Prague holidays

• Prague’s Old Town Square is everything you want it to be, from its cobblestone streets winding along arched doorways to its Gothic spires piercing the skyline. Listen to chimes filling the air as the famous Astronomical Clock marks time. Every hour a figure of death rings his bell and the 12 apostles parade past two little windows above him. Ascend the Old Town Hall Tower for a stunning view of postcard-pretty buildings snuggled up together and standout structures like the Powder Tower and Church of Our Lady Before Tyn flaunting their beauty.
• A day in Lesser Town usually consists of a scenic walk, a scan of the graffiti-plastered John Lennon Wall, and a visit to the Kafka Museum. The area’s other main attraction is Petrin Lookout Tower, which looks like a small version of the Eiffel Tower placed atop a leafy hill. Ride the funicular up Petrin Hill and climb the tower’s wooden stairs to take in sweeping views of Prague. Continue your idyllic day by navigating a mirror maze and ambling around walled gardens in Petrin Park. Nearby, Prague Castle watches over you from its perch.
• The Castle District is (unsurprisingly) where you’ll find Prague Castle teeming with fairytale turrets, mysterious streets and gloriously hideous gargoyles. Peek around Golden Lane, where stories say 16th Century alchemists tried to uncover the secret to eternal life. Find the window Ferdinand II’s representatives were flung out of during a 17th Century defenestration that some believe started the Thirty Years’ War. Then see an art nouveau stained-glass window light up with vivid colours as the sun shines through St Vitus Cathedral. From the 9th Century to today, these immense grounds have been added to, lived in and altered. Stories wait behind every heavy door and glinting window.
• The Jewish Quarter is a peaceful area home to the popular Jewish Museum. Respectfully make your way around five preserved synagogues and stand in the Old Jewish Cemetery. Expect moving memorials and enlightening exhibits as you learn about the lives of Jewish people in Prague over hundreds of years. Look out for a statue commemorating Franz Kafka, who was born in the Jewish Quarter, at the entrance.
• Over in New Town, the Naplavka riverbank is lined with floating restaurants bobbing on the water, little cafes filling with live music and farmers markets overflowing with local produce. Wander over to the area’s most famous landmark, Wenceslas Square, and pop your head into art deco arcades before spending a few hours at the National Museum or National Theatre. Don’t forget to check out Dancing House Prague. Czechia’s capital might be brimming with Gothic and Baroque architecture but there are a few modern show-offs also vying for attention – and this eye-catching building loves to take the lead.

1. Charles Bridge is much more than a convenient crossing point. The monument, lined on each side with imposing Baroque statues and ornate gas lamps, is meant to be admired. Rise early to tread on its weathered stones before the crowds arrive and bask in the low sun on a dreamy stroll. Find yourself stopping every few steps to take everything in and make sure to touch the base of St John of Nepomuk’s statue for good luck as you pass.

2. Prague’s skyline is populated with towers offering unique perspectives of the city. The tallest structure, Zizkov Tower, stands out as a brutalist building resembling a rocket ship. The tower was once used to block TV signals but today it boasts a panoramic observation deck and is climbed by giant statues of faceless babies. So yes, it’s definitely unique. The babies are part of a series by out-there artist David Cerny, whose sculptures can be found stopping people in their tracks around the city.

3. In case you didn’t know, ‘pivo’ (beer) is a pretty big deal in Prague. So much so that you can literally soak in a tub of the stuff at a spa. The social aspect of savouring a foaming pilsner draws locals and visitors alike to the city’s many hospodas (pubs) and the cheap prices are a bonus. Want a drink with a view? Visit Letna Park’s beer garden and wrap your hands around a cold glass of bubbling pivo as the city wraps itself around you. For an historic surrounding, pull up a wooden bench at Strahov Monastery Brewery. Then, when the sun goes away but you want to go out, follow the throngs of revellers heading to iconic Klub 007 Strahov.

4. Plan your visit for December and experience the magic of Prague’s Christmas markets. Follow the scent of sweet cinnamon to Old Town Square, where strings of warm lights cast a festive glow on the cobblestones. Stare up at a tinkling Christmas tree as the sound of carollers soars through the crisp winter air. Keep warm with a steaming cup of hot mead and a hearty slice of Prague ham as you browse for gifts to place beneath your tree back home. Prague holidays in December are truly enchanting.

Plenty of our Prague hotels are ideally located for weekend breaks in the city centre. Luxury boutique Cosmopolitan is a stunning option set in a 19th Century townhouse in Old Town. Step inside and be wowed by the marble lobby and Swarovski crystal decorations. If you’re looking for a cheap hotel in Prague, Hotel Duo promises a comfortable stay in a laid-back district with good connections to the city centre.

Visiting in December? Stay close to the magic of Prague’s Christmas markets at Grand Hotel Bohemia. Situated next to the Gothic Powder Tower, this luxury boutique is a short walk from the city’s largest Christmas market in Old Town Square. Some rooms even have views of Prague Castle and Old Town, so you can see the city lit up with festive cheer from your window. Alternatively, stay at luxurious Andaz Prague in the city’s former Sugar Palace building. This grand hotel is very close to the Christmas markets in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square.

Another enchanting option is Lindner Hotel Prague Castle which is located in the grounds of UNESCO-protected Strahov Monastery. The monastery sits on top of a hill with panoramic views of Prague Castle and the surrounding city. Stay here for a truly romantic December holiday.