Discover 35 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Prague (Czech Republic). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Astronomical Clock, Troja Palace, and St. Vitus Cathedral. Also, be sure to include National Technical Museum in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Prague (Prague).
Table of Contents
Astronomical Clock
Also known as: Staroměstský orloj
600-year-old mechanical clock face. The Prague Astronomical Clock or Prague Orloj is a medieval astronomical clock attached to the Old Town Hall in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.
The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest clock still in operation.[1]
Address: Staroměstské nám. 1, 110 00 Praha 1-Staré Město (Praha 1)
Troja Palace
Also known as: Troja
Palace museum of 19th-century Czech art. Troja Palace is a Baroque palace located in Troja, Prague's north-west borough. It was built for the Counts of Sternberg from 1679 to 1691. The palace is owned by the city of Prague and hosts the 19th century Czech art collections of the City Gallery.[2]
Address: U Trojského zámku 4/1, 171 00 Praha 7 (Praha 7)
St. Vitus Cathedral
Also known as: Katedrála svatého Víta, Václava a Vojtěcha
Shrine and home of national treasures. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert is a Roman Catholic metropolitan cathedral in Prague, the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. Until 1997, the cathedral was dedicated only to Saint Vitus, and is still commonly named only as St. Vitus Cathedral.
This cathedral is a prominent example of Gothic architecture, and is the largest and most important church in the country. Located within Prague Castle and containing the tombs of many Bohemian kings and Holy Roman Emperors, the cathedral is under the ownership of the Czech government as part of the Prague Castle complex. Cathedral dimensions are 124 by 60 metres (407 ft × 197 ft), the main tower is 102.8 metres (337 ft) high, front towers 82 metres (269 ft), arch height 33.2 metres (109 ft).[3]
Address: III. nádvoří 48/2, 119 01 Praha 1 (Praha 1)
National Technical Museum
Also known as: Národní technické muzeum v Praze
Transport history and astronomy displays. The National Technical Museum in Prague is the largest institution dedicated to preserving information and artifacts related to the history of technology in the Czech Republic. The museum has large exhibits representing approximately 15% of its total collection. The museum also manages substantial archives consisting of approximately 3,500 linear shelf meters of archival material and about 250,000 books. The museum was founded in 1908 and has been in its current location since 1941.[4]
Address: Kostelní 1320/42, 170 00 Praha-Praha 7 (Praha 7)
Prague Zoo
Also known as: Zoologická zahrada Praha
Zoo in Prague, Czechia. Prague Zoological Garden is a zoo in Prague, Czech Republic. It was opened in 1931 with the goal to "advance the study of zoology, protect wildlife, and educate the public" in the district of Troja in the north of Prague. In 2013, the zoo occupied 58 hectares with 50 hectares in use for exhibits, and housed around 5,000 animals from just 676 species, including 132 species listed as threatened.
The zoo is rated as the seventh best zoo in the world by Forbes Travel Guide in 2007, and is rated as the fifth best in the world by TripAdvisor.
The zoo has contributed significantly to saving Przewalski's horse; for many years, it was the leading breeder of the subspecies. Director is Miroslav Bobek.[5]
Address: U Trojského zámku 3/120, 171 00 Praha 7 (Praha 7)
St. Nicholas Church
Also known as: Kostel svatého Mikuláše
Church in Prague, Czech Republic. The Church of Saint Nicholas is a Late-Gothic and Baroque church in the Old Town of Prague. It was built between 1732-1737 on the site of a Gothic church from the 13th century which was also dedicated to Saint Nicholas.
The church was formerly used by the Czech and Slovak Orthodox Church. Since 1920 it has been the main church of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church and its Prague diocese.
