Prague, the Christmas fairytale has more to offer than just one season! Attractions  in Prague like the Church of our Lady Tyn, the alchemists’ alley (Golden Lane) and the Franz Kafka Museum incite you to discover them and get to see the medieval side of Prague. Finally, picturesque streets such as Nerudova, the artificial island of Kampa and the wonderful Strahov & Loreto monasteries will fill the time of any traveler.

Meet more attractions in Prague

On the east side of the Old Town Square hides the Church of our Lady before Tyn. You will recognize it by its stunning bell towers that stand out among the buildings and by its impressive gothic architecture. It was named after Týn Square, which preceded the church and was a place of worship both for Prague’s residents and the foreign merchants, who visited the city. Do not hesitate to step inside and admire the artworks and statues of various Czech artists, as well as the oldest organ in Prague. Also, if you have the time and might, you can climb the bell towers’ 139 steps and enjoy the view of the Old Town Square. It is usually not crowded, as the entrance is quite stealthy and groups can visit only upon making appointments.

Suggested visit time: 45 minutes-1 hour
Open: Tuesday-Saturday 10.00-13.00 & 15.00-17.00, Sunday 10.00-12.00.
Cost: Free (donations optional).

 The know-it-all says: the church’s towers differ in height by one meter, with the taller one standing for Adam (or Man) and the shorter one for Eve (or Woman)!

The Golden Lane is probably Prague’s most picturesque street. A narrow alley hidden inside the citadel, with tiny houses that one could think were made for dolls, rather than soldiers that guarded the castle. Yet in these colorful houses lived 24 families that later gave their spot to goldsmiths, famous characters and alchemists. Legend has it that in this street people were greatly preoccupied with alchemies in order to find the precious elixir of life and the magic recipe that would turn any kind of metal into gold. Myths and stories might lead your imagination to another era, but this scene stops in our time, as the street has been turned into a commercial-tourist attraction, which you can enter only by purchasing a ticket! Finally, it is worth mentioning that apart from a few houses that display armors and the goldsmiths’ and alchemists’ objects, the rest are souvenir shops and toy stores. Choose to visit it after 5pm, when it is free of charge and less crowded.

Suggested visit time: 30-45 minutes
Open: Everyday 09.00-16.00.
Cost: Standard ticket 10-12€*, reduced ticket (children aged 6-16) 6.50€*. Free for children under the age of 6 and people with special needs. *prices refer to the full ticket for the citadel.

 The know-it-all says: Franz Kafka lived in the house on the Lane’s no.22!

It is the largest one out of three churches dedicated to Saint Nickolas. It is located in Mala Strana and it is visible from a lot of spots in the city. The wedding cake, as it is referred to by the locals (due to its color and structure) is an exemplar of baroque architecture, with its interior being rich with large statues, colorful murals and paintings. But what mostly impress the visitor, are its painted dome that reaches up to 70 meters and its pulpit with gilded cherubs. Even though it attracts lots of visitors, the church is clean and quiet. Visit in on an afternoon, if you would like to watch one of the concerts that are performed. Last but not least, brace yourselves and climb the 299 steps to admire a wonderful view of the city.

Suggested visit time: 1-2 hours
Open: Every day 09.00-16.00. Concerts: End of March to start of November: Wednesday-Monday at 18.00 (duration: 1 hour).
Cost: in 1787, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed on the church’s organ.

 The know-it-all says: the church’s towers differ in height by one meter, with the taller one standing for Adam (or Man) and the shorter one for Eve (or Woman)!

The Loreto or Loreta is one of Prague’s most beautiful monasteries, of high religious and architectural value. It is has been a place of pilgrimage since 1626, while the characteristics that make it stand out are its bright white color, along with the red roof, as well as its carillon. Inside you will see the prominent Prague Sun, the two saints’ remains with the wax masks and the crucified woman! The chapel is quite clean, while the absolute silence that prevails inside it is striking. In the monastery’s courtyard stands the famous Santa Casa (Holy House), one of the replicas of the house that is said to be the one Virgin Mary lived when Archangel Gabriel visited her. Try to be in time for the clock to start ringing, signaling the top of the hour with music in town.

Suggested visit time: 1 hour
Open: Everyday 09.00-16.00.
Cost: 50€ for adults, 3.00€ for children aged 6-16 (reduced), free for children under 6 and people with special needs.

 The know-it-all says: the prominent “Prague Sun” is made out of gold-plated silver and decorated with 6,222(!) diamonds!

Prague is known as the “City of Kafka”, as it was there that the renowned writer lived and thrived. The Franz Kafka Museum, that it is dedicated to Franz, displays parts of his life and literary work. It is divided in two parts, the existence part and the one of fictitious topography, and they are dark, in order to concur with the exhibition’s overall flow. Manuscripts, diaries, photographs and rich audiovisual material will help you see the city through Kafka’s eyes and get a glimpse of his life and way of thinking. What makes the exhibition even more impressive is the material’s 3D presentation. Furthermore, the big K monogram and the statues “peeing” its outdoor yard, play their own special role. Either you are a fan of literature or not, it’s certainly worth a visit, so you can take a look at the city from a different point of view.

