Top 20 Things to Do in Prague
Prague · 20 things to do
The 20 best things to do in Prague on one map, from Charles Bridge and Prague Castle to the viewpoints and parks locals love.
By Amit KerenWhat are the best things to do in Prague? This map shows the 20 must-see places in Prague, with what each one is known for, which ones need a ticket and Google Maps directions to every spot.
If you only have one or two days, start with the big four: Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock, and the Jewish Quarter. They are all within walking distance of each other.
Most of the list sits in three areas. Old Town has the square, the clock, the Municipal House and Josefov. Malá Strana below the castle has St. Nicholas Church, the Lennon Wall, Kampa Island and the Wallenstein Garden. Up on the hill are Prague Castle, Strahov Library and Petřín Tower.
For the best views of Prague, go up Petřín Tower, walk the Letná Park terrace, watch the sunset from Riegrovy Sady, or take the lift up the Žižkov TV Tower. Vyšehrad is the quiet alternative to the castle, and Náplavka is where Prague sits by the river on summer evenings.
Attraction · Historic bridge
Prague's famous 14th-century stone bridge over the Vltava, lined with 30 Baroque statues and guarded by towers at both ends. It is packed by midday, so cross early in the morning or late in the evening. The Old Town Bridge Tower has a viewing gallery.
Attraction · Castle complex
The largest ancient castle complex in the world, with St. Vitus Cathedral at its heart, the Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica and Golden Lane. The courtyards and gardens are free to walk around; the cathedral beyond the entrance area, the palace and Golden Lane need a ticket. The changing of the guard happens at the main gate every hour.
Area · Main square
Prague's main historic square, framed by the twin spires of Týn Church, the Old Town Hall and pastel Baroque houses. It is the heart of the city and the easiest place to start exploring.
Attraction · Medieval astronomical clock
The astronomical clock on the Old Town Hall, first installed in 1410 and still working. Every hour during the day the twelve apostles appear in the windows above the dial. Arrive a few minutes early to get a spot, then climb the Old Town Hall tower next to it for the view over the square.
Area · Historic quarter
The former Jewish ghetto between Old Town Square and the river, home to six synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery. Most sites are run by the Jewish Museum in Prague and share one ticket; the Old-New Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in Europe, has its own. The museum sites close on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
Area · Neighbourhood
The Lesser Town below the castle: Baroque palaces, quiet gardens and steep cobbled lanes like Nerudova. Don't miss St. Nicholas Church on Malostranské náměstí, with its green dome and a bell tower you can climb.
Attraction · Baroque church
The green-domed Baroque church on Malostranské náměstí, with a huge painted ceiling inside and a bell tower you can climb for a view over the Lesser Town roofs. Classical concerts are held here most evenings.
Attraction · Graffiti wall
A long wall in Malá Strana covered in John Lennon graffiti and peace messages since the 1980s. It is painted over all the time, so it looks different on every visit. It sits on a quiet square a short walk from Charles Bridge.
Park & garden · Riverside park
A small island right under Charles Bridge, separated from Malá Strana by the Čertovka stream. It has a riverside park, old water wheels, the Museum Kampa of modern art and David Černý's crawling babies sculptures.
Park & garden · Baroque garden
A free walled Baroque garden in Malá Strana, part of the Wallenstein Palace where the Czech Senate sits. Look for the peacocks, the grotesque dripstone wall and the big open loggia. It opens from spring to autumn and is closed in winter.
Attraction · Monastery library
The library of Strahov Monastery, with two painted Baroque halls, the Theological Hall and the Philosophical Hall. Visitors look into the halls from the doorway rather than walking through them. It is a short walk uphill from Prague Castle, and the monastery brewery next door is a good lunch stop.
Viewpoint · Lookout tower
A 63.5 metre steel tower from 1891, inspired by the Eiffel Tower, at the top of Petřín Hill. Climb the 299 steps or take the lift for one of the best views of Prague. Walk up through the orchards and gardens from Malá Strana or along the hill from Strahov Monastery.
