With some cities, you make a bee-line straight for the top museums and galleries. With Prague, the city is the top museum and gallery. The world is a better place for Prague's towering Cathedrals, grand Gothic churches, opulent palaces and streets paved with architectural gold.You might come to Prague for its glimmering architectural wonders, but expect to take a little piece of Czech soul away with you. As Prague author Kafka said, “Mother Prague has sharp little claws.”You’ll start to feel those claws as you as soon as you enter the Old Town. Its dense mosaic of medieval streets and alleys is never less than charming, and is often awe-inspiring. Especially when you step out into the Staromestske Namesti (The Old Town Square). The Baroque St.Nicholas Church makes a delicate white-clad stab up, at its western end. To the east, the Tyn Church throws dark spikes skywards from two tall towers.Turn the corner, and you'll find a piece of pure Czech genius adorning the Old Town Hall – the Prazsky Orloj, or Prague Astronomical Clock. Not only does it keeps track of the Zodiac, while putting on an hourly mechanical procession, it can also tell the time in three different ways. Head to the river and you'll find genius with a more modern take.The Dancing House (or Tancici Dum) could be an architect's joke – who'd want to put a pair of warped glass-fronted modernistic towers in a World Heritage site – but it's a joke clever enough to work. If you'd rather have it grand, than playful, the six-centuries old Charles Bridge (or Karlus Most) will carry you elegantly across the Vltava river.Up on the west-bank hill, overlooking both the Old and New Towns, is the Prague Castle (or Prazsky Hrad). This complex is more a set of palatial buildings – Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and more – than a castle. Enclosed by the Castle is St. Vitus Cathedral – home to Bohemia's national treasures and saintly bones.There's a more contemplative side to Prague back across the river in the Jewish Quarter. Prague had the largest Jewish community in Europe, before persecution drove them away. The Old Jewish Cemetery is a sobering reminder of a community with defiance in its bones. Just like the Prague citizens who gathered in Wenceslas Square to demand freedom in 1989 resulting in the Velvet Revolution.
Prague Travel Guide
Where to stay in Prague
Prague City Center
Old Town Square and Charles Bridge Museum are top sights in Prague City Center, and you should be sure to explore the acclaimed art galleries. Hop aboard the metro at Karlovy Lázně Stop or Staroměstská Stop to see more sights in the area.
Stare Mesto
Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Old Town Square to Havelska Market – discover Stare Mesto, a destination also famous for its shopping.
Prague 1
Known for its popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Prague 1. Check out top attractions like Old Town Square and Royal Route, and jump on the metro at Staromestska Station or Staroměstská Stop to see more of the city.
Nove Mesto
Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Charles Square to New Town Hall – discover Nove Mesto, a destination also famous for its shopping.
Prague 2
Known for its ample dining options and fascinating museums, there's plenty to explore in Prague 2. You can visit top attractions like Peace Square and New Town Hall, and jump on the metro at Náměstí Míru Stop or Namesti Miru Station to see more of the city.
Mala Strana
Consider a visit to Lennon Wall and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Mala Strana. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Malostranské Náměstí Stop or Hellichova Stop.
Reviewed on 7 May 2024
Reviewed on 11 May 2024
Reviewed on 11 May 2024
Reviewed on 27 Apr. 2024
Reviewed on 7 May 2024
Reviewed on 30 Jul. 2023
Popular places to visit
Old Town Square
The Tyn Church, the Old Town Hall Tower and St. Nicholas Church are just three of the treasures found in what is arguably Europe's finest Square.
Prague Castle
The castle that's a really four fabulous palaces, three churches, two towers, an art gallery, and a cathedral – all fitted together over 1,000 years of history.
Charles Bridge
Walking along the Charles Bridge is to walk a miracle of Gothic engineering, which has withstood war, floods and revolution.
Prague Astronomical Clock
The hourly performance of Prague's Astronomical Clock will leave you trying to work out the mysteries of the multiple ways this clock can tell you the time.
Wenceslas Square
Protests now form part of the myth of Wenceslas Square, but it's also a great place to shop, eat, drink – and walk in the footsteps of heroes.
Dancing House
The radical dancing 'couple' of Tancici Dum offer a perfectly Bohemian counterpoint to Prague's formal architectural elegance.
Activities
Prague: Classical Concert in the Spanish Synagogue
Prague: WOW Show Black Light Theater
Prague: Old Town Hall & Astronomical Clock Entrance Ticket
Reviews of Prague
5/5 - Excellent
Because of the huge tourist numbers, try & get up early to enjoy the old town Or else by mid morning lunch time you won’t be able to move
5/5 - Excellent
Stop off at Vrsovice district for trendy edgy pubs away from the tourists. Few people speak English but it's the atmosphere you want. Bigger restaurants will have an English-language menu. Anywhere close to Bohemians FC stadium will be great.
5/5 - Excellent
The locals are very welcoming, probably, based on mu experience, they’re the friendliest in Europe. The city itself is so compact that you can just to anywhere you want to, except when you’re going uphill.
5/5 - Excellent
A very beautiful city, friendly people and fabulous culture.
2/5 - Disappointing
Too many people everywhere. Feels unsafe overall. Got stolen on street. Also many currency exchange places are cheating tourists. Also came across twice people who cheat you on street for current exchange...
5/5 - Excellent
Prague castle is excellent, but try to avoid weekends or you might be queuing lots.