Overview Hotels

Where will you sleep
in Prague?

Czech Republic

For some people, it’s the most important part of a trip. For others, it’s simply somewhere to crash after a long day. For us, it’s an integral factor in your happiness while travelling. What is it? Nothing less than choosing the right hotel. And in Prague the choice can seem a little overwhelming: with over 90,000 hotel beds in the city, which one will you sleep in? We can help you find the perfect one.

A place for all seasons

Location, location, location: the old real estate mantra could easily apply to the Four Seasons. It has simply the best position in Prague, beside Charles Bridge with views like the one shown here, across the river to the castle. It’s just a few minutes from the Old Town, and makes the most of its position with a delightful terrace and stunning suites along the riverbank. Plus a clever design where three historic buildings are seamlessly linked by a sleek modern one in the middle.

Not every bedroom has a river view but those in the main building instead benefit from very high ceilings and big windows. We love a room that’s light and airy, yet still feels cosy and welcoming. And every guest can enjoy the impeccable service, intimate spa and sumptuous breakfast (truly one of the best we’ve had). The Four Seasons is perfect for those who want to be in the heart of the action, but be cocooned in absolute luxury or indulge in some great activities, such as a private boat tour through Prague.

An oasis of calm seclusion

If you need a retreat from the outside world, an escape from the buzzing city, a place to chill, then why not follow in the footsteps of those who knew all about that. Monks. The Mandarin Oriental is housed in a 14th-century Dominican monastery in Mala Strana, on the quieter bank of the river. With high walls and a central garden, this feels like a bubble of calm in what is otherwise a busy city.

As befits its restful location, centrepiece of this hotel is the sumptuous spa, probably the only one in the world to be in former chapel (though we’re not sure the monks ever had four-hand massages). And their cells were certainly not as swish and comfortable as the bedrooms today. We particularly liked the ones that have a private terrace overlooking the garden. Truly a spot for some me time.

A taste of local luxury

One thing many guests love when travelling abroad is going local. Five-star hotels don’t have to be international chains or big resorts, they can also be boutique affairs that combine individual charm with local atmosphere. One such place is the Aria, tucked away at the base of the castle hill, and so discreet that you almost walk past it before you realise what’s there.

Maybe you guessed from the name, but the Aria has a musical theme, from suites named after composers to a stylish piano bar – and classical music on tap. It was lovely to sit in our elegant room and listen to Dvorak via the in-house music library. Sometimes great things come in small packages, so if you prefer low-key local luxury, then this is the smart choice for you.

Written by: Diccon Bewes on 29 May 2023

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Overview Magazine

Taking the night train to Prague

Prague, Czech Republic

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You go to bed in Zurich and wake up in Prague. No, it isn’t some futuristic form of teleportation, it’s the return of an old way to travel: the night train. Years after most overnight services were cancelled, some routes have been resurrected, notably to Prague through Germany. With deluxe compartments and convenient timetables, it’s a great alternative to flying so we decided to check it out.

Departure board at Zurich station platform

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The train leaves Zurich at 19.59 (or Basel at 21.13) and arrives in Prague the next morning at 09.38. Half the train goes to Berlin so make sure you get in the right part.

Your home for the night

Compact but clean and comfortable: welcome to your room! Your bed is already made up, and there is actually space to store a full-sized suitcase. Each compartment can sleep up to three people, with upper beds that pull down from the walls, though we felt two was the ideal number for comfort. Deluxe compartments have their own mini-bathroom with a shower (towels and soap provided) whereas standard ones only have a washbasin.

Map showing the route of the night train to Prague

But before setting off, one small thing to note: this isn’t the Orient Express. It is not a super-luxury train, which means there is no restaurant car (and hopefully no murders) – so have dinner in the station and then jump on board. Drinks and snacks are available from the conductor, and breakfast is included in the ticket so no need to take a picnic hamper with you.

Deluxe compartment of the Prague night train

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After you leave Basel, with the passport and customs checks done, you can settle in for the night. The onboard wifi was strong enough to stream Netflix but be warned: older carriages only have one plug per compartment. Charge your devices before you get on board. As for the bed, it was surprisingly comfortable. Not cramped at all and the gentle rocking motion meant I slept like a baby.

Rise and shine

Just past 7am and the train arrives in Dresden – and most people leave, which can be rather noisy so light sleepers should bring earplugs. But it does mean you’re awake to watch the world go by, once the conductor has converted your pad to its day format with seats and a table. Fresh rolls, yoghurt, juice and tea: just enough to keep you going for the final leg.

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After Dresden the line follows the Elbe for quite some time, making it a scenic backdrop for breakfast on the move. Over the border into the Czech Republic and you’re rattling through the heart of Bohemia, past wooded valleys and tiny villages on the way to one of Europe’s great capitals. As the spires of Prague Castle appear on the skyline, you realise this is the best way to arrive in a city, not least because you are directly in the centre.

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Our verdict? It’s a wonderful way to travel. No security queues or long check in times, city centre to city centre without any hassle and, not least, very eco-friendly. For an easy, stress-free journey that puts a bit of the romance back into travelling, we love the night train.

From Switzerland there are currently night train services to Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest, Cologne, Dresden, Graz, Hamburg, Ljubljana, Prague, Vienna and Zagreb.

Written by: Diccon Bewes on 23 May 2023

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Overview Magazine

See the golden city
from a new angle

Prague, Czech Republic

Boat captain standing up and showing the sighst from the river

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Sit back and relax as your boat glides through the water, expertly guided by our man in Prague, who knows all there is to know about this captivating city. While he tells his tales, you sip a cool drink and watch an incomparable urban landscape slip by. This personal private boat tour is probably the most elegant way to see the capital of the Czech Republic, giving you a whole new perspective of the city.

