---

After our few days in Italy, we took a quick hop over to the Czech Republic for a few days in Prague. The city had long been on my travel wishlist, especially during the Christmas season, when its markets are often called some of the most magical in Europe. But once we arrived, it quickly became clear that Prague’s appeal goes far beyond the holiday festivities.

There is an ease to this city that invites you to slow down and wander. Baroque facades line the streets, history seems to unfold around every corner, and there’s a quiet energy that makes you content to simply explore without a plan. Prague feels like a place where you don’t need to rush toward landmarks — the beauty finds you as you go.

One of the best ways we found to experience the city was aboard Historic Tram 42. Part transportation, part moving museum, the tram loops through many of Prague’s most iconic neighborhoods and landmarks. Riding it felt like stepping into the rhythm of the city itself, making it both a practical and meaningful way to explore.

We didn’t see everything there was, and we didn’t try to. Prague is easy to explore, easy to wander, and easy to feel like you’ve stepped into a story — one that’s still being written as you move through it.

1. Lesser Town
   1. Strahov monastery
   2. Petrin Tower
   3. Shopping District
2. Vltava River & Charles Bridge
3. Old Town
   1. Old Town Hall & Astronomical Clock
   2. Old Town Square
4. Jewish Quarter
   1. Pinkas Synagogue
   2. Jewish Cemetery
5. Wenceslas Square

---

Lesser Town

The area of Prague known as Lesser Town is anything but lesser. When it was first established in the 13th century, this district served as the royal town, intentionally kept subordinate to the castle above it. Its name—Lesser Town, or Malá Strana, meaning “small side”—reflects both its size and its purpose. Separated from the bustling Old Town, which was the center of trade and commerce, Lesser Town was designed to be quieter and more refined. Even today, as you wander its streets, the influence of the nobility who once lived here is unmistakable, woven into the architecture and the atmosphere itself.

Strahov monastery

Our exploration of Lesser Town began at Strahov Monastery. Founded in 1143, this Premonstratensian abbey has watched over Prague for centuries. The Baroque basilica on the grounds is striking in its beauty, and the interior is just as captivating. Pale pink walls are offset by dark, dramatic details, while a multitude of frescoes stretch across the ceiling, drawing your eyes upward in quiet awe.

The monastery’s library is world-famous for its stunning halls, though unfortunately it was closed during our visit. Even so, Strahov offers more than books—its historic brewery and winery, both operating for centuries, are a reminder that this has long been a place of both devotion and daily life.

We followed the path toward the back of the grounds, where we were met with one of the most beautiful views in the city. From this vantage point, Prague unfolded below us, a city of spires with St. Vitus Cathedral rising prominently above it all.

Petrin Tower

From below, we could see Petřín Tower rising above the hill in the distance. Resembling a smaller version of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the tower was built in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition. Since then, it has become one of Prague’s most recognizable landmarks.

Each year, thousands of visitors make their way up the hill and climb the tower for sweeping views of the city below. From the top, Prague stretches out in every direction—its red rooftops, winding river, and countless spires reminding you just how beautifully layered this city truly is.

Shopping District

Our favorite part of Lesser Town was wandering down the narrow streets, peering into the windows of the unique shops. Each storefront offered a glimpse into the things that make Prague special.

The smell of fresh-baked gingerbread filled the air with warm spices, and displays of crystal, woodwork, and intricately crafted marionettes tempted us to linger. Rows of detailed puppets lined the marionette shops, each inviting visitors into a little story of creativity and whimsy.

For lunch, we stopped at U Sedmi Švábů, a medieval tavern–themed restaurant serving traditional Czech fare. We found a seat at one of the long tables, warmed by the glowing coals in the grate, and enjoyed hearty dishes in a lively, atmospheric setting that felt like stepping back in time.

---

Vltava River & Charles Bridge

Running through Prague is the beautiful Vltava River, the longest river in the Czech Republic and one deeply tied to the nation’s identity. Historically, the river served as a natural divide between the nobility and royals of Lesser Town and the working-class merchants and tradespeople of the Old Town. Today, the Vltava feels far more unifying, offering visitors scenic boat tours and lively riverbanks filled with restaurants, walks, and entertainment.

Even more famous than the river itself is the pedestrian bridge that spans it: Charles Bridge. This stunning example of Gothic architecture stretches across the water, lined with 30 Baroque statues that quietly watch over those who cross. From the bridge, visitors are treated to beautiful views of the river below and the historic neighborhoods rising on either side.

Construction of Charles Bridge began in 1357 under the commission of King Charles IV and was not completed until the early 15th century. For centuries, it served as the coronation route for kings, who would cross the bridge to greet the people upon taking the throne.

From its completion until the 1840s, Charles Bridge was the only crossing over the Vltava River. Today, walking across it remains one of the most iconic and memorable experiences of visiting Prague, connecting past and present with every step.

---

Old Town

In contrast to the slower-paced, nobility-led atmosphere of Lesser Town, Prague’s Old Town has long been the city’s lively trade hub. This was where the majority of the population lived and worked, creating an energy all its own, separate from the world of royals and castles. Merchants, craftsmen, and traders filled these streets, shaping the everyday rhythm of the city.

That spirit is still felt today. Old Town remains the bustling heart of Prague, full of movement, gathering places, and layers of history unfolding at every turn.

