Prague Must Visits
Sightseeing
Located in Prague's Hradcany neighborhood, Prague Castle (Pražský hrad), once the home of Bohemia's kings, is today the official residence of the Czech Republic's President and one of the city's most visited tourist attractions.
Address: 119 08 Praha 1
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Pragborgin
Located in Prague's Hradcany neighborhood, Prague Castle (Pražský hrad), once the home of Bohemia's kings, is today the official residence of the Czech Republic's President and one of the city's most visited tourist attractions.
Address: 119 08 Praha 1
One of the most recognizable old bridges in Europe, magnificent Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) boasts 32 unique points of interest along its 621-meter span.
Address: Karluv most, 110 00 Praha 1
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Charles Bridge
Karlův mostOne of the most recognizable old bridges in Europe, magnificent Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) boasts 32 unique points of interest along its 621-meter span.
Address: Karluv most, 110 00 Praha 1
A highlight of Prague's New Town (Nové Mesto) district—an area that grew out of the city's need to expand as it prospered—is the wonderful Wenceslas Square (Václavské námestí), home to the National Museum and numerous other architectural treasures. Named after the patron saint of Bohemia, whose statue can be seen here, Wenceslas Square was created in the 14th century during the reign of Charles IV as a horse market and has since become one of the city's most important public spaces, still used for demonstrations and celebrations alike.
Address: 110 00 Praha 1
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Wenceslas Square
Václavské náměstíA highlight of Prague's New Town (Nové Mesto) district—an area that grew out of the city's need to expand as it prospered—is the wonderful Wenceslas Square (Václavské námestí), home to the National Museum and numerous other architectural treasures. Named after the patron saint of Bohemia, whose statue can be seen here, Wenceslas Square was created in the 14th century during the reign of Charles IV as a horse market and has since become one of the city's most important public spaces, still used for demonstrations and celebrations alike.
Address: 110 00 Praha 1
Fresh from a seven-year-long renovation, the National Museum (Národní Muzeum) in Prague is spread across a number of locations and houses numerous important collections representing a variety of fields, with literally millions of items covering mineralogy, zoology, anthropology, and archaeology, as well as the arts and music. The entomology collection alone numbers more than five million specimens. The oldest museum in the Czech Republic, it was established in the early 1800s before moving to its current location in 1891.
Address: Václavské námestí 68, 115 79 Praha 1
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Þjóðminjasafn
68 Václavské nám.Fresh from a seven-year-long renovation, the National Museum (Národní Muzeum) in Prague is spread across a number of locations and houses numerous important collections representing a variety of fields, with literally millions of items covering mineralogy, zoology, anthropology, and archaeology, as well as the arts and music. The entomology collection alone numbers more than five million specimens. The oldest museum in the Czech Republic, it was established in the early 1800s before moving to its current location in 1891.
Address: Václavské námestí 68, 115 79 Praha 1
A highlight is the Old Town Hall (Staromestská radnice), home to the wonderful early 15th-century Astronomical Clock (orloj). Each hour, it springs to life as the 12 Apostles and other figures appear and parade in procession across the clock face. Other Old Town Hall highlights are the Gothic doorway leading to its splendid interior with its art exhibits and displays, a chapel built in 1381, and an old prison. Be sure to make the ascent (by stairs or elevator) to the top of the Old Town Hall Tower for its fine views over Prague.
Address: Staromestské námestí, 110 00 Praha 1
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Pragur stjörnufræðilega klukka
1 Staroměstské náměstíA highlight is the Old Town Hall (Staromestská radnice), home to the wonderful early 15th-century Astronomical Clock (orloj). Each hour, it springs to life as the 12 Apostles and other figures appear and parade in procession across the clock face. Other Old Town Hall highlights are the Gothic doorway leading to its splendid interior with its art exhibits and displays, a chapel built in 1381, and an old prison. Be sure to make the ascent (by stairs or elevator) to the top of the Old Town Hall Tower for its fine views over Prague.
Address: Staromestské námestí, 110 00 Praha 1
The absolute highlight of Old Town Square is the famous Prague Astronomical Clock, a.k.a. Orloj. It is a medieval astronomical clock mounted on the Old Town Hall and shows the current position of selected celestial objects. The lower part of the Orloj is a calendar dial and shows the current day on a beautiful dial. To find out more about the Prague Astronomical Clock and how it works, please read this article.
The Old Town Hall itself is a little different from most town halls, in that it is not a single structure but rather a complex of connected medieval buildings. The tower of the Old Town Hall was completed in 1364, and at that time it was the tallest structure in the city. The tower is open to the public and its observation deck offers amazing views of Old Town Square. The opening times and admission fees can be found here.
Address: Staromestské námestí, 110 00 Praha 1
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Gamla borgarhjáleiga
Staroměstské náměstíThe absolute highlight of Old Town Square is the famous Prague Astronomical Clock, a.k.a. Orloj. It is a medieval astronomical clock mounted on the Old Town Hall and shows the current position of selected celestial objects. The lower part of the Orloj is a calendar dial and shows the current day on a beautiful dial. To find out more about the Prague Astronomical Clock and how it works, please read this article.
