Leave Munich Behind for one Night in Prague

Leave Munich behind for one night in Prague

The Bavarian city of Munich is, of course, famous for beer, bratwurst and magnificent architecture. I heard they also play football… We visited in the middle of winter to explore this distinctive city. Situated in Southern Germany, Munich is in a great geographical position for visiting other European cities – Vienna, Zurich and Prague are all half a day away. With some spare time in the city, it would be rude not to visit another of Europe’s jewels. With a little research, it is simple to organise one night in Prague.

But, first things first…

Things to do in Munich

Munich is a well visited travel destination for many reasons. Even if you don’t like beer or football there is so much to do in the city and the surrounding area.

Marienplatz is in the heart of the city and has been the main Square since 1158. The plaza is surrounded by beautiful buildings including both the Old and New Town halls. It is a great place to relax with a coffee and cake and watch the world go by. At 11, 12 and 5 o’clock each day the famous glockenspiel is played. This was first performed in 1517 to commemorate the end of the Plague

Asam Church is a Baroque masterpiece built between 1733 to 1746 by two brothers and was intended for personal use only. However, the people of Munich didn’t stand for this and demanded that it was opened to the public. Asamkirche is one of the best examples of late Baroque architecture in Southern Germany and is really worth the free entry.

The Munich Opera House is beautiful to look at. But, the best thing about it is part of its history. The Opera House is no stranger to fires and has been burnt down several times. In 1818, it was rebuilt on top of an underground water supply in case of a repeat performance. January 1823 brought another fire. But January in Munich is very cold and the water reserve was frozen. Desperate citizens ran to the nearest building that stored vast amounts of liquid – the Hofbrauhaus. Huge barrels of beer were used to put out the fire and parts of the building were saved.

Food and drink in Munich

On that note, it’s impossible to visit Munich without experiencing the Bier Halles – even if you don’t drink beer! The famous Hofbrauhaus and Schneider Bräuhaus are both worth visiting but there are hundreds of great beer halls across the city, so visit a few.

Bavarien food is hearty and delicious. Bratwurst is a well-known delight that must be sampled but also keep a look out for Spätzle, Schweinshaxe and Weisswurst.

Things to do out of the city centre

A little out of town is the Olympiapark and BMW World. Jump on the U3 subway line to Olympiazentrum then BMW World is a few minutes’ walk and the Stadium a few minutes more. The Olympiapark is now used for leisure and concerts but it has a tragic history. One night during the 1972 Olympics in Munich is also known as the “Munich Massacre”. Palestinian terrorists snuck into the Israeli athlete’s accommodation after dark and murdered 11 team members and one German Police officer. They demanded that 234 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel be freed.

Another little trip to the suburbs will land you next to the home of Bayern Munich – The Allianz Arena. The colossal stadium is every football fans dream and can be reached on the U6 line to Fröttmaning station. In contrast to the silver behemoth there is a tiny white church over the road – Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche. It is part of an “Art and Architecture” exhibition.

If you make it out to Neuschwanstein Castle – which you should – make sure you try the Quarkbällchen. These delicious, fried balls of quark dusted with sugar can be bought near the famous castle and should not be missed.

Despite all the amazing things to do in the city, it’s time to wave “Tschüß” to Munich and set off for one night in Prague.

One Night in Prague

Taking the bus from Munich to Prague is really straightforward and a great way to travel between these beautiful European cities.

Where to catch the bus from Munich to Prague

Munich Central Bus Station is really easy to get to. If you are staying in the centre of the city, jump on almost any S-Bahn train and that will take you to Hackerbrüke, which is right by the station.

Tickets can be booked in advance online. Ours were booked only the day before departure and we paid €30 each for a return ticket with FLIXBUS. This will vary depending on the time of year you decide to travel and when you book.

There are several bus companies operating on this route and therefore a few buses depart each day. But, please note, these are currently highly restricted due to covid and entry to the Czech Republic is only for Czech nationals. This is definitely a post covid trip!

The bus heads north east away from Munich and crosses into the Czech Republic at the Waidhaus border crossing. If you come from a country outside of the Schengen area, check HERE to make sure you have all the correct documentation.

On-board the bus from Munich to Prague

On-board the bus there are some great facilities. There is a WC, screens behind every seat with up-to-date movies and TV series and there is plenty of room for luggage.

When the bus arrives in Prague it will stop at the Prague Zličín bus station. From here, you can take the Metro B line into the centre. This will take around 30 minutes and cost CZK 32.00 – about €1.20.

There are other ways of travelling from Munich to Prague but the bus seems like the most efficient mode of transport.

Transport	Duration	Cost each way	Booking	Frequency
Bus	5 hours 30 mins	€15 – 30	online or at station	Daily
Car	3 hours 30 minutes	€40 – 60	n/a	n/a
Train	6 hours	€50 – 130	online or at station	5 x per week
Plane	1 hour (+ transfers)	€50 – 180	online	Daily

Where to stay for one night in Prague

Prague has become a bit of a tourist hotspot over the past decade or so, so there is a lot of choice in accommodation. Usually we would look for an Air BnB. But, due to the last minute booking and the off season visit there were a few “luxury” hotels for very reasonable prices. We booked the Majestic Plaza Hotel for €40 for the room. It is a 10 minute walk to the main centre of Prague saving you precious time for exploring the city.

Things to do for one night in Prague

Now that you have arrived in the Czech capital, what on earth should you do? Prague is an ancient and compact city and most of it can be covered on foot but beware of the cobbles and the hills. Good footwear is a must and warm clothes will be needed for winter time exploring.

Wenceslas Square and the Old Town Square are amongst the most popular places to visit in Prague. Wenceslas Square is the commercial centre of the city and is considered part of the new town. Here you will find many shops and cafes overlooked by a statue of Saint Wenceslas at the top of the hill. The Old Town Square is located in the Old Town Quarter and is surrounded by gothic architecture and the famous astronomical clock. Crowds gather every hour to watch the display.

Cross over the beautiful Charles Bridge and head up the hill towards the Castle. This walk will take about 30 minutes, but you will definitely want to make stops on the way! There are usually many artists, musicians and stalls on the bridge and there are some great views of the city from here. Built in the 9^th century, Prague Castle is now the official office of the President of the Czech Republic.

The Dancing House is a quirky building in the city centre. Built in 1992 it has won several architecture awards and is affectionately nicknamed “Fred and Ginger”.

An evening in Prague

For a sophisticated evening, try the State Opera House. The interior is striking and there is a performance running most nights. You can book tickets online HERE or at the door.

The next suggestion is definitely a little odd, but no less fascinating. Stop by Lucerna Palace to visit Saint Wenceslas riding a dead, upside down horse. There is also a shopping arcade, cinema and a music bar if you need to warm up on a cold day. The whole complex is of a really beautiful Art Nouveau design and is worth a visit.

The KGB museum is perfect if you are interested in anything Soviet or spy related. It has some interesting exhibits, such as the death mask of Lenin. The entrance fee is around €12 but it is definitely worth it if you have an interest in this type of history.

If you have time, a walk to Petrin Tower gets you out of the city. Constructed in 1891, it closely resembles the famous tower in Paris and can be seen from far around. From the Old Town it is a 30 minute walk to the bottom of the hill. From there, you can walk to the top or take the funicular railway. On a clear day, you can see most of Bohemia from the top!

The return bus from Prague to Munich.

After 24 hours in the Czech capital, we headed back to the bus station and returned to Munich. Both cities are so full of character and history and it is great to be able to visit both in one trip.

Where to go next?

With so many cities well within reach of Munich, why not try Venice next?

Have you visited Prague or Munich? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!