Prague Travel Forum

Hello VTmates,
I'll be spending only 1.5 days in Prague. I plan to visit Old Town, New Town, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle.

If there's more time, I'm thinking of going to Karlstejn castle - can somebody tell what's the cheapest way to go to Karlstejn from Old Town? How far is this place? Are visitors allowed to go inside the castle?

If you have suggestions on other better places to visit given my limited time, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!!

Details of tours and individual travel here:

http://www.myczechrepublic.com/prague/sightseeing/day_trips.html

Takes 45 minutes by train (links on page above), then 40 minutes walk.

Info here:

http://www.myczechrepublic.com/regions/karlstejn.html

and everything you need to know about castle tours/entrance etc here (in English):

http://www.hradkarlstejn.cz/en/

Personally, I'd spend the 1.5 days in Prague.

Go for daytrips next time you are there: there is too much to see to take out a big chunk of time visiting elsewhere.

I agree 1 1/2 days will be fine just spent in Prague, so much to enjoy.

Don't forget to look up! Every building seems to be held up by muscled supermen or buxom beautiful ladies. An absolute riot of the Art Nouveau and other frivolous styles which contrast so much with the odd bit of Communist art.

Here is one I posted earlier:

There's a lovely walk you can from Obecni Dum, a lovely Art nouveau building, the café inside is gorgeous. From there, follow Celetna to Staromestske nam, one of Europe's most fantastic square, have a good wander about, the Tyn chruch, the couryard behing and the maze of streets around, etc. nice atmosphere in the many cafes there (if you're lucky enough not to be sitting next to a bunch of staggers braying like demented donkeys, but you should spot them ).
Then proceed via Karlova (lively street) onto Charles Bridge, then onto the Mala Strana and the gorgeous Na Kampe and kampa island areas. Take a boat, it's a lovely thing to do in the evenign, could be cold mind (my recommendations are based on my visiting Prague in June/July).
Repeat same operation for a nice passaggiata every evening with the necessary variations.

Do all the landmarks, make sure you do the fantastic walk through Petrin hill, start walking down Narodni, walk across bridge Most Legii, then funicular up Petrin Hill, to the Strahov Monastery, the whole walk is absolutely marvellous. Up there (Strahovska Zarhada), take your time, the panoramic view over Prague is breathtaking. Shame about the main restaurant there on the terrace, an absolutely ghastly experience, very dear (for Prague), abysmal service, dire food, the epitome of a tourist trap (and I duly fell for it, so taken as I was by the view), probably Prague's most unpleasant restaurant (unless it's changed since 3 yrs ago -but I doubt it as it's always been bad). But do have a drink there, exceptional vista.
Then walk down Uvoz and Nerudova streets to the heart of Mala Strana. Half-way down Nerudova, turn left to get to the Castle are, via lovely lanes, it is impossibly romantic and peaceful, visit the castle and St Vitus cathedral, and come out at the other end via Stare Zamecke Schody, again the views there are spectacular, lots of souvenir stalls. Then turn left onto Valdstejnska, go downhill, there are some hanging gardens there, the whole area is lovely to wander about, at Malostranska nam, go into Mikulas chruch. The whole walk should take you one day.

The following days, explore every nook and cranny of the Mala Strana (inc. the wonderful churches), and the back streets of Stare Mesto, it is so rewarding, the Josefov area, the Michalska area, the many great museums (Mucha, etc.), you can easily fill 4 days there.