Travel information on Prague hotels, Prague restaurants and more information for travellers. Read on to decide if Prague really is the boozy beerfest of urban legend or romantic city of spires?

Maire Bonheim found there’s more to Prague than stag nights and spiky buildings.

Prague Travel Information

Prague, the Czech Republic’s golden city, has a rich and varied past. It’s spent years dominated by Hitler’s Germany and then decades by communist Russia, and while this has left it scarred (although luckily most of its beautiful buildings are still intact) it has also lent a richness and interest to its personality, food and architecture. At the same time, it holds a character and fascination that is all its own - the skyline is decidedly Eastern European, a sea of green and gold spires.

When you arrive at the airport, don’t be tempted to hire a taxi. You can buy a three-day transport pass for about £4 – that covers all trams, undergrounds, the funicular railway and even easily-labelled buses that regularly shuttle passengers from the airport to the tube lines and back.

If you’ve never been before and you’re not entirely sure where to head, you can’t amble far without stumbling over a fun and cheap tour to help you get your bearings. The boat cruises are fantastic for mapping out all the major landmarks and even offer free Czech beer, music and costumed sailors with the ride. But for a more showy display, take a ride in a vintage red convertible. You’ll get a guided tour of the picturesque old town at the same time as dodging in between the traffic in an adrenaline-fuelled city chase – plus to complete the celebrity experience, tourists will snap pictures of you as you leave them in the dust.

City Guide Prague - Travel Information: What to Do When You Arrive

Alternatively, first-timers would do well to head immediately to Charles Bridge. It’s bang in the centre of the city, connecting the two historic sides of the Vltava River bank, and you can’t miss it – just follow the crowds! Straddling the river, the bridge is lined with beautiful statues and craftsmen selling jewellery, paintings and more – make sure you get a caricature done by one of the artists on the bridge.

While you’re here, don’t miss your chance to touch the noble statue of St. John Nepomuk – he’s the one with the halo of stars. The sculpted form is now entirely black and green, except for two perfectly polished golden spots – but make sure you touch the spot on the right, as it’s this one that brings you good luck.

From the bridge you can see the whole city, its four main suburbs and its major landmarks enfold like a giant tourist map. On the one side of the bridge is the Stare Mesto (the Old Town) and behind it the Nove Mesto (the New Town).

For advice on the best Prague hotels, Prague restaurants & Prague drinking dens, as well as where to party in Prague, click here 

To view a Prague photo gallery, click here