3 Day Trip in Prague!

Hello everyone!

There are a lot of people that usually ask me if they should or not visit Prague, and my immediate answer is a big Of Course!

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

Everyone that has already visited some parts of the eastern Europe knows that every country and every city is so different and so rich in history, architecture and culture, that I guarantee you that you will fall in love for it, just like I did.

My trip to Prague is a travel that I will never forget because it was the first time that I went to another country, or even to a foreign city completely alone.

Starting on of a bad foot:

By that time, this was in 2016 (I think in October), I was doing my Erasmus in Hungary (in Eger), and since I embark in this Erasmus' adventure with a friend of mine, I decided that at least I needed to do a big trip alone. So I did. Of course, I'm not going to lie to you, this really started on of a bad foot. Right now I laugh about the situation, but that time I just wanted to scream and disappear from the world. Usually, I try to be really organised and I pay a lot of attention to every detail, but it didn't happen that time. When I left Eger and went to Budapest's International Bus Station in order to catch the Bus to Prague, I noticed that I had booked it to the wrong day. What I want to say is that I had booked it for the day after, and not for the day I wanted. Can you imagine? I wanted so badly to do a trip alone, and I completely screwed up everything. After yelling a lot to myself, I took a deep breath, and I decided to look for a place to stay over in Budapest (since I just had lost the last bus to Eger, after getting lost in Budapest's underground). Just like the TV series, "A Series of Unfortunate Events".

One day has passed in Budapest, and at the beginning of the night I was ready to catch the bus to Prague, and finally, this time, everything went just fine.

BY BUS - Price Travel:

In Eastern Europe the bus' tickets are incredible cheap, I remember that for this trip, one way ticket was around 15 euros. Besides, on the bus, at least in the one that I went, they gave me headphones and also some hot drinks, for free! Sorry, but I just love free stuff.. It was a night bus, which was really good for me, because I don't mind sleeping on the bus; and that way I could save time and still have a plenty of time to visit the city. From Budapest to Prague it took around 8 hours.

Go and check the prices in here:

One think that I discover, it's that when you travel you always find yourself in unexpected situations. One of the funniest things, was that while I was trying to get some sleep on the bus, I listened someone getting in and starting to speak Portuguese. And OMG, how good it's to listen your mother tongue when you're abroad. A group of Portuguese just got in, of course we were so excited to see each other, and we spent the rest of the travel talking to each other, besides the other passengers were all the time telling us to be quiet. Still today I'm endless thankful to them, because when we arrived they help me to get to the subway, and then they went with me until my hostel.

We arrived at 6 am. , and after leaving my backpack in the hostel and changing phone numbers with the Portuguese, I started my 3-day visit to this amazing city!

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

Some information:

• Usually, English level of people from Eastern Europe is not that good, so I would advise you to learn some basic words in Czech, even if it is just to be polite, because everyone likes to see that foreigners are making an effort to learn their language. My experience in here, but I guess it depend from people, it was really good, because since it's the capital most of people can understand English, and if they can't they will, anyway, trying to help you.
• The actually currency in here is the Koruna, or as we call it in English, Czech Crown. Usually, 1 euro equals to 25 Koruna.
• Things are quite cheap in here, but since it's the capital you have to know where to look for it. There are a lot of cheap supermarkets, and I'm also going to mention some tips to buy cheap souvenirs.

Wake up early:

One of the best tips that I can give to you is: Wake up early! The best pictures that I took were on the sunrise. The city was completely empty... and after 10 am. it didn't look the same, I had never seen a city so full of tourists like Prague.

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

Before starting to talk about what to visit, I must let you know two things:

1. First I had never used the subway, I did everything by foot (it's a bit exhausting, but I prefer it this way, I considered it was the best way to get to known a city).
2. The other thing is that I'm mostly going to talk about the places that I saw, because that way I can give you my personal opinion.

What to do? Tip:

Do you known the "Free Walking Tours"? It's basically a guided tour that takes you to a guided visit through the city, usually with high quality, and in the end you pay as much as you think the visit was worth it, there isn't a fixed price. I really advice you do to one in Prague, because this city has so much history, and the guide will explain you everything really well. Going to this visit was one of the best things that I did, because I learned so much about the city, and that was the point, coming to learn the city's history.

Usually, one of the meeting points is in the Square of the Old Town, between the Cartier's shop and the Czech Tourism's office. There are different tours along the day. You can choose the language that you prefer, and also which visit you prefer to do, I chose the Tour to the Jewish Quarter.

What to see? MONUMENTS:

It's impossible to come to Prague and not visit at least the most iconic monuments. The architecture here it's some unique, and you will find yourself completely lost in its beauty, trying to capture it in every picture. There are so many places, and so much things to see, but I think a three day trip it's enough to see the most known sites.

• Old Town Hall:

This is the center of the city, it's the Main Square and it's where you will find the most important sites. In the center of the Square you can find the "Jan Hus Memorial". Jan Hus was a protestant in the late 14th century, beginning 15th century, and he was against the corruption of the catholic church and the Vatican. Besides that iconic statue, you also have the National Gallery, the Church of St. Nicolas, and the famous Astronomical Clock.

