My mom came to visit and after showing her around Brussels, we took a weekend trip to Prague, Czech Republic. Here is how we spent just 48 hours in this medieval city, and some dos and don’ts if you ever plan to visit.

How we got there

We flew on RyanAir out of Brussels Charleroi airport. This airport is a 45 minute bus ride from the city center, so I gave my mom the full experience of taking the underground metro to get to the bus to then get to the airport. The flight was only 1.5 hours, but then we had to taxi about 35 minutes to our hotel in the city center of Prague.

Where we stayed

K+K Hotel Central Prague – this was such a great location! We were just a stone’s throw away from old town. The rooms were comfortable, the decor was elegant, and the hotel had a small bistro for cocktails and appetizers. We didn’t have time to use the amenities, but I heard there was also a sauna. I would definitely stay here again.

Where we dined

Okay, so the truth is that I didn’t love the food in Prague. I really think Prague would be one of my favorite cities ever…but since I am such a foodie, this was a disappointment for me. The food is very heavy, featuring lots of meat and potatoes. I did try a chimney cake, which is available on basically every corner. My recommendation would be to grab some extra napkins for this one!

What we did there

Explored Old Town This is the center of Prague, dating back to the 10th century!!! It features many monuments, Gothic buildings, and the Astronomical Clock. I paid to climb to the top of the clock to see an overview of the city, which is something not to miss!

Walked around the Vltava river and crossed Charles Bridge The Vltava is the longest river in Prague, which can be crossed by 17 different bridges. The Charles Bridge is the oldest bridge in Prague, built in 1357! This medieval stone arch bridge has over 30 statues displayed. We walked over the bridge both during the day and at night. At night, it was very dark and you could really feel the spooky/medieval vibes.

Lobkowicz Palace and Prague Castle The Lobkowicz Palace is part of the Prague Castle complex, housing the Lobkowicz Collections and Museum. We skimmed through here, because we wanted to spend majority of our time in the castle. The Prague Castle actually holds the Guinness Book of World Records for being the largest coherent castle complex in the world. What is even crazier is that it was built in the 9th century…where it was occupied by kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors, and Czechoslovakia’s presidents. The self-guided tour we purchased allowed us to tour St. Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane, Old Royal Palace, St. Georg’s Basilica, and the private museum in Lobkowicz Palace. This was truly an amazing experience.

Historical River Cruise Naturally, we had to spend some time on a boat! We opted in for a historical river cruise. Boats depart every 15 minutes all day long, so you can join this activity at any time. We beat the rush by doing it in the early afternoon. We learned some interesting facts, too. Did you know that from 1948 until the end of November 1989, the country was under Communist rule? Kind of scary to think about considering that wasn’t really that long ago.

How much we spent

• Hotel: $355 total
• Airfare: $255 total
• Flibco bus to and from the airport: $36 each
• Lobkowicz Palace and Prague Castle Entrance Tickets: $20 each
• 45-Minute Historical River Cruise and Refreshments: $20 each
• Food/drinks

Prague was very affordable, which is the reputation of Eastern Europe.

Dos & Don’ts

• Do: Exchange your native currency to Czech koruna/crowns. If you don’t do this beforehand, you can do it at the airport or take money out of ATMs throughout the city. There are several places that are cash only
• Don’t: spend too much time in the Lobkowicz Palace, keep walking up the hill and explore the other grounds that are a part of the castle
• Do: Use Uber if you need a ride! It is cheaper (and safer) than taxis
• Don’t: wear hats or sun glasses when touring churches, museums, and historical buildings because it is considered impolite
• Do: carry €,50 or €1 to be able to use public restrooms

In my eyes, Prague is a city you shouldn’t miss!