Prague, Czech Republic Hotels and City Guide

Prague - Attractions

Prague Attractions and Sightseeing

Prague offers visitors a host of sights, from iconic buildings and landmarks to museums and gardens. No mattr the weather, there will always be something for you to see and do in Prague.

Cultural Sights and Landmarks
Prague's Old Town
Prague's New Town
Prague's Lesser Town
Prague's Museums

Cultural Sights and Landmarks

Vysehrad Castle
V Pevnosti 159/5b, 12800
Open: Daily 09.30-18.00 Apr-Oct; 09.30-17.00 Nov-Mar
Red metro line C; tram to stop Podolská Vodárna followed by a walk
Admission charge.

To enable you to get your bearings on the city below, a suggested first stop could be to Vysehrad Castle, atop the heights on the right bank of the Vltava River, which offers panoramic views from the ramparts.

The original citadel is long gone but this impressive baroque fortress took its place in the 17th century. Walk around the ramparts and visit the catacombs. Other sights in the area include the Church of St Peter and Paul with distinctive gothic twin towers, a Prague landmark; an adjacent peaceful cemetery where the literati of Prague are buried; and the Rotunda of St Martin dating back to the 11th century, the only remaining Romanesque building. Cafés and a beer garden offer refreshments, while tranquil landscaped gardens are the perfect place to relax with a picnic basket.

Charles Bridge
Prague’s iconic landmark, begun in 1357, spans 16 arches, is 516 metres long and is lined with 30 stone statues of saints which were added some three centuries later. Floods and pollution damage caused most of the statues to be replaced, the originals now protected for posterity in the Lapidarium of the National Museum. Until the 19th century Charles Bridge was the only method of crossing the Vltava River, vitally linking the Old Town with the Lesser Town. The gothic towers at either end of the bridge were part of the city’s original fortifications and the gates to Old Town and Lesser Town.

Today artists and craftsmen display their work along the pedestrian bridge which is a favourite haunt of buskers. A magnet for tourists, it is always crowded. Probably Prague’s most loved feature, it is spectacular during sunset and ethereal at dawn, especially if shrouded in mist which slowly and silently melts in the rising sun.

Prague Castle
Opening hours: Daily 09.00-17.00 Apr-Oct; 09.00-16.00 Nov-Mar
Admission charge (grounds free).

Presiding over the city, this massive awe-inspiring castle complex is said to be the largest in the world and is one of Europe’s most distinctive icons. Building started in the 14th century as part of Emperor Charles IV’s building programme. Having been rebuilt uncountable times over hundreds of years, Prague Castle must be a dream destination for students and lovers of architecture as so many architectural styles co-exist.

As it would take many days to see everything within it, choose a few sights out of the palaces, halls, galleries, state apartments, churches, chapels, courtyards, gardens, museums and more which make up the complex. A few are:

St Vitus Cathedral, the largest gothic cathedral in the land, has a romanesque interior. The relics of St Wenceslas are contained in a striking side chapel, a giant work of art in its own right.
St George’s Basilica has an astonishing collection of panel paintings dating from the 14th century.
Vladislav Hall’s soaring vaulted ceiling is a marvel to behold and an incredible architectural feat, having been built in the 15th century.
The Belvedere, a grand renaissance-style summerhouse in the Castle Gardens built for Queen Anne in the 16th century, hosts various exhibitions.
The Crypt is where Bohemian royals are interred.
The Coronation Chamber houses the crown jewels of Bohemia’s kings and queens.

Petrin Hill
Tower open: Daily Nov-Feb 10.00-18.00, Mar-Oct 10.00-20.00
Admission charge.
Funicular: Daily 09.00-22.30

At 318m high, Petrin Hill above Lesser Town commands panoramic views of the city below. Either walk up the hill, if fit, or take the easier option of the funicular from Újezd Street. Petrin Hill, adjacent to Prague Castle, encompasses eight gardens and includes the mini Eiffel Tower with an observation platform at the top of 299 steps.

Once Emperor Charles IV’s vineyards, it is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city below, and is particularly stunning in spring when the fruit orchards are in blossom. Enticing paths lure one into hidden gardens. Fountains, an old Ukranian wooden church, an observatory and a mirror maze are other attractions on the hill. It is a delightful spot to while away some time. Half way down, stop off at the Nebozizek Restaurant for food and great views.

Prague's Old Town (Staré Mesto): What to See

Old Town Square
This famous cobbled square dating back to the 12th century was the original marketplace. Today it is one of two main ‘squares’, nearby Wenceslas being the other. Boasting many pastel-coloured historical buildings in every architectural style, the square embodies the quintessential nature of Prague and is the very heart of this splendid city. It is dominated by the memorial to Jan Hus, brilliant scholar and critic of the Papacy, who was burnt at the stake in 1415 as a heretic for his religious beliefs, triggering the Hussite Wars.

Twenty-seven Czech leaders were executed here on 21 June 1621, represented by 27 crosses in the paving at the Old Town Hall. On a happier note, coronations also took place in this square.

Not quite on the square, a dramatic example of gothic architecture is found in Tyn Church, its soaring twin spires seeming to cast a benevolent eye over the Old Town Square, contrasting with the more ornate baroque St Nicholas Church.

