Prague mini-guide - My Hotel in Prague

Prague mini-guide:

Prague is rapidly becoming one of Europe's top travel destinations, and for good reason. It's offers some of the best-preserved medieval and baroque architecture in central Europe, combined with high culture, buzzing nightlife, excellent beer and prices to gladden the heart of any traveller.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive guide to Prague, rather a quick appetizer for the essential Prague sights with a few helpful travel hints thrown in. In our links section you will find pointers for a more thorough exploration of Prague on the web.

When to go:
Tourist sites are open all year round in Prague. Winter temperatures stay at around freezing and sometimes drop well below that but a winter visit can be well worth it to enjoy the sight of the city under a layer of snow and avoid the summer crowds. Having said that, the crowds (along with high-season prices for hotels), return briefly for the Christmas holiday period as Prague acquires a reputation as one of the most exciting places in Europe to welcome in the new-year. Classical music fans may want to time their trip to coincide with the "Prague Spring International Music Festival" held yearly during the last three weeks of May.

The essential sights:
Tourist information offices are located in the Old Town Square, in the West Tower of Charles Bridge and at the main train station.
Prague Castle
Reputedly the largest castle in the world, Prague Castle (Prazsky Hrad) groups many other Prague sights which are attractions in their own right, such as St. Vitus Cathedral, the Golden Lane, the old Royal Palace, and the Royal Garden.
Charles Bridge
The oldest bridge in Prague, its length lined by statues and monuments, it forms the most spectacular part of the "King's Walk which leads from St. Vitus Cathedral to the Old Town Square.
Old Town (Stare Mesto)
Centered around the Old Town Square this is the most picturesque and lively part of Prague, with architecture ranging from Baroque to Art Nouveau. One of Prague's big attractions, the Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Hall, can be found here but it's also a great area for just strolling and taking in the atmosphere.
Jewish Quarter (Josefov)
Part of the Old Town, this was once the largest Jewish ghetto in Europe. Five sites, including the evocative Jewish Cemetery, make up what is known as "The Museum".

Getting around:
Prague is a great city for walking and the main sights are close enough together to be easily visited by foot. Otherwise make use of the cheap and efficient public transport system. Tickets are valid for bus, trams and metro, and maps, timetables and other information are available at offices in the main metro stations. If you take a taxi make sure it is a registered one and that the meter is at 1 when you get in.

Traveller's tips:
To take advantage of Prague's rich entertainment scene, pick up a free copy of "The Best", which lists concerts and other events, at a tourist information office.