Suggested visit time: 1-2 hours
Open: Everyday 10.00-18.00..
Cost: 8€ for adults, 4.5€ for children-elderly-people with special needs.

 The know-it-all says: in his will, Kafka asked of his dear friend Max Brod to destroy all of his works after his passing!

Kampa is one of the world’s most charming urban islands! It is a piece of land that was turned into an artificial island* in the 12th century, as the (devil’s) canal** was opened. It is said that Kampa’s first residents were craftsmen, who lived there so they could maintain and take care of Charles Bridge. Nowadays, the island is the ideal place to take a walk in and relax, as on it you will find a large park, a picturesque square and the Museum of Modern Art. You can go through it on foot or by bike, as well as by cruising around it, so you can admire the view of Prague’s “Little Venice”! The most popular way of getting there is through the steps at the end (to the castle’s side) of Charles Bridge.

* The goal was to facilitate the mills’ function.
**According to an urban legend, the canal owes its name to a woman that made a deal with the devil, while another version claims that it was named that way because of the fact that it is so narrow that the water flows through it “like the devil”.

Suggested visit time: 2-3 hours
Open: Always
Cost: Free

 The know-it-all says: scenes from the “Mission Impossible” movie were filmed on the island!

A part of Mala Strana that leads to the citadel from Charles Bridge is the famous Nerudova Street. It was named after the renowned Czech writer Jan Neruda, while it was also part of the route that the royal family used to follow, when getting from the castle to the city center and vice versa. Nowadays, the street is very commercial, with hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. Its most distinctive characteristics are the original house signs and the buildings’ subtle names. A smart way to get your mind off of the tiring ascent, is to play the game “Guess who?” who lived in each house, (according to their house signs). This game is a great pastime activity, especially for those of you travelling with children, so you can avoid all the nagging and whining! You should not just pass it by without taking some time to notice and appreciate it, especially when it is illuminated.

Suggested visit time: 2-3 hours
Open: Always
Cost: Free

 The know-it-all says: Jan Neruda lived in the house with the sign of the Two Suns (no.47)!

Right before passing the Powder Tower, you will be standing in front of the house of Black Madonna. It was named after the black/golden statue that bedecks the building’s right side and depicts the Virgin Mary with the Holy Infant. This was the first Cubist style building in all of Europe. . It is considered to be one of the special phenomena of the Czech cubist movement, as this style can be witnessed everywhere, from the architecture to the furniture and decorations. The first floor houses the famed Grand Café Orient, which was a hangout place for many artists of the time, while the rest of the floors host the Czech Museum of Cubism. Do not miss the chance to admire and photograph the exquisite twisting stairway (from the building’s top floor).

Suggested visit time: 1-2 hours (if you visit the museum and stay for some coffee)
Open: Tuesday-Sunday 10.00-18.30.
Cost: Standard ticket: 5,5€, reduced ticket: 3€.

 The know-it-all says: the Black Madonna, is one of the three that you can find in Prague!

Between the Loreto and Petrin Hill, you will find one of Prague’s oldest monasteries. The Strahov Monastery was built in 1140 and became known for its extensive library, which was divided in two halls, the Philosophical and the Theological. Their major characteristic is the elaborate ceilings with colorful murals, as well as the vast book collection. The monastery also hosts a collection of odd findings, with the dodo bird being the most important of them all. Because of the large tourist traffic, you cannot visit the library halls, unless you have made reservations; otherwise, you will have to squeeze from the narrow entryways for a photograph. A negative impression is caused by the staff, who are not at all willing to answer to any questions, as well as the fact that you have to pay extra for taking photographs, especially since entrance is not allowed in the most remarkable halls. So, if you would like to visit the monastery, it’s only worth it, if you have booked your tickets beforehand.

Suggested visit time: 1 hour
Open: Everyday 09.00-17.00 (closed 12.00-13.00)
Closed: December 25th, Easter Sunday and April 20th.
Cost: 4.00€ for adults; 2.00€ extra for photographs.

 The know-it-all says: the monastery’s book collection consists of 60,000 volumes!

The National Museum in Prague is housed in a neo-Renaissance building from the 19th century and contains collections whose origins range from the Paleolithic era to the present. It is consisted of a museum compound which is divided in five specialized sectors regarding natural history, the Asian, African and American cultures, Czech history and Czech music. Aside from the building’s impressive architecture, the museum leaves visitors somewhat indifferent and confused, as there is no sequence whatsoever in the way the exhibits are displayed, while many spots are in urgent need of some sort of renovation.* Furthermore, the staff can hardly speak any English, so they are almost of no help at all, even when it comes to providing some basic pieces of information. If there is one thing for which it’s worth visiting the museum, this would be the view of Wenceslas square from its main entrance.

Suggested visit time: 1-1.5 hours
Open: May-September: every day 10.00-18.00. October-April: everyday 09.00-17.00
Cost: Standard ticket: 4.5€, reduced ticket: 2€ (Free entrance until 1/1/2019)

 The know-it-all says: the museum’s collection sums up to 14,000,000 pieces!

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