The Czech Republic's capital and international showpiece, Prague is one of the most popular destinations in Eastern Europe. Its attraction lies in the physical beauty of the city with 600 years of architecture amazingly untouched by war. The centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it demands to be explored on foot, an entire outdoor museum of history and a haphazard mixture of splendid architecture.

In the 14th century Prague enjoyed a reputation of being one of the most important cities in Europe, but after the Second World War it disappeared completely behind the Iron Curtain. Since the 1989 Velvet Revolution and the end of Communism, Prague has thrown off the years of repression with alacrity and is returning to its earlier grandeur, enticing tourists with its fairytale quality and romantic atmosphere. In recent years Prague has also become a popular weekend destination for stag and hen party groups, attracted by the lively nightlife, world-famous beer and low prices.

The historical centre of the city is compact and its attractions are all within easy reach. The core comprises the Castle District (Hradèany) west of the River Vltava, and the Old and New town (Staré Mesto and Nové Mesto) to the east, joined by the famous Charles Bridge. The Castle District situated on the hill overlooking the city incorporates the main attractions, including the Castle itself and the Cathedral. The Old Town is a maze of alleyways, cobbled streets and passages winding their way towards the beautiful Old Town Square, Staromestské Namestí. Josefov Ghetto, the old Jewish Quarter, is enclosed within the old town. The New Town, in contrast, is modern and has been laid out in wide boulevards, most famously Wenceslas Square, the fashionable shopping boulevard leading up to the foot of the grand National Gallery.

The city's cultural scene also features high on the list of things to do in Prague, with classical music concerts, opera and ballet, as well as the many art galleries around the city. It is constantly adding small new museums to its summertime list, often strange but curiously interesting. This beautiful city, a 'symphony in stone', built along the river and on the surrounding hills, has never ceased to capture the hearts and imagination of visitors, painters, photographers and poets.

The Castle District (Hradèany)

Address: Prague

Admission: Full ticket: 350 Kc (adults), 175 Kc (concessions); includes the Old Royal Palace, the permanent exhibition, the Basilica of St George, Convent of St George - National Gallery and the Golden Lane/Daliborka Tower. Individual tickets also available Interiors, daily 9am to 6pm (4pm in winter). Castle grounds, daily 5am to midnight (April to October) and 6am to 11pm (November to March). Gardens closed in winter. The changing of the guards ceremony takes place every hour, but the flag ceremony is only at 12pm

St Vitus Cathedral

Address: Castle District (Hradèany) Prague

Admission: Entrance is free. A ticket for the crypt and main altar is 100 Kc Daily 9am to 5pm (April to October), 9am to 4pm (November to March)

Charles Bridge (Karluv Most)

Address: Prague

Old Town Square (Staromstské Námestí)

Address: Staré Msto Prague

Admission: Town Hall tour 50 Kc, concessions available Town Hall tower open Monday 11am to 6pm; Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 6pm, closing an hour earlier in winter

The Jewish Museum

Address: U Staré školy 1 Prague

Admission: 300Kc (adults), 200Kc (children 6-15) Daily except Saturday from 9am to 6pm (April to October), 9am to 4.30pm (November to March). Jewish Cemetery opens Tuesday to Thursday, 9am to 1pm.

Telephone: 222 749 221

Vyšehrad

Address: V Pevnosti 159/5b, Prague 2 Prague

Admission: Vysehrad Gallery: 20 Kc; the Brick Gate: 20 Kc; Casemate: 50 Kc. Concessions available. Entrance to the grounds is free Daily 9.30am to 6pm (April to October), 9.30am to 5pm (November to March)

Telephone: 241 410 247 or 241 410 348

Ceský Krumlov

Address: Prague

Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad)

Address: Prague

Kutna Hora

Address: Prague

Museum of Communism (Muzeum Komunismu)

Address: Na Pøíkopì 10 Prague

Admission: Adults: CZK180; Concessions available. Daily from 9am to 9pm including holidays, except 24 December

Telephone: 224 212 966

Prague Astronomical Clock

Address: Old Town City Hall Prague

Miluniæ and Gehry's Dancing House

Address: Rašínovo nábøeží 80 Prague

Petrin Observation Tower

Address: Mala Strana, Prague 5 Prague

Admission: 60 CZK (adult), 40 CZK (child) January to March: Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm; April: daily 10am to 7pm; May to September: daily 10am to 10pm; October: daily 10am to 6pm; November to December: Weekends and Christmas holidays 10am to 5pm

Telephone: 257 320 112

Petrin Hill

Address: Lesser Town, Prague 1 Prague

Prague Toy Museum

Address: Jiøská 4, Prague 1 Prague

Admission: 60 CZK (adult), 30 CZK (child) 9:30am to 5:30pm

Traffic Rules Playground Prosek

Address: Litvínovská 500, Prosek, Prague 9 Prague

Admission: 10 CZK for an adult with a child Monday to Friday; 10am to 7pm (June to August), 1pm to 6pm (April, May, September and October)

Franz Kafka Museum

Address: Hergetova Cihelna, Malá Strana Prague

Admission: Kc120 adults, Kc60 students Daily 10am-6pm.

Telephone: 257 535 507

Prague Spring International Music Festival

Where: Various,Prague

When: 5 May to 4 June 2011

Prague Autumn Festival

Where: Prague State Opera Municipal House Rudolfinum,Prague

When: 12 September to 1 October 2011

Prague Christmas Markets

Where: Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square,Prague

When: 26 November 2011 to 8 January 2012

New Years Eve in Prague

Where: Various venues around the city,Prague

Bellevue

Address: Smetanova nábrezi 18, Stare Mesto Prague

Food Type: International

Francouzská Restaurant Municipal House

Address: Námìstí Republiky 5 Prague

Food Type: French

U Fleku

Address: Kremencova 11 Prague

Food Type: Gastropubs

Buffalo Bill's

Address: Vodickova 9, Stare Mesto Prague

Food Type: Tex-Mex

King Solomon Strictly Kosher Restaurant

Address: Siroká 8 Prague

Food Type: Kosher

U Vejvodu

Address: Jilská 4, Prague 1 Prague

Food Type: Gastropubs

Rybi Trh

Address: Týnský dvùr 5, 110 00 Praha 1 Prague

Food Type: Seafood

Radostfx

Address: Bìlehradská 120 00 Praha 2 Prague

Food Type: Vegetarian

La Degustation

Address: Hastalská 18 Prague

Food Type: International