What to See in Prague, Places of Interest in the Czech Capital

Prague is a tangle of ancient streets crowned by proud palaces and historic buildings from various periods, reflected in elegant, Gothic, Art Nouveau, Baroque, ultramodern styles, also featuring influences of Cubism. An extremely fascinating architectural mix whose rhythm is symbolically marked by the astronomical clock of Staromestske namesti, in the Old Town. It is no coincidence that the historic center of Prague is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so rich in sometimes dazzling beauties, sometimes simple like the typical narrow streets and the squares where you can stop to sip tea.

Prague is a city easily visitable. If you have decided to visit Prague in three days you cannot miss seeing the historic center and the Castle. However, Prague is a city to be experienced over more time.

Prague places of interest

1 Prague Castle

The Prague Castle is a majestic complex that has dominated the entire city for over 1000 years. It is considered the largest castle in the world, with courtyards connecting the palace to the cathedral, to several churches and museums, to galleries and monasteries. At night the lighting makes the whole even more suggestive. The first place to visit is certainly the St. Vitus Cathedral with its magnificent leaded stained glass in mosaic style. You can continue with the St. Wenceslas Chapel, the old royal palace, the Basilica of St. George, Lobkowicz Palace, and finally the royal gardens from which you can admire a splendid panorama of Prague.

2 Charles Bridge

Things to see in Prague. The Charles Bridge, the oldest in the city, was built in 1357 by Charles IV and for several centuries it was the only connection between the two banks of the Vltava, the river of Prague. Prague Charles Bridge. Today it is famous especially for the numerous statues, mostly added in the 18th century, and for the myriad of street artists who crowd the pedestrian bridge along with tourists.

3 Josefov, the Jewish ghetto of Prague

The old Jewish ghetto of Prague, also described by Kafka as a maze of narrow streets, is certainly one of the most evocative neighborhoods in the city, with its four synagogues, the cemetery, and the museum. The Old-New Synagogue is undoubtedly the most important, being the oldest in Europe still functioning as a place of worship. Prague Jewish cemetery. A poignant and mysterious place, the Jewish cemetery used from 1439 to 1787 is the oldest and largest in Europe.

 Prague Places of Interest

4 Old Town Square

Visiting Prague. The most important square in the city is undoubtedly the Old Town Square, bordered by fine Baroque buildings. The main monument is the Town Hall, on whose tower is an extraordinary astronomical clock. At the stroke of 9:00 and 21:00, the crowd gathers under the tower to admire the various figures that come out of the little doors, representing saints and allegorical figures. Behind the Town Hall stands the Church of Our Lady of Týn, which houses very fascinating Baroque interiors.

5 Wenceslas Square

What to visit in Prague. Wenceslas Square, which is more of a wide sloping avenue, has been the scene of numerous political protests that have taken place in the last 150 years. Noteworthy are the statue of Saint Wenceslas, to whom the square is dedicated, and the large National Museum.

6 Republic Square

Republic Square deserves a visit for the splendid Town Hall, the best example of Art Nouveau architecture in Prague. The complex includes a restaurant, an opulent café, and the Smetana Concert Hall. Next to it stands one of the towers once belonging to the fortifications of the Old Town, at the top of which you can admire a suggestive panorama.

7 The parks and gardens of Prague

A tip for visiting every inch of the parks and gardens of the capital of the Czech Republic is to take a nice skate tour of Prague. The first stop is Petrín Hill where, at the top, you can visit the Stefànik Observatory, the mirror maze and the Petrín lookout, an imitation of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. To relax and fully enjoy the romantic atmosphere of Prague, just move to the park and the garden in front of the lookout or, still under Petrín Hill, to the Vrtbovský Garden where numerous concerts are held in summer. Then you pass to the Renaissance castle Hvezda, located in the anonymous adjacent park, also an ideal place to experience the soft and fairytale atmosphere of Prague and to rejuvenate in direct contact with reassuring nature.
For anyone wishing to enjoy a breathtaking view of the center of Prague, just go to the Letná plateau where, sitting at a table, you can enjoy a warm cup of coffee or a good glass of beer. The visit to discover the gardens of Prague ends with the Ladronka Park, equipped with a modern skating rink, with the possibility to rent skates and bikes.

