No first-time visitor to Prague should miss the city views from Prague Castle, a complex that features baroque and Gothic architecture. To maximize your time, pre-book admission to the castle grounds and St. Vitus Cathedral. Don’t miss its stunning stained glass windows designed by Alphonse Mucha. Then, check out the Lobkowicz Palace Museum to get your fill of fine art and royal portraits. Visit Golden Lane and learn about the history of its residents, including Franz Kafka.

Taste your way through Prague’s traditional and contemporary eateries to understand the flavors of the city. Try traditional Czech dishes, including chlebicky (open-faced sandwiches), duck with sauerkraut, bramborove knedliky (potato dumplings), svickova (bread dumplings with braised beef and cranberry compote), Czech cheeses and charcuterie, and more. Popular eateries include Lokal, Naše Maso, Pork’s, and U Zlatého Tygra. Be sure to pair your meal with local Czech beer, usually a Pilsner.

The best way to see Prague’s skyline of spires is from the water, so board a boat and head out on the Vltava River. A centerpiece of Prague’s geography, the winding Vltava is best experienced on a river cruise. Romantics can book a dinner cruise to take in the evening skyline views. Alternatively, opt for a canal cruise to see landmarks such as Prague Castle and Charles Bridge while enjoying the fresh breeze out on the water.

Learn about the history of communism in 20th-century Prague, which dominated the country until the Velvet Revolution of 1989. Get a sense of what it was like to live in Czechoslovakia under communism by visiting a nuclear bunker and the former secret police building where political prisoners were held. Make sure to visit spots like Wenceslas Square that were important during the Prague Spring in 1968 (a mass protest), which can help you understand how modern Prague grew out of its recent past.

The Czech Republic is well-known for its famous Pilsner beer, and Prague itself is renowned for its electric nightlife. Get to know the after-dark side of the city on a pub crawl that visits local favorites like Hemingway Bar, Icepub, and Caffreys Irish Bar. Dance the night away at one of Prague’s many clubs and ensure your night will be a memorable one.

While Prague is a center of buzzing urban energy, escape the city for the day and head to some of the Czech Republic’s historic towns, including Kutna Hora, featuring the Sedlec Ossuary bone-filled rooms, and the UNESCO–listed Cesky Krumlov and its famous castle. A day trip allows you to explore the Czech countryside and get to know life outside the busy city. Numerous guided tours leave Prague and get you back within the day.

Get to know the history of Prague’s Jewish community in Josefov, the historical Jewish Quarter of the city. Take time to stop by the Jewish Cemetery and the Spanish Synagogue. Booking a tour that includes admission to the Spanish Synagogue and lets you skip the line will make your visit easier and more comfortable as you learn about the modern textures of the neighborhood and its history. Stop by the Jewish Museum to further deepen your knowledge of Prague’s Jewish community.

Prague’s historic prominence in the opera world dates back at least to the rapturously-received 1787 premiere of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. A night at the opera in Prague today combines an opportunity to experience top-notch artistry with some truly dazzling architecture. Take your pick from Prague’s selection of opulent venues, from the 18th-century jewel-box of the Estates Theatre to the grandly gilded neo-Renaissance National Theatre.

Standing atop the 1,063-foot (324-meter) summit of Petřín Hill, Petřín Lookout Tower offers bird’s-eye views of Prague’s famous rooftops and spires. The structure was inspired by the Eiffel Tower and opened as part of the Prague Jubilee Exhibition in 1891, along with the nearby Mirror Maze, which is also worth a visit. Bike or take the funicular up Petřín Hill, then ascend to the 167-foot-high (51-meter-high) observation cabin for a stunning panorama of Prague and the Bohemian countryside.

Though teeming with tourists, Old Town Square’s concentration of impressive architecture and monuments make it a great place to get a feel for Prague. The medieval heart of the UNESCO–listed Historic Center of Prague, this former market square features a colorful array of arcaded houses alongside the dramatic twin spires of the Church of Our Lady Before Týn. Learn about the square’s history on a guided tour, or settle at a café for people watching.