Prague

Prague's extraordinary historic center thoroughly deserves its UNESCO World Heritage listing. On a bluff overlooking the Old Town is the world's largest ancient castle, Pražský hrad, the highlights of which include the sublime Gothic spires of St Vitus Cathedral and the beautiful cobbled passageway called Golden Lane. At the base of nearby Petřín Hill, framed by the slow-moving Vltava, is the gorgeous district of Malá Strana, one of the most romantic places in the city for a night-time stroll. A few minutes' walk from the facades of Old Town Square is the enigmatic neighborhood of Josefov, the heart of Prague's ...

Prague's extraordinary historic center thoroughly deserves its UNESCO World Heritage listing. On a bluff overlooking the Old Town is the world's largest ancient castle, Pražský hrad, the highlights of which include the sublime Gothic spires of St Vitus Cathedral and the beautiful cobbled passageway called Golden Lane. At the base of nearby Petřín Hill, framed by the slow-moving Vltava, is the gorgeous district of Malá Strana, one of the most romantic places in the city for a night-time stroll. A few minutes' walk from the facades of Old Town Square is the enigmatic neighborhood of Josefov, the heart of Prague's Jewish community and site of the sombre Pinkas Synagogue with its lists of victims of the attempted Nazi genocide, as well as the exuberant Moorish interior of the Spanish Synagogue. Veletržní Palace contains two-and-a-bit centuries of Czech and European art, and is just one of Prague's many fine galleries. The perfect way to toast an exploration of Prague's wonderful cityscape is to enter a Czech pub and raise a glass of tasty Bohemian pivo (beer).

About the Expert

Paul Smitz has coauthored a dozen guidebooks for Lonely Planet on places such as Australia, New Zealand, Malaysian Borneo, Brunei, various Pacific Islands, Prague, and Brussels.