During the Prague uprising in 1945, the church was used by the Czech partisans as a concealed site for Radio Prague, as the main radio building was under attack by the Waffen-SS.[6]
Address: Staroměstské nám. 1101, 110 00 Praha-Staré Město (Praha 1)
Queen Anne's Summer Palace
Historical landmark in Prague, Czechia. Queen Anne's Summer Palace, sometimes called Belvedere, is a Renaissance building located in the Royal Garden of Prague Castle in the Czech Republic. It is considered to be one of the purest Italian Renaissance architecture located outside of Italy.[7]
Vyšehrad
Fortified medieval castle with exhibition. Vyšehrad is a historic fort in Prague, Czech Republic, just over 3 km southeast of Prague Castle, on the east bank of the Vltava River. It was probably built in the 10th century. Inside the fort are the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul and the Vyšehrad Cemetery, containing the remains of many famous Czechs, such as Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich Smetana, Karel Čapek, and Alphonse Mucha. It also contains Prague's oldest Rotunda of St. Martin, from the 11th century.[8]
Address: V pevnosti 16/2, 128 00 Prague (Praha 2)
Old Town Square
Also known as: Staroměstské náměstí
Oldest square in the historic center. Old Town Square is a historic square in the Old Town quarter of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. It is located between Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge.[9]
Address: Staroměstské nám., 110 00 Praha 1-Staré Město (Praha 1)
Petřínská rozhledna
378m cast-iron tower with viewing deck. The Petřín Lookout Tower is a steel-framework tower 63.5 metres tall on Petřín Hill in Prague, built in 1891. It resembles the Eiffel Tower and was used as an observation tower as well as a transmission tower. Today the tower is a major tourist attraction.[10]
Address: Petřínské sady 633, Malá Strana, 118 00 Praha-Praha 1 (Praha 1)
Municipal House
Also known as: Obecní dům
Art nouveau venue for classical concerts. Municipal House is a civic building that houses Smetana Hall, a celebrated concert venue, in Prague. It is located on Náměstí Republiky next to the Powder Gate in the center of the city.[11]
Address: Náměstí Republiky 1090/5, 110 00 Praha-Staré Město (Praha 1)
Old Jewish Cemetery
Also known as: Starý židovský hřbitov v Praze-Josefově
15th-century graveyard with many layers. The Old Jewish Cemetery is a Jewish cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic, which is one of the largest of its kind in Europe and one of the most important Jewish historical monuments in Prague. It served its purpose from the first half of 15th century until 1786. Renowned personalities of the local Jewish community were buried here; among them rabbi Jehuda Liva ben Becalel – Maharal, businessman Mordecai Meisel, historian David Gans and rabbi David Oppenheim. Today the cemetery is administered by the Jewish Museum in Prague.
The cemetery is mentioned in Umberto Eco's The Prague Cemetery, the novel which was named after it.[12]
Address: Široká, Staré Město, 110 00 Praha-Praha 1 (Praha 1)
Lobkowicz Palace
Also known as: Lobkovický palác
Museum in Prague, Czechia. The Lobkowicz Palace is a part of the Prague Castle complex in Prague, Czech Republic. It is the only privately owned building in the Prague Castle complex and houses the Lobkowicz Collections and Museum.
The palace was built in the second half of the 16th century by the Czech nobleman Jaroslav of Pernštejn (1528–1569) and completed by his brother, Vratislav of Pernštejn (1530–1582), the chancellor of the Czech Kingdom. It was opened to the public for the first time on 2 April 2007 as the Lobkowicz Palace Museum. Set in 22 galleries, the museum displays a selection of pieces from the Lobkowicz Collections, including works by artists such as Antonio Canaletto, Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Lucas Cranach the Elder, and Diego Velázquez, as well as decorative art, military and hunting paraphernalia, musical instruments, and original manuscripts and early prints of composers including Beethoven and Mozart.[13]
Address: Jiřská 3, 119 00 Praha 1 (Praha 1)
Charles Bridge
Also known as: Karlův most
Iconic 14th-century structure with views. Charles Bridge is a medieval stone arch bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the early 15th century. The bridge replaced the old Judith Bridge built 1158–1172 that had been badly damaged by a flood in 1342. This new bridge was originally called Stone Bridge or Prague Bridge, but has been referred to as "Charles Bridge" since 1870.
