Stay : Pearls of the Czech Republic in one week
This is a best-of tour of the Czech Republic for the most demanding and time-constrained travelers.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
7 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : Pearls of the Czech Republic in one week - 7 days
Day 1: Prague
Steps: Prague, Plzeň, Hluboká Nad Vltavou
Stroll through the old town and the castle district. Start at Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky) and the imposing Municipal House (Obečni dům), an art nouveau building that also orchestrates classical music concerts every evening. Next door, the 65-metre-high Powder Tower (Prašná Brána) offers an unparalleled view of old Prague. Walk along Celetna Street, with its sumptuous Baroque facades, which leads to Old Town Square (Staromětské Náměstí), the intellectual and tourist heart of the city. Do not miss the Tyn Church (Týnský Dvur) and theastronomical clock.
Then follow the royal alley to the castle via Charles Bridge and Malá Strana. These alleys were part of the route taken by coronation processions until the 19th century. Take a walk along the parallel streets between the Old Town Square and the Bethlehem Chapel. Indeed, most tourists stay on the beaten path of the Royal Alley. The surrounding area is quiet, with a mix of intellectual cafes and art galleries. Don't worry about getting lost, the old town is small (less than 500m each way) and you'll find the Royal Alley easily.
The passage of 15 Karlova (Golem center) is worth the detour. A little further on, the reading room of the National Library will give you a glimpse of university Prague (buy a pass at the entrance). After crossing the Charles Bridge, you enter Malá Strana (the small side), nicknamed the Venice of Prague. Before continuing along the royal alley through Mostecka and Nerudova streets to the castle, it is pleasant to stroll around the picturesque and narrow streets of the district between the Vltava river and the canals. Don't miss the peaceful Maltezske Square, where the John Lennon Wall and the French Embassy are located. Then head to Kampa Island, the most picturesque island in Prague. This is where you will find the famous Kampa Park restaurant, one of the most renowned in the city.
Then return to Malostranske Náměsti (the main square of Malá Strana) and walk up Nerudova Street to the castle.
Very close to the castle, Pivnice U Cerneho Vola (on Loretanske Náměsti) is a typical, always crowded tavern nestled behind a facade opposite the Loretta Church. Local Czechs come here to eat excellent tlacenkas (local snouts with dressing) and of course drink the no less excellent beer. The castle is only a few minutes away from this stopover.
Various packages allow you to visit the castle, the alleys and houses of Hradčany. The Golden Alley (Zlata Ulická), a miniature alley dating back to the 16th century, is one of the most impressive entertainments; you have to bend over to get into the souvenir shops. Don't miss the Lobkowicz Palace, the Burgrave Palace (where you'll find the second largest toy museum in the world), the Gothic St Vitus Cathedral and the Royal Crypt. A full tour of the castle should take about three to four hours. It's best to exit through the back of the castle - the old stairs exit. The stairs lead down to Malá Strana and, with a bit of luck, you will be able to watch the sun set over the old town.
The backyard of the castle and the steps are open until midnight all year round and by 6pm the crowds will have completely disappeared.
In the evening, a tour of the bars and taverns in Malá Strana and the old town is a good way to end the first day. Like the Czechs, try to vary the places to vary the pleasures!
TOUR POUDRIÈRE (PRAŠNÁ BRÁNA) / CHAPELLE DE BETHLÉEM (BETLÉMSKÁ KAPLE) / PALAIS LOBKOWICZ (LOBKOVICZKÝ PALÁC) / MAISON MUNICIPALE (OBECNÍ DŮM) / CATHÉDRALE SAINT-GUY (KATEDRÁLA SVATÉHO VÍTA) / CHATEAU (ZÁMEK) / PONT CHARLES (KARLŮV MOST) / HORLOGE ASTRONOMIQUE (PRAŽSKÝ ORLOJ) / PLACE DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE (NÁMĚSTÍ REPUBLIKY)
Day 2: Prague: Visit the Jewish quarter and Letna, a typical Czech district.
Morning visit to the Jewish Quarter (Josefov), its synagogues and cemetery. Tickets can be purchased at the Old-New Synagogue on Parižská. Whatever your budget, don't miss the cemetery and the Old-New Synagogue, one of the most impressive in Europe.
