Prague and Vienna

IggyAndZiggy · 2025-02-18T18:15:17+00:00

Taking (adult) kids to Prague and Vienna in March. Three nights in each. Does anyone have suggestions for where to go/what to do, please. We are fairly easy to please, and enjoy history, museums, galleries, walking around and generally soaking up the atmosphere. Any recommendations or tips gratefully received. Thanks!

WhereAreWeNow · 18/02/2025 22:21

There's so much to see in Prague. The funicular up the hill to the park at the top is nice. And wander down through the old streets. The castle is worth a visit. I loved the museum of decorative arts. Just meandering around, crossing the bridges and exploring the old town is a great way to pass the time. It's a beautiful city.

crackofdoom · 18/02/2025 22:21

I'm bumping because I'd like a few suggestions too. We'll be stopping in Vienna for 36 hours on our Interrailing trip. The only thing I can think of that I'd like to do so far are the Hundertwasser Haus and museum (they're quite close to each other). I have been a couple of times previously and find Vienna's most famous sights a bit stuffy.

Cynic17 · 18/02/2025 22:23

Long time since I have been to Prague, but definitely the castle, plus the various sites for the Jewish Museum.
In Vienna, the Hofburg Palace, Belvedere Palace Gallery (especially for the Klimts), Albertina Gallery, Schonbrunn Palace and gardens (short train journey - needs a whole day), St Stephen's Cathedral, Secession Building, tram around the Ringstrasse, Freud Museum. And as many coffee shops as you can manage - Cafe Central is popular, but expect to queue - my favourite is Cafe Hawelka, just off the main shopping street. But 3 days is nowhere near enough time for Vienna, so you will have to be selective out of all that lot!

TeamGeriatric · 18/02/2025 22:24

We were in Vienna recently, think you have to see Schonbrunn and the Klimt paintings in the Belvedere. The roof of the cathedral is cool, best seen from the north tower. I enjoyed the Spanish riding school, but it was underappreciated by the rest of my family, and the view is restricted from the cheaper seats. The Albertina has Monet and Picasso pictures amongst others, and is open late some evenings. The Sissi museum in the Hofburg was very overcrowded and a bit underwhelming. Lots of nice places to eat strudel and sachertorte, the most well known ones have long queues.

Prague is lovely, but I haven't been in 20 years. From memory there is the castle, Charles bridge, Jewish quarter. There is the sedlec ossuary in Kutna Hora, but if you are tight on time it's probably too time consuming to visit.

LittleLlama · 19/02/2025 04:46

We were in Prague recently. We booked on a “tip-based tour” of the old town on the first morning. The tour lasted three hours but there was a 15 minute break part way through. It took in the major sites (the Astronomical Clock, the Jewish quarter, Charles Bridge, etc. and ended just below the castle). This helped give us an orientation of the city and what we would like to see more of. We visited the castle and as it was a very clear crisp day paid extra to go up the Cathedral Tower where you have amazing views. We also wanted to explore Prague’s more recent history and did a Communism Tour which included a trip down a nuclear bunker.

On the first tour they gave us a list of cafes, restaurants and bars that they recommended (with price guide) which was really helpful. I felt safe walking round the city at night (although at the weekends there are some stag-parties). Prague is famous for its beer but I also enjoyed the “hot spicy wine” as it little cold in February! We had a great time and I am sure you will really enjoy it.

Original poster

IggyAndZiggy · 19/02/2025 09:50

LittleLlama · 19/02/2025 04:46

We were in Prague recently. We booked on a “tip-based tour” of the old town on the first morning. The tour lasted three hours but there was a 15 minute break part way through. It took in the major sites (the Astronomical Clock, the Jewish quarter, Charles Bridge, etc. and ended just below the castle). This helped give us an orientation of the city and what we would like to see more of. We visited the castle and as it was a very clear crisp day paid extra to go up the Cathedral Tower where you have amazing views. We also wanted to explore Prague’s more recent history and did a Communism Tour which included a trip down a nuclear bunker.

On the first tour they gave us a list of cafes, restaurants and bars that they recommended (with price guide) which was really helpful. I felt safe walking round the city at night (although at the weekends there are some stag-parties). Prague is famous for its beer but I also enjoyed the “hot spicy wine” as it little cold in February! We had a great time and I am sure you will really enjoy it.

Yes, we will definitely do a walking tour. I agree with you that it's a good way to get your bearings in a new city, and to gain an overview of the history. Cold War tour sounds interesting too!

OP posts:

MurdoMunro · 19/02/2025 09:53

I did a tour of the cold war nuclear bunkers in Prague. That was fascinating, exciting and horrifying all at the same time.

franke · 19/02/2025 10:06

Both cities are both very walkable. Everything suggested so far.

We were in Prague a few weeks ago and came across https://iamprague.eu/en/home/ which was a lot of fun. It's small and only takes about an hour to go round, but worth a look.

ValentineValentineV · 19/02/2025 22:56

Prague

Castle
Clock tower
Charles Bridge
lots of good museums
chimney cake
medieval evening
concerts in churches
boat trip, day or evening
Monastery and walk down the hill
dinner at Kampa Park
local dish of stroganoff in a loaf of bread
Spa treatments are reasonable in hotel spas.

ValentineValentineV · 19/02/2025 22:57

TeamGeriatric · 18/02/2025 22:24

We were in Vienna recently, think you have to see Schonbrunn and the Klimt paintings in the Belvedere. The roof of the cathedral is cool, best seen from the north tower. I enjoyed the Spanish riding school, but it was underappreciated by the rest of my family, and the view is restricted from the cheaper seats. The Albertina has Monet and Picasso pictures amongst others, and is open late some evenings. The Sissi museum in the Hofburg was very overcrowded and a bit underwhelming. Lots of nice places to eat strudel and sachertorte, the most well known ones have long queues.

Prague is lovely, but I haven't been in 20 years. From memory there is the castle, Charles bridge, Jewish quarter. There is the sedlec ossuary in Kutna Hora, but if you are tight on time it's probably too time consuming to visit.

Kutna Hora freaked me out.

MrsTaytodarling · 20/02/2025 08:10

@LittleLlama, going in 2 weeks for 4 nights....was it expensive? What are we looking at spending money wise? Thank you

LittleLlama · 20/02/2025 09:41

@MrsTaytodarling

Public transport was very cheap, frequent and convenient.
Eating out - Outside of the main tourist areas was very reasonable. List of restaurants recommended by the tour guides in the old town area is below.

Tour/Museums - Reasonable costs.

We were there for five nights and had breakfast in the hotel. We spent £500, we did a lot of tours/visits but didn’t eat in any expensive restaurants.

MrsTaytodarling · 23/02/2025 18:01

@LittleLlama , thank you so much
That's what I'm thinking

PollyPeeves · 23/02/2025 18:04

We visited Prague a few years ago and one of the stand out things for us was a restaurant near the castle called Kuchyn.
It's "menuless" dining so you don't chose your food from a prinyed menu - you go into the kitchen to see and smell the food on offer than day and decide what you're having that way - we loved it and the views from their outdoor seating area were stunning