The Old Town Hall burnt down and its Astronomical Clock was badly damaged by the Nazis during the Prague Uprising in the last days of World War II, but fortunately both were restored. The amazing clock, a work of medieval genius, is built into the walls of the Old Town Hall’s Tower. On the dot of every hour, two small doors open in the face of the clock and wooden figures of Christ and his Twelve Disciples appear in procession while a skeleton of Death tolls the bell. The twelve signs of the Zodiac and the twelve calendar months are portrayed below the clock. Climb the staircase inside the tower – or take the elevator – for a view of the square below.

Look out for the Prague Meridian in the paving, once marked by a column which cast its shadow at noon.

Alfresco cafés and restaurants surround the plaza where you can take a breather as you enjoy the ambience of one of Europe’s most beautiful squares. In winter an illuminated Christmas tree adds to the atmosphere in the middle of the Christmas Market. Relax in a horse-drawn carriage for a vintage tour of the Old Town.

Josefov -Jewish Quarter and Jewish Museum
U Staré Skoly 1, Josefhov
Open: Mon-Fri and Sun: Apr-Oct 09.00-18.00, Nov-Mar 09.00-16.30
Closed: Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
Admission charge.

Between Old Town Square and the river, six historical sites - four synagogues, the cemetery and the former Ceremonial Hall - survived the 19th century ghetto clearance, falling under the aegis of the Jewish Museum. It contains a wealth of books and an impressive collection of Judaic art as well as the small Robert Guttmann Gallery where temporary art exhibitions are held.

Powder Gate
Republic Square
Open: Daily Apr-Sep 10.00-20.00, Oct-Mar 10.00-18.00

Similar in style to Old Town Bridge Tower, Powder Gate was originally one of 13 city gates. Once storing gunpowder, it now displays an exhibition of the city’s towers. The 186 steps lead to a viewing platform.

Prague's New Town (Nové Mesto): What to See

Wenceslas Square
This central busy tree-lined boulevard is presided over by the bronze equestrian St Wenceslas Monument protected by four statues of patron saints. The majestic neo-renaissance National Museum graces the south-east end, while the north-west end demarcates the border between Old Town and New Town. Wenceslas Square has witnessed many historical events. Two young students, Jan Palach and Jan Zajic, protested against the Soviet Union’s invasion of Czechoslovakia by setting themselves on fire on 16 January 1968 and 25 February 1969 respectively. The bronze cross memorial to the two fervent students is in front of the National Museum. Wenceslas Square was famously the scene of jubilant celebrations after the Velvet Revolution in 1989 which ended communist rule.

The Square is filled with shops, restaurants and bars, hotels and casinos, as well as prostitutes at night.

Prague's Lesser Town (Mala Strana): What to See

St Nicholas Church
Picturesque Lesser Town Square is lined with old renaissance houses and baroque palaces. It is dominated by one of Prague’s many gems, the enormous baroque church of St Nicholas which was founded by the Jesuits in 1703. It boasts a 70m-high dome and an equally high bell tower. Don’t miss the magnificent frescoes which beautify the interior. And, if you are energetic, climb the 299 steps to the gallery of the bell tower for rewarding views over the square to the Old Town across the river.

Prague's Museums

The National Museum
Wenceslas Square
Open: Daily May-Sep 10.00-18.00, Oct-Apr 09.00-17.00
Closed: First Tuesday of the month.
Admission charge.
Free: First Monday of the month.

Essentially a natural history museum built in the late 19th century at the upper end of Wenceslas Square, this monumental building is filled with exhibits relating to palaeontology, mineralogy, zoology, entomology and anthropology. Other collections are devoted to Czech theatre, numismatics, archaeology and more in several buildings across Prague, including the building on the left (known as New Building) which forms part of the National Museum.

Classical concerts are held in the majestic foyer of the main neo-renaissance building, which boasts grand staircases and stone sculptures.

Mucha Museum
Kaunický Palác, Panská 7, Prague 1
Open: Daily 10.00-18.00
Admission charge.

This small museum in the baroque Kaunitz Palace close to Wenceslas Square celebrates the life and work of Czechoslovakia’s famous Art Nouveau artist, Alfons Mucha (1860-1939), who was responsible for the glorious stained glass window in St Vitus Church and stage-set posters for theatre productions starring the famous actress of the Belle Epoque era, Sarah Bernhardt. A gift shop offers beautiful Art Nouveau items.

Franz Kafka Museum
Cihelná 2, Prague 1
Open: Daily 10.00-18.00
Admission charge.

Containing examples of the literary giant’s works in the form of letters, manuscripts and first editions, this museum, and its shop, will be of interest to aficionados of Franz Kafka (1883-1924).

Museum of Decorative Arts
Ulice 17, Listopadu 2, Prague 1
Open: Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00
Admission charge.

Radiant Bohemian glassware and ceramics, together with textiles, fashions, clocks and watches, furniture, photographs and other examples of European decorative art, are housed in various galleries in this elegant neo-renaissance building.

Museum of Communism
Na Prikope 10, Prague 1
Open: Daily 09.00-21.00
Admission charge.

A disturbing exposition dedicated to “Communism - The Dream, the Reality and the Nightmare” portrays life under the Soviet regime from 1948-1989 in this small museum.

Wax Museums
Melantrichová 5, Prague 1
Open: Daily 09.00-20.00
Mostecká 18, Prague 1
Open: Daily 09.00-18.00
Both have admission charges.

The two museums are situated in different locations: Czech and 20th century international figures are found in the museum between Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, while Czech historical figures feature in the other near Charles Bridge.

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