PRAGUE, A VIBRANT CITY TO FALL IN LOVE IN
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting visitors with its unique architecture, stunning panoramas and unconventional atmosphere. It is conveniently located in the heart of Europe, making this beautiful city an ideal base for visitors as they explore the rest of Europe.
With plenty of landmarks to see and visit, Prague is not only beautiful, but is one of the most romantic cities in Europe. The cobbled stone streets, breath taking views, and inspiring architecture create an atmosphere were you can fall in love again, share experiences, and create wonderful memories with your partner; and that is why I went there.
ABOUT PRAGUE
Praha, in Czech, lies at the heart of Europe, it is one of the continent’s finest cities and the major economic and cultural centre for the country. The city has a rich architectural heritage that reflects both the uncertain currents of history in Bohemia and modern life extending back more than a 1,000 years.
During World War II, Prague suffered very little damage and destruction than the rest of European cities, demonstrating one of the best preserved European architecture from the past centuries. The downtown city center is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site, a designation of cultural significance for the world.
THINGS TO SEE IN PRAGUE
When you arrive to Prague you quickly feel that the atmosphere taking you century back in time, due to its preserved architecture. Walking close, holding hands towards the center takes you to the heart of the town where you can admire some beauty.
Old Town Square
From the early hours, the square is teeming with life and full of crowds. Lined with cobblestones, the Old Town Square is a must-see, which gives you an overview of the Czech architecture. Sit down take a coffee and take it all in. Enjoy the view and have those meaningful conversations you need.
You will find seven different types here : Gothic, Renaissance, Romanesque, Baroque/Rococo, Neo and Revival, Secession, and Art Nouveau. The square’s centre is also home to a statue of religious reformer Jan Hus, who was burned at the stake for his beliefs. The statue known as the Jan Hus Memorial was erected on 6 July 1915 to mark the 500th anniversary of his death.
Astronomical Clock
After a coffee, walk around and take a look at the the Baroque church of St. Nicholas (built between 1732-1737 on the site of a gothic church from the 13th century which was also dedicated to the saint) and the impeding gothic Church of our Lady, which has been the main church of this part of the city since the 14th century.
But a must see and great place to take pictures with your love, is by Prague’s Astronomical clock, which is mounted on the southern wall of the Old Town Hall. The clock’s mechanisms has three main components that tell you position of the sun and the moon in the sky. Every hour, you will find crowds building up next to it awaiting to see the “The Walk of the Apostles”. I recommend you go about 20 minutes past the hour to take cute couple picture under the clock.
Charles Bridge
Make your way to the Charles Bridge. Despite the swarming of tourist, as a couple we took a stroll on the bridge. The energetic atmosphere, along with artists and performers, creates a vibe where you can marvel the medieval structure. You will find 30, mostly barque, statues and statuaries situated on the balustrade forming a unique connection with the underlying Gothic bridge.
I recommend an early sunrise stroll to get make the moment more intimate. There is also plenty of spots to take very unique photos together making the impressive castle a backdrop. And on both ends of the bridge you can find more landmarks, but notably on the east side of the bridge you will find Charles IV Monument, the Old Town Bridge Town, Church of St. Francis of Assisi, and the Church of St. Salvator.
You can find lot of shops nearby along with a with the Charles Bridge Museum. It is worth taking a look to learn the history of the bridge and its construction. Walking this bridge in the evening is also worth doing to add a little bit of romance.
Prague Castle
From the bridge you make continue your walk towards the ancient symbol of the Czech State, the most significant monument and one of the most important cultural institutions in the Czech Republic, the Prague Castle. A UNESCO World Heritage site, large scale composition of palaces with various architectural styles from different epochs, it is largest coherent castle complex in the world, with an area of almost 70,000 m².
In this complex you can see a Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane, and St George’s Basilica to name a few, but the most important temple in Prague is the St. Vitus Cathedral. Apart from the religious services, coronations of Czech kings and queens have also taken place here. There are several patron saints, sovereigns, noblemen, and archbishops, that buried here.
Dancing House
A place you can also stop by that tends to stand out introducing modern architectural to the historical city, is the Dance House. This unusual structure symbolizes the arrival of democracy to Bohemia in the late 1980s. Believe it or not this building is somewhat controversial due to it standing among the Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau buildings it is surrounded by.
Go upstairs to the Glass Bar and take a break. Grab yourself a cocktail and enjoy the views from above. As you sip into your drink, you can enjoy the rooftop terrace that overlooks the Prague Castle and National Theatre as you reminisce about the day you are having. Guaranteed to bring you closer with your travel partner.
Romantic River Boat Tour
The Vltava River splits this marvelous city in two. It is the longest river in the Czech Republic and has 18 bridges that are used to cross it. Taking a boat ride in the evening will guarantee a stunning panoramic view of the city.
Not only will you get to see the castle and go under Charles Bridge, you will also pass plenty of other attractions and find out all there is to know about this beautiful city. In the one boat we took, it offered a limited selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Go Out and Dance
After all the site seeing and walking, it isn’t time to call it quits. Getting dressed up and heading out to the many cocktail bars, restaurants, and clubs Prague has to offer is the best place to finish the day. I am more of a Old Fashion kind of guy, while she is more of a Mojito type of gal, but regardless of what your poison is, bartenders in this city can really concoct a great drink.
This historical city has plenty of things going on that you can find yourself having a cocktail in a lounge to eventually dancing in a 1950s themed dance club. Yes that is what happened. Don’t stick to just one place. Just go out and dance!
OVERALL
This city will be one of my favorites I ever visited. To see everything, I would say a visitor would need 1-2 weeks to capture it all. Personally, I don’t recommend that. Go for a weekend with that special someone, you would enjoy Prague and what it offers, and a weekend will give you a reason to go back and fall in love all over again.
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