Things to do in  Prague

On a hill overlooking the Vltava River, Prague Castle (Pražský Hrad) is a huge complex of museums, churches, palaces, and gardens, the oldest of which date back to the 9th century. On the edge of Prague’s historic center—all of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site—it’s an outstanding testament to Prague’s architectural history and a must for any visitor to the City of a Hundred Spires.

Forming a grand walkway between Prague Old Town, and the Lesser Town and Castle District, the 15th-century Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) is one of the city’s most striking landmarks. The magnificent Gothic bridge features 16 stone arches, two watchtowers, and 30 blackened baroque statues depicting various saints.

The Powder Tower (Prasná Brána) is one of Prague’s last remaining city gates. It once formed part of the defensive walls that surrounded the city and was one of 13 gates that allowed people to pass in and out of the center. Visit to climb to the top of the tower and enjoy views over the surrounding area.

The late-19th century Rudolfinum is a classical music theater on the east bank of Prague’s Vltava River, located at Jan Palach Square. It’s neo-classical in design, and is the home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. As well as admiring the architecture from the outside, visitors can attend a performance or take a guided tour.

One of Prague’s most popular tourist attractions, the Astronomical Clock (Prazský Orloj) was built in the 15th century and is a mechanical marvel. Found on the south side of Prague’s imposing town hall in Old Town Square (Staromestske namestí), visitors line up in their hundreds to see the display as the clock strikes the hour.

Wenceslas Square (Václavské Námesti), one of Prague’s largest public squares, is actually more of a boulevard. Wide and tree-lined with sidewalk cafes and stylish boutiques, it feels modern and cosmopolitan. The square is bursting with history—from its intricate art nouveau buildings to its poignant memorial to the victims of Soviet occupation.

Close to Prague Castle and the impressive St. Vitus Cathedral, Mala Strana—the Lesser Quarter in English—is one of Prague’s most historic neighborhoods. As a royal town, it was home to some of the city’s wealthiest residents, and many grand palaces and ornate baroque buildings remain today.

Prague’s Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) is the historic heart and navigational center of the city’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. A feast of architectural wonders, the medieval square is ringed with grandiose Romanesque, baroque, and Gothic style buildings, including some of Prague’s most photographed monuments.

With twin Gothic towers visible across the city, St. Vitus Cathedral at the heart of the castle complex is one of Prague’s most recognizable landmarks. It took almost 600 years to complete and is a must-visit for tourists who come to marvel at the architecture and stunning stained-glass windows.

Located close to Prague castle, Strahov Monastery (Strahovský Kláster) has been home to a community of monks since the 12th century. The monastery is one of the most important landmarks in the Czech Republic and is famous for its historic library, which contains countless volumes, including over 3,000 original manuscripts.

Starting life as a tribute to musical icon and peace activist John Lennon after his untimely death in 1980, Prague’s John Lennon Wall quickly became a symbol of peace and free speech for young Czechs angry and disillusioned with the country’s communist regime—much western pop music was banned under the regime, and some Czech musicians were even imprisoned for playing it.

Prague’s historic Clementinum is a vast complex of beautiful baroque and rococo halls. One of the largest building complexes in Europe, the halls were built from the mid-16th century to mid-18th century, originally as a Jesuit dormitory. The Clementinum is now mostly occupied by the Czech National Library.

Europe’s oldest still-working synagogue, the Old-New Synagogue (Staronová Synagoga was completed around 1270, making it one of Prague’s first Gothic buildings. Situated in the Jewish Quarter of Josefov, it is the main synagogue of the Jewish community in Prague.

Just an hour from Prague, Kutná Hora is a medieval village with a fascinating history. Most travelers head there to see the Sedlec Ossuary, a Roman Catholic chapel decorated with bones that’s known, fittingly, as the Bone Church; however, Kutná Hora’s UNESCO-listed Old Town is also worth a look.

The heart of ancient Prague, Old Town—or Staré Město in Czech—is one of the city’s most visited areas, home to sites such as the astronomical clock and the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn. It’s also a popular starting point for walking tours of the city. Many visitors spend at least half a day exploring the many treasures of Staré Město.