48 Things to See and Do in Prague

48 Things to See and Do in Prague.

We’ve been to Prague many times, it’s our favorite city in Europe. With time we’ve discovered many of Prague’s hidden treasures, some quiet retreats, and some lesser-known attractions that actually ended up being highlights for us. Besides being a stupendously beautiful city, it is an easy city to live in; full of pretty cafes, lively bars, peaceful parks and with a wonderful transportation system.

What to do in Prague? I came up with 48 things to see and do. Some are among the most popular tourist sites in the city, others are little known to visitors.

Accommodation: Where to stay in Prague (including our favorite neighbourhood)

Our list of the 48 things to do in Prague:

1. See the Old Town Square

It’s considered the most beautiful main square in Europe. Attractions include the Old Town Hall, the astronomical clock, Týn Church and the Jan Hus Memorial. Every building on that square is gorgeous. Lots of tourists and street performers – you might feel overwhelmed by all the action going on. But this should be the starting point of any visit to Prague.

2. Cross the Charles Bridge

One of Europe’s highlights. Dating back to the early 15^th Century, it was the only bridge connecting the Old Town to the Castle district. It is 621 meters long (2,037 feet) and 10 meters (33 feet wide) with towers on either end, 16 arches, and over 30 statues dedicated to saints along its length. The views over the river Vltava and the castle district on the other side are fantastic.

3. Tour Prague Castle

Prague Castle is the largest castle in the world. It holds many different buildings (including the office of the president of the Czech Republic) but the principal sites of interest for the visitor are St. Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Gardens, and Golden Lane (the little street that runs through the castle district).

You can get into St. Vitus Cathedral (the highlight of Prague Castle) for free but they’ll only let you wander around the front third of the Cathedral. For more than that you have to be part of a tour.

Don’t miss the Gardens. When you’ve seen St. Vitus, go around to the side on the right. You’ll be in a huge square looking at the side of the Cathedral. Opposite, you’ll see stairs in the corner. Go there…they’ll bring you down to the gardens and you’ll have sweeping views of Prague.

You can easily spend half a day walking around the castle district, exploring the actual castle and gardens, walking up to the Loretto church and the Strahov Monastery. Lots of beauty and fabulous views of the city.

4. Go to the Strahov Monastery and have a meal/beer at Klášterní pivovar Strahov

There´s actually a few parts to this recommendation.

The Strahov Monastery marks the top part of the Castle district. You’re actually looking down towards the castle and the city here. Fantastic views.

Visit the Monastery. A beautiful building with the Strahov Library as a highlight
Have a meal and a few beers at the Strahov Monastery brewery (Klášterní pivovar Strahov). Typical Czech food. I love the dark beers. Yes it’s touristy but it’s very good.
Enjoy the views of the city and vineyards.

5. Go up the Petřín Observation Tower

Walking through the woods from the Strahov Monastery will take you to the Petřín Observation Tower.

The Petřín Observation Tower was built in 1891 and was inspired by the Eiffel tower in Paris. The only thing I can compare it to are the views from a plane when coming in for a landing. The best time is as the sun comes down.

6. Do Prague’s ¨Most scenic walk¨

That’s what I call it. It’s the walk from the beer garden at Letna Park to Prague Castle. It’s a beautiful walk in nature with some fantastic views. I cover it in detail here.

7. Climb Prague’s Towers

Prague has the most towers of any city that I’ve been and the great thing is that you can climb them and experience fantastic views. A few of them: The Powder Tower, The Old Town Bridge Tower, The Lesser Town Bridge Tower, The Town Belfry by St. Nicholas’ Church, The Petřín Observation Tower (which I’ve previously mentioned) and the Old Town Hall Tower. The first 5 I’ve mentioned can be visited on one combined ticket (the Old Town Hall Tower isn’t included).

I’ve written about Prague’s towers here. That doesn’t include all towers though, there are others like the Klementium Astronomical Tower and the New Town Hall Tower…just know that you can really appreciate the beauty of Prague from its towers and I really recommend you visit as many as you can.

8. See the historical fort of Vyšehrad

The location of the first settlement in Prague, this fort is often overlooked by tourists. We loved it – it houses a beautiful cemetery containing the remains of some of the most important people in Czech history, an impressive church (Basilica of St Peter and St Paul), and a scenic location on the river. There’s even a vineyard here and you can sit down in the gardens and enjoy a glass of wine. Make sure to come here.

9. See the National Theatre

The National Theatre is one of Prague’s most beautiful buildings and you’ll probably have seen it from some of the different viewpoints I’ve mentioned above. However, unless you’ve bought tickets for a show it is almost impossible to see the interior (they will do group tours if you are a sufficient amount of people and if you pre-arrange it). Just seeing the exterior however is worth it….and as you´ll see below it’s just a prelude to lots of wonderful architecture in this section of Prague. Note: Café Slavia is across the street, an Old World café we love. Get yourself a seat by the window and see the tourists, the trams and all the activity outside. Wonderful.

