prague castle for locals

The View from Prague Castle

While Prague continues to open up from its strict Coronavirus lockdown, it still has not fully opened to foreign travel – for either visitors coming in or Czechs wishing to go abroad. So for the first time since the days of communism, really, locals are having their city to themselves.

In efforts to promote domestic travel & tourism, hotels & tourists sites are offering all manner of discounts & coupons, with some luxury brands that previously catered almost solely to foreigners, such as the Four Seasons, offering special packages to suit a local budget.  The government has also issued coupons for hotels to give to guests that provide reduced entry into various sites.

Prague castle offers free entry

Over the past weekend, all of the Prague Castle sites were open for FREE for four days, and Czechs (as well as a few Brits who live here, and me, of course) took advantage of the opportunity.  I visited with a Czech friend who took Friday off in an attempt to beat the anticipated crowds over the weekend.

The lines at Prague Castle- with social distancing - were manageable.

I must say that after having done tours for years and dreading the crowd that have grown especially large at Prague Castle, I really enjoyed being able to visit and have lots of space & being able to move around freely.

There were lines, but with the required social distancing, they weren’t as bad as they seemed at first glance, & they moved quickly. And they were nothing like they were before Coronavirus! It was also nice to hear Czech spoken almost exclusively (with the exception of those local Brits I mentioned who were in line behind us at one point).

A replica of the Czech Crown Jewels are on display at Prague Castle.

But on the other hand, after having been a professional guide for so many years & guiding almost every day each May & June, it was strange to see no tourists. As an American, it was sad not to see any Americans there. And I realized that I just miss touring & meeting new clients (as well as some repeat visitors) and showing this city I love to others when they visit.

But overall, it was nice to be at the Castle again after an unusually long time for me & to give my Czech friend, who hadn’t been to St. Vitus for years, a mini tour.  It was also nice to be there & just relax.     
 
I hope you enjoy some of the pictures from that day.  Contact me if you're headed this way.  I look forward to being able to take you to Prague Castle soon!