Prague

Prague takes 3–4 days, because the city splits into two halves: the Castle and Charles Bridge on one bank, the Jewish Quarter and Vyšehrad on the other. From Václav Havel Airport into the centre runs trolleybus 59, which replaced the long-serving bus 119 in 2024, then metro line A.

Václav Havel Airport sits north-west of the centre, and the only way in by public transport is trolleybus 59 to Veleslavín station, then metro line A into town, about 30 min in total. Until March 2024 the same route ran as bus 119; look for 59 on the terminal boards now, not the old number. One ticket covers both legs, €2.05 (90-minute ticket), and includes the change between trolleybus and metro.

The metro comes up on Old Town Square, where an astronomical clock has hung on the Old Town Hall's façade since 1410 — the world's third-oldest and the oldest still working. Every hour on the hour the twelve apostles pass by its windows, free to watch and with no queue if you arrive a few minutes early. free covers the square itself too; only the climb up the town hall tower is a separate ticket.

Karlova Street leads straight from the square to the bridge. Charles Bridge was begun in 1357 on the order of Charles IV and finished in 1402, and thirty Baroque statues now line its parapets. Crossing it is free, at any hour; only the climb up the Old Town Bridge Tower costs extra. On the far bank the bridge comes out into Malá Strana, and the way on runs uphill from there.

Above Malá Strana stands Prague Castle, which Guinness World Records lists as the largest ancient castle in the world — four palaces, four churches and eleven gardens across seven and a half hectares. The main circuit (St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St George's Basilica and Golden Lane) is €18.44; the courtyards and gardens stay free. Anyone with time before heading back down can take the funicular up Petřín Hill from the Malá Strana side, where a smaller 1891 copy of the Eiffel Tower looks out across the rooftops; admission €10.25.

The city's other half waits north of Old Town Square, past the far side of the Old Town. The Jewish Quarter, Josefov, was a walled ghetto until the mid-19th century, and its Old-New Synagogue, built around 1270, still holds services today — the oldest active synagogue in Europe. A combined Jewish Museum ticket, €24.59, opens six synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery. Closed: Saturday.

The walk through Josefov continues south along the river, all the way to Vyšehrad — a fortress on the opposite side of the city from the Castle, and older than it by legend, though archaeology says the reverse: the Castle was founded around 880, Vyšehrad only in the mid-10th century. Today the fortress, the park and the Slavín cemetery, where Dvořák is buried, are all free (free); only the casemates under the ramparts are ticketed separately. From here the city sits across the river, inside the bend the Vltava carves below the park. 3–4 days covers both loops comfortably; stay longer and Kutná Hora is about 50 min away by train, or Karlštejn Castle 40 min.