One of the most enjoyable aspects of visiting Prague is that much of the compact old core is accessible on foot, with plenty of bars and cafes to provide relief along the way and an excellent public transport system on hand to ease tired limbs.

The most famous square in Prague is Wenceslas Square, scene of the Velvet Revolution celebrations in 1989, though its shabby facades and dubious nightclubs are not too appealing these days.

Just to the northwest is a far more cohesive and appealing public space, the Old Town Square - the throbbing heart of tourist Prague. The view from the top of the Old Town Hall gives a solid idea of the layout.

Head west towards the river and Karluv Most (Charles Bridge), with its hotchpotch of peddlers, entertainers and backpackers, unfurls across to the Malá Strana district. The bridge links Malá Strana (Little or Lesser Town) and the Castle above with the Old and New Towns.

The central tourist area is made up of five sections. Hradčany is the Castle district, which also includes St Vitus Cathedral and St George's Convent. Malá Strana is at the castle's foot.

Back east across Karluv Most lies Staré Město (Old Town), with its winding narrow streets, Old Town Square and Old Town Hall. The much ignored Josefov (the Jewish Quarter) is to the north of the old town while Nové Město (New Town) to the south hugs the river and is home to some interesting modern architecture.

While the Castle district and the Old Town are the real tourist hubs of the city, there is plenty waiting elsewhere in Prague and further afield. Green spaces include Letná Park, Karlovo Namesti and Petrin Hill.

There are plentiful half and full day trip options, with the chance to visit the UNESCO World Heritage town of Cesky Krumlov, one of Central Europe's most charming escapes.

Pražská Informacní Služba (PIS - Prague Information Service)
Tel: 12444.
Website: www.prague-info.cz

There are three PIS branches in Prague: they can be found in the Old Town Hall, Staromìstské námìstí, Prague 1; Hlavní nádraží (main train station), Wilsonova, Prague 1; and, in the summer, at Malostranská mostecká vex (Lesser Town Bridge Tower), Prague 1.

A four-day Tourist Pass allows unlimited travel on the metro, trams and buses, as well as admission to over 50 major attractions, including Prague Castle, the National Museum and the Museum of Decorative Arts. Passes without the transport charges are also available. These passes can be purchased from tourist information centres and offices of the Prague Public Transit Company (DP).