A snapshot of historic Prague from The Augustine hotel

The 101-room hotel is ideally located in Prague's fashionable Malá Strana neighborhood, just a stone's throw from the majestic Prague Castle and within easy reach of the city's many fascinating tourist attractions.

Recognised as a UNESCO world cultural heritage site, Prague's historical city centre has something to suit all interests, with its glorious mixture of winding cobbled streets, brightly coloured spires and buildings in a fantastic mix of different architectural styles including Romanesque rotundas, Gothic cathedrals and Baroque and Renaissance palaces all telling a different story.

Prague Castle & Malá Strana
The first port of call for all hotel guests should be the fascinating Prague Castle, just a short ten minute walk from The Augustine. Built in the ninth century, The Castle dominates the city's skyline and is sprawling complex of cathedrals, palaces, gardens, winding lanes, picturesque cottages, cellars and towers. Most of the Castle was rebuilt in the sixteenth century resulting in the stunning Renaissance architecture seen today. One of the must-see highlights is the glorious St Vitus's Cathedral which took an impressive 500 years to build. The views from the top of the South Tower are not to be missed.

The artistic treasures of Bohemia's Kings can be seen in the Castle Picture Gallery and St George's Convent. The Castle was once capital of the Holy Roman Empire and is today home to the President of the Czech Republic.

Take a leisurely walk downhill from the Castle stopping off Nerudova, an enchanting street lined with beautiful renaissance facades, named after the renowned Czech writer Jan Neruda.

Adjacent to The Augustine lies the stunning Wallenstein Gardens (Valdšejnská zahrada), complete with its very own resident peacocks. Also well worth a visit are the tranquil sixteenth century Vrtbobvská Gardens (Vrtbovská zahrada), just a short stroll away from the hotel, the Gardens are accessed through a discreet alley at the corner of Tržiště and Karmelitská streets.

Charles Bridge
A ten-minute stroll away from the hotel lies the stunning Gothic masterpiece that is the fourteenth century Charles Bridge, linking Prague's Old Town to the Malá Strana District. The Bridge is most famous for its gallery of 30 saints and religious figures which have been sculpted into its sides during the late seventeenth century.

For those who don't mind an early start, the sunrises from the bridge are incredible as the sun comes up over the Old Town Bridge Tower. Equally dramatic are the nighttime views from the bridge, with the city's twinkling spires reflecting into the Vltava River.

The Church of St Nicholas
Designed by the acclaimed Baroque architects, father and son team, Christoph and Kilian Dientzenhofer, the eighteenth century Jesuit Church of St Nicholas in the city's Malá Strana neighborhood is a definite must for any visit to Prague. The interior features beautiful carvings, frescoes and statues which were all painstakingly restored in the 1950's. The Church’s clocktower boasts some of the best views of the city.

Petřίn Hill
Located above Malá Strana, the forested Petřίn Hill, provides the perfect antidote to the bustling city. The more energetic may choose to climb all 289 steps to the top of Prague’s very own mini Eiffel Tower, Eiffelovka which was modeled on the original in Paris but only stands one quarter as high. The less adventurous may prefer the views from the Funicular Railway which takes visitors to the top of the hill. The Mirror Maze, dating back to 1891, is a firm favourite with children.

The Old Town Square
Just across the Charles Bridge is the Staré Mĕsto area, featuring The Old Town Square which has been at the heart of ancient Prague since the fourteenth century, witnessing the city's many dramatic historical events. Made-up of an eclectic combination of Gothic towers, a sparkling white church and pink and blue Baroque rooftops, the Old Town Square is the perfect place to stand back and soak up some of the city’s fascinating history. The Old Town Square is home to The Old Town Hall including the famous Astronomical Clock, the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, the Stone Bell House, St. Nicholas Church, Renaissance and Baroque houses and the Rococo Kinsky Palace.

St Agnes’s Convent
Located in the eastern Staré Mĕsto is the thirteenth century convent of St Agnes of Bohemia which now houses the National Galley’s Collection of medieval art displayed in a stunning group of cloisters, halls and churches. The Convent displays the Czech National Gallery’s most prized possession, the Strakonice Madonna, the 700 year old statue of the Virgin and Child.

The Jewish Museum
No visit to Prague is complete without a visit to the city’s Jewish Museum which is testament to the city’s once thriving Jewish community. Located in the Josefov district, Prague’s Jewish Museum is comprised of six major sights located in the former Jewish Ghetto; the Maisel Synagogue, the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Ceremonial Hall, the Spanish Synagogue, the Pinkas Synagogue and the Klausen Synagogue. The Jewish Ghetto was also home to one of Prague’s most famous residents, Franz Kafka who died in 1924.

The Old Jewish Cemetery is the second oldest graveyard in Europe and houses an estimated 200,000 graves, with the oldest headstone dating back to 1439.

Pařížská
All serious shoppers should head to Pařižská, Prague’s very own Champs- Elysées, also located in the city’s Josefov neighborhood. This smart, tree lined avenue is home to the city’s flagship designer stores and chic cafés. Well-known names include Alfred Dunhill, Bang & Olufsen, Cartier, Lacoste, Louis Vuitton and Salvatore Ferragamo to name but a few.

Strahov Monastery
The beautiful sixteenth century library at the Strahov Monastery in the Hradčany district is a Baroque masterpiece, with two large book-lined halls and a beautiful ceiling frescoe which was the last work of Viennese artist Franz Maulpertsch entiled ‘The Struggle of Mankind to Know Real Wisdom.’

Museum of Czech Cubism
Learn about the Czech Republic’s strong Cubist tradition at the Museum of Czech Cubism, located in the National Gallery on Ovocný trh Street.

Veletržní Palác
Located a little outside of the city centre, but well worth a visit is the austere Veletržní Palác
home to the national collection of nineteenth and twentieth century art including works from prominent Czech artists, as well as some of the more well-known names such as Klimt, Gauguin and Picasso. Before you leave, make sure you stop at the visually arresting Křižík Fountain, a stunning combination of light, water and music.

Žižkov district
Just outside of the city centre lies the trendy Žižkov district, home to two of the most famous modern architectural symbols of Prague, the Dancing Building on the banks of the Vltava and the TV Tower. Constructed in 1996, the Dancing Building is located at the junction of Resslova Street and Rašínovo nábřeží. The curved lines of the narrow-waisted glass tower clutched against its more upright and formal partner led to it being nicknamed the 'Fred & Ginger Building'.

At 216 metres high, Prague’s TV Tower is the city’s tallest building. Stop off for a coffee in the Tower's café and enjoy fantastic views over the whole of the city.

Music
No trip to the Czech capital is complete without a visit to the ballet or the opera. Catch a performance by the Prague State Opera or the Prague National Theatre Opera, held at one of three beautiful opera houses; State Opera, National Theatre or Theatre of the Estates. Prague is a haven for classical musical lovers with regular concerts in The Rudolfinum, home of the Czech Philharmonic and Municipal House, the city's best Art Nouveau attraction and home to Prague's Symphony Orchestra. The city also hosts the annual Prague Spring Festival taking place between 12 May and 3 June. Jazz fans can also listen to some of Europe's finest jazz in one of the many jazz clubs and bars across town, the Agharta Jazz Club is one of the city's most famous.

Outside the city centre
For those who want to venture outside of the city walls, the surrounding area boasts some fantastic countryside, castles, palaces and mountains. The hotel's concierge would be more than happy to organise day trips outside of the city.

More information: The Augustine Hotel

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