Ever since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Prague has become one of the most popular traveling destinations in Europe. Ranked in the top ten most visited European cities, Prague is a mixture modern architecture, Renaissance and incredible landscapes. You’ll love the traditional food which blends perfectly with Czech beer, the hospitality of the locals and the many museums that hold an important piece of history. If you need a reason for a cheap break in Prague, here are ten of them.
1. Prague Castle
Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records: 570 meters long and 130 meters wide. It is the residence of the president, but that does not prevent tourists from visiting the 60 buildings, churches and palaces that make up this incredible castle, which looks like a city in its own, since you need a few good hours to see everything. Dalibor Tower has an interesting story. It is said that it was named after a prisoner who was locked in the basement and got a violin that saved his life. He played so beautifully, that people gathered to listen to him and threw him food. If you’re looking for some excitement, make sure you find the balcony where Hitler gave a speech after World War II.
Image via Conference Contact
2. Astronomical Clock
This astonishing piece of machinery still attracts an incredible number of tourists, who gather around it amazed. Legend has it that the clock was build by a wise man, who also destroyed it before he died, as a revenge for being blinded by the authorities immediately after finishing his work, so that he would never reveal the mechanism. The clock had such a mechanism that it wasn’t function for almost a century. What tourists see is actually two clocks: the first indicates the hours, months, seasons and signs and the second shows the days of the year and national holidays. The game played by the figurines around it is what makes this clock truly incredible. Pride (a man in the mirror), Greed (a Jew who keeps close to his chest a bag of money), Death (a skeleton holding an hourglass and a bell) and Lust (symbolized by a pagan man). A great piece of history in open air for which you don’t have to pay to see. That is the meaning of a cheap break in Prague.
Image via Lost in a Supermarket
3. The National Theatre
The National Theatre is an impressive neo-Renaissance building, established between 1868 and 1881 with donations from Czech citizens. The theatre first opened its doors on November 18th, 1883 while launching the famous “Libuše de Smetana”, which represents the devotion and union of the Czech people. During a fire in 1883, both inside and outside of the theatre suffered major damages, but all of it was restored in the same year. Today, the National Theatre consists of three artistic performances: opera, ballet and theater. Their repertoire includes not only classical artistic works, but also more modern one.
Image via Wikimapia
4. Dancing House
We continue with another wonderful sight, which is part of our cheap break in Prague ideas. Also known as “Fred & Ginger”, after Ginger Rogers and Fred Astair, because it looks like two bodies hugging and dancing, the Dancing House was built between 1994 and 1996, based on the idea of the architect Frank Gehry, who is also the author of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa, Spain. The dancing house is actually an office building, but nevertheless, you can visit the French restaurant on the roof, where you can admire the Vltava River and Prague Castle.
Image via The Photo Mag
5. Zoo
Troja is one of the biggest zoos in Europe, wide a wide variety of animals, transforming a normal visit into an unforgettable experience. Here the animals are not kept in cages, but rather live in nature. Look for the “Do not miss’ signs, where you will find a program with all of the important events taking place in the zoo throughout the day. One of the most popular places is Planet of the Apes and Indonesian Jungle where you can see the flora and fauna of the jungle or you can play with the lemurs. Another area that the kids will surely love, is Children’s Zoo, especially created for kids who want to play with domestic animals: rabbits, sheep, pigs, ponies, chickens, ducks and geese.
Image via Deviant Art
6. Jewish Town
Dracula, Loch Ness Monster, Headless Horseman or Frankenstein. Add the Golem, Prague’s very own monster who was brought to life by Rabbi Judah Loew, to perform various tasks for his master. Named after the emperor Josef II, whose reforms helped the Hebrew to improve their living conditions in Prague, Jewish town still holds the remains of ancient Hebrew ghetto. During the Second World War many Jews died and those who survived were forced to leave the country by the communists. There are lots of legends about mysterious Golem and the spirit of Franz Kafka.
Image via Eu Rail
7. Beer Spa
One of the most famous aspects of the Czech Republic is the beer, which is highly appreciated by the locals. Czechs not only drink beer, but have started to use it is spas as well, meaning that beer can impress your taste buds and reinvigorate your body at the same time. Growing hops is an important tradition in the Czech Republic, which goes back several centuries ago, and Czech companies firmly believe that their beer is undoubtedly the best beer in the world.
Image via My Destination
8. Bohemian crystal
Bohemian crystal is a decorative glass made in the Czech Republic and is used a wide range of objects, from jewelry to tableware and all sorts of decorative pieces. Czechs have kept the secular tradition in the production of crystal art objects, despite a period of 50 years marked by communism. In the Czech Republic there is a typical product for the glass industry: crystal chandeliers and they are they represent a real tradition.
Image via Bohemia
9. Christmas in Prague
Prague has a truly memorable atmosphere during Christmas. Great fairs, concerts hosted in churches and other locations. At the fair, you can test a glass of wine while watching traditional craftsmen demonstrating their trades. Christmas fairs are held not only in the famous Old Town Square, but also various smaller markets celebrate Christmas in the same manner, transforming Prague into one huge Christmas celebration.
Image via Go East Europe
10. Cartouche Restaurant
Take a trip back in time to the Middle Ages. Cartouche restaurant situated in the Old Town of Prague, offers dinner at a table made of solid oak, while enjoying the best dishes of a medieval feast in the romantic atmosphere of slightly obscure cellars. Lit only by candles and decorated with armors and swords, this restaurant will bring romance to the table. If you are lucky, you can catch one of their with live music and entertainment moments, which complements the medieval spirit.
Image via Travel Out There
Have you ever been to Prague? Got any great budget trip ideas to share with the rest of the world? If not, what other top tourist destinations around Europe can you recommend for cheap traveling? Let us know about your experiences in the comment section!
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