Ah, lovely Prague! The compact and utterly charming capital of the Czech Republic, often called the ‘City of a Hundred Spires,’ captivates visitors with its impeccably preserved architecture, love for cheap beer, and delightfully quirky spirit – ensuring life here is never dull!
Over a long weekend, I discovered a compact, fascinating, and incredibly photogenic city, where unique modern art met a deep obsession with all things medieval, alongside subtle echoes of its communist past. If you only have two days in this stunning gem, here are the places I recommend squeezing in…
1. Wenceslas Square and the National Museum
I started with the elegant and bustling Wenceslas Square, located in the heart of Prague’s New Town. With its cobbled streets lined by towering historic buildings and an intricate central fountain, I found it to be a beautiful and elegant spot which had long been a focal point of the city’s cultural, political, and (often very fun!) social life.
Busy with crowds and bustling with shops, cafés, and restaurants, I especially loved the Statue of Saint Wenceslas and the grandeur of the National Museum, which stood proudly at one end. It looked even more spectacular at night, beautifully illuminated against the city skyline.
4. Kampa Museum
I thought the Kampa Museum was just so unique! Housed in a historic mill building on Kampa Island (along the picturesque banks of the Vltava River), this contemporary art museum was home to an impressive collection of modern Czech art.
I loved how the museum provided a fascinating glimpse into the country’s very interesting and often out there artistic heritage!
From abstract sculptures to avant-garde paintings, each exhibit offered a unique perspective on Czech culture and creativity, and I just adored the giant crawling babies with the strange heads (even though they were slightly scary!) – which were sculptures by David Černý – and the bronze men with the very long arms, pictured above!
I found out later from the museum guide that the eerie baby sculptures were a commentary on modern society, technology, and the loss of identity, but to me they perfectly summed up Prague’s quirky, rebellious spirit!
5. Museum of Communism
Another interesting and unique attraction was the electrically decorated Museum of Communism.
With immersive exhibits and thought-provoking displays, the museum offered a poignant and deeply moving reflection on Prague’s experience under communist rule, shedding light on a long and often dark chapter of Czech history.
6. The Castle District
I saw that the Castle District (which is a UNESCO World Heritage site) was one of the most popular areas, and its steep labyrinth of cobbled streets was filled with intrigued tourists and lined with quirky souvenir shops, ye olde style taverns, incredible historic buildings and once I reached the top of the district, some truly spectacular views!
The area was filled with incredible sights, and my favorites included the imposing Prague Castle, the soaring spires and intricate Gothic façade of St. Vitus Cathedral, the elegant Renaissance-style Schwarzenberg Palace with its serene gardens, and Golden Lane, which offered a charming glimpse into the daily lives of medieval craftsmen and artisans!
I especially loved the Strahov Monastery, a peaceful haven filled with a stunning library, ancient manuscripts, and ornate frescoes. For lunch, we embraced the medieval experience – sitting on wooden benches and enjoying a hearty soup served in a carved-out bread roll, which felt wonderfully authentic!
7. The Dancing House
We visited the iconic and wonderfully whimsical Dancing House as the sunset. Designed by renowned architects Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunić, I discovered a playful modern architectural marvel located along the banks of the Vltava River that starkly contrasted the capital’s historic skyline.
With its unconventional design and playful curves, I loved that the highly Instagrammable building embodied the city’s spirit of wonderful creativity and innovation!
8. Žižkov Television Tower
We finished our very lovely Prague weekend adventure ascending to top of the imposing Žižkov Television Tower. This striking architectural landmark pierced the Prague skyline and stood tall and proud in the vibrant Žižkov district!
Crawling with those strange faceless babies I kept seeing everywhere (by Czech artist David Černý), to me it represented the city’s dynamic and modern side.
Once at the top (thankfully via a very high-speed elevator), we saw incredible sweeping views of Prague’s cityscape from the observation deck which was located at 93 meters. I could see lots of historical landmarks, scenic parks, and bustling neighbourhoods sprawled out before me.
Finally, it was time to leave, and from the timeless beauty of Prague Castle to the avant-garde charm of the fascinating Dancing House, my weekend getaway in Prague was a journey filled with wonder, discovery, and lots of quirky creativity (which was my favourite part)!
As we said farewell to the beautiful city, I carried back with me some cherished souvenirs (although no faceless babies thankfully!) and a deeper understanding of what made this intriguing capital tick!
