Do you need ideas for a special New Year this year?
How about a plane ticket to Prague! It’s THE perfect destination for a romantic long weekend and a magical New Year’s Eve.
We tried it out last year, as we didn’t have my husband’s children with us, and frankly, I was pleasantly surprised! A mix of traditional and contemporary, from the architecture to the gastronomy, it’s all there to make you fall under the spell of this European capital!
Without further ado, here are my tried and tested accommodation and restaurant tips to help you make the most of Prague 🙂
What you need to know before you leave
- To get the most out of the capital, plan on 5 days and bring warm clothes, because if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see the city under the snow! (It adds a little magic!).
- From Nantes airport, allow two hours for the Volotea flight to Prague (there is no time difference).
- A passport is not required; a simple identity card is enough for this capital.
- The local currency in Prague is the Czech crown (100 CZK = €4). Plan to change only around €10 at the airport to pay for the bus, then change in the city center – here are some reliable exchange offices:
- The Exchange exchange office, conveniently located at number 2 Franz Kafka Square, near Old Town Square. This exchange office charges no commission and the exchange rate is updated daily according to the Czech National Bank rate. The entrance on Kaprova Street is for locals wishing to exchange Czech crowns for foreign currency.
- The Huspak chain of exchange bureaus, also trusted. It offers up-to-date exchange rates.
- Getting from the airport to the city center: there’s a good way to get there – by bus! I recommend the following two lines, which will take you to metro lines A & B (you can buy tickets at the kiosks in the halls of Terminals 1 & 2 [32 CZK for 90 min] or directly from the driver [40 CZK]):
- bus route n°100 – Terminal 1 – Terminal 2 – ZLIČÍN (Metro B connection) – journey time 15 min.
- bus route n°119 – Terminal 1 – Terminal 2 – Divoká Šárka – DEJVICKÁ (Metro A connection) – journey time 20 min
Good housing plan
We found a really great value apartment on Booking. It’s one of the residences in the Apartements Happy Days in Prague chain.
The great thing is that it’s a mini studio, with a kitchen! Ideal and very economical! So you can prepare your own breakfasts and some dinners after a day exploring the city from top to bottom 🙂 (from 42 euros per night). What’s more, our apartment was very well located ! Admittedly a little out of the way of the historic city center, but close to a bus stop and a metro station, which made it very easy to reach the city’s tourist attractions. I’d definitely recommend taking advantage of the city’s neighborhoods, which are just as worth a visit for their architecture and colorful facades.
Discover seductive Prague
The atmosphere of Christmas is always magical, but covered in a thick blanket of snow, Prague becomes the stage for a world of enchantment from Advent to New Year’s Eve.
We took advantage of our first evening to stroll through the old town. After changing our money, we were delighted to see the Christmas market on Old Town Square. One of the most famous in Europe, it’s also Prague’s largest Christmas market. In addition to the traditional chalets, there are concerts every day. At night, the gigantic Christmas tree lights up with thousands of lights – a very special moment!
At the start of this article, I mentioned 5 days to fully enjoy the city. It’s also the time to admire Prague’s various Christmas markets. All over the city, from the main squares to the castle courtyard, you’ll be able to sample local specialties such as the famous “trdelník”, a pastry topped with hot sugar, or the famous Czech beers: Pilsner Urquell, Budvar and Staropramen.
On the second day, we got up early to visit Prague Castle, a must-see tourist attraction! Allow a good morning to visit the main monuments (and count on waiting and searching at the entrance). To buy your tickets (230 CZK per ticket), I recommend picking them up in a small store located after the excavations, opposite the entrance to the Golden Lane. There’s very little waiting compared with other sales outlets. We took the smaller of the two options on offer, but it was more than enough (including entrance to the Golden Lane and the Cathedral).
Built in the 9th century, it is considered to be the largest medieval castle in the world and one of the most important monuments in the Czech Republic.
Far from the image one might have of fortified medieval castles, Prague Castle is made up of sumptuous palaces, a cathedral and other majestic buildings, linked by picturesque little streets. During the Christmas and New Year period, the château also hosts a Christmas market! Ideal for a drink and a snack on the go.
