Prague, often hailed as ‘The Hundred-Spired Prague,’ stands as one of Europe’s most enchanting and romantic cities. The panoramic view from Prague Castle reveals a skyline adorned with numerous towers, a testament to the city’s rich history nestled within Old Town and Mala Strana. This city holds a special place in my heart, as it is where my husband and I were born, grew up, and pursued our university degrees before our journey led us to London.
As life in London unfolded, our visits to this medieval city became less frequent. However, last summer presented the perfect opportunity for our return—a family road trip to Prague to reunite with family and old friends, now expanded into a family of five, complete with two four-legged companions.
In a previous blog, I shared our decision to embark on a family road trip through the Eurotunnel, driven by our desire to travel with our cherished dogs rather than leave them in a pet hotel. Looking back, I’m so happy with that decision, as it allowed us to discover hidden gems that flying might have bypassed.
Carefully planning every detail of our road trip, as highlighted in my ´Traveling with Kids: Top 10 tips for Europe road trip´, ensured the happiness and comfort of all travelers during the extended journey to Prague. The prospect of spending a summer in Prague brought back memories from our student days and despite the differences in our academic pursuits, the shared experience of sleepless nights during exam periods then mirrors the lively chaos we now navigate with our energetic preschooler and twins.
For our week-long stay, we chose the beautiful Hotel Schwaiger (I will share more about this outstanding accomodation in my next blog), not just family-friendly but also pet-friendly, with a staff dedicated to ensuring the best experience for guests. Conveniently located around the corner is the expansive Prague country park, ‘Stromovka,’ offering a variety of activities for kids, pets, and nature lovers. The park, a favorite among locals, has seen significant improvements over the years.
Returning to Prague after years abroad, we embraced the perspective of tourists, introducing our children to the charms of Prague’s Old Town. While the dogs relaxed in the hotel after a long walk, we retraced the steps of our first official night out—a moment that marked the beginning of our shared journey exactly a decade ago.
As any tourist exploring Prague, we made sure to pause before the famous Astronomical Tower, walk through the charming narrow streets of Old Town, dine at a fine restaurant near Charles Bridge, and soak in the lively atmosphere of this vibrant city.
Our adventure began at Malostranska underground station, where we quickly realized that the only thing setting us apart from other tourists was the lively bunch of small kids accompanying us—a fact that added a delightful twist to our stroll through Prague.
One of our initial destinations was Park Cihelna, offering a splendid view of Charles Bridge and serving as a fantastic spot for photographers. Let’s face it: capturing beautiful family moments at popular tourist spots can be a challenge, especially when dealing with tired or overly energetic kids. Be prepared for these scenarios and cherish the spontaneous moments—some of the best family photos are taken during those brief periods when kids are happily running around, enjoying a picnic, or playing with their parents.
I’ll delve further into family photography in my upcoming blogs, sharing more tips and tricks on how to capture beautiful portrait photos (as you can see below) in a low-key location, even at a very low-rated kid´s playground on Google, looking so mundane, but it served us perfectly for family photography when the kids weren’t happy in Park Cihelna. And it turned out that from this place, I have some of the most beautiful photos from our all European Travel! So, remember to subscribe or drop a comment if you want to see new posts.
As I know how tricky it can be to capture the entire family together, I reached out and booked a professional photographer to accompany us through the picturesque narrow streets of Prague and document our visit. We had initially planned to meet at Prague Loreta, just a few minutes’ walk from Prague Castle—a popular location for wedding and family photoshoots. Unfortunately, the professional photoshoot was canceled (make sure to contact at least two photographers in case you encounter a similar situation).
Undeterred, we ventured to Mala Strana on our own and attempted to capture family moments in the 17th-century Wallenstein Garden, a hidden gem located just to the right of Malostranska underground station. I managed to capture only a few photos, as the kids were getting a bit tired, and I’m not one to force artificial smiles and poses. Preferring to capture authentic moments when they are carefree and in their element—a true treasure for my camera—I told Jacob, ‘Okay, let’s head to the nearest kid’s playground and let the kids have some fun.‘ As mentioned earlier, it turned out that this unexpected spot was a fantastic location for portraits with Prague Castle in the background!
The next day turned out to be the perfect opportunity. Meeting up with my parents and later with my sister-in-law at Cihelna Park, a sought-after spot in Prague for photographers and painters, we enjoyed the sunny weather and the boys happily running around. Although the brightness posed a challenge for photography, the vibrant atmosphere of Prague on a sunny day was worth it.
After our spontaneous photoshoot in Cihelna Park and lovely meet up with my parents, we strolled across the Manes Bridge with Jacob sister, where we spotted one of the stars dedicated to the renowned Prague composer, Gustav Mahler, and admired the beautiful neo-Renaissance architectural style of Rudolfinum, which serves as the venue for the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. We also passed by my Alma Mater, the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, and it’s heartbreaking to think about the unprecedented tragedy that unfolded almost half a year after our visit at the Jan Palach Square.
Like any tourist on a sunny summer day, we began to feel thirsty, hungry, and a bit tired. Seeking respite from the bustling streets, we found solace in a Valentinska street in charming Italian Pizzeria Donny for lunch, where all three of our kids gradually drifted into a peaceful nap.
Resuming our journey after their nap, we navigated Old Town Square, the oldest square in Prague dating back to the 12th century, with our borrowed single buggy. Lucas happily relaxed in it while Jacob and I carried the twins in our trusty Tula carriers (which are amazing!). We paused at the famous Astronomical Clock before continuing through narrow streets filled with the enticing aroma of candies and Czech ´Trdlo´. It’s astonishing to think about how this sweet treat has become a staple in Prague over the years; when I was young, it wasn’t a common sight!
Naturally, our tour wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the iconic Charles Bridge, where captivating artists, sellers, and craftsmen lined the historic walkway. With the day stretching on, mindful of our dogs patiently waiting in the hotel apartment, Charles Bridge marked the final stop on our tour. From Malostranske Namesti, we hopped on Prague’s tram and rode to Hradcanska, where our hotel Schwaiger was located.
Reflecting on our adventure, it might seem like we missed out on many of Prague’s attractions, especially the Jewish Quarter, the scenic longer walks along the Vltava River, Wenceslas Square, and numerous hidden gems. However, I’m amazed at how seamlessly we managed the tour with three small kids, capturing all the beautiful moments on camera. I eagerly anticipate our next visit to our hometown, especially during the enchanting Christmas season when Prague takes on an even more fairy-tale feel!
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Last but not least, a big thank you to my incredible readers – you are seriously the best! I’m beyond excited to share more amazing moments and stories with you. Your experiences and thoughts mean the world to me, so please, feel free to share them in the comments section below. Don’t forget to SUBSCIBE TO MY BLOG so you never miss out on new posts!
What´s Coming Up…?
- A blog on portraiture and family photography in an ordinary urban environment
- Hotel Schwaiger: A delightful oasis in the heart of Prague
- Exploring the Bavarian Alps with Kids
Very nice!!!❤️🎬
Super!
Very nice❤️🎬
Thank you so much!