Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic and its largest city, is often called the „city of a hundred spires”, the „golden city” or simply the „queen of cities„.
Prague is a political, cultural, and economic hub of central Europe, with a rich history and Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectures. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia and residence of several Holy Roman Emperors. Its historic center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.
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Old Town (Staré Město)
Situated in a bend of the Vltava River, this district is among Prague’s most famous attractions. It’s filled with shops, restaurants, and bars in its labyrinthine streets and alleys.
The center is Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí), home to many Gothic buildings.
Tyn Church
The most famous sight here is the Church of Our Lady before Týn. This 14th-century Gothic church with its dark towers is one of Prague’s main symbols.
The church is the resting place of the 16th-century astronomer Tycho Brahe, marked by a marble stone.
Orloj
Another major attraction on Old Town Square. This astronomical clock on the side of Prague City Hall has been attracting visitors for centuries since 1410.
Since 1597, every hour from 9 am to 9 pm, apostles parade in the upper part of the clock.
The town hall’s tower also serves as an observation deck.
St. Nicholas Church
Located on the square’s corner, this church is a fusion of late-Gothic and Baroque styles.
Its interior is adorned with paintings and frescoes depicting the lives of St. Nicholas, St. Benedict, and key Old Testament themes.
Powder Tower
Standing on the eastern side of the Old Town, it’s one of old Prague’s most important buildings and the most beautiful remnant of the Old Town fortification system. It’s the only one of the city wall’s thirteen gates that has survived.
Municipal House (Obecni Dum)
Next to the Powder Tower, this building is a prime example of Prague’s Art Nouveau architecture.
Its facade includes philosophical, theological, artistic, scientific symbols, and elements of industry, commerce, and modern transportation.
It has historical significance as the place where Czechoslovakia’s independence was declared on October 28, 1918.
Nowadays, it hosts various musical events and houses a beer cellar, restaurant, and café.
Old Jewish Cemetery
Europe’s largest such cemetery. Nearly 12,000 tombstones are here, and about 100,000 people were buried.
Due to space constraints, the dead are buried in multiple layers, and the tombstones are very close to each other.
Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)
The castle, with its towering cathedral, offers a fantastic view from nearly everywhere in the city. Construction began in the 9th century; today, it’s the residence of the Czech President.
Entry to the castle grounds is free, but admission is required for some sites. There are seven types of tickets, three of which grant access to multiple sites. Entry is free for children under 6.
Access to the castle: from the north, by tram 22 to Pražský hrad stop; from the east, by metro line „A” to Malostranská stop, then about a 500-meter walk uphill.
St. Vitus Cathedral
The cathedral is the Czech Republic’s most important church and a burial place for Czech kings, showcasing Gothic and Neo-Gothic architecture.
It houses the tombs of two Hungarian kings, Rudolf and Ladislaus V.
The cathedral, oriented eastward, features two slimmer towers on the west facade and a robust tower on the south. A 287-step climb leads up to the 96.6-meter-high (main) tower, which houses the country’s largest bell, named Sigismund (Zikmund), weighing 15 tons.
Inside, there are 21 chapels, the Chamber of the Coronation Jewels, the Lapidarium, and the Royal Crypt.
St. George’s Basilica
Prague’s most renowned Romanesque church, built in the 10th century, is known for its white twin towers visible across Prague.
Lobkowitz Palace
A notable site and museum within Prague Castle, located on the east side near the old castle stairs.
The palace’s most splendid room is the ballroom, adorned with 17th-century mythological frescoes.
It includes a café renowned for its fantastic panorama, offering views over Lesser Town and the historic city across the Vltava River.
Mihulka Powder Tower
The largest gun tower of Prague Castle, which has served various purposes over the centuries, including a gunpowder store, alchemist’s lab, and bell foundry. Currently, it hosts a medieval art and crafts exhibition.
Hradcany Square (Hradčanské náměstí)
The square features a plague column, with a statue of St. Elizabeth of the House of Árpád holding a basket of bread on the side facing the castle.
One of the square’s most beautiful buildings is the Schwarzenberg Palace, now a museum.
Golden Lane (Zlatá ulicka)
Located on the northern side of Prague Castle, this street runs right at the base of the castle wall. It’s lined with simple, romantic, and colorful houses.
It feels like stepping into a fairy tale, with houses featuring small windows and low roofs.
Many of the houses now host galleries and souvenir shops selling Czech glassware, lace, and books.
Toy Museum
Situated near the castle’s eastern entrance, it houses one of the world’s largest collections of toys.
The exhibition traces the history of toys from ancient Greece to the present, featuring famous collections of Barbie dolls and lead figures.
