Prague is a city of endless walks, gorgeous architecture, delicious food and a leisurely pace. After contrasting Berlin, in the capital of the Czech Republic you begin to breathe more freely and notice more interesting details. There are really many attractions here and in order to have time to see even the most important ones, it is better to stock up on at least 2 full days and a travel ticket for public transport. And even this time is most likely not enough for you. Therefore, I have compiled a list of 4 main directions that will help you better understand ancient Prague. And so - what to see in prague and the most interesting sights of the city.
Old Town Square – the heart of Prague
Every stone in this square breathes history, and the atmosphere enchants with its beauty and grandeur - one of the most popular and significant places in the city. The Old Town Square is a unique combination of historical monuments, architectural masterpieces and cultural events.
The square is located in the very center of Prague and is easily accessible on foot from other tourist areas. Entry to the square is free, but some attractions, such as the observation deck on the Town Hall, may incur a fee.
There are many cafes and restaurants around the square where you can try Czech cuisine and drink famous Czech beer.
Be sure to pay attention to the Prague Astronomical Clock (Orloj) – this is an astronomical clock located on the southern wall of the Town Hall in the center of the Old Town Square.
This unique clock often gets into the camera lenses of tourists. Well, there is a reason for this - an interesting history and an unusual appearance. The main part of the Orloi is an astronomical dial, which shows the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky, as well as various astronomical and calendar data. The dial has two rotating spheres: the inner - fixed with the image of the Earth, and the outer - moving with the image of the sky.
The Orloj was installed in 1410 by master clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň and astronomy professor Jan Šindel. In 1490, it was improved by master clockmaker Jan Růže. There is a legend that the master who created the clock was blinded by order of the city council so that he could not repeat his creation in another city. In revenge, he broke the mechanism, and no one was able to repair it for many years. The Prague Astronomical Clock is visible around the clock, but the mechanical show of the Apostles takes place every hour from 9:00 to 23:00.
The Charles Bridge
One of the most famous and picturesque bridges in the world, it connects the Old Town (Staré Město) with the Lesser Town (Malá Strana), crossing the Vltava River.
The bridge is built in the Gothic style and is approximately 516 meters long. The bridge has 16 arches and massive bridge towers at both ends: the Old Town Bridge Tower and two Lesser Town Towers.
There are 30 Baroque statues and sculptures of saints on the Charles Bridge, all dating back to the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. Some of them are copies, the originals are kept in the National Museum. The most famous statue is that of St. John of Nepomuk. Touching it is believed to bring good luck and a return to Prague. The Charles Bridge was the only way to cross the Vltava until the XNUMXth century, making it an important trade route.
It is best to visit early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the crowds and enjoy the atmosphere.
Prague's Lesser Town (Mala Strana)
The area is known for its unique combination of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Many of the buildings were built in the 1541th and XNUMXth centuries after the fire of XNUMX. Mala Strana is one of the most picturesque areas of Prague, located on the left bank of the Vltava River at the foot of Prague Castle and is one of the four historic city quarters of Prague. Mala Strana enchants with its narrow streets, old houses, magnificent palaces and gardens.
When visiting Prague Castle, you should definitely visit St. Vitus Cathedral – the largest and most significant church in Prague, as well as one of the most outstanding Gothic cathedrals in Europe.
The construction of the cathedral began in 1344 under the direction of King Charles IV and the architect Matthias of Arras. The height of the temple is about 124 meters, and the central nave is 60 meters long and the same width.
Inside the cathedral, you can see magnificent stained glass windows created by Czech masters, including the famous stained glass window by Alphonse Mucha. Entry to the main nave of the cathedral is free, but there is a fee to visit some parts of the cathedral, including the Chapel of St. Wenceslas and the observation deck on the tower. You can also buy a combined ticket for several attractions at Prague Castle.
In Prague Castle, you must definitely climb Petšín Hill, which offers a stunning view of Prague.
