Lonely Planet Pocket Prague

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• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Year: 2017
• eBook ISBN:
  9781787012264
• Print ISBN:
  9781786571571

Old Town Square & Staré Město

Staré Město (Old Town), with its evocative medieval square, maze of alleyways, and quirky sights like the Astronomical Clock, is the beating heart of the historic centre. Its origins date back to the 10th century, when a marketplace emerged on the Vltava’s eastern bank. A thousand years later, it’s as alive as ever, and surprisingly little changed by time.

Adisa/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

The Sights in a Day

MFor the quietest experience and most magical views of Charles Bridge, start your morning as early as possible. Start on the Malá Strana side and cross the bridge towards the Old Town. Be sure to climb the Old Town Bridge Tower. Then make a beeline for the Astronomical Clock to catch the famous hourly chiming before the tourist crowds start to multiply.

RAfterwards, take the lift up the Old Town Hall Tower for views over Old Town Sq and the historic centre. Have a leisurely lunch at Kalina, sampling gourmet versions of Czech dishes from the tasting menu. Then, wander the quaint cobblestone backstreets around Betlémské náměstí, stopping in to see Jan Hus’ old stomping ground at Bethlehem Chapel.

NAs night falls, head back to Old Town Sq to view the beautifully illuminated Church of St Nicholas and Church of Our Lady Before Týn. Have dinner on the terrace of U ...

Table of contents

• Table of Contents
• Welcome to Prague
• Top Sights
• Local Life
• Day Planner
• Need to Know
• Prague Neighbourhoods
• Prague Castle & Hradcany
• Mala Strana & Petrin Hill
• Beer & Culture in Smichov
• Jewish Museum & Josefov
• Old Town Square & Stare Mesto
• Wenceslas Square & Around
• Nove Mesto
• Vysehrad, Pragues Other Castle
• Vinohrady & Zizkov
• Holesovice
• The Best of Prague
• Survival Guide
• Language
• Behind the Scenes
• Our Writers