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Recently, someone from our travel blogging group asked which city is the best to explore on a short visit to Europe.
While answers were varied, there was one city mentioned by everyone: Prague.
True, not all European cities are cast in the same mold, but others possess certain characteristics and unique charms that make anyone who has visited it long to visit again. That’s Praha for you.
I stayed there less than a week–mostly just walking along the Jewish Quarter, sitting by the fountain in the Old Town Square, and drinking in the pubs of Žižkov–but this historic city has left a lasting impression on me that’s difficult to forget.
If you’re visiting Prague soon, you can certainly ‘Czech off’ a few of the usual highlights: gallons of superior Bohemian pilsner, a hyper-efficient Metro system (I love their Metro stations!), and an old town, complete with an atmospheric castle, cobbled streets, and rustic rooftops.
However, there are also a lot of places to visit in Prague, including some checking out some quirky things to see and do there. As you make your way around the city, look out for these unique attractions.
The beautiful Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square.
The Astronomical Clock
Dating back to the 15th century, this intricate timepiece on the side of the city hall still keeps perfect time.
Every hour, on the hour, a crowd gathers around the clock as the decorative figures surrounding its face come to life, and if knowing the hour isn’t enough, the clock’s face also shows ancient Babylonian time, the phases of the moon and the position of the sun.
Located in the Old Town Square, it’s a definite must to see this beautiful work of art.
Cerny’s crawling babies on the Žižkov TV Tower.
David Černý’s Sculptures
It’s quite possible you’ll encounter one of David Černý’s sardonic sculptures when visiting Prague’s most famous sights; the Czech artist has left his mark all over the city.
Admire the convoy of metallic alien babies crawling up the legs of the Žižkov TV Tower, giggle at the upside down horse in Lucerna Passage, or strain your eyes looking for the figure of Sigmund Freud dangling from a steel bar in the Stare Mesto.
His twisted sensibility is sure to evoke at least a wry smile of appreciation.
Cerny’s peeing statues are outside the Kafka Museum.
If you want to take a Kafka tour of Prague, you will also find one of Černý’s work outside the Kafka Museum, that of two statues peeing on a map of Czech Republic. Pretty cool.
Vyšehrad Cemetery
Escape the crowds of tourists and explore this alternative, beautiful collection of monuments to some of the Czech Republic’s most famous citizens.
It is not just a bunch of crumbling tombstones; some of the grave sites in Vyšehrad are true works of art, adorned with art nouveau sculptures from the likes of Ladislav Šaloun.
John Lennon Wall
Street art lovers should also check out this stretch of wall, a canvas for the artistic outpourings of a disenfranchised Czech youth of the late 1980s. Today, it’s covered in a rainbow scrawl of graffiti.
While the original image of John Lennon’s face has been lost under layers of paint, the messages of love and peace that it represents endure.
Charles Bridge from a distance.
Prague is unlike any other European city, and it wears its rich history and artistic highlights on its streets and buildings with pride. Make sure when you visit, you take the time to notice its more subversive charms in order to better appreciate the bigger picture that it offers the world.
For more things to do in the city, check out the 10 Best Attractions to See in Prague. You can also see a lot of Prague in 24 hours. Spending longer time in the Czech Republic? Make sure to go on a day trip from Prague, as well!
Have you been to Prague? What did you like best about the city?
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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9 Comments. Leave new
What a great post! I loved Prague so much! Was there during Christmas and New Years last year and it was unforgettable. There is no where like it! Glad to see you enjoyed it as well 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
My family is planing to have (only) a day trip to Prague. What are the best places to see? I would really appreciate your recomendation. Thanks!
Hi Aleah, thank you very much for your nice post about Prague. I am very happy that you visited our capital and what is more, that you like it :). I hope you will have a chance to visit some other towns in our country in the future!
Statues of climbing babies and peeing dudes … things I would have never thought about seeing in Prague. Thanks for showing them off…
Wow, what’s up with Prague? It’s like all of my blogging friends have gravitated there at once, Aleah! Gosh…those two guys sure to have full bladders. I would love the history there in general. That’s a shame that the original image of Lennon can’t be seen. That aside, what an incredible city to visit! 🙂
I totally agree, Prague is such a beautiful city! I loved it’s old town charm. I enjoyed walking back and forth on the Charles Bridge and just hanging out in the Old Town Square.
I love Prague. Wish I can stay longer there when I return to Europe.
Have not been and want to badly. I’m dying to walk the cobblestoned paths and admire the incredible architecture. Maybe take in the scene at the pub while sipping some brew. I’m dreaming again.
A photographer like you would really love it. Prague is such a beautiful city! Not even the crowds dimmed its attraction for me.