Planning a trip to Prague, the City of a Hundred Spires and capital of a small country in the heart of Europe? Are you one of those thoroughly prepared tourists who make a detailed itinerary ahead of their journey and follow it closely during their holiday? Or rather are you one of those travellers who also plan their programme beforehand but then let themselves be carried away by chance?
Whether you belong to either of these groups, I believe that the following tips might come in handy.
I consider myself to be somewhere in between these two categories. I like to read about places of interest in the given destination and other travellers’ recommendations before the journey but once there, I also enjoy discovering interesting places by chance and with the help of the locals.
Being a Praguer born and bred, I would like to share with you the must-see lookout points in our beautiful city.
Vyšehrad Castle
Vyšehrad castle surrounded by medieval ramparts owes its charm not only to its location, being built directly on a rock overlooking the Vltava River, but also to its intriguing history, playing a key role in several Czech legends.
Vyšehrad is a must-see and a walk along the castle walls offers breathtaking views of the city and the river. You might even be lured by one of the boats in the small port bellow and let yourself be carried away on water.
The best time for a visit is just after lunch, when the sun is shining high – just find a comfy spot on the ramparts and savour the view of the sparkling river snaking through the city.
Prague Metronome
The metronome located in the park Letenské sady – a green oasis and a perfect summer chill-out place for all age categories – is also called the Pendulum or Stalin. It replaced Stalin’s memorial from the communist era, which might be the principal reason why the Pendulum has become a popular venue for music shows, theatre performances and other cultural events organised by independent artists.
It is a truly magical place, with an exceptional view of the whole of Prague – seriously – you can see the Old Town, Charles Bridge, National Theatre, Petřín, Žižkov TV Tower as well as all the other Prague towers and spires.
Our recommendation: plan your trip after the sunset. The entire city with all the lights on will lie open before you – a genuinely inspirational experience is guaranteed.
Riegrovy sady Park
The park located in the very heart of Žižkov, a part of Prague 3, also known as the “most rebellious” Prague quarter is the perfect place to chill out for a bit in a beer garden and watch the sunset.
The best view is from the meadow next to the popular beer garden and the main access path with benches. The meadow is on a moderate hill, so you will feel as in a cinema, where the film is produced by nature itself. This view of the hundred-spired Prague bathed in the sun is simply breathtaking.
In summer, there is no need to leave after the end of the show as the park turns into a lively festival of people sitting on blankets and enjoying a picnic or a refreshing drink.