Another landmark of Prague Castle is St. George's Basilica, which is an outstanding example of Romanesque architecture with massive walls, narrow windows and semicircular arches.
Today, the former monastery buildings house part of the Czech National Gallery's collection, including medieval and Renaissance works of art. The basilica is open to visitors every day. Opening hours may vary depending on the season and event schedule, so it is recommended to check the current schedule before visiting.
One of the most picturesque and historically significant streets in Prague, Nerudova Street runs through the Mala Strana district and leads to Prague Castle. Many houses on Nerudova Street have unique and beautiful signs on their facades, which were used before the introduction of modern house numbers. Among them are: “Golden Horseshoe”, “Golden Bowl”, “Three Violins” and “Green Crab”.
Jan Neruda, after whom the street is named, was an important figure in 19th-century Czech literature. His collection of short stories, Povídky malostranské (Malá Strana Tales), offers an insightful look into the lives of the inhabitants of this part of Prague.
Not far from Prague Castle is the Sternberg Palace, famous for its rich collection of European art. The palace was built in the Baroque style in 1698-1707 for Count Vaclav Vojtěch Sternberg.
Today, this beautiful building houses a museum, open to visitors from 10:00 to 18:00, except Mondays. Entrance tickets can be purchased on site or online.
Vysehrad
Vyšehrad is a historical fortress and one of the oldest parts of Prague, located on a hill above the Vltava River. It is worth going here both for the history and for the magnificent views of the city. The fortress itself also includes several bastions and fortifications, as well as picturesque parks and gardens, cozy alleys, and a variety of architectural monuments.
One of the central objects of Vashegrad is the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.
Also, after walking around the fortress, you can see the Vyšehrad Cemetery (Vyšehradský hřbitov) and the Rotunda of St. Martin (Rotunda svatého Martina). The burial place of many outstanding Czech cultural and scientific figures, including composers Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák, and writer Karel Čapek.
Vyšehrad can be easily reached by metro (Vyšehrad station, line C) or tram (routes 7, 8, 24).
Josefov Quarter
The historic Jewish quarter of Prague, located in the Old Town. It is named after Emperor Joseph II, whose reforms in the 18th century helped improve the living conditions of the Jewish population. Here you can see the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe, the Old-New Synagogue, built in the Gothic style in the 13th century.
Legend has it that this is where the Golem, an artificial creature created by Rabbi Loew, rests. Also in the Josefov quarter you will see: the Spanish Synagogue, the Klausová Synagogue, the Jewish Museum and many unusual buildings.
Statue “Head” by Franz Kafka
The Head of Franz Kafka in Prague, also known as “Kafka Metamorphosis” or “Metamorphosis”, is a contemporary kinetic sculpture located in the Nové Město district near the city centre.
The sculpture was created by the famous Czech artist and sculptor David Černý, known for his provocative and unusual works. The entire object consists of 42 movable layers of stainless steel that can rotate and move independently of each other. The height of the sculpture is about 11 meters, making it one of the largest kinetic sculptures in the world. The sculpture is installed near the Quadrio shopping center next to the Národní třída metro station (line B), making it easily accessible to visitors. David Černý has decorated Prague with many of the most unusual and atypical sculptures. For example, in the capital of the Czech Republic, you can see his legendary “Crawling Babies”
The smallest house in Prague
The smallest house in Prague, known as the “House at the Golden Ring” (Dům U Zlatého prstenu) is one of the most unusual and interesting sights of the city. It is located in the Mala Strana district on Náprstkova Street 6, not far from the Charles Bridge and the Vltava River.
The house was built in the 14th century and was used as a regular residential building. It consists of one narrow and high facade, which is literally squeezed between neighboring buildings.
dancing House
Besides the “small” house, Prague also has this architectural object – the “dancing” house. The building is modern, but it looks interesting and is definitely worth a visit.
Prague Zoo
About Prague Zoo wrote a separate article-review. So here I will simply add to the list “What to see in Prague in a couple of days”.