Old Town Hall & Astronomical Clock

One of Prague’s most iconic stops is the Old Town Hall, where visitors gather to watch the movement of the incredible medieval Astronomical Clock. This clock is a remarkable blend of craftsmanship, beauty, and practicality. It tracks the position of the sun and the moon, marks the passing of the months, and draws crowds each hour as a procession of apostles passes by the small windows while a skeletal figure of Death strikes the time.

After admiring the building and clock from below, it was time to head up the tower for an entirely different perspective of Old Town. We purchased our tickets and queued for the elevator, which carries visitors to the first landing. From there, we followed the winding path around the tower, climbing higher as the views slowly opened up. For an additional cost, there is an elevator that goes all the way to the top. One of the cleverest details was the stoplight system for the spiral staircase, signaling when it was safe for people to go up or down.

Old Town Square

Old Town is beautiful to wander through, taking in the buildings and winding streets at ground level. But to truly appreciate its scale and character, you have to see it from above. The views from the top of the Old Town Hall tower are incredible, offering a perspective that instantly explains why Prague is often called the City of a Thousand Spires.

We joined the slow-moving line of visitors making their way along the narrow ledge that wraps around the tower. With only iron railings separating you from the open air below, there are strict rules about securing loose items before stepping out, a small but necessary reminder of just how high you are.

We walked along each side of the tower, and with every turn around a corner, the view seemed to reveal something new. Red rooftops, church spires, and the steady rhythm of the city stretched out in every direction. Prague truly is beautiful from any angle, but seeing it from above makes it unforgettable.

---

Jewish Quarter

Part of Prague’s Old Town includes Josefov, the city’s historic Jewish Quarter. Though small in size, this area carries centuries of layered history. Jewish life in Prague can be traced back to the 10th century, but over time the community was confined to this neighborhood, surrounded by walls and restricted from the rest of the city. What became known as the Jewish Ghetto was often overcrowded and impoverished, yet it also developed a strong cultural and spiritual life of its own.

In the 19th century, the area underwent significant changes. Under the influence of Josef II and later revitalized by a wealthy Jewish financier serving as Minister of Finance, parts of the ghetto were improved and modernized, and the neighborhood took on the name Josefov in his honor. Despite these changes, much of the quarter remained closely tied to its past, with synagogues, cemeteries, and narrow streets preserving the memory of generations who lived, worshipped, and endured here.

That history darkens though with the events of World War II. During the Holocaust, the Jewish population of Prague was almost entirely deported, and Josefov was largely emptied of its people. Walking through the quarter today carries a quiet heaviness — not only because of what remains, but because of who does not. The buildings, synagogues, and memorials stand as witnesses to a community that was nearly erased, making this part of the city one of reflection, remembrance, and deep respect.

Pinkas Synagogue

Upon entering the Jewish Quarter, men are asked to cover their heads with a traditional kippah. Almost immediately, the atmosphere shifts. A quiet reverence settles in, tangible and shared, as though everyone instinctively understands they are stepping into a place that asks for stillness and respect.

Our first stop was the Pinkas Synagogue, and the weight of its purpose is felt the moment you step inside. The walls serve as a memorial to the Jewish victims of World War II, covered from floor to ceiling with handwritten names. Every surface bears witness — names of individuals, families, and entire communities who once lived here and were later lost in the Holocaust. Standing in that space, surrounded by thousands of names, makes the scale of the loss impossible to ignore. It is deeply personal, quietly devastating, and profoundly human.

Just outside the synagogue, a photographic exhibit tells the stories of deportation and lives taken on journeys from which there was no return. The images and words offer context, but they also deepen the sense of grief carried from inside, grounding the names in lived experience.

Jewish Cemetery

From there, we walked into the Old Jewish Cemetery, one of the oldest of its kind in Europe. Centuries of people are buried within its small, enclosed space. Because the Jewish community was restricted to this limited area, graves were layered over time, coffins stacked upon one another, and headstones pressed tightly together. Today, the uneven stones lean and overlap, creating a powerful visual reminder not only of lives lived and lost, but of the constraints placed upon the community even in death.

The cemetery is both a place of rest and a place of remembrance — a quiet, enduring testament to resilience, faith, and the weight of history carried forward.

---

Wenceslas Square

Last but certainly not least in our wandering tour of Prague was Wenceslas Square. This long, vibrant boulevard has witnessed centuries of the city’s history unfolding before it. Originally designed in the Middle Ages as a horse market, the space has evolved alongside Prague itself, shifting from a place of trade to one of gathering, expression, and change.

Today, Wenceslas Square is a central artery of the city, alive with shops, cafés, nightlife, and constant movement. But beneath that modern energy lies a deeper significance. This square has been the setting for pivotal moments in Czech history — protests, celebrations, and acts of resistance — making it not just a destination, but a symbol of national identity and resilience.

At the top of the square stands the National Museum, its grand presence anchoring the space. Just below it, the statue of King Wenceslas looks out over the boulevard. Wenceslas, the first Slavic saint and patron of the Czech people, has long represented moral leadership and unity. Standing there, surrounded by the hum of daily life, it’s easy to feel the layering of past and present — history standing watch as the city continues to move forward.

---

Wandering through Prague felt like a gift of layered history and beautiful views. The city has carefully preserved its past while allowing it to grow and evolve into something vibrant and alive in the present. It is a place that invites you not just to visit, but to wander slowly and take it in. Prague was exactly our kind of city — one where simply moving through its streets made us feel like we had stepped into the story ourselves. And looking up from the city streets, Prague Castle was always there above us — waiting for another day.

Thanks for coming along through Prague with us. May you wander through beautiful streets with beautiful views all around.

---

Follow along for more adventures near and far!

---