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Prague is one of the most fascinating cities in Central Europe, known for its stunning architecture, ancient historical sights, and thriving arts and culture.
A typical Prague travel guide will highlight the likes of Prague Castle, St. Nicholas Church, Dancing House, and the Astronomical Clock, but if you’ve already seen these popular tourist attractions, it might be time to take yourself on a walking tour of the city’s lesser-known sights.
Here are 17 interesting hidden gems of Prague that will help you venture away from the beaten path and get better acquainted with this fascinating city.
1. Lennon Wall
- Website: thelennonwall.com/en-gb
- Address: Velkopřevorské nám., 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
The Lennon Wall was created in 1980, immediately following John Lennon’s murder. Czech artists painted a portrait of the musician on a wall opposite the French embassy, and song lyrics and political graffiti quickly followed the portrait.
The wall has been whitewashed multiple times but it is always quickly decorated again, often with political statements directed at contemporary politicians. This is a cherished living canvas that is constantly evolving to reflect current events while consistently representing the values of peace, love, and resilience.
2. Charles Bridge Museum
- Website: muzeumkarlovamostu.cz/en
- Address: Křižovnická 191/3, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
- Opening hours: 11 am – 7 pm daily
It’s inevitable that you’ll wander across Charles Bridge at some point during your visit to Prague, but don’t miss out on the quaint little museum that lies nearby in the Crusaders Hospital and Church of the Holy Spirit. You’ll learn about the construction and history of the bridge that connects Old Town with Lesser Town and have the opportunity to buy souvenirs in the gift shop.
3. Žižkov Television Tower
- Website: towerpark.cz
- Address: Mahlerovy sady 1, 130 00 Praha 3-Žižkov, Czechia
- Opening hours: 9.00 am – 11.30 pm daily
Most tourists flock to the Lookout Tower on Petřín Hill, but Žižkov Television Tower is a great alternative. Its observation tower offers panoramic views of the city and out across Bohemia. There’s also a restaurant, a bar, a bistro, and a hotel within the structure, and each offers a unique view of Prague. Look out for the ten fiberglass Miminka (babies) that are crawling up the tower; Czech artist David Černý designed them.
4. The Vrtba Garden
- Website: www.vrtbovska.cz
- Address: Karmelitská 25, 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
- Opening hours: 10 am – 7 pm daily
There are many beautiful gardens to explore in Prague — many of which are found within the Prague Castle complex — but the Vrtba Garden is a small gem that can’t be missed.
Created in 1720 by František Maximilian Kaňka, the Baroque garden has a unique, irregular sloping design that allows it to fit perfectly into the steep slope of Petřín Hill. It is adorned with statues and sculptures created by Matyáš Bernard Braun, who was also responsible for several of the statues on Charles Bridge.
5. The Clementinum Astronomical Tower and Baroque Library
- Website: prague.eu/the-clementinum-astronomical-tower-and-baroque-library
- Address: Mariánské nám. 5, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia
- Opening hours: Summer 10 am – 6 pm daily / Winter 10 am – 5 pm daily
There’s no shortage of impressive Baroque, Renaissance, Gothic, and Art Nouveau architecture in Prague, but the Clementinum, a former Jesuit college, has one of Europe’s most extensive collections of historic properties.
Take a guided tour of its Astronomical Tower (which shouldn’t be confused with the Old Town Square’s Astronomical Clock), the Baroque Library, and the Meridian Hall to see exquisitely ornate frescoes and period astronomical instruments.
6. Nový Svět (New World) Cobbled Streets
Nový Svět is one of the most romantic cobbled streets in the city, but because it doesn’t lie right in the heart of Pragu, it tends to remain fairly quiet. It lies uphill from Prague Castle and is reminiscent of the castle complex’s famed Golden Lane. In the 14th century, Nový Svět housed locals who serviced the castle.
It later became home to some of the city’s poor, until more recent years when it became a charming time capsule of the past romanticized by artists and writers. Be sure to drop by when making the walk from Prague Castle to Strahov Monastery.
7. Queen Anne’s Summer Palace
- Website: thepraguecastle.com/venues/belvedere.php
- Address: Mariánské hradby 52/1, 118 00 Praha 1-Hradčany, Czechia
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
Queen Anne’s Summer Palace was constructed in the Royal Gardens of Prague Castle in the 16th century, commissioned by Ferdinand I for his wife Anna to spend the summer months. Also known as “The Belvedere” which means “beautiful view” in Italian, the palace is finished with intricate stone carvings inspired by ancient mythology.
8. The Franz Kafka Museum
- Website: kafkamuseum.cz/en
- Address: Cihelná 635, 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
- Opening hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily
The Kafka Museum is housed in the industrial former Herget brickwork on the banks of the Vltava River in Lesser Town. It’s a fantastic celebration of Franz Kafka’s work and his influence on 20th-century literature.
First editions, manuscripts, diaries, letters, photographs, and drawings document Kafka’s life and influences. The Imaginary Topography portion of the museum interweaves physical artifacts with audio-visual technology to provide immersive insights into Kafka’s world.
9. The Dripstone Wall in Wallenstein Gardens
- Website: senat.cz/informace/pro_verejnost/valdstejnska_zahrada
- Address: Letenská 123/4, 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
- Opening hours: 7 am – 7 pm Monday to Friday / 9 am – 7 pm Saturday & Sunday
Wallenstein Gardens at the Senate Palace offers a scenic escape from Prague’s busy streets, and while there are plenty of statues and ponds to admire, a lesser-known point of interest is the dripstone wall.
