Prague tourist attractions

Top Prague sights

For a tightly-packed medieval city, Prague packs a lot in, from Communist remnants and Art Nouveau spectacles to green spaces and fairytale ramparts. Attractions range from the traditional to the contemporary in this ever-changing city, and no matter how short or long your trip is, you won’t be at a loss for things to do. Different districts of the city have their own unique charms, and it’s easy to explore the entire city centre by foot, tram or metro - so with so much to offer, why not get stuck in with some of the best tourist attractions in Prague?

  1. Wander across Charles Bridge
  2. Be awed by St Vitus Cathedral
  3. Watch the Astronomical Clock
  4. Nosy around Vysehrad
  5. Visit the Jewish district
  6. Climb Petrin Tower

1. Wander across Charles Bridge

Built in the 14th century, medieval Charles Bridge is one of the top Prague tourist attractions. The stone bridge is lined with Baroque statues and connects the Old Town with Mala Strana (Little Town), and as such is pretty much heaving with tourists throughout the day. Stop along the sides to take in some picture-perfect views of Prague, with the river Vltava in the foreground and the terracotta-roofed buildings tiered towards the spires of Prague Castle up on the hilltop. You can also visit the two gatehouses at either side of the bridge and watch the comings-and-goings of the people down below.

Best for: A slice of history.

While you’re there: Aim to get there first thing in the morning for better views without the crowds.

2. Be awed by St Vitus Cathedral

Up on the Prague Castle complex sits the impressive St Vitus Cathedral, whose Gothic structure towers over the city. As impressive as the outside is, with its intimidating bulk of dark spires, turrets and finer detail, inside is even more so, with stained-glass windows by Alfons Mucha, dazzlingly tall nave and other modern fixtures and fittings.

Best for: Being impressed by the attention to detail.

While you’re there: Head across the complex to watch the daily changing of the guards.

3. Watch the Astronomical Clock

The ultimate Prague sightseeing spot has to be the Old Town Square, with its chocolate-box row of Baroque buildings, sprawling cobbled square and dark-stained churches. But the best sight here is the 15th century Astronomical Clock, whose hourly show attracts camera-clicking crowds. On the hour, Death (a skeleton next to the clock) rings his bell before a small set of doors above the clock snap open, and the Apostles peer out and bow to the audience below. In fact, the whole spectacle is filled with symbolism: there’s also four characters representing Philosophy, Religion, Astronomy and History, and at the end of the procession, a cockerel flaps its wings to end the show, before the clock finally chimes.

Best for: Unique traditions of Prague.

While you’re there: In the middle of the square is the giant Jan Hus Monument, a powerful symbol of Czech nationalism.

4. Nosy around Vysehrad

This rocky red-brick fortress is now a great escape from the busy city centre. Vysehrad literally means “High Castle” and is supposedly where Slav tribes first settled in Prague. Although it’s home to impressive legends - like being the site where Libuse went on to find Prague - all that’s really left are its remains of a fortified barracks and public park. You can explore the fortress’s northern entrance, dungeons and underground passageways - the latter of which leads onto a storage hall which houses original statues from Charles Bridge.

Best for: Hidden architectural wonders.

While you’re there: Explore nearby Vysehrad Cemetery, where many of the country’s artists and intellectuals are buried.

5. Visit the Jewish district

Josefov, the former Jewish ghetto, contains six synagogues, a town hall and even a medieval cemetery: this Prague attraction is like a visit to a mini-city in itself. It’s an essential part of the city’s cultural heritage, although part of the ghetto was demolished in 1890 to make way for the designer shopping streets there now. All of the major sights are part of the Jewish Museum and you can buy an all-in-one ticket to visit them all: the Old-New Synagogue, Old Jewish Cemetery, the Ceremonial Hall, the Maisel, Pinkas, Klausen and the Spanish synagogues. Most Prague holiday packages will include a tour of this district, so it’s well worth checking out.

Best for: A vibrant Prague neighborhood.

While you’re there: The Jewish Town Hall is one of the few buildings of its kind in Central Europe to have survived the Holocaust.

6. Climb Petrin Tower

For superlative views across Prague city centre, head up the wooded Petrin Hill on Prague’s left bank, the largest green space in the city centre. It’s home to the Rozhledna, a smaller version of the Eiffel Tower. Although the views from the hilltop are great, they’re even better once you’ve ascended up to the top of the tower via its spiralling staircase (or take the lift). It provides arguably the best views in Prague, as you look down onto the river Vltava below you and the red-roofed city centre beyond, with the stacks of apartment blocks and rolling hills just beyond.

Best for: The best views in Prague.

While you’re there: At the top of Petrin Hill is a cafe-restaurant with plenty of outdoor seating.

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