10. See the Art Nouveau architecture along the Vltava River

Start at the National Theatre and make your way down the river to the Dancing house. Some incredible buildings along the way and you also get great views of the river and the castle beyond.

11. Take the elevator to the rooftop of the Dancing House

For fans of architecture; this building is the work of Frank Gehry who also designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. There’s a fancy VIP restaurant at the top – try to sneak upstairs for the views of the river.

12. Shooter’s Island

A small island in the Vltava, this is a wonderful spot for a walk in nature and to admire the views of the city. If it’s a nice day, rent a paddle boat (something a lot of people like to do).

13. See the Wallenstein Gardens

Right behind Malostranska tram and metro stop are the Wallenstein Gardens. They’re gorgeous gardens with peacocks, sculptures and views of the castle above. There´s a grotto wall that’s very interesting. These immense gardens are part of a palace built in the early 1600’s. And the best thing is that visiting them is free.

14. Visit the Jewish Quarter

Prague’s Jewish Quarter was one of Europe’s most vibrant before World War II when the Jewish population numbered about 90,000. During the war most were sent to concentration camps and it is estimated that 70% were killed. Today about 5,000 Jews live in Prague.

Many come to Prague to revisit its Jewish history. Highlights include the Pinkas Synagogue (where 77,297 names are etched into the walls – all Jews who were sent and killed in Nazi concentration camps), the Old Jewish Cemetery (which predates WWII – small, but it actually holds over 100,000 bodies and is in some places is 10 bodies deep), the Spanish Synagogue (many Jews came to Prague after being booted out of Spain in 1492), the Old-New Synagogue (Europe’s oldest active synagogue), the Klausen Synagogue, and the Ceremonial Hall.

Note that all the above can be seen as part of the “Jewish Museum” ticket. If you buy the ticket, it is recommended that you allow about 3 hours to see everything.

The Jewish Quarter is quite small and even without the ticket you can still appreciate the history. The Old Jewish Cemetery is a “must see”. Between 1478 and 1787 it was the only place in Prague where Jews could be buried which explains all the headstones seemingly piled on top of each other.

Note: Getting to the Jewish Quarter is a short walk down Pařížská street. It has some of Prague’s most beautiful buildings and is full of high-end shops (Louis Vuitton, Prada, etc).

15. The John Lennon Wall

Close to the Charles Bridge, you´ll come across a pretty neighbourhood with little shops, trees and a canal. Right there is the John Lennon Wall, which is a very popular place with younger visitors. The Wall is a place where people draw art, messages of love and peace etc. It all started in 1980 after the assassination of John Lennon and grew in popularity, much to the discontent of the Communist government at the time. Note: the wall is constantly being painted over, we’ve seen it countless times and it is never the same.

16. Vrtba Garden

A few minutes walk from the John Lennon Wall is the Vrtba Garden. Unlike the Wallenstein Gardens (which I covered above) you have to pay to enter – but it is worth it. The Gardens are built in terraces, all with great views of the castle district. It is somehow an incredibly peaceful place, you’d never think yourself in the middle of the city.

17. Kampa Park

By the river is Kampa Park. You’ll see more strange statues (including gigantic baby statues sculpted by the famous David Cerny) and will arrive at the Kampa Museum, a museum of Modern Art. Make sure you enter the courtyard for a peak.

18. See Lesser Quarter Square (Malostranské náměstí)

I think it’s one of Prague’s most photogenic squares, it somehow looks like something out of a fairytale. There’s an arcaded side to the square where there’s little outdoor bars if you want a beer or a snack. Behind the square you’ll see the very large St. Nicolas church (which is worth having a look at).

19. The Basilica of Saint James

Basilica of Saint James (13th century). Though not that special from the outside, the interior is magnificent and is famous for the 400-year old mummified arm of a would-be thief hanging from the statue of the Virgin Mary. The legend is that he tried to take the jewels from the statue of the Virgin Mary. She grabbed his arm and wouldn’t let go and Monks had to cut his arm off.

20. Vitkov Hill

Little visited by tourists, is huge National Monument dedicated to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (dedicated to soldiers who died fighting for the independence of what was at the time Czechoslovakia). It has great – and very different views – of downtown Prague. See this post on the best views in Prague.

21. Klementium

This was the 3rd largest Jesuit college in the world and today houses the incredible National Library (which is really what the Klementium is known for). It also has the Astronomical Tower (which I’ve mentioned before. The views over the city are great), The Chapel, and the Hall of Mirrors. NOTE: by guided tour only. See the website and write them to pre-arrange your tour. Absolutely worth it.

