Prague is a maze of ancient streets lined with stately buildings and historic landmarks from different eras, blending elegant Gothic, Art Nouveau, Baroque, ultramodern styles, with touches of Cubism. This fascinating architectural mix is paced by the iconic astronomical clock in Staromestske namesti, in the Old Town. It’s no surprise that Prague’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, dazzling visitors with both grand sights and charming hidden gems like its typical lanes and squares, perfect for a tea break.
- Top Sights in Prague
- 1 Prague Castle
- 2 Charles Bridge
- 3 Josefov, the Jewish Quarter
- Prague Points of Interest
- 4 Old Town Square
- 5 Wenceslas Square
- 6 Republic Square
- 7 Parks and Gardens in Prague
- Things to Do in Prague
- 8 Prague Christmas Markets
- 9 Prague Nightlife
- Traveling to Prague
- 10 How to Get to and Around Prague
- 11 Where to Eat in Prague
- 12 Where to Stay in Prague
Prague is an easy city to explore. If you’re planning to see Prague in three days, don’t miss the Old Town and the Castle. Still, Prague is best enjoyed with a longer stay.
Top Sights in Prague
1 Prague Castle
The Prague Castle is a majestic complex that has overlooked the city for more than a thousand years. It’s considered the largest castle in the world, with courtyards connecting the palace to the cathedral, several churches and museums, galleries, and monasteries. At night, impressive lighting makes it even more enchanting. Your visit should begin with St. Vitus Cathedral and its stunning stained glass windows, followed by the Chapel of St. Wenceslas, the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, Lobkowicz Palace, and finally the Royal Gardens, which offer breathtaking views over Prague.
2 Charles Bridge
What to see in Prague. Charles Bridge, the oldest in the city, was built in 1357 by Charles IV and for centuries was the only crossing over the Vltava River. Prague Charles Bridge. Today it’s especially famous for the many statues, mostly added in the 18th century, and for street performers and artists who join the crowds of tourists along this pedestrian bridge.
3 Josefov, the Jewish Quarter
The ancient Jewish Ghetto of Prague, described by Kafka as a labyrinth of narrow streets, is one of the most atmospheric areas in the city, home to four synagogues, the cemetery and the museum. The Old-New Synagogue is the oldest still active synagogue in Europe. Prague Jewish Cemetery. Emotional and mysterious, the Jewish cemetery, in use from 1439 to 1787, is the oldest and largest in Europe.
Prague Points of Interest
4 Old Town Square
Visiting Prague. The city’s central square is unquestionably Old Town Square, surrounded by beautiful Baroque buildings. The main attraction is the Town Hall tower and its extraordinary astronomical clock. At 9 am and 9 pm crowds gather to watch the clock’s moving figures of saints and allegorical characters. Behind the Town Hall stands the Church of Our Lady before Týn, with its fascinating Baroque interiors.
5 Wenceslas Square
What to visit in Prague. Wenceslas Square, a sweeping sloping boulevard, has been the stage for political protests over the last 150 years. Here you’ll find the statue of St. Wenceslas, the square’s namesake, and the grand National Museum.
6 Republic Square
Republic Square is popular for its stunning Municipal House, Prague’s finest example of Art Nouveau architecture. The complex includes a restaurant, an opulent café, and the Smetana Concert Hall. Nearby stands one of the remaining towers from the Old Town fortifications, offering panoramic views from the top.
7 Parks and Gardens in Prague
If you want to explore Prague’s parks and gardens in depth, try a sightseeing tour on rollerblades. Start with Petrin Hill, where you can visit the Stefanik Observatory, the mirror maze, and the Petrin Lookout Tower, a small-scale version of Paris’s Eiffel Tower. For a relaxing, romantic experience, head to the park or the gardens below the lookout, or in summer enjoy a concert at the Vrtbovska Garden at the foot of Petrin Hill. Next is the Renaissance Hvezda Castle in its surrounding park, another perfect spot to unwind and soak up Prague’s fairy-tale atmosphere.
For an amazing view over Prague’s city center, visit the Letna plain, where you can enjoy a coffee or Czech beer with a view. Finish your tour of Prague’s gardens at Ladronka Park, featuring a modern skating track with skate and bike rental.
Things to Do in Prague
8 Prague Christmas Markets
Prague’s magical atmosphere is unforgettable at Christmas, when the city is filled with lights, festive scents, crowds, and seasonal treats on every corner. The joyful spirit will make you forget even the cold as you soak up the holiday charm.
The Christmas Markets (vánocní trhy) are perfect for picking up gifts and souvenirs. Open daily from late November to early January, they offer everything from local crafts to puppets. Food stalls are especially tempting, with local specialties like goulash and hot drinks including mulled wine, grog, and medovina, a honey-based liqueur. The most famous markets are in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. The main market captures the city’s holiday spirit with a giant nativity scene and a huge illuminated tree. In Wenceslas Square, the wooden chalets line up in front of the National Museum.
Other noteworthy Christmas Markets in Prague include the Havel Market, set on the street between Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, the market in Peace Square in front of St. Ludmila Church, and the Republic Square market near the Kotva department store.
An unusual curiosity: at Vystaviste Holesovice, a very special Christmas market features about 500 stalls and a giant house made entirely of gingerbread. At the end of the holidays, the gingerbread house is devoured by the many market visitors!
9 Prague Nightlife
The Czech capital is also famed for its vibrant nightlife: with its pubs, private clubs and discos, there’s plenty of entertainment in the Bohemian city. Special mention goes to Karlovy Lazne, a spectacular club just steps from Charles Bridge, with five floors, each offering a different music style—the largest venue of its kind in Europe.
Traveling to Prague
10 How to Get to and Around Prague
Prague Airport. Ruzyne Airport is located 20 km northwest of downtown and is connected by buses every 20 minutes. Take bus 119 for Dejvicka metro station, 100 for Zlicin, and 179 for Nove Butovice. International trains arrive at Hlavni Nadrazi, Prague’s main station.
Both the Old Town and Mala Strana are easy to explore on foot, though the walk up to the castle can be steep. Prague Metro. The system has three lines: A (green), B (yellow), and C (red), each fairly short. Alternatively, use trams, buses, or the funicular.
11 Where to Eat in Prague
Traditional Dishes in Prague. In recent years, Prague’s culinary scene has grown: pork is no longer the only staple. While a visit to a classic pivnice pub remains a must, you can also pick from excellent international restaurants. For breakfast, try the upscale French bakery in Old Town Au Gourmand, or the Café Imperial, an opulent Habsburg-era venue renowned for its great coffee and delicious pastries.
What to Eat in Prague. Lunch options range from salads and hearty Bohemian soups to robust game dishes at Nebozízek or the exciting menu at Square, the local favorite of famed Prague writer Kafka. For dinner, Kampa Park stands out as Prague’s most sophisticated restaurant, with a scenic heated terrace on the river. For a more formal meal, opt for the traditional brewery U Medvídku for classic local cuisine. And to drink: don’t miss out on an excellent Czech beer.
12 Where to Stay in Prague
Prague offers a wide range of accommodation. Prague Hotels. Hotels in the Old Town are generally pricier, while those in Mala Strana tend to be more budget-friendly.
