This past February, we decided to plan a little getaway! We were excited about keeping it short and budget-friendly so we could still enjoy a longer family trip in the summer, along with plenty of other smaller adventures.
I have a long list of places I can’t wait to explore, and my husband is always up for joining me on my escapades! To help me choose, I did what I love doing best: hopping on Skyscanner to hunt for the best deals in February. After some searching, we had a few wonderful options: Barcelona, Spain; Salzburg, Austria; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Prague, Czech Republic.
With a bit of research, we quickly figured out our priorities. We decided to save Salzburg and Barcelona for the warmer months when we could hike and swim, and we thought it would be best to wait for spring to visit Copenhagen when Tivoli Gardens opens. So, that left us with the charming city of Prague!
Early Morning Madness
To make the most of our trip to Prague, we thought it would be a great idea to book the earliest flight out and the latest flight back home! We got on the road around 1:45 AM to catch our 6:00 AM Wizz Air flight from Luton Airport. With the airport being about an hour and 45 minutes away, we wanted to give ourselves plenty of time to get through everything, especially with our four children in tow! It turned out to be a smart move that really worked in our favor!
Family of Six, Five Pairs of Shoes!
Our children have a knack for accidentally leaving the house without shoes, and this morning was no exception. I had checked to make sure each child was wearing shoes before we left, and I thought we were ready to go. However, one child, who will remain nameless, went back inside to use the bathroom one last time. He took off his shoes like the good boy he is, and unfortunately, they stayed inside the house. We only realized this mistake in the airport parking lot.
After the initial shock, we couldn’t help but laugh as our shoeless child made his way to the airport. Thankfully, his black socks made the situation a little less noticeable. I was honestly nervous that security would deny him entry, but no one seemed to take notice! After purchasing a very expensive pair of shoes, we were all set to go. This story will undoubtedly be recounted over the years, and this child will never hear the end of it!
Full Day of Adventure in Prague!
We arrived around 9 AM local time, and let me tell you, that early wake-up call was totally worth it! We had a whole day of adventure waiting for us! Plus, getting through customs was a breeze since they had a special lane just for families. Exciting times ahead!
Family of Six, no need for a rental car in Prague!
Prague boasts a fantastic public transportation system, making it a breeze to get from the airport to Wenceslas Square! They even have a handy public transportation app that lets you enter your destination, view the route, and purchase tickets right from your phone. Just remember to activate your ticket at least 60 seconds before hopping on the train, bus, or tram—this is important, as they’re pretty strict about it! Don’t worry, activating your ticket is super easy.
Utilizing Bounce for Luggage Storage
Our Airbnb was in the vibrant Wenceslas Square area, but we couldn’t check in until 3 PM. To make the most of our day, we decided to drop off our suitcase with a luggage storage service. If you haven’t heard of Bounce yet, it’s a fantastic option! It lets you store your luggage, so you don’t have to lug it around while you’re waiting to check in or exploring the area before your flight. They have tons of locations worldwide, and there were several right around our Airbnb. It really made our experience so much more enjoyable! Plus, it’s affordable, super secure, and they even protect your belongings up to $10,000. Highly recommend it!
Getting to Know the City
Once we got our luggage settled, we took some time to stroll around, and I just had to stop by Starbucks to grab my Prague mug! Exploring the city was such a delight. The architecture in Prague is nothing short of iconic! The mix of Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance styles is simply breathtaking—definitely a feast for the eyes!
An Incredible Lunch
After a little while, we decided it was time for lunch. I can’t quite recall the name of the restaurant we found, but we were all feeling hungry and tired after a long morning of exploring. We ended up at the first Czech place we came across, and I was really excited to try some Czech food! It turned out to be a fantastic choice—everything was delicious, and even the pickiest eaters in my family found something they loved!
Airbnb and More Exploration!
We were so excited to finally check into our Airbnb after a delicious meal! We quickly dropped off our luggage and dashed out again. Our first stop was the stunning Powder Tower, and then we made our way to Old Town Square to see the famous Astronomical Clock. It was fantastic! This was definitely a top “must-see” for the kids, and we arrived just in time to catch the clock striking 3 PM. The little clock “show” was adorable, and the kids really loved it!
After visiting the Astronomical Clock, we felt worn out. We decided to stop by a local grocery store to grab dinner and supplies for the morning. As the evening went on, I noticed my husband was feeling under the weather. I hoped a good night’s rest would help him feel better. Unfortunately, he felt miserable the next day.
Early Morning Photo shoot
The next morning, I woke up early on our only full day in Prague. I wanted to capture beautiful photos without the crowds. I explored the Old Town Square area and snapped great shots on my way there. It was peaceful in the early morning—it felt magical!
Superhero Husband and the Klementinum!
When I got back to the Airbnb, I realized my husband really struggling. The poor guy definitely had a fever and was dealing with a headache and the chills. Still, he managed to get the kids fed and ready for our morning tour of the Klementinum. He was such a champ! Throughout the day, he carried our youngest, who got too tired to walk, and climbed a bunch of stairs without a single complaint. What a trooper!
We had a fantastic time visiting the Klementinum! The Baroque library was absolutely stunning. It’s often called the most beautiful library in the world. It holds 27,000 amazing old printed works. Plus, we braved the narrow, steep stairs of the Astronomical Clock Tower, which was quite the adventure! Our tour guide was great and explained how the clock works, along with some interesting history about the tower. If you’re curious to learn more, check it out here:
The view from the outside was incredible! You could see so much of the city!
