Things To Do In Prague

The city of Prague is home to a number of fascinating sights, some of which date back to the 14th century. There is a variety of attractions to see, ranging from castles and cathedrals to parks and fascinating museums. All of the sights are located within easy walking distance of each other and many popular hotels.

Charles Bridge (Karluv Most)

This bridge is one of Prague’s most photographed landmarks and links the Lesser Town with the Old and New towns. It was built in 1357 as part of Charles IV’s immense building programme, along with the Castle, Prague University and St Vitus Cathedral. The bridge is fully pedestrianised and is home to stalls selling local arts and crafts, and buskers, who spend their days entertaining the crowds.

Prague Castle (Prask Hrad)

The 14th century castle towers above Prague city and can be seen from wherever you are standing in Prague. The castle’s grounds are enormous, with three courtyards, ancient walls and stunning gardens. You will need a couple of days to explore the entire castle, as it is too much for a single day’s trip.

St Vitus Cathedral (Katedrla sv Vta)

This is the country’s largest church and it is located within the castle’s grounds. The design is inspired by the Gothic cathedral at Narbonne. Work began on the cathedral in 1344, but it was not completed until 1929, due to the decline in Prague’s wealth and status during this period. One chapel located within the cathedral is said to hold the remains of St Wenceslas. The chapel is dedicated to Saint Ludmilla, the first Czech martyr, and is particularly striking. St George’s Convent is the oldest monastery in the country and can be found within the cathedral.

Old Town Square (Staromstsk Nmst

The 12th century Old Square lies in the heart of Prague city and is a busy hub for tourists. The square is awash with stalls selling all sorts of local crafts. You will find horse-drawn carriages waiting to take you on a historic tour of the city and restaurants lining the square. In December, the Old Square is home to the Christmas Market, which is very popular with both tourists and locals alike. In the centre of the square, you will find a very impressive memorial dedicated to Jan Hus, a 15th century heretic. The Prague Meridian can also be found here, which is where all distances in the city are measured from. The Old Town Hall is of major historical interest and a must-see for tourists. It’s clock strikes on the hour, when two Apostles can be seen at two windows. 

Jewish Quarter (Josefov)

The Jewish Quarter was located in the north of the Old Town Square up until the end of the 19th century. Around this time, most of the area was cleared to make room for Art Nouveau buildings. Some of the original character of this area still remains and can be found in the Jewish Museum, the Jewish Town Hall and the old synagogue and cemetery.

Wenceslas Square (Vclavsk Nmest)

Wenceslas Square is in fact one long street, in spite of its name. It was where the revolution began in 1989 and today it is a lively, popular shopping area, while it has a slightly dubious reputation at night. The St Wenceslas Memorial can be found here as well as the Lucerna, a concert hall hosting jazz and rock nights, and a landmark of the First Republic.

Kampa Park

This is a stunning park located in the centre of the city. It attracts families, couples and people looking for somewhere to relax. There are many cafés located throughout the park as well as lakes with ducks and a children’s playground.

Museums

Prague has many fascinating museums on offer, some of which detail the history of Prague and others of which have stunning displays of art and more that are just good entertainment. The National Museum is home to the oldest and largest collection of antiques in the entire country and it celebrates the history of Czechoslovakia. The Museum of Decorative Arts is fascinating for all lovers of art and the Wax Museum is Prague’s version of Madame Tussauds, with a celebration of 20th century celebrities and a re-creation of scenes from Medieval Prague. Prague sees many new museums open every year and some open just for the summer period, while other stay open year-round. Smaller museums often exhibit very strange but interesting displays that are well worth the visit.