What to do in Prague
Prague is a fantastic city to explore and offers entertainment for all sorts of visitors.
If you want to explore old castles and churches, admire impressive gothic architecture, wander through
cobbled streets perusing souvenir shops, visiting interesting and unusual museums, climb towers for stunning
views over the city or simply to sample some traditional food and drink in a great setting, you won't be
disappointed with Prague!
Most of the sites to see in Prague can be easily discovered on foot in a couple of days. A guide book would
be a good investment to get the most from the city (e.g. Lonely Planet, Rough Guide or Time Out guides), but
some of the highlights are listed below to get you started:-
Old Town (Staré Město)
Old Town Square (Staroměstské Náměstí) - A large square surrounded by churches, shops and cafes.
It's a good starting place for grabbing a drink or a bite to eat while soaking up the atmosphere.
(NB Beware of inflated tourist prices!)
Old Town Hall & Astronomical Clock (background picture) – worth waiting around here on the hour to see the clock in
action.
Church of Our Lady before Týn – Stunning Gothic church (see right). You can also climb one of the towers for
views over the Old Town Square.
Powder Gate (Prašná brána) (below left). This can also be climbed.
Municipal House (Obecní Dům) - This holds two restaurants, a café and bar, a gallery, and is a classical music venue.
Charles Bridge (Karlův most). Full of souvenir stalls. Can climb the Old town bridge Tower which again
provides excellent views across Prague.
New Town (Nové Město)
Wenceslas Square (Václavské Náměstí) - The centre of the city, over 600 years old, and witness to all of the country's
historical and political changes over the years. (NB Don’t bother going to the National Museum at the top
of the square, unless you’re into stuffed animals and endless rooms of rocks!)
National Theatre
Karlovo Náměstí & New Town Hall
Jewish Quarter (Josefov)
Old-New Synagogue - Built around 1270, this is the oldest synagogue in Europe.
The Jewish Museum - comprising 5 synagogues and the Old Jewish cemetery.
Castle District (Hradčany)
Prague Castle, St Vitus's Cathedral (see right), St George's Basilica, the Golden Lane (zlatá ulička)
and surrounding gardens. NB It's quite a steep climb to get up to the castle but tram number 22 will
also take you there.
The Loreto - Baroque church in interesting shades of white and gold.
Strahov Monastery - A collection of religious art and some (apparently) famous library collections (the latter not
for public viewing).
Little Quarter (Malá Strana)
Petřín Hill – can walk up through the gardens or get the funicular railway. Featuring Petřín Tower (a
miniature copy of the Eiffel Tower), a mirror maze and an observatory.
Kampa Island – Kampa Park
Other things to do
Boat cruise – nice and relaxing on a sunny day.
Vyšehrad – you’ll see this castle from the river if you take a boat cruise but it’s worth venturing
out on the metro to actually visit it. You can look round the castle, wander through the cemetery featuring the graves
of some famous people including Antonín Dvořák. There are also some nice gardens and a café.
This website is a good source
of extra information if you don't have a guidebook. You can also click on the red 'download free' button on the right
to get a free miniguide to print out.