At first glance, you’ll believe the wall to be comprised of hundreds of skulls, but as you get closer, you’ll see that it is made of stalactite-like rocks. Stare at it for long enough, and you’re bound to start seeing some faces staring back at you.
10. Karlin
- Website: prague.eu/en/articles/karlin-from-rags-to-riches
- Address: Prague 8, Czechia
The trendy neighborhood of Karlin is known for its hip cafes and restaurants but it offers little in the way of attractions. If you want to avoid crowds of sightseeing tourists, spend a few hours wandering through Karlin’s streets and soak up its youthful, artistic atmosphere.
Many industrial buildings here have been renovated into artists’ studios and offices for new media companies. Look out for open-air cinema screenings and art exhibitions at Kadarna Karlin, a former barracks turned cultural center.
11. Malostranské Square
- Website: prague.eu/en/object/places/2740/malostranske-square
- Address: Malá Strana, 118 00 Praha 1, Czechia
The Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square in New Town tend to draw huge crowds of visitors, but Malostranské Square in Lesser Town is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. It has charming cobblestones and colorful buildings that are typical of Prague, but it also has a much quieter atmosphere, so you can wander among the market stalls at a more relaxing pace.
12. Palac Lucerna
- Website: lucerna.cz
- Address: Špěpánská 61,110 00, Nové Město, Czechia
- Opening hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily
Lucerna Palace is an Art Nouveau cultural complex that houses a concert hall, an independent cinema, and a wonderfully weird sculpture of St. Wenceslas hanging from its domed ceiling. The building has gorgeous stained-glass windows that cast bold splashes of color onto the walls.
There’s also a roof terrace that offers unique views of the city center. Drop in at any time of day, but if you want a taste of quintessential Prague nightlife, be sure to catch a show or DJ set after dark in the Lucerna Music Bar.
13. Vyšehrad Castle
- Website: praha-vysehrad.cz/en
- Address: V Pevnosti 159/5b, 128 00 Praha 2-Vyšehrad, Czechia
- Opening hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily
Vyšehrad Castle is often shunned in favor of the enormous Prague Castle, but it’s well worth a visit for history buffs. It was built in the 10th century to serve as the seat of Czech rulers, and ancient legend considers it to be the oldest seat of its kind. Like Prague Castle, it contains multiple buildings within its grounds. Highlights include the neo-Gothic Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul and the Romanesque Rotunda of St. Martin.
14. Prague’s Beer Gardens
Few know the art of brewing like the Czechs, and a trip to the Czech Republic capital wouldn’t be complete without several visits to some pubs and beer gardens. Here are two of the best venues for outdoor drinks:
Letná
- Website: letenskyzamecek.cz/en
- Address: Letenské sady, 170 00 Praha 7-Holešovice, Czechia
- Opening hours: 11 am – 11 pm daily
Letná Beer Garden is incredibly popular with locals on a sunny day. It offers fabulous panoramic views across the city and the beers on offer are affordably priced.
Riegrovy Sady
- Website: parkriegrovysady.cz
- Address: Riegrovy sady 28, 120 00 Vinohrady, Czechia
- Opening hours: 10 am – 11 pm daily
Riegrovy Sady is known for its incredible views of Prague Castle. Beer flows until the early hours of the morning, and stalls serve grilled sausage to perfectly complement the Pilsner.
15. Emmaus Monastery
- Website: opatstvi-emauzy.cz
- Address: Vyšehradská 49/320, 128 00 Nové Město, Czechia
- Opening hours: 11 am – 4 pm Monday to Friday
When it was first established in 1347, Emmaus Monastery, then known as Na Slovanech, was the only Slavic and Bohemian Benedictine abbey. Due to multiple renovations over the centuries, several architectural styles are represented across the complex, including a futuristic roof that was added to a medieval church to restore it after the bombing of World War II.
16. Vienna
If you’re visiting Prague from overseas and want to make the most of your European adventure, consider taking a trip to Vienna from Prague. It takes around 3 to 4 hours to reach Vienna by train or 4 to 5 hours by bus.
A more expensive option is to fly, which will get you there in just 50 minutes, which is ideal if you want to go on a day trip. Vienna is a vibrant city with lots of sights so to do it justice it’s best to spend at least one night there.
If you’re working with a tight budget that won’t stretch to Vienna’s high hotel rates, consider a GetYourGuide day trip, which gives you the comfort and convenience of private car travel and four hours to do a self-led whistlestop tour of Vienna.
17. Holašovice Village
- Website: holasovice.eu/en
- Address: Infocentrum Holašovice, Holašovice 43, 373 84 Dubné Czechia
Holašovice is a small, historic village that is 800 years old and has maintained the same number of buildings since it was founded. It primarily comprisesf farmhouses, barns, and stables, but there’s also a small chapel, a blacksmith, and two taverns. This is not an open-air museum but a real village with permanent residents. It’s a fantastic way to get a glimpse into Bohemia’s past.
Discover More Prague Hidden Gems
These are some of Prague’s best secret spots and hidden treasures, but this ancient city has so much rich history that you’re bound to stumble across more curiosities when you start exploring. What will you discover on your Prague getaway?
