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The beautiful city of Prague is renowned for its impressive architecture, fascinating historic sites, and vibrant music and arts scene. There’s no shortage of attractions to explore, but deciding which sights to squeeze into a short trip is the trickiest part. This travel guide highlights 17 of Prague’s very best attractions to help you plan your sightseeing itinerary.
1. Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge is one of Prague’s most famous landmarks, having connected Prague Old Town with Malá Strana (Lesser Town) since the 14th century when it was constructed during the reign of Emperor Charles IV.
It’s an ornate stone bridge marked with Gothic-style tower gateways on each side and lined with 30 Baroque statues. Not only does Charles Bridge offer a scenic walk with lovely views over the Vltava River, but it’s also a popular spot for local artists and crafters to pitch up and sell their wares.
2. Vltava River
The Vltava River, which flows into Prague from southern Bohemia, is the longest in the Czech Republic, and there are many ways to get there. Join a river cruise to see the city’s landmarks from the water, rent a rowing boat or motorboat to explore the river on your own terms, or simply stroll along the river’s embankments, which are lined with cafes, bars, and markets.
3. Strahov Monastery
- Website: strahovskyklaster.cz/en
- Address: Strahovské nádvoří 1/132, 118 00 Praha 1-Strahov
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
Strahov Monastery lies on a ridge close to the Prague Castle complex. It’s one of the earliest institutions in the Czech Republic, having been founded in 1140. The monastery is comprised of several attractive historic buildings including the Strahov Library which is home to several medieval maps, globes, and manuscripts.
Don’t miss the frescoes in the Classical Philosophy Hall, and take your time to admire the impressive collection of classical European paintings in the Strahov Gallery.
4. St. Nicholas Church
- Website: svmikulas.cz/en
- Address: Staroměstské nám. 1101, 110 00 Staré Město
- Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily
There are many churches to explore in Prague, so it’s known as the City of a Hundred Spires, but St. Nicholas is a must-see. It’s one of the oldest in Old Town having been built in the 1700s and it’s a classic example of Prague’s Baroque buildings. Look out for the impressive crystal crown chandelier that illuminates the church’s interior, and don’t forget to check out the mini museum that is housed within the church tower.
5. Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock
- Website: prague.eu/cs/objekt/mista/183/staromestske-namesti
- Address: Staroměstské nám., 110 00 Josefov
- Opening hours: 24 hours (Astronomical Clock 9 am – 11 pm)
You can’t visit Prague without dropping into the Old Town Square, which is considered the very heart of the city. Lined with ornate pastel-shaded buildings and dominated by the enormous Gothic Church of Our Lady Before Týn, it looks like the setting of a fairytale. A major landmark here is the Old Town Hall, which is crowned with the 15th-century Astronomical Clock.
It is both a mechanical wonder and a thing of beauty, so be sure to swing by to watch the clock’s hourly procession of apostles. If you’re visiting during Easter or Christmas you’ll be able to catch the massive holiday markets that take place in Old Town Square.
6. Prague Castle
- Website: hrad.cz
- Address: Hradčany, 119 08 Prague 1
- Opening hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily
Prague Castle is the world’s largest ancient castle complex, so put at least one full day aside to explore it. The original castle dates back to the 9th century, although it has been redeveloped and extended several times throughout history. There are multiple buildings, museums, and points of interest within the complex, so consider joining a walking tour with a local guide to get the most out of your visit. Be sure to check out these highlights:
- Vyšehrad Cemetery, where more than 600 famous Czech politicians, artists, musicians, scientists, and doctors are buried.
- Queen Anne’s Summar Palace, located in the Royal Garden, with its gorgeous Renaissance architecture.
- Golden Lane is a series of tiny, colorful houses that have been home to many notable people, including Franz Kafka, since the 16th century.
7. St. Vitus Cathedral
- Website: katedralasvatehovita.cz
- Address: III. nádvoří 48/2, 119 01 Praha 1-Hradčany
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm Monday to Saturday / 12 am – 5 pm Sunday
St. Vitus Cathedral is an enormous Gothic structure and the most important religious building in the country. It was first commissioned in the 14th century, but multiple construction breaks, redesigns, and extensions meant that it wasn’t until the 1920s that it was finalized. Some of its best-known features include the vibrant Art Nouveau stained-glass window, the Last Judgment mosaic that dates back to the 14th century, and the ornate silver tomb of St. John of Nepomuk.
8. National Museum
- Website: nm.cz
- Address: Václavské nám. 68, 110 00 Nové Město
- Opening hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily
The National Museum, which is set within Wenceslas Square, is the best place to learn about the history of the Czech Republic and Central Europe. Multiple disciplines and fields are represented in exhibits that span two buildings, one of which is the former seat of the Czechoslovakian parliament. The materials and artifacts on display have been collected since the 19th century to document the natural, human, and political history of the Czech Republic.
