Wander through fairytale castles and cathedrals on city breaks to Prague, or slurp a foamy Czech lager in one of the raucous beer halls.

Street artists and musicians mingle on statue-lined Charles Bridge, which stretches over the glistening Vltava River. From here it's a short hop to the Gothic spires of Prague's Old Town, where pavement cafés serve up divine dumplings alongside steaming mugs of hot red wine. Feeling energetic? Then take the steps to the top of the gothic Old Town Hall for views over the city's tram-rattled avenues. Big and bold fashion brands light up Wenceslas Square, home to some of Prague's cosiest coffee shops.

Best of Prague city breaks for...

• Families: Kids love learning about the history of Prague Castle, which sits pretty on a hill overlooking the city. Stick around until noon, when a tooting fanfare signals the changing of the guard.
• Active types: Not keen on coach trips? Blow off the cobwebs with an organised bike ride out towards the stalactites and stalagmites of the cool Konepruské Caves.
• Shopping: Grab the latest styles from Gucci, Prada and local designers like Alice Abraham - who specialises in vibrant, flowing dresses - on a shop-till-you-drop journey between Prague's New Town and the ultra-chic Jewish Quarter. Just make sure you have enough room for everything in your suitcase!
• Romance: Put the finishing touches to a dreamy city break with a candlelit dinner at the glass- and steel-built Dancing House, one of Prague's few truly modern buildings. The view over Prague Castle is one in a million.
• Nightlife: Spend one night of your weekend break in Prague at Karlovy Lázne, a multi-storey superclub decked out with see-through dance floors.
  
  

Getting into Prague from Prague Ruzyne Airport

• Shared minibuses take around 35 minutes to reach the city and are a great option for large groups.
• Private taxis are generally quicker than minibuses and are best for groups of three or four people travelling together.
• The cheapest way to get into Prague is to ride on one of the big airport buses. Most of the central destinations are less than 45 minutes away.
  
  

Getting around on weekend breaks in Prague

• Tram Riding: Prague's historic tram network is the most atmospheric way to see the city.
• On foot: Try not to take taxis within the Old Town. It's cheaper and easier to explore the twisting streets of Prague on your own two feet.