As the only means of crossing the river Vltava until 1841, Charles Bridge was the most important connection between Prague Castle and the city's Old Town and adjacent areas. This land connection made Prague important as a trade route between Eastern and Western Europe.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the bridge is 516 metres (1,693 ft) long and nearly 10 metres (33 ft) wide. Following the example of the Stone Bridge in Regensburg, it was built as a bow bridge with 16 arches shielded by ice guards. It is protected by three bridge towers, two on the Lesser Quarter side (including the Malá Strana Bridge Tower) and one on the Old Town side, the Old Town Bridge Tower. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues and statuaries, most of them baroque-style, originally erected around 1700, but now all have been replaced by replicas.
The bridge is currently undergoing a twenty-year process of structural inspections, restoration, and repairs. The process started in late 2019, and is expected to cost 45–60 million CZK (USD 1.9–2.6 million).[14]
Address: Karlův most, 110 00 Praha 1 (Praha 1)
National Museum
Also known as: Národní muzeum
Venerable place with historical exhibits. The National Museum is a Czech museum institution intended to systematically establish, prepare, and publicly exhibit natural scientific and historical collections. It was founded in 1818 by Kašpar Maria Šternberg. Historian František Palacký was also strongly involved in the foundation of the museum.
The National Museum houses nearly 14 million items from the areas of natural history, history, arts, music and librarianship, which are located in dozens of museum buildings. The main building of the National Museum has been renovated in 2011–2019, and permanent exhibitions are gradually being opened from Spring 2020.[15]
Address: Václavské nám. 68, 110 00 Praha 1-Nové Město (Praha 1)
Prague Castle
Also known as: Pražský hrad
Castle complex dating from 9th century. Prague Castle is a castle complex in Prague, Czech Republic, built in the 9th century. It is the official office of the President of the Czech Republic. The castle was a seat of power for kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia. The Bohemian Crown Jewels are kept within a hidden room inside it.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world, occupying an area of almost 70,000 square metres (750,000 square feet), at about 570 metres (1,870 feet) in length and an average of about 130 metres (430 feet) wide. The castle is among the most visited tourist attractions in Prague attracting over 1.8 million visitors annually.[16]
Address: Pražský hrad, 119 08 Praha (Praha 1)
Wallenstein Palace
Also known as: Valdštejnský palác
Baroque palace, home to the Czech Senate. Wallenstein Palace is a Baroque palace in Malá Strana, Prague, that served as a residence for Imperial Generalissimo Albrecht von Wallenstein and now houses the Senate of the Czech Republic.[17]
Address: Valdštejnské nám. 4, 118 00 Praha 1-Malá Strana (Praha 1)
Old New Synagogue
Also known as: Staronová synagoga
Europe's oldest active synagogue. The Old New Synagogue, also called the Altneuschul, situated in Josefov, Prague, is Europe's oldest active synagogue. It is also the oldest surviving medieval synagogue of twin-nave design.
Completed in 1270 in gothic style, it was one of Prague's first gothic buildings. A still older Prague synagogue, known as the Old Synagogue, was demolished in 1867 and replaced by the Spanish Synagogue.[18]
Address: Maiselova 18, 110 01 Praha 1-Staré Město (Praha 1)
Museum Kampa
Museum of modern art from central Europe. Museum Kampa is a modern art gallery in Prague, Czech Republic, showing Central European, and in particular Czech work. The pieces are from the private collection of Meda Mládek, wife of Jan V. Mládek. The museum opened in 2003 and is housed in the Sova's Mills on the eastern bank of the Kampa Island on the River Vltava.