9. Wenceslas Square
Wenceslas Square is named after the patron St. Wenceslas, whose image is depicted in a statue in the square’s upper portion. Since its creation in 1348, this square has seen some of the Czech Republic’s most important historical moments, including the 1918 founding of Czechoslovakia and the Velvet Revolution in 1989. It is considered the heart of New Town, so be sure to spend some time taking it in when you visit the National Museum.
10. Dancing House
- Website: tancici-dum.cz
- Address: Jiráskovo nám. 1981/6, 120 00 Nové Město
In addition to its impressive Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic architecture, Prague is known for its impressive modern architecture, with Dancing House being a particularly well-known landmark. Constructed in the 1990s, it features two curved towers designed to resemble dancing figures. The towers are nicknamed “Fred” and “Ginger” after Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and you even have a chance to stay in them when you book a room in the Dancing House Hotel.
11. Municipal House
- Website: obecnidum.cz
- Address: Náměstí Republiky 5, 111 21 Staré Město
- Opening hours: 10 am – 7 pm daily (concert hours vary)
Municipal House is one of Prague’s best examples of Art Nouveau architecture. Since its opening in 1912, it has been home to a series of upscale cafes, restaurants, and boutique stores, but its main draw is the awe-inspiring Smetana Hall, which is one of the best venues in the city to watch classical music and ballet performances. A great way to learn about this impressive building is to take a guided tour, which will give you access to behind-the-scenes areas.
12. Old Jewish Cemetery
- Website: jewishmuseum.cz/pamatky-a-expozice/pamatky/stary-zidovsky-hrbitov/
- Address: Široká 3, 110 00 Josefov
- Opening hours: 9 am – 4.30 pm Sunday to Friday / Saturday closed
There are many landmarks and notable sights within Prague’s Jewish Quarter (Josefov), which lies within Old Town, but one of the most important is the Old Jewish Cemetary. There are more than 12,000 headstones here, but it’s estimated that around 100,000 bodies have been buried in the cemetery because many graves were stacked up to 12 layers deep.
Many leading figures in Prague’s Jewish community were laid to rest here between 1439 and 1787, including religious scholar Rabbi Löw, who died in the early 17th century.
13. Spanish Synagogue
- Website: jewishmuseum.cz/en/explore/sites/spanish-synagogue/
- Address: Vězeňská 1, 110 00 Staré Město
- Opening hours: 9 am – 6 pm Sunday to Friday
The Spanish Synagogue is another major landmark in the Jewish Quarter. It’s a 19th-century Moorish-style building inspired by the famed Alhambra of Granada. It features incredible stained glass and gold decor and serves as a celebration of the artistic accomplishments of Prague’s Jewish community.
14. Petrín Lookout Tower
- Website: prague.eu/cs/objekt/mista/116/petrinska-rozhledna?back=1
- Address: Petřínské sady 633, 118 00 Praha 1-Malá Strana
- Opening hours: 9 am – 7.30 pm daily
Petřín Lookout Tower is Prague’s answer to the Eiffel Tower and is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. It stands on the top of Petřín Hill in Malá Strana, and at 208 feet tall, it offers awesome views over the city and across central Bohemia. The structure was built in 1891 after members of the Czech Hikers Club were inspired by a trip to Paris.
15. Museum Kampa
- Website: museumkampa.cz/en
- Address: U Sovových mlýnů 2, 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
- Opening hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily
Museum Kampa is a modern art gallery that specializes in contemporary Central European artwork. It celebrates artistic expression borne out of struggle and oppression. This is a great attraction for fans of modern art who want to better understand Prague’s art history.
Be sure to spend time exploring the museum’s sculpture garden and the pretty grounds of the surrounding Kampa Park, which serves as a peaceful respite from the busy city center.
16. Lucerna Music Bar
- Website: lucerna.cz/en/
- Address: Štěpánská 61, 116 02 Nové Město, Czechia
- Opening hours: Show times vary. Box office open weekdays from 9.30 am
There are many fantastic live music venues in Prague, but Lucerna Palace’s music bar is one of the best. Theater and cabaret shows have taken place here since the 1920s. Today, the venue hosts a variety of international bands and artists playing across a huge variety of genres. When live musicians aren’t hitting the stage, a local DJ plays 80s and 90s dancefloor hits. This is one of the best places to experience Prague’s lively nightlife.
17. Karlštejn Castle
- Website: hrad-karlstejn.cz/en
- Address: Karlštejn 172, 267 18 Karlštejn, Czechia
- Opening hours: 9.30 am – 4 pm Tuesday to Sunday
Karlštejn Castle lies some 18 miles southwest of Prague, and a day trip out to it is a fantastic opportunity to experience some of the Czech Republic countryside. Built in 1348, Karlštejn Castle was originally designed as a hiding place for the crown jewels. Today, you can take a guided tour to explore its lavish interior and learn more about its history. Be sure to drop into one of the many pubs in the nearby village of Karlštejn.
You can reach the area in 40 minutes by road or around 90 minutes by train. A convenient option is to join a coach trip with a Prague tour operator.
Discover Your Favorite Prague Attractions
These are some of Prague’s most popular tourist attractions, but there is plenty more to see in this captivating city. What will you do on your visit to this European gem?
