Wintry Fairy Tale in Prague

Prague was the city I was most excited to visit on my European road trip. From the first time I saw photos of it, I knew it was bound to be a gorgeous real-life fairy tale of a city. And I couldn’t have been more right.

I arrived in Prague around 2pm and drove over the river, past the Dancing House and straight to District 1 – Stare Mestro, where my hotel was situated on exactly the type of street I’d expected. The hotel was so easy to get to and the staff was beyond friendly and helpful in ever manner. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience in that regard.

After a quick check in and dumping all of my things off in the room, I bundled up to brave the freezing temperatures and light snow that were in store for me outside.

One of the best things about the hotel was its location. It was within walking distance of so much and especially close to most of the biggest sites–the Charles Bridge, Astronomical Clock, etc. A quick walk and I was already in the heart of the Old Town and totally enamored.

Prague is bursting at the seams with charm and it’s so easy to get lost in thought and consumed by the vast beauty of the city while meandering down all the cobblestone paths. It’s also quite nice to stop off at a restaurant, bar, or cafe and enjoy a bit of a break (especially from the snow I experienced!).

The second day, I woke up to the city coated in a fresh blanket of snow. If I didn’t think that Prague could get anymore beautiful, I was totally wrong. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring the proper footwear for the amount of snow we were getting and so I had to go in search of some better shoes. Slipping and sliding all over the cobblestones until I finally found a shoe cobbler (it sounds much more adorable than shoe repair store–and we’re in Prague, okay?) in a mall. The guy running the place didn’t speak any English, and obviously I don’t speak any Czech, so there was a bit of a loss in the communication. I ended up playing charades with the guy, demonstrating what a slip on ice looks like and shaking my finger like, “this is what I don’t want to do”.

Eventually he understood and was able to affix some new rubber soles to the shoes I was wearing. While waiting, I walked socked-foot downstairs to a little cafe for some hot chocolate (which the waitress accurately described to me as “more of a hot dark chocolate pudding than a drink”; I ended up eating it with a spoon).

There’s so much to see and do in Prague, that it felt like I couldn’t possibly have enough time for all of it. I stuck to the things I really wanted to see, one of which was the Charles Bridge at dusk. I’d dreamed about taking photos of this iconic bridge in the snow at dusk (or dawn) and it didn’t disappoint. I probably shot about 100+ photos from all different angles at various points during sundown just to the get the images I had been waiting for.

I have such a romantic association with wintertime and snow especially (even though I know how awful it is to live with every winter), and seeing Prague like that was exactly as I’d dreamed. I’m sure it’s just as beautiful during other seasons, but it’s just so special in the winter (and I’m sure much less crowded!).

Bonus photo: I just thought this sign was awesome.