Prague had really turned on the welcome party since I arrived. Beautiful weather and to die for experiences all wrapped up in years of history. So before I booked the next train out of town I had to get up and see the jewel in the crown of Prague so to speak, Prague Castle.
I had been dieing to get here ever since I saw it on my tour, but there just hadn’t been enough hours in the day until now. Crossing Charles Bridge and navigating up to the castle is easier said than done. A map would have been handy, but when you can see your target high up above you its just a matter of heading in that direction. Of course with a map I would have avoided the steep stairs and not been out of breath to see this.
Once inside the castle walls its easy to see why this place is one the largest castles in the world. Making my way through the gates I wandered around and found St. Vitus Cathedral. Standing tall and proud in the middle of the complex it was just as amazing as St Barbara’s Church I saw in Kutna Hora. Noticing the lack of people saying I needed to pay to enter I jumped the entry rope and snuck in.
I love big old cathedrals and this one didn’t disappoint. With its many statues, stained glass windows of all shapes and sizes, right up to the big old organ that I wished just once someone would play while I was around.
Leaving the cathedral I looped out to the gardens that line the castle walls so I could take in a view looking back at Prague. Up to this point I’d been snapping all my photos looking this way so to finally look back from high above was well worth the effort to get here.
Not wanting to leave the castle just yet (could have spent all day sitting in the gardens) I stopped and grabbed a beer at a little bar near the entrance I wish I had walked up. Beer in one hand and the view out over Prague before me, I was finding it difficult to bring myself to want to leave this city. What was originally planned as a one night stop over had turned into 3 days of excitement and dreams of coming back to live.
Unfortunately beer doesn’t last forever, so once it was empty I headed back to the Old Town Square so I could catch a viewing of the Astronomical Clock show. While waiting for the clocks performance I allowed myself to feast on yet another Trdelník. I had been consuming these in proportions that cannot be healthy but I couldn’t resist, they are so tasty.
To make them they take some dough, wrap it around a wooden stick and cook it up over a low flame. Then the finally treatment is a good old roll around in sugar. Seriously how could you say no to that?
The clock show is as you would expect, 3-4 minutes of looking up while some figures move about. It’s worth seeing if your there but don’t be upset if you miss it.
With just my plan to watch the castle light up as the day ended to go, I killed the last couple of daylight hours by re-tracing some of my steps from previous days for extra photos opportunities. Eventually my path lead me back to Charles Bridge with enough time to grab a good spot to watch the castle light up.
While enjoy the view of the castle, I also became acting photographer for couples who wanted to remember the moment they both stopped by Prague. It was rather fun, and a great way to end my final night in Prague. Tomorrow I was off to another country but not the one I had originally planned to see.
Brings back great memories of my trips to Prague. I never stay longer enough to see everything and I know I’ll return again and again.
Andrea I really had a lot of fun but next time I’m factoring in more time to explore for sure.
Prague is so beautiful! I didn’t get to go inside the castle last time I was there so maybe I will next time! 🙂
Annie I would love to go inside the buildings next time. Pretty sure you could spend an entire day just exploring the castle and still not see it all.
Beer doesn’t laugh forever, you sir gave me the first laugh of the day!
I’ll assume you meant beer doesn’t LAST forever Ayngelina 🙂 If it did last forever I’d never have to keep going back to the fridge all the time. Of course then I need to work out how to keep it cold wouldn’t I…
I just stumbled upon your travel post from another travel blog and your lovely post just makes me reminisce about my past 3 months in Prague. I lived and studied there this past fall, and its such a magical city to wander. Oh I miss the cheap beers and Trdelník so much.
Hi Rocio. I’m jealous you got to live and study there, how long were you there for?
The Trdelnik are awesome, if I could only find them somewhere in London.
for 3 months — Sept. to mid December. Fall is amazing there to say the least.
I am totally a sucker for cathedrals… and beer. You had me at hello. 😉
haha Erica. I love the big old cathedrals, something really cool about them. And beer well that’s just self explanatory really.
Mate I love Prague, yet have only visited on a ‘city break’ type trip when I was with my ex. Absolutely loved it though, would love to g back as a backpacker.
Ahh Matt you’ll have to go back and spend a bit longer. I wish I had of stayed longer now but hey you can always go back right.
Yeah I agree, definitely wouldn’t be disappointed if you missed the astronomical clock. We waited 40 mins due to the huge crowd that was standing staring up at it but were a little disappointed. This is the only time I was disappointed there though. Prague is definitely one of my favourite cities in the world so far with some of the best little bars that you’ll ever found. We ended up in a guys back garden and he poured us the beer he made in his house cellar! Tasted brilliant! Great write up on it mate, Prague is a must see for backpackers!
Garreth I was standing there watching the clock do its thing and was like, oh is that it.
haha love your work on crashing a guys backyard too. Given the weather I had while there that would have been awesome as my hostel was lacking in places to enjoy the sun and beer at the same time.
Sigh, I still haven’t been to Prague. Looks awesome! I could totally go for that beer and weird circle pastry right now, too 🙂
Make you a deal Brooke, come with me next time I visit and I’ll buy the first beer or 3 🙂
Your post has really made me nostalgic:) I must say, of all the places I’ve been to and highly recommend in Europe, Prague is definitely my favourite and the Prague Castle is definely worth visiting again. There is such a unique atmosphere there and impossible not to get into it 8-> Thank you for posting this!
This is a beautiful Cathedral. The Gothic architecture is fascinating, but haunting…
Best,
Chuck
Well when we travel time seems not enough always. If only possible we want to stay longer and enjoy the places we visit longer even if we are already longer. Ha! Ha! I hope you got what I mean. I am sorry for my bad English.
Hi there Aussie Nomad, I’m booking my ticket to go back to Prague. I’ll probably fly out of Brisbane in a day or so.
I lived in Prague for a couple of years when I had a Czech girlfriend. I loved it, I lived in Zizkov P3. Prague is called little Paris by many that go there and I’d have to agree.
The food is awesome and in large quantities, the girls are fine and the history is amazing. I’m looking for a hostel or couch to crash on for a couple of days. So where are you at today? Jake
Enjoy Prague Jake. I had a good time there and had I not been booked into such a party hostel could have stayed longer for sure.
I’m in London at the moment and looking forward to a summer of travels.