Afternoon: Letna, a typical Czech neighbourhood. Walk along Parižská (Paris) Street, the most elegant and noble street in Prague, which starts from the Old Town Square. Cross the Čehuv Bridge (after the Intercontinental Hotel at the end of Parižská) and climb the stairs to the Letna metronome. The view is superb. The Letna Park's beergarden, the most pleasant in the city, is located about 100 meters east of the metronome. The Letna district, on the other side of the park. This is a popular area of Prague, far from the beaten track but only 10 minutes from the old town. Miladé Horakové is the main street of the district and all the typical shops of the country, including the famous bazaars and "hernas bars" (bars with slot machines), are gathered there. Past the church of Strossmayerovo Náměsti, at the bottom of Miladé Horakové, the Prague market (Praszka Tržniste - tram stops 1, 5, 15 of the same name) is ideal for shopping or buying some unconventional souvenirs.
In the evening, you can go to the Old Town or, for the more adventurous, to the popular Zižkov district - a district which, according to legend, has the highest number of bars per capita in the world. Take metro A to Jiřiho z Poděbrad, you won't regret it: the visit and climb to the TV tower by night is impressive (just look up to the sky when you get out of the metro).
Day 3: Prague: Karlštejn and shopping
Steps: Prague, Karlštejn, Plzeň, Beroun
Morning: Visit Karlštejn. Karlštejn Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic. It is half an hour by train from the center of Prague (train to Beroun, every 20 minutes from Hlavní Nadraži, the main station). Exit the station, turn right, cross the bridge, then follow the sloping street to the right that leads to the castle at the top, 500 meters away.
Afternoon: shopping in Prague. It is best to return to Prague for lunch or to bring a picnic lunch. In Karlštejn, the food is geared towards tourist groups and the quality suffers. Walk through the New Town around Wenceslas Square (Vacklavske Náměsti) and across Na Přikopě and Narodní avenues between Republic Square and the National Theatre. This area is looking more and more like the centres of European capitals with all the big shops
Evening: You can still enjoy the many passages that host cafes, shops, theatres and cinemas (go through Vodickova's Lucerna passage). Prices in the New Town for souvenirs (crystal, absinthe) are often up to 10% cheaper than in the Jewish Quarter or the Old Town. If you have some time left, take a stroll through the Old Town. You will become familiar with Prague and will find it easier to find your way through the narrow streets.
Day 4: Olomouc and Moravia
Take the road to the beautiful Episcopal city of Olomouc. Stroll through the narrow streets to discover the 28 churches in the city. Don't miss the St. Maurice Church and the Gothic St. Wenceslas Cathedral. At noon, stop for lunch on the main square, then admire the 7 fountains of ancient inspiration. The 25-meter high Holy Trinity column will amaze you. If you have time, stop by the city's national museum. End your day at the Olomouc fort and admire the view, and you will understand why this city is called "the pearl on the green cushion".
Day 5: Lednice Valtice
On the way to Český Krumlov, stop at Lednice Valtice. Both castles are listed as Unesco World Heritage sites. Valtice Castle, whose first stones date back to the 13th century, belonged to the Liechtenstein family for a long time. Stroll through the English garden and admire the remains of the open-air theatre. Continue your journey through time and visit Lednice Castle. Renovated in the 19th century by the Viennese architect George Wingemüller, Lednice has a more subtle façade than its neighbour. The façade is decorated with neo-Gothic silhouettes. The spiral staircase, richly ornamented and carved in one piece, is a major feature of the visit.
Day 6: Český Krumlov
Steps: Český Krumlov
Nestled in the valley of one of the meandering Vltava rivers, the town of Český Krumlov is one of the gems of South Bohemia. The castle dates back to the 16th century; if you have time, take a tour with a guide and definitely don't miss a visit to the theatre. Take a stroll through the town and if the weather permits, treat yourself to a lunch by the water. In the afternoon, you can take a short nature trip by canoe away from the city.
Day 7: Return to Prague
To say goodbye to the city, why not contemplate it from above, in quiet park alleys? We'll walk up and down Petřin Hill, climbing its tower. We will follow the path to Strahov and its orchards. We will continue through the royal gardens and then to Letná, without ever taking our eyes off the city below. Thanks to the metro, you can also, if you are curious, go through the city at random in its rich, green or concrete suburbs (huge satellite cities).
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