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

• The Astronomical Clock:

This is a must see! It's a unique masterpiece, since its figures, its colours, its mechanism and its performance is something that is really worth seeing. It's considered one of the wonders of the world, and counts with more than 600 years. Every hour the place gets full of tourists to see the fantastic clock. Tip: Climb to the top, the view from there is amazing!

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

• St. Nicholas Church:

This Church may go unnoticed, at least I felt it like that. It's located in the Square of the Old Town. For the architecture lovers the main facade it's amazing, that dates back the 13th century, and the Baroque's architectonic style. But the best part it's the inside, a real masterpiece of the Baroque.

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

• Malá Strana's neighbourhood:

This neighbourhood is the one next to the Main Square, you can get here from the Astronomical Clock, it's the same street. When you google Prague, the first pictures that you find are of this neighbourhood. It worth to see, because of all it's coloured and architectural buildings, that gives a particular vibe to the city. It's the perfect place to take pictures, but do it in the early morning, because otherwise it will be completely crowded.

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

• The Charles Bridge:

This Bridge is one of the most beautiful bridges that I ever seen. Walking through it is something that I can't explain. Of course it's all the time full of tourists, but still it's one-of-a-kind. If you can, visit it during two different times of the day, in the early morning, and during the night, so you can see the colours' contrast and fell the distinct atmosphere. For me it's one of the most romantic places, where there are always different artists playing, singing or painting typical sites of Prague (or even portraits).

It started to be built in the late 14th century, and was finished in the 15th century. The Charles Bridge is the most important connection between the Old Town and the Castle.

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

• Powder Tower:

Located in Prague's Old Town this is one of the most significant monuments of the Late Gothic. It was completed in the 15th century. It really completes the panorama, because while you are scrolling through the Old Town, enjoying all its charm, and then you find this amazing piece of history and unique architecture. You can get in and climb the Tower, check here the schedules.

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

• Rudolfinum Prague:

This place was where we finished our Free Tour Guide, and I mention it here because I remember that I felt so amazed with the architecture and its monumental character. After my visit I did some research and I found out that it's a neo-renaissance building, and it's an important site because it's the center of music and art in Prague.

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

• The Jewish Quarter:

The Free Tour Guide that I chose offered a visit to this place. I really recommend you to come here with a guide, because the history and the information that you learn it's something that with just a guide you can get to known. The Jewish Quarter it used to be the old Jewish ghetto of the city. If you're interested in the Second War's History you must visit this place.

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

• Prague Castle:

This Castle is located in the other side of the river, I recommend you to go there by crossing the Charles Bridge. This is a huge and monumentally Castle, considered the largest ancient castle in the world. It's a Medieval Castle, and it remounts the 9th century.

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

• Memorial to the Victims of Communism (Petřínské Sady Petřín Hill):

I didn't see this place, but I thought it was important to include it, because of its importance. It's located in the Petřín Hill, the other side of the river, and it's a good place to go for a walk, because it's basically a big garden. The Memorial is a set of statues that aims to pay tribute to the victims of the communist era, between the year of 1948 and the year of 1989. (Source: Website Prague Stay. )

• Dancing House:

This monument is a bit further from the Old Town, but you still can go walking, if you want. It's a mark of the modern architecture, was started to be built in 1992 and was finished in 1996. It's a really controversy of the traditional and common architecture's sites of Prague.

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

• John Lennon Wall:

I also didn't visit this place, but after trying to known more about the city I found this place, and I wanted to included it here, because it looks so fantastic, and I can not believe that I missed it. It's a wall with John Lennon inspired graffiti and also some lyrics of Beatles' songs. It's located a bit fare from everything, in the Street of "Velkopřevorské náměstí", I advice you to take the public transport.

• Pražský Metronom:

This place is really special for me. I came here completely randomly, and it finished to be one of my favorite places in Prague. After more than 2 days walking through the crowed city, I was desperate to be in a calm place, far from everything. I found this hill, that it's known for its metronome, but I fall in love for its garden. Since it was Autumn the trees where with colours of red and gold, and the view from the hill to the city it's some inexplicable.

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

Where to buy souvenirs:

The souvenirs in Prague can be quite expensive. Fortunately I found a place that is really known, it's called the Prague Havel's Market, and it's located in the Old Town. You can look for its location on Google Maps, just put "Havelské Tržiště Market", and you will find the direction. If you don't have internet, just ask someone, they will help you. This is the perfect place to buy cheap things, and you can find everything in here. Trust me, comparing to the other shops this is really cheap, I would take my chance and say the cheapest place.

Street Food:

I didn't try any typical restaurant, because I was looking up for saving some money. But I can tell that Prague it's known for its street food. There is a lot of street's stalls where you can find: Mulled Wine; Sausages; Langose (bread that is deep fried, with tomato sauce and mozzarella); Prague's Ham; Meat Skewers; Fried Cheese; Pancakes and Trdelnik (originally from Hungary).

Don't forget to go to some coffee shop/bar to try the typical Prague's Beer. You will see a lot of people drinking beer during the morning, while trying to get some sunbath, it's a traditional thing.

There are a lot of places to see and to go in Prague, but I tried to keep it short, and specially focused on the things that I saw/visited.

I hope this can help you, or at least give you some ideas, if you decide to visit Prague.

(Source: Cruz, R. 2016)

Thanks for reading!

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