Things to do in Prague: A City Lover's Guide

Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world. Dating back to the 9th century, it has the Gothic St Vitus Cathedral, the Vladislav Hall and the Renaissance Belvedere Summer Palace.

Originally built for trade exhibitions, the Veletržní Palace is home to the National Gallery's collection of 19th, 20th, and 21st century European and Czech art by artists like Klimt and Picasso.

Letná Park is built on a plateau above the Vltava River. The benches of the Letná Beer Garden offer views of the Old Town and Mala Strana.

The early 15th century Old Jewish Cemetery is Europe's oldest and has 100,000 graves beneath 12,000 toppling stones.

The suites and apartments of Castle Steps are sited in the Castle Steps. It sleeps two to eight people, and offers great value for the location. All the rooms are furnished with antiques and potted plants.

The Dahila Inn is in a nondescript building, but don't let that put you off. Its large rooms are decorated in lime green and fuchsia, and contemporary art. The owner is a wealth of information on restaurants and bars around town.

You can't get closer to the river than at the newly renovated boat hotel, Botel Matylada. It has compact, wood-panelled cabins, executive t-screen TVs and an Italian restaurant on the top deck.

Hotel U Zlaté Studně, once the home of Emperor Rudolf II, is one of the Old Town's secrets. The rooms are spacious, with reproduction period furniture.

The locals throng to Restaurace U Šumavy for traditional lunch specials. The Soth-Bohemia plate comes recommended. (Shoulder of pork, smoked neck of pore, potato dumplings, bread dumplings, cabbage and spinach)

If you need a sugar boost, head to the Cukrkávalimonáda Cafe, which translates to 'sugar, coffee, lemonade'.

Hergetova cihelna has one of Prague's hottest riverside spots with a terrace offering views of the Charles Bridge and the Old Town. The menu features Italian and Czech dishes, and the wine list is one of Prague's most extensive.

Kampa Prague is the pioneer of Prague's fine-dining scene, attracting celebs like Mick Jagger and Bill Clinton. It also has a candlelit table on the cobble stoned terrace.

Traditional Bohemian flavors abound in La Degustation's menus-rabbit soup with pigeon dumplings.

Finding Indian food isn't too difficult in Prague. Khajauraho is one of the many Indian restaurants here. The menu offers a range of cuisines from Kashmiri to South Indian, with vegetarians options, too, all served in an atmospheric setting complete with Persian rugs and Indian statues.

The citywide chain of Loving Hut restaurants offers tasty vegan and vegetarian food in Praha. The menu includes spring rolls, sushi, several variations of tofu and other Asian dishes. There's a good value buffet from 11am-4pm.