Ah, how can I describe Prague?
It’s one city in Europe I would want to go back to again and again. It was early spring in 2012 when I spent four days in this city of a thousand spires, and even now, I can’t forget how wonderful it was to walk on its ancient streets.
The 600-year-old Prague Astronomical Clock.
Prague is highly touristy, of course, and it can be very expensive to stay in good hotels there. However, backpackers like me always find a way to cut down on costs. I stayed with a Couchsurfing host in Žižkov, the place to be for those who love the nightlife.
Those who prefer to stay in hostels can go online to search for inexpensive places to stay in Prague; there are places which are walking distance only to the Old Town Square, a steal at only 15 euros per day! (Search here: Hostelworld Prague)
Lovely (and old) buildings in the Old Town Square.
There are so many things you can do in Prague; here are 10 things you can do there, according to Time magazine.
However, I remember just spending most of my days just walking around, sitting in the Old Town Square with other people, content to just bask in the sun, eat, talk, and mostly watch life unfolding before me.
Even though I didn’t have a fixed itinerary (when did I ever have one?), I never had a dull moment, as there was always a lot of things to see. There were hordes of tourists taking pictures of each other, street musicians playing their instrument of choice, and vendors selling all sorts of food stuff that I would have been glad to sample, if I were not so conscious of my budget. (Read: How to Travel Cheaply in Europe)
Street musicians in the Old Town Square.
The Old Town Square is indeed very picturesque. It’s just how I imagined Europe would look like. I could easily spend days there just admiring its historic buildings, the clean lines of the spires contrasting so well with the relatively modern buildings around the square.
One of the most distinctive structures in the Old Town Square is the Church of Our Lady of Tyn. It’s said to be in Gothic style, and if you were historically (or scientifically) minded, you can visit the remains of Tycho Brahe inside the church. You’d definitely find it hard to believe that you would be standing in the same room as one of the most influential astronomers of all time!
The Church of Our Lady of Tyn dating back to the 14th century.
The Church of Our Lady of Tyn (left) and the Prague Astronomical Clock.
The Prague Astronomical Clock is the most well-known attraction in the Old Town Square. Aside from its historical significance (the clock itself shows an astronomical dial which dates back to early 1400s), it looks pretty amazing too. Tourists await the hourly coming out of moving figures of the clock, representing the Apostles and other symbols, including Death.
The Clock (or Orloj) celebrated its 600th anniversary in 2010. Watch the 600th anniversary show (video below), it’s fantastic!
The 600 Years from the macula on Vimeo.
I can imagine the Old Town Square teeming with people now, all vying to capture every bit of the charm of this small part of Praha. I only spent a few short days there, but it was more than enough for me to be grateful to be alive, to have had the chance to see how beautiful the world can be.
Happy to be in the Old Town Square in Prague.
Someday, somehow, I’ll be back in Prague, and I’ll greet the Old Town Square then like an old friend we are. We may not see each other for a long time, but I will definitely remember my memories there, and I will savor them until I get the chance to visit again.
Have you ever been to Prague? Would you want to go?
Aleah Taboclaon is a location independent writer, editor, and the travel blogger behind Solitary Wanderer. She's partial to slow travel, and prefers extreme adventures like hiking and caving over sightseeing. She likes running (completed one marathon, training for the next!), diving (PADI open water diver), and traveling with her Kindle. Follow her on Instagram and Pinterest!
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42 Comments. Leave new
@ Leslie: Go go go hehe
@ Food Scout: Hi Jill! Yeah, it’s really lovely there!
So lovely!!!
I wanna go there soon!!! 🙂
..cool Aleah! I want to go N-O-W!! haha
@ Dennis: You’re not alone. Want to go back there too!
@ Cathy: I would like to see it in Christmastime too. I’ve been hearing a lot about its Christmas markets!
Like you, I did a lot of walking around in Prague. It was fun to explore some areas outside of the main tourist spots while I was roaming around. As nice as it would be to have places like this all to ourselves, it’s easy to see why so many tourists want to go there. I was there in winter and loved the Christmas markets. Would be great to experience Prague in the spring, too.
Prague got me smitten too! IMHO, it’s got the prettiest Old Town I’ve seen in Europe. Thank God even though it went through the dark years of Communist rule, the buildings, castles and churches were left intact.
Your great photos just reminded me how I wanna go back there!
@ Freya: Thanks! I was also there in early April. Lovely weather!
@ Jackie: Yeah, Europe is love when it comes to old and well-preserved buildings.
Oh my, what a great tour you gave us with this post! I am amazed at how much the tall, slender and ornately topped buildings remind me of those in Amsterdam. Beautiful photos.
I visited Prague a few years ago in April. I was so lucky cause the whole week it was beautiful sunny weather. I really loved Prague, it’s a beautiful city. Great photos.
@ Lisa Wood: Prague is beautiful any time of the year, but I love it best during spring. Not so many tourists and the weather is perfect.
@ Pramod: Thanks for dropping by. Yeah, I enjoyed myself a lot there!
You surely had a great time there @Aleah ! The images are beautiful and i’m gonna search for more images on Google …Thanks for sharing your experiences with us 🙂
-Pramod
I can’t say that I have been to Prague, but it sure does look pretty in springtime.