Sailing under the arches of Charles Bridge accompanied by the stirring notes of Dvorak’s New World Symphony – truly a goosebumps moment that you’ll never forget. But it was another Czech composer, Smetana, who wrote the most evocative piece of Czech music, aptly called Vltava (or Moldau in German). This delicate tune, which actually sounds like water running downstream, pops up all over the city but takes on a whole new meaning when heard out on the river itself.

The national river

Seeing a famous city landscape from a completely different angle often means taking to the skies but our favourite way is to take to the water, and in Prague that means the Vltava River. Often referred to as the national river, the Vltava is the longest in the Czech Republic and it plays a central role in Prague. It divides the city between the Old Town on the east bank and the castle on the west, so that you end up crossing its gently flowing waters quite a few times.

View of Charles Bridge fro the river boat

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Old Town Bridge Tower seen from the water

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But rather than walk across Charles Bridge for the umpteenth time, why not sail under its graceful arches instead? Seeing it from the bottom up, you realise what a feat of engineering the bridge was when it opened in 1357. And you learn that before Charles came Judith, an older bridge washed away in floods but with some hidden remains visible only from the water. Layers of history that are revealed to the lucky few who venture behind the scenes.

Along
the banks

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Along
the banks

What we loved about this exclusive little boat ride was discovering what secrets were to be found along the banks of the river. Looking at one grand palace on the west bank, you’d never know that it actually has bulletproof windows in the riverside rooms so that visiting dignitaries are safe from assassination. Or that the structure crowning Petrin Hill is a mini-version of the Eiffel Tower, built to a scale of 1 in 5.

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And of course, the Charles Bridge isn’t the only one in town. There’s also a gracious Art Nouveau affair with grand columns and winged sculptures that seem to have flown in from an imperial capital. Or the quiet canals around Kampa Island, where you can see the last working water wheel in the city or get a glimpse of what it’s like to live right beside the water.

It isn’t just the scenery that makes this water tour so memorable, it’s also the stories of life in the Czech capital over the past decades. Nazi occupation and Communist control, the Prague Spring and the Velvet Divorce, freedom and independence: this is history brought to life by a man who lived through it, hearing of his grandfather being deported or seeing the Iron Curtain come down. Prague isn’t only striking medieval architecture, it’s the modern story of central Europe.

Written by: Diccon Bewes on 19 May 2023

Overview Destination

The golden city of spires and saints

Prague, Czech Republic

Sunrise over Prague with a view from the Karluv Bridge

Early morning, as the sun is rising behind the city’s spires and long before throngs of people fill the historic streets – that’s the best time to stroll across Charles Bridge and meet the saints lining its route, maybe rubbing a brass foot for good luck. This ancient bridge connects the medieval splendour of the Old Town with the grand spectacle of the hilltop castle, and almost any visit to Prague involves crossing it time and again – or even sailing under it, or best of all sleeping beside it. We can make all three happen for you – and with the new night train service from Switzerland, getting there has never been easier.

Charles Bridge and Prague Castle seen from the river

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Get out on the river

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The Vltava is perhaps not as famous as the Seine or the Thames but it offers the same great way of looking at a city landscape from a different angle. Better yet, enjoy this watery excursion in your own private boat with a personal guide. It truly is an amazing way to experience Prague.
Come on board with us

View of the Prague Castle are from the air showing St Vitus' cathedral

Dive into layers of history

Prague’s crowning glory is its castle, one of the largest in Europe. Except that it’s not merely a castle, it’s a whole array of imposing architecture, from a vast cathedral and cobbled squares to medieval houses and grand palaces. Come with us to discover hidden corners and incomparable art.

Old headstones in the Jewish cemetery of Prague

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See a darker side of Prague

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Standing in an old synagogue, its walls inscribed with thousands of names, that’s when you realise the enormity of what happened to Prague’s Jewish community during World War Two. A guided walking tour of Josefov is the best way to understand this tragic past and how it’s an integral part of the city’s history.

Enjoy a night out on the town

After watching the sun set behind the castle, the nightlife of Prague is waiting for you. A classical concert in a Baroque church or contemporary experimental theatre? Maybe a gourmet meal of local specialities or something surprising that’s unique to this city? We can organise whatever takes your fancy.

Essential Prague

For a city of over a million people, Prague is remarkably compact. Its historic core has remained almost intact, giving it a glorious procession of buildings from medieval to modern. The pedestrianised Old Town with its famous Astronomical Clock might attract the crowds but once you go beyond that, you discover the real Prague. This city of a hundred spires has been at the heart of central Europe for centuries, once as the capital of Bohemia and now the capital of the Czech Republic.

Where it is

Eastern Europe

When to go

All year

Why go there

Medieval architecture
Fascinating history
Great art

What to see

Prague Castle
Old Town
Jewish quarter

Overview Country

Czech Republic
Where centuries of
history come alive

Karlstejn Castle Czech,Republic Stunning Aerial view

As a landlocked land at the heart of Europe, the Czech Republic has changed shape and name with the tides of history. From the old kingdom of Bohemia through the Habsburg Empire to the years as Czechoslovakia, this small state has seen some turbulent times. That sense of history is palpable in medieval centres like Prague or Cesky Krumlov, but also in the rolling hills and sturdy castles of the countryside. Step back in time with Cosa to discover this fascinating nation.

A glass of beer in authentic atmosphere somewhere in Prague in the Czech Republic

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