Changing of the Guard
A popular event at Prague Castle, it’s a ceremonial changing of the guard.
The guards at the gates change every hour, with the noon ceremony being especially grand, complete with fanfare and procession.
More attractions in Prague
Charles Bridge (Karluv most)
When thinking of Prague, this bridge often comes to mind. Spanning the Vltava River, it’s one of Prague’s symbols and one of the oldest bridges in Europe. It connects the Old Town and Lesser Town.
Construction began in 1357 on the site of an older bridge, with the foundation stone laid by Emperor Charles IV. It was originally called the Stone Bridge or Prague Bridge until it was renamed in 1870 in honor of its founder.
The limestone bridge is 516 meters long and nearly 10 meters wide, flanked by two Gothic towers: the Mala Strana and the Old Town tower.
A gilded crucifix has adorned the bridge’s center since the 17th century. It features 30 statues, more than any other bridge in the world.
The bridge offers fantastic views of the cityscape across the river and to the castle, making it a popular spot.
Old Town Bridge Tower
This tower, previously mentioned, is located on the Old Town side of Charles Bridge. It’s considered one of the world’s most famous Gothic buildings.
The Old Town side features statues of Emperor Charles IV and his son, Wenceslas IV, with the coats of arms of the ten countries under their rule below them. On the second floor are statues of Saint Adalbert and Emperor Sigismund.
The tower also functions as an observation deck, offering stunning views of the Vltava River and the opposite bank.
Lesser Town (Malá Strana)
The area between Charles Bridge and Prague Castle is known as Lesser Town, a charming part of the city. It’s also where the Czech government is located.
Filled with restaurants and pubs, it’s a popular dining spot. Mostecká Street, leading from the bridge to Malostranské náměstí Square, is the main street here. The square features another St. Nicholas Church, built in the 18th century in the Baroque style, with impressive frescoes.
A memorial plaque in the Jesuit monastery on the square commemorates where Ferenc II Rákóczi lived.
This district houses Prague’s narrowest street, unique in its use of traffic lights due to its size, allowing only one person to pass at a time.
Petřín
Located on a hill south of the castle, Petřín Tower, a „scaled-down copy” of the Eiffel Tower, also serves as an observation tower.
Built at the end of the 19th century, the 327-meter-high tower was inspired by a group who visited the Eiffel Tower at a Paris World Fair and started a collection for its replica upon their return.
Visitors can climb up to the lookout either by a spiral staircase or an elevator, offering a magnificent view of Prague’s city districts.
Adjacent to the tower is the Mirror Maze, a simple corridor with amusing mirrors.
Access: by funicular from the Újezd tram stop.
Wenceslas Square
Located in Prague’s New Town (Nové Město), it is named after Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech Republic.
The square is not a typical large open space but rather a long, rectangular one.
It has been the site of many historical events, serving as a traditional venue for Prague’s celebrations, protests, and demonstrations.
At the end of the square stands the National Museum, facing the statue of Saint Wenceslas.
Access: by metro lines A and C to Muzeum station.
Kafka Moving Statue
Franz Kafka, a prominent 20th-century writer known for his surreal works, inspired the term „Kafkaesque” used globally.
The 11-meter-tall statue in front of Quadrio Plaza consists of 42 moving elements, continuously shaping Kafka’s face in different directions due to the playful movement of its layers.
Novy Svet (New World)
Though it’s just a single street, it’s worth taking a stroll here.
Originally inhabited by the castle’s service staff, this is evident in the modest simplicity of the small houses. Many houses have small plaques indicating their 17th-century residents.
Today, it’s primarily chosen as a residence or studio/gallery location by artists.
Access: by tram 22 to Brusnice stop.
Vysehrad
A bit off the beaten path of the city center, this castle is less crowded than Prague Castle.
Located on a steep 42-meter-high hill facing the river, the castle was a royal seat during the Přemyslid dynasty but lost its importance with the development of Hradčany.
It’s a popular destination for tourists, mainly for the 19th-century Neo-Gothic St. Peter and Paul Church and the adjacent cemetery.
Access: by trams 7, 18, and 24 to Albertov stop.
Dancing Houses (Tančící dům)
Near Jiráskův Bridge, these recently built structures are favorites among Prague locals.
Viewed from a distance, they resemble a dancing man and woman, with the building’s wavy lines symbolizing the waves of the Vltava River.
U Fleku Beer Museum (Pivovarské Muzeum U Fleků)
When in Prague, beer is the drink of choice! And what better place to visit than a beer museum?
Located next to U Fleků brewery, the museum showcases the beer brewing process and methods from different eras.
The museum, part of a guided tour available for a minimum number of participants, includes beer tasting.