40 Hours in Prague: The City of a Hundred Spires

Jun 18

Jun 18 40 Hours in Prague: The City of a Hundred Spires

Our journey to Poland this year gave us the opportunity to spend nearly two full days in beautiful Prague. It wasn’t a long visit—just about 40 hours—but every single moment was worth it. From the stunning architecture and rich history to the charm that seems to fill every corner of the city, Prague left quite an impression on us in a very short time.

Everywhere you look, Prague is a feast for the eyes. The city is filled with stunning architecture, from Gothic and Baroque to Renaissance and Romanesque masterpieces. It’s easy to see why Prague is known as “The City of a Hundred Spires,” with its countless church towers and steeples rising gracefully above the skyline.

But before I share the places we explored and all the wonderful food and treats we enjoyed, let me take you back to the moment we arrived in Prague, and even before we departed from Heathrow airport in the UK.

Heathrow Airport is massive, and if you have a connecting flight, chances are you won’t actually know your gate until shortly before boarding. Passengers gather in a large central holding area, eyes fixed on the departure screens hanging from the ceiling, waiting for that magical gate number to appear. The information is updated regularly, and the moment your gate pops up, there’s a noticeable shift in energy. People suddenly grab their bags and head off with purpose. Run? Well, maybe not officially… but let’s just say it’s a very brisk walk. 😅

Of course we had to have coffee, and a sweet treat from a coffee shop at the airport. Both equally delicious!

London from above the clouds. ❤️

A short flight with a yummy treat. These crackers were SO tasty! I might be looking for them online.

Now, let’s talk about the view from the plane before landing in Prague! 😍

The moment I saw this, I knew our short visit was going to be 100% worth the effort. What a welcome to one of the most beautiful cities we’ve ever visited!

We made it!!! Time to explore! ❤️

After arriving in Prague, we checked into the apartment we rented, dropped off our luggage, changed into something a little more comfortable, and headed out to get our first glimpse of the city. (I’ll be putting together another blog post with a city tour, recommendations on where we stayed, what we ate, and all the things we did while we were there!)

By this point, we were definitely feeling the effects of a long day of travel and a little jet lag, but one thing was certain: we were hungry. So off we went in search of our first meal in Prague. The plan for our first evening was simple—find a good restaurant, wander the city a bit, soak in the atmosphere, and then make our way back to the apartment to rest and recharge for a full day of exploring ahead. Little did we know, even a simple walk to dinner would give us our first taste of Prague’s charm.

The place we stayed. 🥰

Our first meal was a DREAM!!! So delicious, and the service, and atmosphere of the restaurant was ideal, and very convenient. Just a block or two away from our apartment.

I mean… just look at this! 😍 This beautiful display was right outside the restaurant where we stopped for dinner. One of the things I loved most about Prague is that every street seemed to hold a little bit of magic.

Of course, we had to stop at an ice cream shop for dessert. I had pistachio, the most delicious and creamy ice cream I’ve had in a long time.

Good night, Prague. ❤️ Time to rest up and recharge—tomorrow, we’ll spend the day exploring this beautiful city and discovering all the magic it has to offer.

A Full Day In Prague

I don’t remember sleeping more deeply than I did that first night in Prague. I was so tired, but it was a happy kind of tired—the kind that comes after a day filled with travel, anticipation, and the excitement of being somewhere new.

And now, I’m ready for a day of fun!

One of my favorite places to visit in Prague was the Charles Bridge. One of the city’s most iconic landmarks, this beautiful stone bridge spans the Vltava River and is lined with impressive statues of saints. Walking across it felt like stepping back in time, with breathtaking views of the city and a sense of history all around us.

Looking forward to seeing some of the Polaroid shots. ❤️

We purchased a couple of souvenirs from this vendor while walking across Charles Bridge. He was incredibly kind, helpful, and genuinely a pleasure to talk to. One of my favorite parts of traveling is meeting people like him along the way. If you find yourself visiting Prague and strolling across the bridge, be sure to look him up—the gentleman on the left. You just might come home with a special treasure and a pleasant conversation, too.

This is a statue of St. John of Nepomuk.

We learned that people touch the bronze reliefs on the base of the statue because of a local tradition and legend. St. John of Nepomuk was thrown into the Vltava River from the bridge in 1393 and became one of Bohemia’s most beloved saints.

