jolin Tsai's song "Prague Square," which fueled my excitement before the trip! In the center of the square stands a monument commemorating the religious reformer Jan Hus, so the square is also referred to as Hus Square.
Astronomical Clock - Pražský orloj
The highlight of Old Town Square is undoubtedly the Astronomical Clock at the Old Town Hall! It stands as the most iconic landmark in Prague's Old Town Square and is one of the most famous astronomical clocks globally. Every hour, the clock performs a unique timekeeping display, attracting crowds to witness its enchanting spectacle.
Taking photos in the square wasn't as romantic as I imagined, as the entire area was densely packed with people. Even though I visited during a non-peak season, it was still quite crowded. I can only imagine that during the summer with a clear blue sky, the square would be even more packed, making it a challenging task to capture a photo without a massive crowd below.
The astronomical clock is indeed beautiful! I bought a fridge magnet of the astronomical clock to stick on my fridge, and it looks exactly the same. It holds great sentimental value as a memento!
The astronomical clock is a specially designed clock that can simultaneously display astronomical information. It can show the relative positions of the sun, moon, and constellations at a given moment, and some can even display the positions of major planets. The clock face depicts the background representing the Earth and the sky, and it features four main movable discs, including the zodiacal circle, the old Czech time chart, and representations of the sun and moon.
The most distinctive feature of the astronomical clock is its hourly "puppet show," which gathers a crowd in the square as people eagerly lift their phones and gaze upward, anticipating the performance.
At the top of the astronomical clock, the small windows on the left and right sides open, revealing rows of puppets that come out and rotate along with the music. Initially, I thought it might be more extravagant, but it turned out to be a charming display where each puppet takes a turn in the spotlight.
After enjoying the astronomical clock's hourly performance, I strolled around the Old Town, exploring and shopping. European architecture never fails to captivate with its timeless beauty. Although by the fifth day, one might feel a bit overwhelmed, looking back at the photos still brings immense joy.
Even the street performances on the roadside feel like scenes from a movie. Regardless of how the music sounds, just seeing someone holding a saxophone makes it impressive (ah, I'm that shallow, haha).
I love these kinds of small markets! They're usually the best places to buy souvenirs – much more enjoyable to browse than regular stores. My favorite!
Having seen the movie "The Lonesome Auctioneer" with the final scene featuring the street view of Prague Square, revisiting the film after being there in person adds a special dimension. It allows me to reminisce about this unforgettable trip to the Czech Republic. I wonder if there will be another chance to visit Czechia in my lifetime!