The clock is huge, and goes back in time {pun intended} to a lot of history.
The old town square sure looks like it would hold a lot of fun times.
@ Rhonda: I hope there won’t be too many people come September. It’d still be beautiful even with a crowd though. Enjoy Praha!
@ Jennifer: Yeah, I was told Prague is magical during winter because of its Christmas markets. I can easily imagine how beautiful it would be.
I’ve been to Prague a few times and the clock and Tyn Church are my favorites in the Old Town. They also have a great Christmas market if you go during the holidays!
Such gorgeous buildings and that clock is amazing! Can’t wait to see it in person come September!
@ Sky: I wish I’d studied about architectural styles before I went to Europe. So many wonderful structures there!
@ Gelo: 4 days was definitely too short huhuhu Next time I want to spend a month!!!
4 days in prague? fantastic, aleah!
i’m almost speechless while reading this post and looking at your photos. those gothic churches and other structures with spires are enticing! i want to gooooo! like right now! hahaha!
Wow, The Gothic style is very obvious on that Our Lady of Tyn Church, I have penchant of old churches with great architectural designs. Check ang Czech sa list!
@ Jan: They really take care of their cultural heritage there. I love the way I travel; I don’t really subscribe to the idea that I must see everything in one place to make my trip worthwhile. Just being there is enough for me!
@ Mica: You’re already there, just a few hours away by plane. Why not visit? Am so envious! haha
Love the photos! Very sunny! 😀 Hay, so near yet so far peg ko kay Prague ngayon lol
I can’t believe that clock is 600 years old and still in such good order. I can see why tourists flock to Prague – why wouldn’t they.
I like your travel style where you just sat and soaked up the atmosphere, and your budget ethos. I love that.
@ Lisa: I’m sure your kids would love Prague!
@ Laurie: Thanks for dropping by, Laurie. It was the perfect time when I went. I’ll make sure to go back in the next few years, maybe during early summer or autumn.
Hi Aleah,
I loved Prague! But we were there in October, and it was cold and snowy and wet. And, the Charles bridge was half closed down for repairs! Even so, the beauty of the city was obvious. I would love to go back in the summer or late spring, and see the city in bloom.
Stay true to you,
Laurie
Beautiful photos – it looks like you had ideal weather for your visit! I have been wanting to visit Prague for so long – I have to make it happen in the next couple of years.
@ Nancie: I remember being so envious of you when you stayed a month there. I would love to go back!
@ Ed: I’m sure you can easily get a visa, if you have a working visa in Dubai. Excited for you 🙂
sarap tumambay dyan! tambay and seeing street performers!
I wish to visit many places in Europe once I’m settled here sa Dubai. 🙂
Great shots of the town square, and brings back great memories for me. Last year this time, I had just returned from a month there, and loved every moment!
@ Muza-chan: Thanks!
@ Marcia: It’s a lovely place to just sit around and do nothing. haha
Old Town Prague does look enchanting. I’d definitely want to go back. I’m also fascinated by the astro clock.
Great photos 🙂
@ Michelle: I’m sure you and your kids would enjoy Prague! They would like to run around in the Old Town Square too. Such a lovely place.
@ Marisol: Agree, agree. Prague is <3!
Hi Aleah, I don’t normally like hanging around highly touristy areas but the Old Town Square is one place that I can’t get tired of. Your photos are lovely; they captured the charm of the square. Prague is just so magical. Like you, it’s a place I can go back again and again. I’ve already been twice and I still can’tget enough of its magic.
I’ve never been to Prague, but I think I could also just sit in the Old Town Square and absorb my surroundings, especially that cool Astronomical Clock.
@ Sophie: Prague is being beautiful year round, but I agree, it must look magical during Christmas!
@ Salika Jay: Lovely bridges, lovely spires. That’s Praha!
Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. I’m quite fascinated about their bridges. Beautiful photos!
My favourite time in Prague was actually in December, it was freezing cold, but a very fairy-tale atmosphere with the Christmas market in front of Tyn.
@ Lisa: Love old cities too! That’s why I would really want to go back to Europe. So many unexplored countries, so little time.
@ Mary: I’m glad to have been there during spring. As you can see in my photos, it wasn’t not so crowded. I have lots of backlogs too, have to finish my Europe posts this year otherwise I may not be able to do them anymore.
We were just in Prague last month and absolutely loved it. It is such a photogenic city. We hung out at the Old Town Square a lot too and it was crowded. The energy and activity around there was so infectious though. My kids loved watching the clock. Thanks for bringing me back and reminding me I need to hurry up with my posts.
Haven’t been to Prague, but would love to go. Thanks for the tour! I love the history of old cities like Prague. Beautiful shots, too.
@ Noel: I love springtime in Europe. Still the best season for me to visit there. I’ll come join you next week. 🙂
@ Red: You’re so right. The desire to tick off everything in your itinerary can sacrifice “absorbing” what a place is like.
Some places were just born to hang out in, weren’t they?!?! Sometimes us travellers place too much emphasis on ‘sightseeing’ at the expense of ‘experiencing’, ‘absorbing’ and ‘being’!
Looks like a great time to be there, the skies are so blue. I love seeing old plazas and details of the local architecture.
I’m inviting you to join us for Travel Photo MOndays, the link is up all week long, come and link up with us.