There is a large sculpture of a chair by Magdalena Jetelová outside the museum, which is a prominent landmark visible from across the Vltava.[19]
Address: U Sovových mlýnů 2, 118 00 Praha 1-Malá Strana (Praha 1)
Old Royal Palace
Also known as: Starý královský palác
Late Gothic palace with grand royal hall. The Old Royal Palace is part of the Prague Castle, Czech Republic. Its history dates back to the 12th century and it is designed in the Gothic and Renaissance styles. Its Vladislav Hall is used for inaugurations, being the most important representative hall in the country. It is also home to a copy of the Czech crown.[20]
Address: Ke Hradu, 118 00 Praha (Praha 1)
Mariánské náměstí
Mariánské náměstí is a square in Old Town, Prague 1 in Czechia. It is surrounded by significant public buildings such Clementinum with National library, New City Hall with Mayor of the City of Prague residence and Prague City Council, Clam-Gallas Palace and Trauttmansdorff Palace.[21]
Galerie Rudolfinum
Also known as: Rudolfinum
Music hall in Prague, Czech Republic. The Rudolfinum is a building in Prague, Czech Republic. It is designed in the neo-renaissance style and is situated on Jan Palach Square on the bank of the river Vltava. Since its opening in 1885, it has been associated with music and art. Currently, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and Galerie Rudolfinum are based in the building. Its largest music auditorium, Dvořák Hall, is one of the main venues of the Prague Spring International Music Festival and is noted for its excellent acoustics.[22]
Address: Prague, Alšovo nábřeží 12
Wenceslas Square
Also known as: Václavské náměstí
Plaza in Prague, Czech Republic. Wenceslas Square is one of the main city squares and the centre of the business and cultural communities in the New Town of Prague, Czech Republic. Many historical events occurred there, and it is a traditional setting for demonstrations, celebrations, and other public gatherings. It is also the place with the busiest pedestrian traffic in the whole country. The square is named after Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia. It is part of the historic centre of Prague, a World Heritage Site.
Formerly known as Koňský trh (Horse Market), for its periodic accommodation of horse markets during the Middle Ages, it was renamed Svatováclavské náměstí (English: Saint Wenceslas square) in 1848 on the proposal of Karel Havlíček Borovský.[23]
Kinský Palace
Also known as: Palác Kinských
Kinský Palace is a former palace, now an art museum, located on Old Town Square in the Old Town area of Prague, Czech Republic. The palace's name refers to its former ownership by the Kinský noble family.[24]
Address: Staroměstské nám. 1/12, 110 15 Staré Město (Praha 1)
Old Town Hall
Also known as: Staroměstská radnice
Monument in Prague, Czechia. The Old Town Hall in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is one of the city's most visited monuments. It is located in Old Town Square.[25]
Address: Staroměstské nám. 1, 110 00 Praha (Praha 1)
Strahov Monastery
Also known as: Strahovský klášter
Baroque church, ornate halls and a library. Strahov Monastery is a Premonstratensian abbey founded in 1143 by Jindřich Zdík, Bishop John of Prague, and Vladislaus II, Duke of Bohemia. It is located in Strahov, Prague, Czech Republic.[26]
Address: Strahovske nadvori 1/132, 11800 Prague (Praha 1)
Strahov
Strahov is a district of Prague in the Czech Republic. It lies on the west bank of the Vltava, west of Petřín hill, Malá Strana and Hradčany. It is bordered by the districts of Břevnov, Smíchov, Košíře, Střešovice and Malá Strana.[27]
Address: 132/1 Strahovské nádvoří, Prague (Praha 1)
Rosenberg Palace
The Theresian Institution of Noble Ladies, officially the Imperial and Royal Theresian Stift for Noble Ladies in the Castle of Prague, was a Catholic monastic chapter of secular canonesses in Hradčany that admitted women from impoverished noble families from 1753 until 1918.[28]
Franz Kafka Museum