22. Wenceslas Square

Just outside the Old Town in the New Town, this huge boulevard is the site of most of the major historical events to have occurred in Prague. Many beautiful buildings, the National Museum, and statue of St. Wenceslas on his horse (St. Wenceslas was declared the king and patron saint of the Czech state). In this area you’ll find a lot of shopping and nightlife options.

23. See the Statue of St. Wenceslas riding a dead horse

Just a few minutes walk from Wenceslas Square is a beautiful, old-style shopping center called Lucerna Palace. There, in the main atrium, is a statue of St. Wenceslas riding a dead horse. It is by David Černý (you’ll see some of his statues all over town). In his usual way, he makes fun of history and political figures.

24. Take a Tram

We’ve spent lots of time in Prague and have taken a ton of trams. It’s a great way to get a feel for the city and to just enjoy seeing it from a different perspective. Tram #22 is probably the best know, it takes you through the city, making its way up to the castle district (it’s the most convenient tram if you’ve spent the evening at the Strahov Monastery and have to make your way back to your hotel).

A few other scenic trams: the 12, 14 or 20 trams from Andel metro to Barrandov. Tram 17 from Strossmayerovo namesti towards Modrani offers great riverside views.

25. Peeing Statue

Another statue by David Černý is located at the Franz Kafka museum (see the museum only if you’re a big fan of Kafka). Seeing a Peeing statue may seem silly but this one is quite famous.

26. Swan Point

Near the above mentioned Peeing Statue/ Franz Kafka museum is a spot on the river that always seem to be full of swans. Another popular spot (if you want to take photos of swans with the cityscape in the background).

27. The Municipal House

It’s one of Prague’s most beautiful buildings and a great spot to listen to classical orchestras. Pass here and you’ll always find someone selling tickets to a concert.

But there`s more here than just the Municipal House. Right next to it is the Powder Tower which marks the entrance to the Old Town (it’s one of the towers you should climb. Great views).

28. Go to the Prague Zoo

This zoo is one of Europe’s best. You can even take a boat from the Old Town to get there. More here.

29. Troja Palace

It’s right by the zoo. In any other city than Prague this palace would be a top attraction. Only because Prague is so spectacular is it almost unknown.

The palace was built between 1679 and 1691. It has pretty gardens, impressive baroque architecture, magnificent art in every room including in the Chinese chambers (everything Chinese was “in” at the time). But the highlight is the Grand Emperor’s Hall which is covered in colourful paintings, the main theme being the celebration of the Holy Roman Empire’s victory over the Turks in Vienna in 1683. It is an incredible room, one of the most impressive we’ve seen anywhere. This alone is reason to visit the palace.

30. Garden Café Taussig

This café was one of our most interesting finds. It is located just down the hill from the Strahov Monastery on a quiet lane. You’re in the heart of Prague but could think yourself wandering around the countryside.

Walk in and you’ll see a café serving drinks. No big deal. But walk further in and you’re presented with a garden with tables and benches. There are trees and gardens all around. It’s a huge space – before becoming a garden this piece of land on a hill was actually a vineyard. You can get your coffee, walk up a path, and find yourself a secluded spot with some of the best views of Prague castle in the city.

31. The Prague Public Transport Museum

A lesser-known museum, this museum has a collection of trams and buses from Prague’s history, some dating back to the 1800’s. Interesting photographs through the ages, including WWII. This museum was great fun and would only be better if they could include signage in English. Can be combined with #31 on this list…

32. Ride Tram 91

Also called the ¨Nostalgic tram¨, this is an old-style tram different than any modern tram. It runs only on weekends and special holidays and is operated by retired tram operators who are happy to give you information on the trams and share stories. Great fun. You can take it anywhere along the route (through the old town) but it starts at the Prague Public Transport Museum (#30 above).

Note: runs March until November, from noon to 5 pm and weekends and special holidays. Costs Kč 35 (£ 1.20) for adults and 20 CZK for children (aged less than 15).

33. Take a River Tour

A great way to see the beauty of Prague while relaxing with a beer. Note: there are many river tours and they’re quite inexpensive. This cruise, in a small boat, is a favorite.

34. Havlíčkovy Sady and a vineyard in the city

Havlíčkovy Sady is a really pretty park. You´ll see a section with an artificial cave and a pond and fountain. You’ll see the vineyard stretching up the hill in the park. Near the top, you’ll see a wooden building. That’s where you go. They don’t speak much English but tell them you want to do some wine tasting – there are 2 whites and a red for tasting and you can tell them if you want a quarter liter or half liter. We ended up trying them all and they were pretty good. But the highlight is being in this weird wooden structure (which reminded us of the Jim Thompson house in Bangkok) with views over the vineyard and city.

