Travel in city Prague

Prague is one of Europe’s most visited cities. Millions of tourists come to the Czech capital each year for its romantic hilltop castle, its intricate astronomical clock and its statue-lined medieval bridge.

Taken from the Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget , here's our pick of the best hostels in Europe.

Kash Bhattacharya is an award-winning travel blogger based in Berlin. His Budget Traveller blog reflects his passion for adventure, while simultaneously travelling in style – and on a budget. We chatted to Kash about luxury hostels, coronavirus and what holidays are next on his horizon.

Polish cities are undergoing a renaissance of sorts. Thanks to a combination of urban renovation, bold contemporary architecture and blossoming nightlife, there’s never been a better time to travel around Poland. And never a better time to travel by train. Here’s why:

If you’re looking for a city with fairytale architecture and gas-lit cobbled alleyways, you should probably stop reading now. Book a flight to Prague or Paris and be done with it. For Cologne (or Köln), is at first glance underwhelming in its postwar geometricity, with more busy roads than pedestrianised ones and only one blockbuster sight in the form of its towering cathedral. And even that’s the stuff of Gothic horror, not fairytales.

If you’ve fallen for Prague’s undeniable allure, it might be time to consider branching out to explore some of the Czech Republic’s less-trodden paths. Paths that deliver a richly rewarding blend of fine wine, fascinating folk culture, and exhilarating landscapes that are ripe for outdoor adventuring - both above and beneath the earth. If that sounds like your kind of trip, if you’re looking for a fresh destination that remains tantalizingly under the radar, South Moravia might just be your new favourite place. Read on to discover why.

Majestic mountains and fairy-tale forests. Riverside has rambling routes and charming spa towns. Czechia is a dream destination for hikers looking to enjoy culture and history (and world-beating beer) alongside outdoor adventuring. And with 40,000 km of marked trails, hiking is arguably the most rewarding way to experience its diverse delights.

Zagreb Croatia has dubious honour of being underestimated twice. Once it was shunned by travellers for a lack of beaches. Then it was ignored by city-breakers bound for Prague or Budapest.

Have you ever visited a city and simply fallen in love? We're sure you have — but which one? We asked our Twitter and Facebook followers to vote for the most beautiful city in the world. From the old-world gems of Europe to modern metropolises in North America, these are the places that came top in the poll. Have a different opinion? Let us know on social!

Travelling by train is one of the best ways to explore Europe, and there are few places that offer train adventures quite like the Czech Republic. Prague may lure a traveller in, but other cities and towns in the country can truly capture a traveller’s heart, as bloggers Megan Starr and Aram Vardanyan discovered when they embarked on a rail adventure through the Czech Republic.

With warmer weather, fewer tourists and lower prices than the peak summer months, May is the perfect time to travel in the northern hemisphere. Coupled with the fact that many tropical lands begin to see signs of the rainy season in May, it's the ideal time to visit Europe.

Looking for inspiration on Christmas destinations? We can help, with our list of the 20 top Christmas places. Some have snow, almost all have glitter and Christmas spirit is guaranteed. Take a look.

What’s not to like about Prague? From the splendour of Gothic Prague to Art Nouveau and Modernist masterpieces, from traditional pubs to a thumping clubbing scene, everyone can find their thing in the Czech capital. Likewise, there's somewhere to stay for everyone. Prague made our list of the best cheap places to travel in the world. Here's our guide to where to stay in Prague.

City breaks can be hard to plan. You want it all – art, culture, quirky hotels, top restaurants – but also the chance to relax. Fortunately, there are enough cities in Europe where you can find it all. These city breaks in Europe don’t skimp on urban culture, and have nature on their doorstep for when you need a breath of fresh air.

Hungarians and Turks came to Slovakia for its natural resources, and so do today’s tourists. A wide band of sprawling mountains means lots of good skiing and snowboarding, while Karst areas are perfect for caving and the rambling hilly midlands are a hiker’s paradise. In addition to its stunning natural beauty, Slovakia is one of the most budget-friendly destinations in Europe. Here is our pick of the best things to do in Slovakia.

We asked our readers on Facebook and Twitter to vote for their favourite city in the world: these are the best cities in the world as voted by you.

“Prague never lets you go,” said Franz Kafka, “this dear little mother has claws”. Prague also gets her golden claws into tourists, and few ever make it outside the capital. But those who tear themselves away won’t be sorry. The colonnade- and park-filled spa towns, Bohemia’s Renaissance breweries and hilltop ruins, and Moravia's rolling hills are among the many best things to do in the Czech Republic.

Prepare to nod in agreement or, quite possibly, to be well and truly riled! It’s fair to say that our countdown through the top five friendliest and unfriendliest cities in the world — as voted by hundreds of Rough Guides' readers — contains a few surprises and plenty of brutally honest (and entertaining) opinions.