The Hunt for Medication in the Jewish Quarter
After our tour of the Klementinum, we set out on a mission to find some medicine for Don. While searching for a pharmacy, we walked through the beautiful Jewish Quarter. I really regret not spending more time in this area of Prague. The hardest part of a short trip with kids is that you just don’t have enough time to see everything!
Light Snack and a Little Rest
After picking up some medicine from a kind pharmacist, we found a charming café. We enjoyed delicious smoothie bowls and coffee. It was a perfect way to recharge after a busy morning of walking and exploring. Then, we hopped back on public transportation. With a sick husband and our 5-year-old, walking everywhere just wasn’t practical. I usually love walking because you see so much more that way! We ended up using the PID app for the rest of the day. Prague has some of the most affordable transportation I’ve seen in a city!
Crossing the Charles Bridge
We strolled to the iconic Charles Bridge and then to the John Lennon Wall. I found it a bit underwhelming compared to the amazing spots we’d already explored in this beautiful city. After picking up souvenirs for the kids and a magnet for our collection, we headed to St. Nicholas’s Bell Tower. We climbed several steps to reach the top, and it was worth it! I enjoyed exploring the historic bell tower, learning about its fascinating past, and taking in the stunning views. For more history, read here:
Petrin Hill
We left St. Nicholas’s Bell Tower as a family of six and headed to Petrin Tower, Prague’s mini Eiffel Tower. Although it’s smaller than the Eiffel Tower, it sits on Petrin Hill, offering views from the same height. The view from the top is stunning. You can see all of Prague and even beyond! You can either hike up the stairs or take a lift for a small fee. Most of us wanted to hike. In the end, we took the lift anyway!
Family of Six, Mirror Madness!
Petrin Hill has a fantastic mirror maze that ended up being a real hit with the kids! We had such a fun time laughing and trying to find our way through it. Plus, it was quite affordable, just like most things in Prague. I know traveling with kids in Europe can add up quickly, especially for a family of six. However, Prague has some awesome family deals for just about everything. Honestly, this has been one of the most budget-friendly places we’ve explored as a family!
The walk back down the hill was absolutely lovely! I can only imagine how stunning it must be in the fall with all the trees changing colors. It must also be breathtaking in the spring when everything is blooming! I’d love to experience that!
All Food is Amazing in Prague
We had packed in as much fun as possible for the day. Afterward, we made our way back down Petrin Hill. We then decided to have dinner at a charming little Italian restaurant. The food was amazing! Even the Italian cuisine here is incredible! What a wonderful way to end the day!
Last Day in Prague for Our Family of Six
The next morning, Don was beginning to feel quite a bit better, and nobody had (yet) gotten “the plague.” We were ready to begin the last day of our adventure. With a 7:45 flight that evening, we had most of the day to explore. We popped over to the same bounce location we used on our first day and got the day started.
Prague Castle Complex
We made our way over to the Prague Castle complex, where we wandered through Golden Lane. There were some really fascinating things to see, including intriguing forms of old torture on display. The castle complex was enormous, but without a doubt, the highlight was St. Vitus Cathedral. As soon as we turned the corner and the full cathedral came into view, it took my breath away. I have seen many cathedrals in various places, but this one truly stood out among the rest. It was magnificent both inside and out.
Sushi and The Dancing House
After spending a few delightful hours wandering around Prague Castle, we made our way back across the river. From there we grabbed some lunch and checked out the Dancing House. I have to say, the Dancing House is such a fun and unique sight! Plus, it’s right by a tram station, so getting there was a breeze! Once we were done at the Dancing House, our family of six went to devour some sushi. We found a lovely restaurant right by the Dancing House.
Illusion Art Museum
After lunch, we made our way to the Illusion Art Museum, which my kids were super excited about! It turned out to be the most expensive thing we did during our time in Prague. However, it was really well done. I felt it was a bit small for the price of admission. Many of the illusions required a smartphone and the museum’s app for full enjoyment. This situation was a little tricky because none of my four kids have cell phones. But you know what? They had a blast, and that made it all worth it!
Trdelník
After that fun experience, we treated ourselves to Trdelník for a snack—our last sweet treat of the trip! The kids had been eyeing these pastries the whole time. Let me tell you, they were delicious! Trdelník is a traditional sweet pastry. It’s made by wrapping dough around a stick, grilling it, then sprinkling it with cinnamon sugar. The kids chose cream-filled Trdelník topped with strawberries, and they loved it!
Not Enough Time Left!
After we retrieved our belongings from the bounce location, we headed to the airport to go home! I couldn’t help but wish we had at least two more days because we didn’t get to explore everything. I’ll share more about that in another blog post.
Prague: The Perfect Place for a Family of Six!
Prague is a charming, walkable city. It’s perfect for families! Don was under the weather for most of our trip. Still, he found ways to enjoy himself, which is amazing! I got lucky and stayed healthy until the morning after we got back. Unfortunately, then I was hit with something that made me feel miserable. It felt like the plague. It was terrible—it’s been years since I felt that way! I’m honestly impressed by how my husband powered through. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that we stay healthy for our upcoming adventures!
If you love history as much as I do, you will really enjoy learning all about the History of Prague in WWII. Read all about it in this blog post:
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