Prague Things to Do Tips by sue_stone

Rudolfinum Rudolfinum Review

The Rudolfinum is a magnificent neo-Renaissance building housing the Dvorak Concert Hall. It is located close to the river, near Manesuv Most.

The Hall is the home base for the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, and what a spectacular home it is! We had the great fortune of see the Orchestra perform here one afternoon and were impressed with these outstanding musicians.

If you want to see a concert here you can pre-book via the website and collect your tickets prior to the show. We booked some of the best seats on offer and the cost was only a few pounds each.

Although the concert was on at 3pm, the spectators were all very well dressed….except for us two in our jeans…we had run out of time to get changed before we went to the show. Oh well, they still let us in!

Address: Palackeho square, Alšovo nábřeži 12

Directions: Nearest metro: Staromestska

Other Contact: tickets@cfmail.cz

Phone: (+420) 227 059 227

Dancing Building/House (Tancici Dum) Dancing House Review

Built between 1992-1996 for an insurance company, the Dancing Building (or House) is crazy looking, and appears somewhat out of place amongst the usual Prague architecture.

The building is nick-named Fred and Ginger, as it looks like two people dancing…and it really does! Hopefully my photo does it justice. Besides housing offices, it is home to one of Prague's top restaurants.

It was one of the things I really wanted to see on our visit so made sure we squeezed in a trip to this part of town.

Address: Rasinovo nabrezi 80. New Town, Prague 2

Directions: Located close to the river

Nearest metro: Karlovo Namesti

Website: http://www.columbia.edu/~beecher/prague/Dancing_House/

Male Namesti Old Town Review

Male Namesti is a cute triangular square located just off the Old Town Square. There is a mix of Gothic houses and Renaissance 'sgraffito' facades to see here.

The square is surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants. In the centre there are tables were you can relax with a beer or a snack and do some serious people watching.

Another interesting thing to see is the ornate wrought-iron well/fountain in the centre of the square, which double as a plague memorial.

You may also notice a few shiny convertible cars parked in the square. These are used for sightseeing tours around the city. I must admit I was tempted to go for a tour in the little red Skoda (see extra photos)!

Address: Just off the Old Town Square

Directions: Nearest metro: Staromestska

Municipal House (Obecni Dum) Municipal House Review

Municipal House (Obecni Dum)

Municipal House is an Art Nouveau gem located in the Old Town. The facade is pretty impressive and we were equally awed by most of the interior as well, which was completed around 1911.

These days it is home to the Prague Symphony Orchestra, who perform in the biggest concert hall in town, Smetana Hall. You will also find exhibition halls, shops, an 'American' bar and three restaurants.

We had breakfast one day in the more relaxed Kavarna Obecni Dum, located on the ground floor - you can see in from the street. The food was nothing special, but the café is spectacular - lots of marble, big mirrors and those chandeliers!! At least stick your head in and have a look.

Address: Obecni dum, Namesti Republiky

Directions: Nearest metro: Námesti Republiky

Other Contact: info@obecni-dum.cz

Phone: +420/222 002 101

Website: http://www.obecni-dum.cz/

Wenceslas Square (Vaclavske Namesti) Wenceslas Square Review

Wenceslas Square is not so much a square...more a wide street, lined with shops and restaurants.

The best part of the square for me was the National Museum that sits at the top of the square. Pop your head in the door to see the impressive marble staircase.

You will also come across the Communist Memorial, found in front of the St Wenceslas Statue, and also the impressive Art Nouveau building of the Hotel Evropa.

Although not the grand square I was imagining, there are some interesting things to see lining the square (including a department store with clean toilets!!) and some good shopping to be had, in particular a 5 story shoe shop!

Address: Vaclavske namesti

Directions: Nearest metro: Muzeum or Mustek

Website: http://www.pragueexperience.com/places.asp?PlaceID=605

Church of our Lady before Tyn Church of Our Lady before Tyn Review

The Church of our Lady before Tyn is an impressive Gothic cathedral. It is located in the Old Town Square, its towers looming dramatically above the smaller buildings.

The church is Prague's most important gothic sanctuary and is a very impressive sight - even more so at night when it is flood lit. I kept dragging Alex back in the evenings....trying to get the perfect photo.

The two prominent spires are not symmetrical...apparently they represent both the feminine and masculine sides of the world.

Address: Staromestske Namesti 14 (In the Old Town Square)

Directions: Nearest metro: Staromestska or Namesti Republiky

Website: http://www.discoverczech.com/prague/old-town-square.php4

Old Town Square (Staromestske Namesti) Old-Town Square Review

Just when I thought I had seen some of the most beautiful squares in Europe I saw Prague's Old Town Square and had to re-adjust my 'Top 10 Favourite Squares' list!

The heart of the city, this is a large and lively square surrounded by fabulous buildings and lined with cafes. The perfect place for people watching...though keep and eye out for pick pockets.

The buildings surrounding the square include the Old Town Hall, with it's Astronomical Clock; the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn; St Nicholas Church; and Kinsky Palace which contains an excellent collection of graphic art from the middle ages till today.

We spent quite a bit of time here, at various times of day, enjoying the way the look of the buildings changed with the light.

Address: Staromestske namesti

Directions: Heart of Old Town

Nearest metro: Staromestska or Namesti Republiky

Website: http://www.pragueexperience.com/places.asp?PlaceID=594

Golden Lane Golden Lane Review

The Golden Lane is narrow street located within the castle complex. Here you will see some small, colourful, crooked cottages that were built into the castle wall in the 16th century.

They were home to goldsmiths, hence the name of the street. Having their business located at the castle helped them to avoid paying 'guild dues' in town.

Today the cottages are filled with shops to tempt us tourists.

Address: In Prague Castle grounds

Directions: Nearest metro: Malostranska or Hradcanska

Website: http://www.hrad.cz

St Vitus’s Cathedral St Vitus's Cathedral Review

My favourite part of our visit to Prague's castle was St Vitus’s Cathedral. This magnificent gothic cathedral is one of the prominent landmarks in Prague - you can see its main towers from across the city. It is the largest cathedral in the Czech Republic.

Inside you can see the impressive High Alter and some pretty impressive painted glass windows. There is also the Chapel of St Wenceslas and the silver tomb of St John of Nepomuk.

The outside is what captivated me so much...spectacular...and the subject of a large number of photos!

Address: Prague Castle grounds

Directions: Nearest metro: Malostranska or Hradcanska

Website: http://www.hrad.cz

Prague Castle Castle Review

Prague's castle sits upon a hill, grandly looking over the city. It is the main draw card for visitors (besides the beer!!) and is a must see on anyone's itinerary.

The entrance to the castle is via the beautiful Hradcanske Square which is lined with fabulous baroque and renaissance houses.

We paid a visit to the castle first thing one morning, trying to beat the crowds...it wasn't too crowded, but still plenty of tour groups around.

There are several attractions located with the castle grounds. You can buy different priced tickets depending on which attractions you wish to visit, though it is free to enter the castle grounds - there are plenty of photo opportunities here without having to pay a cent. If you do get a ticket to enter the palace, for example, you will have to pay extra if you wish to take photos inside.

We enjoyed a look around the Royal Palace and St Georges Convent. The views from the castle over Prague are pretty special too.

Address: Prazsky hrad

Directions: Nearest metro: Malostranska or Hradcanska

Website: http://www.hrad.cz