Museum in Prague, Czechia. The Franz Kafka Museum is a museum located in Prague dedicated to the author Franz Kafka. The museum hosts a number of first edition Kafka books as well as displays original letters, diaries and drawings created by Kafka. The museum is characterized as both literary and biographical.[29]
Address: Cihelná 635/2b, 118 00 Malá Strana (Praha 1)
Pinkas Synagogue
Also known as: Pinkasova synagoga
Synagogue in Prague, Czechia. The Pinkas Synagogue is the second oldest surviving synagogue in Prague. Its origins are connected with the Horowitz family, a renowned Jewish family in Prague. Today, the synagogue is administered by the Jewish Museum in Prague and commemorates about 78,000 Czech Jewish victims of the Shoah.[30]
Address: Široká 23/3, Josefov, 110 00 Praha-Praha 1 (Praha 1)
St. George's Basilica
Also known as: Bazilika svatého Jiří
Church founded around 920 and art gallery. St. George's Basilica is the oldest surviving church building within Prague Castle, Prague, Czech Republic. The basilica was founded by Vratislaus I of Bohemia in 920. It is dedicated to Saint George. Primarily Romanesque in style, it is part of the collection of buildings that comprise the castle, the political capital of the nation, and the spiritual center of the Czech state.[31]
Address: nám. U Svatého Jiří 11, 119 08 Praha (Praha 1)
Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul
Also known as: Bazilika svatého Petra a Pavla
Neo-Gothic church with ornate artwork. The Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul is a neo-Gothic church in Vyšehrad fortress in Prague, Czech Republic.
Founded in 1070–1080 by the Czech King Vratislav II, the Romanesque basilica suffered a fire in the year 1249 and has been rebuilt in Gothic and later in neo-Gothic style. The basilica features an impressive stone mosaic above its entry, and its twin 58 m towers can be seen atop a hill to the south from along the Vltava River in central Prague.
Behind the church is located large park and Vyšehrad cemetery, the final resting place of many famous Czechs, including author Karel Čapek and composer Antonín Dvořák. In 2003 the church was elevated to basilica by Pope John Paul II.[32]
Address: Rotunde 10, 12000 Prague (Praha 2)
Cafe Orient
Also known as: Dům U Černé Matky Boží
Historic Cubist building with art and cafe. The House of the Black Madonna is a cubist building in the "Old Town" area of Prague, Czech Republic. It was designed by Josef Gočár. It is currently in use as the Czech Museum of Cubism and includes the Grand Café Orient restaurant on the first floor.
The House of the Black Mother (U Černé Matky Boží), sometimes referred to as Black Mother of the Lord, was designed and built between 1911 and 1912 on the corner of Celetná Street and Ovocný trh. Josef Gočár built the house as the first example of cubist architecture in Prague, and it remains probably the most celebrated. Even without historical details of the baroque building surrounding it, the House of the Black Madonna maintains the atmosphere of the neighborhood. The house was given its name by the stone sculpture that originally adorned one of the two Baroque buildings on the same lot. After many years altered use in the interwar period and under communist rule, the house was closed in January 2002 and re-opened after extensive restoration in November 2003.[33]
Address: Ovocný trh 19, 110 00 Praha-Staré Město (Praha 1)
Prague Aviation Museum
Also known as: Letecké muzeum Kbely
Museum in Prague, Czech Republic. Kbely Aviation Museum is the largest aviation museum in the Czech Republic and one of the largest of its kind in Europe. It is located to the north-east of Prague, at the military airport Kbely.[34]
Address: Mladoboleslavská 425/9, 197 00 Praha-Kbely (Praha 19)
Josefov
Josefov is a town quarter and the smallest cadastral area of Prague, Czech Republic, formerly the Jewish ghetto of the town. It is surrounded by the Old Town. The quarter is often represented by the flag of Prague's Jewish community, a yellow Magen David on a red field.[35]
Address: U staré školy 141/1, 110 00 Praga 1-Josefov, Prague (Praha 1)