National Theatre in Prague
The most important cultural institution in the Czech Republic, a symbol of Czech national revival and pride. It is the center of the country's theater, opera and ballet life. The foundation stone of the theater was laid in 1868, and construction was completed in 1881. The theater offers tours of the building, during which you can learn more about its history, architecture and backstage life.
Stalin Plaza
For one of the best views of Prague, I recommend going up to Stalin Plaza, the city's legendary youth spot.
This list includes only the main attractions of the city; Prague offers much more to tourists.
To get to know the capital of the Czech Republic, I recommend considering excursion options that will allow you to get to know the rich history, culture and architecture of this beautiful city in more depth.
- Old Town and Jewish Quarter Tour (25 to 35 euros per person)
During this tour you will visit the main sights of the Old Town, including the Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, as well as the Jewish Quarter with its synagogues and the old cemetery.
- Excursion to Mala Strana and Prague Castle (from 30 to 40 euros per person)
A walk through the picturesque Mala Strana district, visiting Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George's Basilica and Golden Lane.
- Excursion in the footsteps of Franz Kafka (from 20 to 30 euros per person)
A tour dedicated to the life and work of Franz Kafka, including visits to places associated with his life and work, such as his home, monument and the Jewish Museum.
- Prague Bus Tour (20 to 30 EUR per person)
A convenient way to see the city's main attractions, including Vyšehrad, the Dancing House, the National Theatre and Wenceslas Square. Stop at Prague Castle for a walking tour.
- Beer tour of Prague (from 35 to 45 euros, price includes beer tasting)
This tour includes visits to several historic breweries and pubs where you can sample traditional Czech beers and learn about the brewing culture in the Czech Republic.
- Vltava River Cruise (from 35 to 50 EUR (includes dinner) per person)
A relaxing cruise on the Vltava River with views of Prague's top attractions, including Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and the National Theatre. Includes dinner and live music.
- Night tour of Prague (from 20 to 30 euros per person)
A walk through evening Prague, including a visit to Prague Castle, the Old Town and Charles Bridge, which are especially beautiful when illuminated in the evening.
Retro car tour (60 to 100 euros per car, up to 4 people)
A trip through the historic streets of Prague in a retro car with a guide telling stories about the history and architecture of the city.
Tour prices may vary depending on the season, group, and additional services. It is recommended to book tours in advance, especially during the high tourist season, to ensure availability and the best price. You can see tour options in English here, in Russian here.
Hotels in Prague – Cost and Options
Prague offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences, from luxury hotels to cosy apartments (my review of Downtown Suites Kodanska). Here are some recommendations and approximate prices for hotels and apartment rentals in Prague:
Luxury hotels (5 stars)
Mandarin Oriental Prague – a hotel in a historic 300th-century monastery building located in the Mala Strana district. There is a spa, restaurants, and a fitness center. Approximate prices: from 600 to XNUMX euros per night.
Four Seasons Hotel Prague – a renowned hotel overlooking the Vltava and Prague Castle, offering high-class service and amenities. Guests can enjoy a premium restaurant, spa and private pool, prices range from 400 to 700 euros per night.
Middle class (3-4 stars)
Hotel Leonardo Prague – a cozy hotel in the center of Prague, next to the Charles Bridge. Price: from 100 to 200 euros per night.
Hotel Majestic Plaza Prague – a comfortable hotel in the New Town area, not far from Wenceslas Square. Facilities: Restaurant, bar, fitness center, and the price per room will be from 80 to 150 euros per night.
Budget hotels (2-3 stars)
Mosaic House Design Hotel – a modern budget hotel with eco-friendly design, located in the Nova Mesto area. Room from 50 to 100 euros per night.
Hotel Merkur – a cozy hotel in Prague 1, not far from the Old Town Square, from 50 to 80 euros per night.
Before choosing a hotel or apartment, check prices on different aggregators, usually at least using Trip, Agoda and Booking.