The two shiny bronze panels near the bottom are polished from millions of hands over the years. This is what we found out:

The panel with the queen and St. John is often touched for good luck and blessings.
The panel showing St. John being thrown from the bridge is touched by visitors who wish to return to Prague someday. Some traditions say touching the small figure of the saint or the dog on the relief brings good fortune and ensures a future visit to the city.

According to Prague tradition, if you touch it, you may be destined to return to this beautiful city, so of course… we had to! 😉

The gold stars around the saint’s head represent the legend that five stars appeared above the river where his body was found.

My daughter and husband recreated the iconic 1987 vinyl cover of Music for the Masses by Depeche Mode on The Charles bridge in Prague ❤️

A visit to the Old Town Hall Tower was definitely an unexpected treat. The views from the top are absolutely breathtaking and offer a whole new perspective of Prague’s stunning rooftops and winding streets. Just be prepared—the climb can be a bit steep in places, but the reward at the top is more than worth the effort.

A royal pigeon nesting at the very top of the tower.

We loved it so much, that we decided to get tickets to explore the other side of the tower. Worth it!!!

Low key heights terror on my face. 😅

These steps were steep and super narrow!

The best view. ❤️

How many times did I say “grab on tight!!!” I lost count! 😅

My husband didn’t come up to the top of the tower with us, but once we made our way back down, he was ready for a snack and on the hunt for some fresh fruit. We made a quick stop at a local convenience store on our way to brunch, and he was happy to find exactly what he was looking for… bananas!

He also offered to carry my big bag while we explored the tower and the city afterward, which was a huge help. After climbing stairs and walking all over Prague, it was one less thing for me to worry about, and I was very grateful for the extra set of hands.

The restaurant of choice that day was Pork’s Mostecká, a popular spot in Prague’s Old Town just steps from the Charles Bridge. Everything we ordered was delicious, but the pork knuckle was absolutely unreal—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor.

Their tank-poured Pilsner was excellent as well and paired perfectly with the meal. The portions were incredibly generous, the service was fast and friendly, and the prices were very reasonable for such a popular location. It was also very busy, so if you’re planning to visit, I definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time. 🍺🍖

The host was super nice, and spoke so many languages, I lost track! He’s in the back of this picture! I have a feeling he’s a restaurant “celebrity.” 😉

Definitely going back… someday! ❤️

More beautiful views of Prague.

Awwww 🥰

The clerk at our apartment recommended a bakery in Prague, so of course we had to check it out. As it turned out, it was perfectly located on the way to a park Bella wanted to visit, making it an easy addition to our evening plans. A sweet treat after dinner, a tram ride through the city, and a stroll through a beautiful park? Say no more! ☺️

We ordered two pastries. Our favorite was the Cherry one, SO good!!!

But wait… on the way to the park we made a short detour at a cafe to use the bathroom, and it was adorable, and impecable with the best service.

The park was HUGE, and almost impossible to climb all the way to the top, which we didn’t, but even walking up half way we got the best cardio we’ve had in a long time.

This was NOT the entrance, but fun checking out the top of it. ⬇️

They didn’t climb the first “entrance”. 😅

Now, a break for some iced coffee, and a delicious pastry… at the right park! 😉

After a leisurely walk back to the apartment, Stan decided to stay behind and rest for a bit while Bella and I headed back out to explore Prague Castle before our evening boat tour. With a few hours to spare and plenty left to see, we were excited to continue wandering through this beautiful city.

A well explained sign, JUST IN CASE you want to take a sip! 🐶

Bella and I took on the city again to explore Prague Castle.

Prague Castle is one of those places that instantly makes you stop and look around in awe. Placed high above the city, it’s filled with centuries of history, stunning architecture, beautiful courtyards, and some of the most beautiful views in Prague. It feels a little like stepping into a storybook.

The climb to the castle is TOUGH. We laughed along the way (at us), and other people making fun of themselves about their energy, and stamina to make it to the top. 😂

Every corner is so charming.

And now, time for the evening boat tour. It’s not too long, but so fun, and special.

Before getting off. We laughed SO much almost the entire time, I honestly don’t even remember what it was about, but we were hurting from laughing. 😅

A walk back to the apartment to rest and get ready for the next day of travel to Poland. ❤️

Guess what? We stopped for more ice cream on the way the apartment. SO good!

And dinner. We weren’t super hungry, but we wanted to eat something. We tried goulash. potato pancakes, and onion soup. The Czech beer is delicious. This restaurant was right outside of the apartment.