6 Ways Prague Will Romance You
Originally I was going to name this post “6 Ways Prague Will Romance The Pants Off You”, but I thought I’d try and establish some dignity to begin with. However, Prague is an insanely mysterious and beautiful European city that will have you swooning at every gothic corner, straight onto the quaint cobble-stoned ground.
The capital of the Czech Republic is the European place for a weekend city break, as it’s full of delicious foods, architecture that inspired Disney’s castles and of course, world renowned beer. You could just wander the weaving streets taking in the epic turrets of the many churches (they don’t call it ‘the City of a thousand spires’ for nothing) or lose yourself in the crowds of Charles Bridge – it’s positively a hot bed of romantic opportunities for travellers. If you’re looking for a stunning city in Europe to meander with a loved one or to satisfy your inner-romantic, then look no further as the city is brimming with opportunities to get your heart beating fast!
1. Lock your love on the Charles Bridge
Like in many other European cities, to lock a padlock to a beautiful bridge with or for a sweetheart, couldn’t be more romantic. The medieval Charles Bridge is a famous spot for tourists to flock to as the buskers and hawkers line up to entertain as you wander along one of the most scenic spots in Prague.
Beneath the stony, silent gaze of patron saints, walk the 621m length and inspect the three bridge towers that protect it. The Old Town Bridge Tower is an architect’s gothic delight of sculptures and turrets, so have a good gander. It does get pretty crowded up on this bridge during high season, so if you want your love locked down in a quieter area head to the Mala Strana. It’s charming and a whole lot quieter, plus you can peruse the other padlocks of love on the gate over the canal.
2. Picnic in Stromovka
An oasis retreat from the bustle of the town centre, Stromovka provides a green and peaceful spot for a bit of zen downtime. Sure, it can get pretty exhausting when traipsing around a city to sightsee so when the sun is out, what better way to take a load off than curl up on a blanket with some wine and cheese. The park embraces Petřín Hill which has the Petřín Tower awaiting you. Climb 299 steps to take in stunning views of Prague and perhaps find a spot to share a cheeky smooch as the sun dips down the horizon, basking you in its golden glow above the Prague rooftops.
3. Get dreamy by the castles
For all who cower in wonder at majestic architecture, you’ll be in raptures in Prague. As I already mentioned, the spires of the many castles inspired Disney’s magical palaces of the good and evil, and you’ll definitely feel quite out of this world when looking at the gothic landmarks scattered around the city.
Prague Castle complex is made up of the castle, the Old Royal Palace, a monastery and three churches. You can easily wander for half a day amongst the arty students and visitors. Lose yourself in the grandeur and let your eyes feast upon the many different architectural styles. Go late in the day for a quieter look around and it’ll be lit up, transporting you to a fairy tale land where you’ll half expect Prince Charming to be lurking around the corner.
4. Sip on fantastic beer
Ask anyone about Prague and one of the top things they should mention is the amazing local Czech beer. If they don’t mntion it, don’t trust what else they say. Ever. Czech beers are light and naturally brewed, and served everywhere at anytime. It is both delicious and cheap, and exported worldwide as the secret got out that Pilsner Urquell and Budvar is bloody great. So of course, you need to sample/swig the beers in their homeland, and you should do so by checking out the many breweries that are available.
For those who are looking to just taste and not learn about the brewing process, head to one of the major beer gardens in Prague, such as, Letenské sady. Tucked inside Letná Park, it serves up Gambrinus 10° on tap and impeccable views of the city. Sip on your beautiful beer and sneak off to enjoy the views in a quieter section of the beer garden at sunset. Phew, that view! The best things in life are free, right?
5. See the city from the water
Imagine cruising down the Vltava River seeing all the illuminated sights accompanied with live music. If you don’t fall in love with the city on a trip like this, then go to the doctor’s as your heart might be made out of stone. Many cruise companies offer dinner and Czech aperitif’s in the price, and you get to go by the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, the Emmaus Monastery and the oldest lock chamber. But if you’re more active, rent a paddle boat with someone you don’t mind being marooned out on the waters with, and go sightseeing sailor style. Prague will exhaust you with all it has to offer, so be sure to have the energy to paddle your way back to the riverbanks or resign yourself to river life. It could be worse.
6. People watch as the clock ticks
Prague’s Old Town is so incredibly old. Excavations have revealed that it has been inhabited since at least the turn of the millennium and Old Town Square has been the main marketplace for over 1000 years. This area is stocked full of those sweet cobbled streets that intertwine confusingly and totally disregard any kind of sensible town planning, but that’s the charm. Wander the streets, get lost, discover delicious cafes and hidden bars amongst the lanes, and keep the experiences treasured in your memories, as you may never stumble upon these spots again!
The Old Town Square is a plaza lined with cafes and street vendors, and when you look up, you’ll have to crane your neck in order to fully view the spires of the Týn Cathedral. Pull up a chair at one of the restaurants and take in the plethora of people passing through the plaza, and look out for the hourly chime of the astronomical clock. This piece of technology is a must-see. When it chimes, it comes alive with moving statues of numerous apostles, but the visual entertainment isn’t the reason why it’s been pulling in tourists for years. It has stunned the world for over 600 years as it has flawlessly tracked the time, date, astronomical cycles and the position of the moon over the centuries. Mind blowing.
Prague is a beautiful setting for a romantic city break and it is nicknamed the ‘Heart of Europe’ for good reason! Marvel at all Prague has to offer, explore endless streets and fill your belly with all the delectable Czech treats on offer. It’ll be heart breaking to leave, and if you do leave with a ring on your finger, lets hope it wasn’t after a night at the epic beer gardens – that’s one hangover that’ll be difficult to cure!
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This post has been contributed by Expedia.
