Fairy-tale Gothic splendor! Czech Republic Prague capital Central Europe gem affordable beautiful preserved medieval Old Town UNESCO astronomical clock 1410 functioning medieval engineering marvel hourly show apostles figures Death skeleton bell toll crowds gather. Charles Bridge 14th century King Charles IV Gothic bridge 16 arches Vltava river statues 30 Baroque saints street artists musicians vendors dawn sunrise golden light romantic couples kissing legend eternal love John of Nepomuk patron saint touch bronze plaque wish granted tradition. Prague Castle largest ancient castle world Guinness records complex St Vitus Cathedral Gothic spires stunning stained glass windows golden gate mosaic Last Judgment colorful, Old Royal Palace Vladislav Hall grand ceremonial vaulted ceiling, Golden Lane tiny colorful houses medieval alchemists Franz Kafka lived #22 writer museum charming narrow. Astronomical Clock Old Town Square hourly show 9am-11pm apostles procession skeleton Death bell rings medieval marvel 600 years functioning oldest working astronomical clock world complex dials astronomical zodiac calendar moon phases positions incredible engineering. Old Town Square heart Prague Gothic Tyn Church spires twin towers Baroque St Nicholas Church colorful buildings cafes terraces Christmas markets winter New Year celebrations Easter markets seasonal festive atmosphere magical. Jewish Quarter Josefov synagogues oldest active Europe Spanish Synagogue Moorish interior stunning Pinkas Synagogue Holocaust memorial 77297 Czech Jewish victims names walls sobering Old Jewish Cemetery 12000 tombstones layered 12 layers limited space medieval burial practices atmospheric haunting. Czech beer culture Pilsner Urquell birthplace Plzen brewery tours Budvar Ceske Budejovice original Budweiser name disputed American brand, Prague beer halls U Fleku 1499 oldest continuous brewing dark lager 13% strong traditional. Cesky Krumlov UNESCO fairy-tale South Bohemia medieval town Vltava river meander castle second largest Czech complex 13th century Baroque theater preserved costumes sets guided tours Baroque tower climb panoramic views red rooftops charming cobblestones car-free old town picturesque painted Renaissance buildings pastel colors incredibly preserved time capsule. Karlovy Vary spa town hot springs thermal waters 13 springs drinking cure colonnade architecture Belle Époque pastel buildings Grand Hotel Pupp famous film festival elegant spa treatments healing waters since 14th century Charles IV discovered hunting legend. Kutna Hora UNESCO silver mining medieval wealth Sedlec Ossuary Bone Church 40000 human skeletons decoration chandeliers skulls bones Schwarzenberg coat arms bones macabre fascinating morbid unique Czech Republic dark tourism, St Barbara Cathedral Gothic masterpiece miners church stunning equal St Vitus beauty UNESCO.
Day 1:
Arrive Prague Vaclav Havel airport, bus/taxi city center, settle hotel Old Town Mala Strana near Charles Bridge, afternoon walk orientation Old Town Square Astronomical Clock hourly show apostles Death skeleton medieval 600 years fascinating crowds gather, Tyn Church Gothic spires, evening dinner traditional Czech restaurant svickova marinated beef cream sauce dumplings goulash pork knuckle beer Pilsner Urquell Kozel local atmosphere|
Day 2:
Prague Castle morning early 9am avoid crowds (largest ancient castle world complex, St Vitus Cathedral Gothic stunning stained glass Alfons Mucha Art Nouveau windows colorful golden gate mosaic climb tower 287 steps panoramic views, Old Royal Palace Vladislav Hall grand vaulted ceiling ceremonial, Golden Lane tiny colorful houses #22 Kafka lived medieval alchemists charming photo narrow street, 3-4 hours sufficient complex vast), afternoon walk down to Mala Strana Lesser Town Baroque palaces St Nicholas Church, Charles Bridge sunset golden hour romantic statues saints touch John of Nepomuk bronze plaque wish tradition, street musicians artists vendors atmospheric|
Day 3:
Jewish Quarter Josefov full morning (Spanish Synagogue Moorish interior stunning geometric colorful, Pinkas Synagogue Holocaust memorial 77297 Czech Jewish victims names handwritten walls sobering emotional, Old Jewish Cemetery 12000 tombstones layered 12 layers space limited medieval atmospheric haunting crooked stones, Old-New Synagogue oldest active Europe 13th century Gothic still functioning services, 2-3 hours guided tour recommended understand history), afternoon leisure Wenceslas Square modern shopping boulevard National Museum uphill, evening beer hall U Fleku 1499 oldest continuous dark lager 13% strong oompah band traditional tourists locals mixed rowdy fun|
Day 4:
Day trip Cesky Krumlov (3 hours south bus/private transfer scenic Bohemia countryside, UNESCO fairy-tale medieval town stunning Vltava river meander surrounds old town peninsula charming, castle second largest Czech Republic 13th century complex Baroque theater preserved costumes sets guided tour specific times book advance interesting, castle tower climb 162 steps panoramic red rooftops river meander postcard views photography perfect, old town cobblestones car-free walk colorful Renaissance painted buildings pastel pink green yellow gorgeous picturesque browse shops cafes squares relaxed pace), overnight Cesky Krumlov pension riverside or return Prague evening 3 hours|
Day 5:
Morning return Prague if overnight Krumlov or day trip Kutna Hora (1 hour east UNESCO silver mining medieval town, Sedlec Ossuary Bone Church 40000 skeletons decoration chandelier bones skulls coat arms macabre fascinating morbid unique dark tourism photography eerie beautiful artistic Frantisek Rint 1870 arranged bones, St Barbara Cathedral Gothic masterpiece miners church stunning interior equal St Vitus beauty vaulted ceiling, old town Italian Court royal mint silver medieval wealth history 3-4 hours sufficient), return Prague evening|
Day 6:
Optional day trip Karlovy Vary spa town (2.5 hours west bus, hot springs 13 thermal springs drinking cure colonnade architecture Belle Époque pastel Grand Hotel Pupp film festival venue elegant spa treatments optional Becherovka herbal liqueur tasting Czech bitter digestif, colonnades walk Mill Spring hot 72°C careful sip cup special spout drink healing waters mineral rich, 4-5 hours day trip sufficient walk colonnades lunch spa wafers oplatky thin sweet traditional), return Prague evening or leisure Prague Petrin Tower Eiffel-like climb 299 steps views panoramic mirror maze park|
Day 7:
Morning leisure Prague shopping Parizska Street luxury designer boutiques or Havelska Market souvenirs crafts crystals puppets traditional Czech, optional Vysehrad fortress alternative to castle less touristy cemetery Dvorak Mucha buried views Vltava, check-out, departure airport end fairy-tale Czech medieval Gothic Baroque beer culture affordable charm