After weeks of bouncing between countries, it was finally time for something way less exciting but totally necessary: laundry. Not the most glamorous way to kick off a new city, but it’s a necessity of long-term travel that often gets left out. (Stay tuned for a full blog post on how we handle laundry while on the go—because we’ve got it down to a system!)

 With fresh clothes and a little more energy, we set out to explore our first area of Prague: Vyšehrad. Vyšehrad is a historic fortress perched above the Vltava River, dating back to the 10th century. This hilltop stronghold delivered some of the best panoramic views we’d seen in Europe so far. Although it’s only about a mile and a half from the main city center, it felt much farther. The quiet surroundings made it feel like a world away from the buzz of the city. There was a surprising lack of crowds or tourists; in fact, we often walked for 30 minutes without seeing a single person. We didn’t mind this slower pace at all, especially coming straight from a major city like Berlin, Germany.

The next day, we returned to Vyšehrad, this time walking along the river. And most importantly… the sun finally made an appearance! I don’t want to sound dramatic, but this was seriously the first time that we were able to enjoy some sunshine; and you better believe we soaked up every second of it.

We made our way back up to the fortress one last time to explore more of the grounds, including the beautiful park, the vast cemetery, and even one of Prague’s most ancient churches: the Rotunda of St. Martin. It was the perfect way to wrap up our time in this peaceful corner of the city before heading deeper into the heart of Prague.

After two peaceful days, we were ready to dive into the bustling heart of Prague. We packed up our freshly cleaned laundry and set off toward the main city center. Despite being only a mile and a half away from our previous spot, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Now, we were surrounded by people.

First impressions of the iconic Charles Bridge were even more magical than I could have anticipated. The bridge was bustling with people, artists, and vendors, and was lined with the most intricate statues. We followed the bridge all the way to the end, making our way toward some of Prague’s most famous landmarks. Our first stop was the Prague Castle, located atop a hill. The journey to the top was no easy feat—it wasn’t just the steep road that tested our stamina, but also the 350 stairs we had to conquer to reach the summit. However, once we made it, the view was absolutely worth every step. Easily surpassing the one from Vyšehrad.

As we made our way down from the castle, we decided to try a popular local pastry—Trdelník (also known as a chimney cake). This sweet treat is made by wrapping dough around a hot iron rod, baking it until golden, and then dusting it with a mix of cinnamon and sugar. It was certainly tasty, but our overall consensus was that it wasn’t worth the long lines or the price we paid. Later, we learned that Trdelník actually originated in Hungary and, according to locals, it’s much better there. Guess we’ll have to put that theory to the test when we get there!

As the day wound down, we had an unexpected encounter with some friendly nutria down by the river. At first, I wasn’t sure what kind of animal it was, but if there’s one thing you should know about Connor and me, we’re animal people. So, any animal encounter tends to elevate our already fantastic day. One even touched my leg with its little paw!

The next morning, we set out early to explore even more of the city. I think it’s worth mentioning that our hotel was in a prime location! We stayed at the Pytloun Kampa Garden Hotel, just 200 meters from the Charles Bridge, which made exploring so easy. Behind our hotel was a trail leading up to a structure resembling the Eiffel Tower, so naturally, that’s where we headed. Although Connor and I opted not to climb to the top, we still enjoyed the incredible scenery. Afterward, we took a back route that led us all the way to the castle again, where we spent most of our time people-watching before heading back down for lunch at some food stalls by the bridge.

After lunch, we ventured in the opposite direction and made our way to the Old Town  Square of Prague. This beautiful square is home to the oldest working astronomical clock, as well as the majestic St. Nicholas Cathedral (which looked like something straight out of a fairy tale). We made sure to catch the clock’s show on the hour. It was incredible to see how many people stopped what they were doing just to watch the 30-second performance. We made sure to stay out long enough to catch the beautiful sunset falling over the square before making our way back to bridge and then our hotel.

Over the next few days, we continued to visit the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and the Old Town Square, each time seeing them at different times of day and from different angles each time. We explored the city at night and even sampled more local treats like gingerbread (which actually did originate in Prague). During this time, we also visited St. Vitus Cathedral, the main cathedral in Prague. This massive 13th-century cathedral featured stunning stained-glass windows and a striking Gothic exterior. On one of these days, we broke our all-time walking record, covering almost 12 miles as we made three trips to Prague Castle! That totaled to over 1,050 stairs, not to mention the constant uphill climb (yes, we are a bit crazy)!

Finally, on our last day in Prague, we couldn’t resist visiting the castle and cathedral one more time before we left. Prague had been everything we hoped for and more. Not only is it stunning and full of history, but it’s also incredibly affordable. From the quiet, charming areas we explored to the vibrant heart of the city, Prague quickly became one of our all-time favorite destinations. If it’s not already on your bucket list, we highly recommend adding it to the top; you won’t regret it!

Overall Rating: 10/10!

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. This helps support our travels and allows us to keep sharing our experiences. We only recommend products and services we genuinely use and love. Thank you for your support!