Prague Castle and Hradčany: The world's largest ancient castle complex (70,000m²) dominates Prague from hilltop - founded 9th century, Czech presidents' official residence. St. Vitus Cathedral (Gothic masterpiece, 600 years construction, stunning stained glass including Alfons Mucha's Art Nouveau window, royal tombs) is complex centerpiece. Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica (Romanesque, 10th century), Golden Lane (tiny colorful houses built into castle walls, No. 22 where Kafka briefly worked), gardens. Complex requires 2-4 hours depending on ticket option. Arrive early avoiding midday crowds. Evening illumination beautiful. Surrounding Hradčany quarter has embassies, palaces, Loreto sanctuary. Castle views from across river (Charles Bridge, Letná Park) are iconic Prague images - red roofs, spires, Vltava River.

Charles Bridge and Old Town: Charles Bridge (Karlův most, 1357-1402) connects Old Town and Lesser Quarter - 516m pedestrian bridge, 30 Baroque statues (St. John of Nepomuk most famous - touch brass plaque for luck and return to Prague), street artists, musicians, vendors, towers at both ends with views. Cross early morning (sunrise, 6-7am) avoiding crowds - magical experience. Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) is Prague's heart - Astronomical Clock (1410, hourly show with apostles 9am-9pm, crowds gather), Týn Church (Gothic twin spires), St. Nicholas Church (Baroque interior), Jan Hus Memorial, colorful buildings, outdoor cafés. Climb Old Town Hall tower for panoramic views. Winding medieval streets around square (Celetná, Karlova) lead to Charles Bridge - shops, restaurants, architecture. Prague's Old Town is pedestrian-friendly, compact, extraordinarily preserved - fairy-tale quality justifying 'Golden City' nickname.

Jewish Quarter (Josefov): Prague's former Jewish ghetto (between Old Town Square and Vltava) preserves synagogues and cemetery - moving testament to 1,000-year Jewish presence. Old Jewish Cemetery (1439-1787) has 12,000 gravestones layered (Jewish law prohibits removing graves, bodies buried in layers up to 12 deep) - atmospheric, historic. Spanish Synagogue (Moorish interior), Pinkas Synagogue (Holocaust memorial - walls inscribed with 80,000 Czech Jewish victims' names), Old-New Synagogue (Europe's oldest active synagogue, 1270, Gothic). Franz Kafka born in Josefov - statue near Spanish Synagogue. Jewish Museum ticket covers synagogues and cemetery. Allow 2-3 hours. Prague's Jewish heritage significant despite Holocaust decimating community (90% perished). Quarter now expensive real estate - designer shops, restaurants, but history preserved.

Czech Beer Culture: Czechs invented lager (Pilsner Urquell from Plzeň, 1842) and consume most beer per capita globally (140L/year/person). Prague has legendary beer culture - countless pubs (hospoda/pivnice), beer halls, gardens. Historic pubs: U Fleků (1499, dark lager brewed on-site, atmospheric halls, touristy but authentic), U Zlatého tygra (Golden Tiger, Havel's regular pub, locals-focused, cheap), Lokál (modern chain maintaining traditions, excellent beer, Czech food). Beer types: světlé (pale lager - most common), tmavé (dark lager), nefiltované (unfiltered). Half-liter standard. Beer cheaper than water. Beer halls serve hearty Czech food - svíčková (beef in cream sauce with dumplings), guláš, smažený sýr (fried cheese), pork knee. Pub etiquette: mark beer mat when you want another, settle tab when leaving. Beer is Czech culture - socializing, relaxation, pride. Brewery tours available (Pilsner Urquell in Plzeň, 90 minutes from Prague).

Lesser Quarter and Petřín: Malá Strana (Lesser Quarter) below castle features Baroque palaces, churches, gardens, upscale restaurants - quieter than Old Town. St. Nicholas Church (Baroque masterpiece, concerts), Wallenstein Garden (palace gardens with peacocks, loggia), John Lennon Wall (graffiti tribute, constantly changing), Kampa Island (charming waterfront area with parks). Petřín Hill offers green escape - funicular railway ascends hill, Petřín Lookout Tower (mini Eiffel Tower, 299 steps, views), Mirror Maze, rose gardens, Strahov Monastery (library with frescoed Baroque hall, brewery restaurant with views). Lesser Quarter is romantic Prague - cobblestone streets, gas lamps, embassies in palaces, fewer tourists than Old Town.

New Town and Beyond: Nové Město (New Town, founded 1348 - 'new' relative to Old Town) contains Wenceslas Square (really boulevard, focal point of 1989 Velvet Revolution, National Museum at top currently renovated), shopping streets, Art Nouveau buildings (Municipal House with Smetana Hall, concerts). Vyšehrad (fortress south of center) offers river views, cemetery with famous Czechs (Dvořák, Mucha, Čapek), Romanesque rotunda, beer garden - locals' favorite, fewer tourists. Dancing House (Gehry's modern architecture, controversial, café/gallery). Prague 2 (Vinohrady, Žižkov) has trendy restaurants, bars, residential charm. Day trips: Kutná Hora (1 hour, medieval town, Sedlec Ossuary bone church, St. Barbara's Cathedral), Karlštejn Castle (40 minutes, Gothic castle in forest, popular).

Practical Prague: Prague is safe, walkable, affordable - excellent public transport (metro, trams, buses - 24/72-hour passes), English increasingly common especially among young. Czech koruna (CZK) currency (1€ = 25 CZK approximately) - use local currency, avoid exchange booths in tourist areas (poor rates). Peak season April-October, Christmas (markets November-December). Summer crowded (30°C+). Spring/fall ideal (mild, fewer crowds). Winter cold (0°C) but atmospheric - Christmas markets, snow-dusted architecture. Tourist traps: overpriced exchange bureaus, restaurants on main squares (eat side streets), taxi scams (use Uber/Bolt, public transport). Old Town and Castle extremely crowded midday - visit early morning or evening. Prague changed dramatically since 1989 - capitalism, tourism, gentrification - locals sometimes frustrated with overcrowding. Still magical, affordable, beautiful - allow 3-4 days minimum.