Attraction · Art Nouveau landmark
Prague's Art Nouveau showpiece next to the Powder Tower, opened in 1912, with interiors decorated by Alfons Mucha and other Czech artists. See it on a guided tour, at a concert in Smetana Hall or over coffee in the café on the ground floor.
Area · Boulevard square
A long boulevard in the New Town, closed at the top by the National Museum and the statue of St. Wenceslas. It was the stage of the 1989 Velvet Revolution and is now Prague's main shopping street.
Attraction · Modern architecture
Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunić's curving 1996 building on the riverbank, nicknamed Fred and Ginger. There is a gallery inside and a rooftop bar with views over the Vltava to the castle.
Attraction · Fortress and park
A hilltop fortress above the Vltava, south of the centre, with the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, the Vyšehrad Cemetery where Dvořák and Mucha are buried, and ramparts with wide river views. The grounds are free and much quieter than Prague Castle.
Park & garden · Park and viewpoint
A big park on the hill above the Vltava with one of the best views of Prague's bridges. The giant Metronome stands where a Stalin monument once was, and the Letná beer garden at the eastern end is a classic summer evening spot. Reach it on foot up the steps from Čechův most.
Park & garden · Park and viewpoint
A hilltop park in Vinohrady with a wide view across the city to Prague Castle, one of the best free sunset spots in Prague. In summer the beer garden at the top fills with locals.
Viewpoint · TV tower and observation deck
The tallest building in Prague at 216 metres, with an observation deck at 93 metres and David Černý's crawling babies climbing its legs. Ride up for a 360-degree view of the city.
Area · Riverside promenade
The embankment below Rašínovo nábřeží, lined with boat bars and cafés. On Saturday mornings it hosts a popular farmers' market, and on summer evenings it is one of the liveliest places to sit by the river.
Recommended hotels
Old Town riverside
Best for: Castle views
A five-star hotel on the Vltava next to Charles Bridge, with views of Prague Castle, a spa and an indoor pool.
New Town
Best for: Luxury
A five-star hotel in a 17th-century palace on Hybernská, with a private garden, spa and large rooms, steps from the Powder Tower.
Old Town
Best for: Pool and spa
A five-star hotel at the river end of Pařížská, with an indoor and outdoor pool, a spa and a rooftop bar.
Malá Strana
Best for: Charles Bridge
A small four-star hotel in two historic houses at the Malá Strana end of Charles Bridge, with an easy walk up to Prague Castle.
New Town
Best for: Spacious suites
Five-star rooms, studios and suites on Senovážné Square, a 5-minute walk to the Municipal House and about 9 minutes to Old Town Square.
New Town
Best for: Couples
A modern boutique hotel on Senovážná with a spa, gym and library, about 600 m from Old Town Square and 500 m from Wenceslas Square.
Old Town
Best for: Boutique stay
A small boutique hotel with 21 rooms on Haštalská, about 8 minutes on foot from Old Town Square. Breakfast is included.
Old Town
Best for: Quiet and central
A quiet hotel in a former convent on Bartolomějská, about 250 m from Charles Bridge and a short walk from Národní třída metro.
Jewish Quarter
Best for: Families
A boutique hotel on quiet Bílkova Street, a few minutes from Old Town Square, the Jewish Quarter and the river.
Old Town
Best for: Value
A four-star design hotel with a garden on Haštalská, a few minutes' walk from Old Town Square and the Jewish Quarter.
Recommended activities
1 hour
See Charles Bridge, the castle and the Dancing House from the water.
Book2 to 3 hours
St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane with a guide.
Book2 to 3 hours
The square, the Astronomical Clock and the synagogues of Josefov.
BookBefore you go
spotz.guide is a collection of travel maps and step-by-step routes, made to be opened on your phone and followed on the ground. Every guide is put together and checked by founder and editor Amit Keren.
Spots come from time on the ground and strong recommendations, and each one is checked before it goes on the map.
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