The Old Town Hall itself is a little different from most town halls, in that it is not a single structure but rather a complex of connected medieval buildings. The tower of the Old Town Hall was completed in 1364, and at that time it was the tallest structure in the city. The tower is open to the public and its observation deck offers amazing views of Old Town Square. The opening times and admission fees can be found here.
Address: Staromestské námestí, 110 00 Praha 1
The Dancing House (Tancící dum), Prague's most outstanding modern architectural creation, was built between 1992 and 1996 to designs by Frank Gehry. Consisting of two adjoining towers, this splendid structure features unique curves that resemble two dancing figures, an effect heightened by the fact one of the towers is shaped like a woman wearing a skirt (hence the nickname "Fred and Ginger" after famous American dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers).
While the building consists largely of offices and a hotel, great views can be enjoyed from the top floor restaurant (a café is also located on the main level).
Address: Jiráskovo námestí 1981/6, 120 00 Praha 2
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Dansandi Hús
6 Jiráskovo nám.The Dancing House (Tancící dum), Prague's most outstanding modern architectural creation, was built between 1992 and 1996 to designs by Frank Gehry. Consisting of two adjoining towers, this splendid structure features unique curves that resemble two dancing figures, an effect heightened by the fact one of the towers is shaped like a woman wearing a skirt (hence the nickname "Fred and Ginger" after famous American dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers).
While the building consists largely of offices and a hotel, great views can be enjoyed from the top floor restaurant (a café is also located on the main level).
Address: Jiráskovo námestí 1981/6, 120 00 Praha 2
Looking like something out of a fairy tale, the Vyšehrad fortress—literally translated as the "Upper Castle," or the "Castle on the Heights"—stands high above the Vltava River overlooking Prague. Known to have been in existence as far back as the 10th century, it has long been the subject of myth and legend, including the foretelling of an ancient princess of the rising of a great city around it. Once the royal residence of Vratislav II, Vyšehrad also played a role as part of the original Royal Route taken by kings about to be crowned, who would have to stop here to pay tribute to their predecessors (the route led from Vyšehrad to Hradcany).
Although now largely ruins, the fortress is a wonderful place for a stroll or picnic and offers superb views of the surrounding city. During the summer months, the attraction's open air theater hosts musical and theatrical performances. English language guided tours can be arranged.
Address: V pevnosti 159/5b, 128 00 Praha 2
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Vyšehrad
Looking like something out of a fairy tale, the Vyšehrad fortress—literally translated as the "Upper Castle," or the "Castle on the Heights"—stands high above the Vltava River overlooking Prague. Known to have been in existence as far back as the 10th century, it has long been the subject of myth and legend, including the foretelling of an ancient princess of the rising of a great city around it. Once the royal residence of Vratislav II, Vyšehrad also played a role as part of the original Royal Route taken by kings about to be crowned, who would have to stop here to pay tribute to their predecessors (the route led from Vyšehrad to Hradcany).
Although now largely ruins, the fortress is a wonderful place for a stroll or picnic and offers superb views of the surrounding city. During the summer months, the attraction's open air theater hosts musical and theatrical performances. English language guided tours can be arranged.
Address: V pevnosti 159/5b, 128 00 Praha 2
One of Prague's most recognizable buildings is the Church of Our Lady before Týn (Kostel Matky Boží pred Týnem), often abbreviated to simply Týn Church. Unmistakable for its twin 80-meter-tall spires flanking each side of the building (each supporting four smaller spires), its main entrance is through a narrow passage past the houses obscuring its façade.
Although completed in the 15th century, the church was altered numerous times through the centuries as the city's allegiances changed, and while interior renovations are ongoing, there's still much worth seeing, including numerous fine tombs, the superb Gothic northern portal with its Crucifixion sculpture, early Baroque altarpiece paintings dating from 1649, and one of Europe's finest 17th-century pipe organs.
Afterwards, be sure to explore the 11th-century Ungelt Courtyard behind the church with its many fine restaurants and cafés. Another splendid old church worth visiting is the Baroque Church of the Virgin Mary with its famous statue of the infant Jesus, said to have been responsible for miracles and still a point of pilgrimage.
Address: Staromestské námestí, 110 00 Praha 1
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Kirkja vor Frú fyrir Tyn
Staroměstské náměstíOne of Prague's most recognizable buildings is the Church of Our Lady before Týn (Kostel Matky Boží pred Týnem), often abbreviated to simply Týn Church. Unmistakable for its twin 80-meter-tall spires flanking each side of the building (each supporting four smaller spires), its main entrance is through a narrow passage past the houses obscuring its façade.
Although completed in the 15th century, the church was altered numerous times through the centuries as the city's allegiances changed, and while interior renovations are ongoing, there's still much worth seeing, including numerous fine tombs, the superb Gothic northern portal with its Crucifixion sculpture, early Baroque altarpiece paintings dating from 1649, and one of Europe's finest 17th-century pipe organs.
Afterwards, be sure to explore the 11th-century Ungelt Courtyard behind the church with its many fine restaurants and cafés. Another splendid old church worth visiting is the Baroque Church of the Virgin Mary with its famous statue of the infant Jesus, said to have been responsible for miracles and still a point of pilgrimage.
Address: Staromestské námestí, 110 00 Praha 1