5 days in Prague in June....what to see, what day trips to take?

One tip I always share with people heading to Prague is make sure you don't just stay around the tourist attractions. In Prague, just rounding a corner can take you away from the crowds and into the more "real" city. Prague is amazing -- and five days, in my opinion, is just about the perfect amount of time.

A few other ideas, in no particular order: trip to the top of Petrin Hill for some of the best views in Prague topped off with a picnic; a stop at the John Lennon wall in the park; have a sunset drink at the "floating bar" almost directly opposite the Castle (the sun goes down right behind the castle for some amazing effects); anyway, I could go on and on. The biggest sights will be listed in your RS book, but some of the best experiences you'll undoubtedly stumble upon once you're there. You're going to have a fabulous time.

My husband and I just got back 2 days ago from a trip that included 5 nights in Prague, and we took two day trips: one to Kutna Hora (mainly to see the ossuary and St. Barbara's Cathedral) and one to Plzen (mainly to see the Pilsner Urquell brewery and 3rd largest synagogue in the world).

We really enjoyed our trip to Kutna Hora (the ossuary is pretty creepy and the town is pretty cute) but our trip to Plzen was just so-so. The town seemed a bit scruffier and the 1.5 hour brewery tour was only marginally interesting to us (and we're beer drinkers!).

Other day trips we considered and researched in advance but didn't have time for were: Karlovy Vary (pictures online make this town look very charming), Karlstejn (to see the castle), Terezin, and Dresden (I have been to Dresden before and think we need to go back for at least an overnight).

Let me know if you'd like further information such as transportation suggestions, I'd be happy to help!

Be sure to visit the Jewish Quarter. Buy the ticket for all seven sights; the details are in RS book. A very, very moving experience.

Erin:

Prague is a great place to spend a few days. The big tourist sites, The Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and the like, will be crowded, but don't let that deter you.

We really enjoyed Kutna Hora as a day trip from Prague. Easy to get to by train and the cathedral and bone church were worth the journey.

I put together a blog post about Kutna Hora a few months ago if you'd like to check it out. It's at http://bit.ly/chAk96

Have fun and please let us know about your trip when you return.

Charlie

Whatever you do - DO NOT - do not - use Grayline of Prague. I don't recommend them at all - the owner is a cheat and fraud - even his own employees say he's very very greedy.

He tried to force me to pay for my day trip a 2nd time and told the tour guide/driver to leave me in Czesky Krumlov and not let me return with the tour. Fortunately the tour guide wouldn't do that. The tour guide told me the owner is very greedy. He was on the phone and tried to tell me I hadn't paid, even though I had a receipt, had confirmed a couple days before and was told I had paid. This owner tried to get me to tell him what hotel I was staying at, and threated to leave me.

I loved Prague otherwise - loved the Jewish area and cemetery, liked the Old Town Square. Go up to the tower and see the view - gorgeous of the old town area.

Thank you all for your suggestions!

A few other questions:

-Did anyone take any of the private walking tours? What company would you suggest? Which walk did you like the most?

-Any favorite museums, other than seeing the Castle?

-I've heard that a day trip to Cesky Krumlov would be too difficult-- has anyone tried there and back in one (long) day?

We're heading to Dresden after Prague, so I'd love your recommendations there as well!

Best,
Erin

Most your questions, if not all, are answered in a good guide book.

Edwin

Why point them to a generic guidebook?? Sounds a little brash, and possibly rude.

These types of questions are quite valid here. That's what Rick's site is all about, isn't it? Believe me, he gets plenty of fallout from people buying his books because they visited here. I've bought them myself, and his travel accessories.

If you don't want to help, fine. Just don't type anything..

I went on a day trip to Czesky Krumlov - as I mentioned DO NOT use Grayline of Prague if you go. Unfortunately I didn't realize except for a stop for lunch all we did was walk through the town and the castle - no other stop and not time to stop or any free time or anything.

I did take a boat trip in some of the canals-it was nice and different

Thanks for your intel about Cesky and the Gray Line-- I think we'll try a day trip to somewhere closer, rather than trying to get there and back in one day!

Also- I do have the Rick Steve's book- so thank you to those that suggested it-- I'm a great fan of his books. I also enjoy this forum to get personal opinions from people who have been to these places-- I find that I have tons of notes on guidebook suggestions when I return from trips, and am always happy to share them.

Thank you to those of you that have shared yours-- I really appreciate it!

Hi Erin,
The day trip to Cesky Krumlov is totally worth it, but since you only have 5 days you'll have to choose between the day trips, since there is so much to see in Prague. You can check www.idos.cz for connections. After CK, I would also highly recommend Kutna Hora (not only the bone church, but the city), and Karlovy Vary for a tasting of hot springs/spa waffles. Terezin is eye-opening as well, and only about an hour by bus.
I have to second the advice about Prague- take off the tourist blinders, get off the Golden Lane and see the less touristy sites like Petrin Park (it'll be in full bloom in June), Vysehrad Castle, Zizkov Tower, etc etc. Forget the walking tours and see the sites for yourself!
You'll love it!

Definitely go to Terezin if possible. It was very informative and the lady who gave us a tour of the grounds was kind and knowledgeable and spoke very good English.

The [Alphonse] Mucha Museum, while small, has always been one of my favorites to visit while in Prague. It's easy to locate and has a great trove of his Art Nouveau work. If you're interested in art, this is a must-see.

Thanks, Ashley! Mucha is actually one of my favorite artists so going to his museum is at the top of my list!

We were in the Czech Republic for 2 weeks in October 2009, one solid week in Prague. We stayed near Vysehrad and enjoyed the walks thru that area, both Dvorak and Smetana are buried at the cemetary in Vysehrad. Beautiful view of the Castle and the Vltava River from that area. Everything is easy to reach using their Prague Metro rail lines along with their street cars and buses, all one fare. Take the Metro from downtown to Vysehrad station (10 minutes) and walk 5 minutes and your there. Fare is 100 CZ per person per day.

Charles Bridge was under renovation in October, not sure if finished yet. Lots of churches offer music programs and most are willing to dicker on price the closer you get to the time of performance. ATM machines are very easy to use and in October the exchange rate was 17 CZ to 1 US Dollar.

Resturants do not serve a glass of water with your meal and if you order water they bring small bottle and charge twice the price of a glass of beer. Beer is excellent and roughly only $2.50 to $3.00 per glass.

My husband and I just returned from a two-week trip to Germany, Austria and Prague. Hotel Julian, mentioned in RS's book, is the place to stay in Prague. Beautiful hotel in the little quarter. Wonderful helpful front desk staff, especially Pavel. We booked a walking tour with Praguewalkers.com and we would highly recommend this tour. Took a day trip to Kutna Hora so we feel we got to know Prague and a small town in the Czech Republic.