My favorites of the morning:
- Saint-Georges Basilica and Convent : Romanesque in style, I really appreciated its simplicity and clean lines, far removed from the churches we’re used to seeing elsewhere.
- St. Vitus Cathedral : rich in history, this monument is truly the symbol of Prague and the entire Czech Republic. I was captivated by the resolutely contemporary stained-glass windows at the entrance.
- the Ruelle d’Or : one of the most welcoming spots inside the castle walls. Originally, these pretty little colorful houses were inhabited by goldsmiths (hence the name of the alley), today occupied by craft stores. It’s very Instagrammable and reminded me of rue Crémieux in Paris!
After this visit, we head for a great little address in the castle district: the“Vegan’s” restaurant. Perfect for warming up and getting your strength back.
Once you’ve climbed the few steps into the restaurant, you’ll immediately fall under the spell of the setting! Take your time to savor the starters and main courses. Personally, we skipped the desserts, the better to indulge in the afternoon in the alleys offering sweet local specialties! I highly recommend the soups and the veggie burger, which are full of flavor. The choice of teas is also top-notch to accompany your meal.
We then finished the day with a stroll along Charles Bridge and its romantic alleyways.
On the way back to our apartment, we stopped off at Republic Square, náměstí Republiky. After a glass of mulled wine at the Christmas market on the square, we went shopping in the magnificent “PALLADIUM” shopping mall, whose facade respects the architecture and character of Prague. The interior is very modern and there are almost 200 stores and restaurants on five levels :). In particular, I fell in love with TopShop!!!
On the third day, we headed east of Prague to the Zizkov district, home to the Zizkov Tower and the old Jewish cemetery.
This tower is the most unusual building in Prague. Many dislike it, as it seems like a wart against the city’s beautiful architecture.
Surprisingly, I love it 🙂 Its very “science fiction” look reminds me of old 80s movies with vintage sets! In any case, today it remains one of Europe’s most impressive modern buildings, alongside London’s Shard and Berlin’s Fernsehturm. It was designed by architect Václav Aulický. On this tower, as strange as it is improbable, faceless babies by Czech artist David Cerny normally crawl on the pillars. At the time of our visit, they were being restored.
The tower houses transmitters for television, radio, mobile telephony and the weather observatory. Its measurements are breathtaking: it is 216 metres high and weighs 11,800 tonnes. Its size and hilltop position make it visible from absolutely every corner of Prague.
We didn’t want to climb to the top of the tower, as other free viewpoints offer equally beautiful panoramas.
At the foot of the hill, we went to the old Jewish cemetery, with its very special atmosphere. It’s like something out of an old Michael Jackson video, with its sloping tombs superimposed and tangled in a totally anarchic fashion, but incredibly beautiful! The number of headstones is estimated at 12,000, but the actual number of graves is probably higher. In fact, as the Jews were not in the habit of removing old graves, and as the land was very limited, the deceased were buried one on top of the other.
After this stroll, stop off at Prague’s Central Station before heading back to the city center. This historic station is well worth the detour for an impromptu photo shoot! The architecture is incredible and magnificent!
Before continuing our hike, we stop off at a vegan restaurant that will become our canteen! It’s called“Maitrea” (make sure you book in advance, as it’s often fully booked).
The decor is exotic and zen (especially the basement room), and the dishes are excellent, very tasty and with original textures. Their teas are rare and so good! We want more 🙂
After this gourmet break, we head for Kampa Island, which is located in the Malá Strana district, just below Charles Bridge. It is bordered by the Vltava river and the Čertovka stream.
In fine weather, the area is very peaceful and perfect for a bucolic stroll.
On the island, there are two nice things to visit:
- Moulin du Grand Prieur
Originally, many women came to wash their clothes on this island. Kampa Island was famous for its mills. These turned quickly thanks to the current of the Čertovka stream. Today, the Grand Prieur Mill and its 8-meter-diameter wheels have been restored.
- John Lennon’s Wall
This wall represents peaceful protest against the communist regime. On this wall, phrases were written, then erased, before others reappeared just as quickly. A symbol of youth since the 1980s, today it is the focus of tributes in the form of graffiti. It’s the perfect spot for some street art photography, and you’re welcome to leave a comment!
