Amid Prague's cobblestone streets and gold-tip spires, galleries, cafes, and clubs teem with young Czechs and "expatriates." New shops and restaurants have opened, expanding the city's culinary reach beyond the traditional roast pork and dumplings. The arts and theater also thrive in Prague. Young playwrights regularly stage their works, weekly poetry readings are standing room only, and classical music maintains famous standards, while the clubs are jammed. The arts - nonverbal theater, "installation" art, world music - are as trendy in Prague as in any European capital but possess distinctive Czech flavor. All of this is set against a stunning backdrop of towering churches and centuries-old bridges and alleyways. Prague achieved much of its glory in the 14th century, during the long reign of Charles IV, king of Bohemia and Moravia and Holy Roman Emperor. Charles established a university in the city and laid out the New Town, charting Prague's growth. Prague Castle is the most popular sight and is the largest ancient castle in the world with three courtyards.
Excursions
Tour of downtown Prague
Walking tour of downtown Prague
This walking tour will lead us through the former commercial heart of the city where the ancient roads of the Czech Kingdom and from abroad used to cross. We will visit two ancient Prague districts - Old Town and New Town, briefly touching Prague Jewish Quarter. This tour is a perfect introduction to discover the entire city.
Exploring the puzzle of medieval streets we will soon reach the Old Town Square where we can admire most of the Prague Old Town monuments, the stunning Old Town Hall with its mysterious Astronomical Clock, vertical gothic beauty of the Tyn Church and many other historical houses and former noble family palaces.
The time is passing by and not only the Astronomical Clock offers a live view of the movements of the universe, but it also gives us a short spectacle of the twelve apostles marching every hour on the hour, while a skeleton and human vices are nodding their heads. From the Astronomical Clock our steps will take us to the Tyn Church where gothic verticality and relative austerity of the exterior meets with its opulent baroque interior. On our way to the former city entrance we will pass through the medieval miniature Tyn fortress – Ungelt where foreign merchants used to do their business. Passing by the St. James´ Church we will take a shortcut to get to Celetna Street which will lead us to the mighty Powder Tower, which was once one of the major entrances into the city. Yes, it used to be right there where the city walls with a deep moat protected the City of Prague and where king Vaclav IV. built his city palace. Many things have changed but the Powder Tower still stands here. The city walls are gone, the moat changed into a shopping street and where there used to be the king´s palace you will now find the flamboyant Municipal House, a real jewel of art nouveau architecture.
Returning to Old Town Square via Na Prikope Street we will make a short stop at Wenceslas Square, nowadays a commercial and shopping heart of the city. From there we will proceed to the Estates Theater where a young genius music composer W.A. Mozart conducted his operas, including the world premiere performance of Don Giovanni.
On our way to the Charles Bridge we will briefly touch the Jewish Quarter, which definitely deserves a special tour. Therefore we will only walk through seeing the monuments from the outside. We will pass by the famous Old New Synagogue, Old Jewish Town Hall and the Old Jewish cemetery. Along the Vltava embankment our steps will lead us towards the Charles Bridge, the most famous statue gallery in Central Europe which connects the two sides of Prague like a diamond ring offering unforgettable views of Prague Castle, Lesser Town and Old Town.
The tour takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes
Prague castle complex tour
Your private guide and driver will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and will take you for a half day tour with a vehicle support. You will see the Prague Castle complex with the famous St. Vitus cathedral, Royal palace and the Golden Lane as well as the Strahov Monastery. Short overview drive around Prague will get you oriented of the city layout and you will see a few more intersting sights such as the Dancing house, Rudolfinum concert hall, etc.