35. The Head of Franz Kafka

Designed by David Černý, this is a huge silver coloured and moving statue where parts of the head rotate. Very modernistic and you’ll be amazed. Located right by metro Národní.

36. The Museum of Communism

A history lesson on the years of Communism in what was then Czechoslovakia. Lots of interesting memorabilia. Really, this should be required for anyone visiting Prague. The website.

37. Church of our Lady of the Snows

Hidden away close to Mustek Metro (near Wenceslas Square) is this beautiful church (and gardens). It actually dates back to the 14th century during the rule of Charles IV. It was intended to be the largest church in Prague but the Hussite wars brought work to an end. The nave is higher than that of St Vitus Cathedral and the altar is the city’s tallest.

38. Cross Mánesův most bridge

Most people only make it across the Charles Bridge. But the next bridge over, Mánesův most, has great views of everything: the Castle, the river, and the Charles Bridge just across the way.

You’re also right next to the Rudolfinum, the Prague’s gorgeous concert hall.

39. Jiřího z Poděbrad farmer’s market and the Zizkov TV Tower

On Saturday mornings there’s a farmers market in this square where you can get honey, baked cakes, wine, bread, vegetables…and nearby is the Zizkov TV Tower where you can go up for the views and just marvel at because of the baby statues (another creation of David Černý)

40. The Jerusalem Synagogue

The Jubilee (Jerusalem) Synagogue was built in 1905 as a replacement for the demolished synagogues following the redevelopment of the Prague Jewish ghetto. It is the youngest and also the largest synagogue of the Prague Jewish community. It might be the most beautiful and colourful Synagogue you’ve ever seen.

41. The Basilica of St. Ludmila

Just outside Náměstí Míru metro is this 19^th century Basilica. It’s not the most beautiful Prague church and it’s certainly not the oldest – but it’s location on a pretty square and around some beautiful mansions makes it worth a visit.

Above I´ve covered mostly things to see. Below I cover a few additional things to do.

42. A walking tour of the Old Town

This 3 Hr Walking Tour covers some of the “Basics”: The Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, and Prague Castle. It’s inexpensive and will give you a good overview.

43. Drink beer and traditional Czech food

We love traditional Czech pubs. You see them everywhere and you can always count on big plates of meat, dumpling and great Czech beer – unless you’re a vegetarian and you get stuck with Fried Cheese. It’s actually pretty good but you get short changed as a vegetarian unless you go to a specialized restaurant (in which case I suggest Lehká hlava or Indian food from The Pind in Vinohrady).

But back to traditional Czech food and beer: I’ve mentioned the Strahov Monastery Brewery (touristy but good and lots of fun), Kolkovna Olympia (touristy but with its fair share of locals), Vinohradský pivovar in Vihohrady (mostly locals, great beer). But really, go to any neighbourhood restaurant and you’ll get good Czech food and beer.

48 Things to See and Do in Prague — me and my pork hock…Lissette with her fried cheese

44. Eat a street sausage

If you want to have a cheap meal, get a sausage in a bun. You can find them all over but the most concentration of street sausage seems to be at the foot of Wenceslas Square. You can get a variety of different sausages, put mustard and sauerkraut on them and have them with a beer. Excellent.

45. Go to a Prague Coffee House

Prague doesn’t have the coffee culture of Budapest but nevertheless has some nice cafés where they have very good cakes and desserts. A couple of interesting and popular spots in the old town: the Grand Café Orient (if you like cubism architecture) and Café Savoy. Both are atmospheric. But our favorite café is far from the tourists at Cukrarna Alchymista: situated in a beautiful old building, they have a garden full of plants. Really, really charming and the coffee and cake is fantastic.

46. Get a Thai Massage

We’ve never seen as many Thai massage parlors (outside Thailand) as in Prague. After days of walking the cobblestoned streets, we began to understand why they are so popular.

47. Drink Absinth

It’s a green herbal drink that’s popular in Prague. In fact, the Slavia Café (which I mention on point #9) was famous for serving it.

Absinth’s origins were medicinal, it was touted as an all-purpose remedy for ills of all kinds. And it tastes like medicine. I think it’s awful. But you’re in Prague and you’ll see the green bottles in a lot of store windows. Might as well try it out.

48. Take a ferry

Do you know you can take a tiny little ferry from one side of the Vltava to the other? And you can do it using a public transport ticket (which you can buy from the ferry captain if you don’t have a ticket). It’s part of the Prague Public transit system. More on that here.

That’s it, 48 things that I came up with before my mind went blank. The truth is there’s so much to see in Prague I no doubt left some things out (I do cover a few more in this post: Unusual things to do in Prague).