Finally, you can head for the Kampa Museum.
Located on the banks of the Vlatava River in Kampa Park, the museum brings together several exhibition spaces and collections that are a real treat for contemporary art lovers. It was born of the desire of a Czech couple living in the United States, the Mlaneks, to bring together works by Central European artists persecuted by the Communist regime: ” If culture resists, the nation resists “.
For the evening of December 31, we again chose to dine in a vegan restaurant offering a very interesting all-you-can-eat buffet. We then headed for a bridge to catch a glimpse of the fireworks. In the center, around the river, numerous fireworks compete with the official one fired by the town hall. During this popular evening, everyone buys their firecrackers and shoots off their fireworks in the streets! From 9:00 p.m. onwards, you can hear detonations in the town, and from midnight onwards, it never stops! The atmosphere is really good-natured, there are no barriers and no sense of insecurity – it’s crazy compared to France. Just beware of firecrackers and glass bottles thrown high to celebrate the New Year 🙂
The day after New Year’s Eve, after a good lie-in, we set off to explore Kinsky Park. It’s a beautiful park, ideal for a romantic stroll in the hills above Prague. Start by climbing to the top (an hour’s walk). At the top, you can admire the Carpathian Church of St. Michael. This small wooden Orthodox church is atypical and has an undeniable charm. Afterwards, take a break at the Kinsky Gardens.
After a descent of the park that whetted our appetites, we stopped off at a cat bar! It’s the first time for me, as I’ve never found the time to go to one in Nantes, even though I love cats 🙂
The place is just too cute. The cats only come if they feel like it, the aim is not to force them. They are the masters of the place 🙂 Personally, I loved the morello cherry grog, the homemade soup and the huge slice of chocolate cake!
We end the day with a stop in front of the “Dancing House” on the right bank of the Vltava River. This is the nickname given to theNationale-Nederlanden building, an office block in central Prague. The joint work of Croatian-born Czech architect Vlado Milunić and American-Canadian architect Frank Gehry, construction began in 1994 and was completed in 1996.
With a little imagination, you can see 2 people dancing 🙂
The next day is our last day in Prague! I’ve warned you that there are loads of things to see and do in this capital city 🙂
We get up at dawn to be among the first to visit the Clementinum (Klementinum). I advise you to pick up your tickets the day before, otherwise you may not be able to take the tour.
This place is crazy, it’s like being in an episode of Harry Potter 🙂 Tours start every day at 10 a.m., and take place every half-hour. They last around 45 minutes and are accompanied by a guide.
What you’ll see on the tour:
- Astronomical Tower: 68 m high. It offers a magnificent view of central Prague and houses an exhibition of old measuring instruments and information on the history of the tower. To reach the tower, take the elevator to the 3rd floor, then climb 87 steps to reach the gallery.
- The Baroque library is adorned with magnificent frescoes on the theme of science and the arts. It houses a collection of theological works in various languages, as well as several valuable antique globes.
- The Meridian Room is located on the 2nd floor of the tower. This unique room was once used to determine the precise time of noon. The walls of the Meridian Room contain period astronomical equipment.
Once the tour was over, we crossed Charles Bridge one last time towards the courtyard of the Franz Kafka Museum, to smile at the rather provocative sculpture of two men urinating “men who piss”, created by Czech artist David Černý.
We also passed Vinarna Certovka, the city’s narrowest street. Traffic lights have been installed for pedestrians!
To round off our stay in style, we took advantage of the gift offered by my Amore: a beer spa! It’s a very original idea that I really recommend trying out, even if you’re not a beer lover 🙂 The place is very clean and the hostess puts you in a room that she locks for the duration of your spa (about an hour and a half). You start with a bubble bath with hops (very good for the skin!) During your bath, you can help yourself to as much beer as you like🙂 (choice of two beers). Finally, you can relax on the straw bed. At the end of the spa, you leave with a gift of beer. Very cool!
With all these photos, I hope I’ve inspired you to travel abroad for the New Year. Don’t hesitate to ask me any questions you may have, and I’ll see you soon for new articles 🙂 The London city guide is coming soon – stay tuned! 🙂