Prague, cosa fare

8 Mercatini di Natale a Praga

Prague already exudes a magical atmosphere by itself, so if you are lucky enough to visit during the Christmas holidays, you will certainly be amazed by the scents, the lights, the people, and the smell of treats present all around the city. In that festive atmosphere, you won’t even notice the cold, as you will be so captivated by the magic of Prague and Christmas.
The Christmas markets (vánocní trhy) are the ideal place to buy some gifts for relatives and friends. Open every day of the week, from late November to early January, they display a bit of everything, from handicrafts to puppets. Very enticing are the food stands showcasing local gastronomic delicacies like Goulash and hot drinks including vin brulé, grog, and medovina, a warm honey-based liquor. The most famous Christmas markets in Prague are certainly those held in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Regarding the first, it perfectly embodies the joyful Christmas spirit. Besides the market, the square hosts a huge nativity scene and a large fir tree full of lights. In Wenceslas Square, the wooden huts that make up the market are right next to the National Museum.

Among other Christmas markets in Prague worth mentioning, there is the one in Havel’s, which stands along the street connecting Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Then there is the Christmas market in Peace Square, in front of the Church of St. Ludmilla, and that of Republic Square, near the Kotva department store.

Finally, a curiosity: in the Vystaviste Holesovice area, a very special market is built at Christmas where, besides about 500 exhibitors, there is also a giant house entirely made of gingerbread. The uniqueness lies in the fact that, at the end of the events, this is devoured by the always numerous visitors of the market.

9 Prague Nightclubs

The Czech capital is also known for its lively nightlife: between pubs, private clubs, and nightclubs, fun in the Bohemian city is guaranteed. A special mention goes to Karlovy Lazne, a magnificent nightclub a few meters from Charles Bridge, which with its 5 floors and as many rooms divided by music genre is the largest facility of this kind in Europe.

Trip to Prague

10 How to get to Prague and how to get around

Prague Airport. Ruzine Airport is located 20 km northwest of the city center, which is connected by buses that depart every 20 minutes. Take the 119 to the Dejvicka metro station, the 100 to Zlicin, and the 179 to Nove Butovice. International trains arrive at Hlavnì Nadrazì, Prague’s main station.
The old quarter of Prague, as well as Mala Strana, can be easily visited on foot, although the climb to the castle is quite challenging. Prague Metro. The Prague metro has 3 lines: A (green), B (yellow), and C (red). and it is a very short line. Alternatively, you can use trams, buses, or funiculars.

11 Prague where to eat

Typical Prague dishes. In recent years, the culinary offer in Prague has greatly increased, so pork is no longer the key element of every menu. Although a stop in one of the traditional pivnice is always part of the city visit, nowadays you can choose from several excellent restaurants with international cuisine. For breakfast, we recommend the high-end French bakery in the Old Town Au Gourmand or why not Café Imperial, a sumptuous Habsburg-era venue offering excellent coffees and exquisite doughnuts.

Prague what to eat. For lunch, you can range from salads, Bohemian soups, and hearty game dishes at the restaurant Nebozízek to the intriguing menu of Square, the favorite place of the renowned Prague writer Kafka. Finally, for the last meal of the day, we cannot fail to mention Kampa Park, the most sophisticated restaurant in Prague, with a charming heated terrace by the river. For a more formal dinner, the ideal is the traditional brewery U Medvìdku and its typical Prague cuisine. To drink, there is no doubt: an excellent Czech beer.

12 Where to sleep in Prague

The offer in Prague on where to sleep is wide and rich. Prague hotels. The hotels in Prague’s Old Town are certainly more expensive, while those in Mala Starna tend to be more economical.