Spend a Fairytale and Peaceful Day in Malá Strana, Prague
If reading is a form of escape, then travel is a way to enhance your imagination and deepen your experiences with the world.
I spent a serene day walking into a world that could be a novel. Malá Strana Prague is an area also known as Lesser Town, or Little Side. Lesser Town was once occupied by the merchants and artisans who served the Prague Castle. As you walk past, you can spot houses with small frames and archways. Later, the nobility decided to build houses there to be closer to the king.
Read about this neighborhood in “Love and Garbage: A Reading and Travel Guide,” a brief mention from Klíma’s novel, as the street sweeper cleans the streets of this neighborhood.
Readers who cultivate quiet spaces and thought-provoking experiences will appreciate Malá Strana. It is a fairytale neighborhood in Prague, situated on the west bank of the stunning Vltava River and directly beneath the iconic Prague Castle.
Walk aimlessly around Kampa Island, a stretch of land nestled between the Vltava River and the Čertovka Canal, designed with old water mills and an intimate park atmosphere.
Known as the “Venice of Prague,” the Čertovka runs along the island with its historic wooden bridges and intimate waterways. Spend peaceful minutes next to medieval water spaces and observe the natural beauty.
Take a contemplative walk in an area that is whimsical and romantic, with just the right atmosphere that encourages reflection. Stroll along cobblestone streets, past aristocratic palaces, and rest in a hidden palace garden.
Unknown to most, this makes the Wallenstein Garden a dream place to encounter and linger. An elegant 17th-century garden with fountains and sculptures, it is art in greenery and signifies a world away from chaos and stress.
Go past cozy cafes, and stop at an artisan bakery, where you may taste a koláč, a round Czech pastry with fillings and toppings.
Pause to view the Lennon Wall and read the multicolored graffiti that symbolizes peace and love. Repainted constantly by visitors, the wall becomes an evolving art for new eyes.
Observe the buildings in Lesser Town that have survived major historical conflicts and remained remarkably intact, preserving a storybook charm.
Visit the Strahov Library, a literary treasure known around the world. Founded by the Strahov Monastery, the library has halls lined with walnut bookshelves and fresco ceilings. It holds hundreds of thousands of volumes; unfortunately, you don’t get to view them or walk into the halls, in order to preserve the books.
Continue your medieval illusion past Baroque palaces like the Kaiserstein Palace and the Šternberský Palace.
Malá Strana is only a short walk from the iconic Charles Bridge, the medieval bridge that crosses the Vltava River and connects Old Town with the Lesser Town.
End with a book or a quiet drink near the river.
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