Places to Visit in Prague | Czech Republic

In this article, I will share with you all the must-see places in Prague. I will also share with you some amazing experiences you can't miss out on.

Let's dive into the best places to visit in Prague!

1. Prague Castle

2. Lesser Town

3. Prague Old Town

4. Astronomical Clock

5. Charles Bridge

6. Prague's National Museum

7. Wenceslas Square

8. Vyšehrad Fortress

9. Dancing House

10. Promenade with Boat Cafes

11. River Cruise via Vltava River
    

At the end of the article, I will also comment on the best locations to stay at in Prague and how to get around Prague so you can enjoy all these amazing places in the most efficient way!

Prague Castle 

I have to start with my personal favorite - Prague Castle! You can easily spend there 3 hours without realizing it. Prague Castle, perched on a hill overlooking the Vltava River, is the largest ancient castle complex in the world. It spans over 70,000 square meters and dates back to the 9th century. It has been the seat of Czech kings, emperors, and presidents for over a millennium, making it a symbol of the country's political and cultural history.

The crown jewel of Prague Castle is the St. Vitus Cathedral. The cathedral is impressive and for me the most stunning part was the stained glass windows. Another important part of the castle territory is the Golden Lane. A narrow street lined with colorful houses that truly takes you back to the past. Formerly the street was home to castle guards and goldsmiths, but now the street has been turned into historical exhibits that show how the life on the street was back in time. And of course, the Castle is surrounded by beautiful gardens. I personally really liked that there were seats everywhere in the gardens, which allowed me to take a break and truly take in the place.

Another important part of the castle territory is the Powder Tower. A Gothic tower dating back to the 11th century that was originally used for storing gunpowder. Now you can climb to the top for to enjoy amazing views of Prague's Old Town.

Apart from gardens, everything else is for a fee. Tickets you can purchase at the site. There isn't one ticket that allows you to visit everything. There is a general ticket that includes 4 sites (incl. St. Vitus Cathedral & Golden Lane) and then if you want to get to the top of the Powder Tower you need to buy a separate ticket. There are also other sites in the territory for extra charge.

For a wonderful break in the area with a view, I recommend 'Wine Bar Villa Richter'. I happened to wander there by accident but really enjoyed my break in between sightseeing the area. The bar is located in a quiet vineyard next to the Prague Castle.

Lesser Town

Naturally, I have to continue with Lesser Town as it lies just below Prague Castle and is one of Prague's most picturesque and historic districts filled with cobbled streets and baroque buildings.

If you are planning to explore Prague by just walking, you will need to walk through Lesser Town first. But even if you take a taxi directly up to the castle area, I still encourage you to after explore Lasser Town itself.

Some of the main attractions in this area are the St. Nicholas Church which is considered one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in Europe, Lesser Town Square, Wallenstein Palace with its Gardens, and Church of Our Lady Victorious, home to the famous statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague.

This area will be perfect for sampling local dishes, as it is filled with numerous restaurants offering traditional cuisine.

Prague Old Town 

Like any other European capital, Prague also features a wonderful old town where to get lost back in time. Prague Old Town dates back to the 9th century, growing into a significant medieval marketplace. Here you will see a blend of Gothic, Baroque, and Romanesque architecture, reflecting its long and varied history. These days, the old town is full of cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops. During the festive season in winter, Prague Old Town also offers an amazing Christmas Market!

Consider a free walking tour to uncover hidden gems and learn about the rich history of the area from the locals!

If you are exploring on your own during the weekend, I highly recommend getting up a bit earlier and having a stroll around the old time in the morning before all the restaurants and shops start to open. The Old Town gets busy quite quickly and it is much harder to enjoy its beauty with so many people around. I was a bit overwhelmed with the massive amounts of people in the Old Town on Saturday so on Sunday I started to explore around 8 AM and that was my favorite moment. I was sharing all the main sites just with a few other people.

My favorite part of the old town was the main square from which you can see the Church of Our Lady before Týn and the Astronomical Clock.

Astronomical Clock

I personally think the most significant site that sets Prague apart from any other European city is the Astronomical Clock. It is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still operating. The clock was first installed in 1410 and underwent significant enhancements in 1490. The clock reflects the medieval understanding of the universe, blending astronomical knowledge with mythological and religious symbolism.

It shows the position of the sun and moon in the sky, showing astronomical details such as the phases of the moon and the sun's journey through the zodiac. It also displays the day of the year, along with the names of the saints associated with each day.

A must-see is the hourly show with the procession of the Twelve Apostles. It occurs between 9 AM and 11 PM. At the top of each hour, two small doors above the clock’s main dial open, and figures of the Twelve Apostles move across the openings in a sequence. Each Apostle makes a brief appearance, holding symbolic items such as a cross or a book.

You can even go up to the Astronomical Clock Tower's viewpoint. You can go up the stairs or for an extra fee take a lift. I think this a great way how to see the Prague's Old Town from above...but I might have an even better option for you - the U Prince rooftop terrace! To get up the Astronomical Clock Tower you have to pay 300 CZK (~12 EUR) and you get nice views of the Old Town. The entrance to the U Prince terrace is free so for the 12 Euros spent you at least get a cocktail and you not only see the Old Town but the Astronomical Clock itself too. I think it is a way better value for money!

Charles Bridge (Karlův Most)

Once you have explored Prague Old Town, make sure you check out Charles Bridge. It is one of Prague’s most iconic landmarks, which crosses the Vltava River and connects the Old Town with the Lesser Town. Lined with 30 baroque statues, the bridge is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

According to legend, construction began on Charles Bridge at a precise moment determined by astrologers to ensure its longevity.

Although crossing the Charles Bridge is a must, I personally found it way more impressive from a side or other bridges. I think it wonderfully shapes Prague's outline.

Prague's National Museum

Before visiting Prague I heard mixed reviews about the National Museum so I decided to check it myself and I was positively surprised. I found the exhibits extremely well done. I loved to see the details and hard work the museum staff had put into it. The information was concise and easy to read. I prefer that way more than lengthy descriptions. And the museum building and the interior itself are wonderful to see.

Wenceslas Square

Just outside Prague's National Museum, located in the New Town of Prague, you will find Wenceslas Square, which is a bustling commercial and cultural hub. Approximately 750 meters long and 60 meters wide, it is more of a boulevard than a traditional square. It has transformed over the centuries from a medieval market to a vibrant modern square.

Definitely check the schedule for any public events or cultural activities happening there during your visit. It will be a great way how to immerse yourself into the local life!

Vyšehrad Fortress

Another wonderful area to explore is the Vyšehrad Fortress. And I say area because similar to Prague Castle there are several sites and cafes within the fortress and you can walk all around it while enjoying beautiful views of Prague. Definitely a great place to visit during the sunset. You can enter the Vyšehrad Fortress territory for free. The most significant site within the fortress walls is the Saints Peter and Paul Basilica.

Another viewpoint often mentioned in Prague Travel Guides is the Lookout Tower at the top of the Petřín Hill. It does offer great views but it is not free and gets very cramped once you are up. The views are similar to what you get from Prague Castle so think places like Prague Castle and Vyšehrad Fortress are way better for amazing lookout spots.

If you do decide to visit the Lookout Tower at the top of Petřín Hill, then you will make your way through a large park with gardens, where you can see a miniature Eiffel Tower, and the Strahov Monastery.

Dancing House

The Dancing House, also known as "Fred and Ginger," is a modern architectural landmark designed in 1996. It stands out with its unique, deconstructivist design amidst the city's traditional Baroque, Gothic, and Art Nouveau buildings. The building’s design resembles a pair of dancers, with the "Ginger" side featuring flowing, curved lines and the "Fred" side composed of a rigid, vertical structure, symbolizing movement and stability.

The best part is the rooftop terrace and restaurant. It offers fine dining with a 360-degree view of Prague.

Promenade with Boat Cafes

Prague offers a wonderful promenade on the Old Town side of the Vltava River. Although it is a wonderful stroll all the way, I want to highlight a specific part. I wasn't able to allocate a name for that specific area, as there might not be one but I have marked it on the map ➡️

This part of the promenade comes alive on Friday and Saturday evenings usually hosting different small social events and offering plenty of boat options where to have a drink.

River Cruise via Vltava River

And once you have experienced Prague City on both sides of the Vltava River, why not see Prague from it? There are loads of boat tour options on both sides of the Vltava River so you can be spontaneous and catch the one leaving asap. Also don't worry if the weather is not great, there are plenty of options with indoor seating.

As it was my Birthday, my boyfriend surprised me with a very special cruise. It was a 3-hour tour with dinner and live music. Our table was inside but we also could go up and enjoy the ride from the upper outside terrace. It started at 7 PM so it was lovely to see the city while it was still light and then also enjoy it on the way back when it got dark.

Best Locations to Stay at in Prague

To explain it easily I have prepared a map:

Blue Circle is the Lesser Town which I think is the 3rd best area where to stay at as you are within walking distance to Prague Castle and by just crossing the Charles Bridge you are in the Prague Old Town.

Green Circle is Prague's Old Town which I think is simply a wonderful area to be based at. Which is why I am putting it as the 2nd best area where to stay at.

In my personal opinion the best area where to stay at when in Prague is within the Red Circle. This is a small part of a bigger area, so I am specifically highlighting this part. It is basically an area by the Vltava River between the Prague Old Town and the Dancing House. If you book there you will be literally in the middle of all the above-mentioned places!

How to get around Prague

Happy to let you know, that Prague is one of the best cities in Europe in regards to easy, quick, and cheap transformation. Both Bolt and Uber work perfectly in Prague, so you don't even need to consider public transport. Also, Prague is fairly walkable. I walked everywhere apart from Prague Castle. For that I got a Bolt taxi up that cost me only 4 Euros. Bolt scooters and bicycle rentals are also available in many spots around the city.

I got 150 CZK off with Bolt to my first ride from the airport to the city with a code 'HEYPRG6'!

In Prague, you will also find the Hop-on hop-off buses.