Top Attractions to Visit in Prague

The historic centre of Prague (Hradčany with Prague Castle, the Lesser Quarter, Old Town including the Charles Bridge and Josefov, New Town and Vyšehrad) occupies an area of 866 ha and has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1992.

The centre of Prague is characterised by winding alleys and constructions of all architectural styles – Romanesque rotundas, Gothic cathedrals, Baroque and Renaissance palaces, Art Nouveau, Classicist, Cubist and Functionalist houses and modern buildings.

Prague Castle

Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Originally dating to the 9th century, this landmark, which surrounds St. Vitus Cathedral, bears the mark of each architectural and historical era that it has lived through. To this day, it serves as the seat of the Czech state.

Charles Bridge

Prague's oldest bridge, and one of its most iconic structures, is Charles Bridge, which connects Old Town with Malá Strana. Dating to 1347, it was originally called the Stone Bridge, or Prague Bridge, before being named Charles Bridge in 1870, after its founder King Charles IV.

Old Town Hall and the astronomical clock

Arguably Prague's most identifiable icon, the Astronomical Clock built into the façade of the Old Town Hall on Old Town Square continues to draw crowds waiting to see the hourly chiming of this amazing mechanical structure that dates to 1410.

Prague's Jewish Quarter

Despite being only a fraction of its former self, Prague's Jewish Quarter comprises the best current complex of Jewish historical monuments in all of Europe. The smallest of Prague's districts was walled off as a ghetto in 1096, following a pogrom against its inhabitants, who were mainly Jewish immigrants.

Kampa Island

Spend some time on Kampa Island, which is just off of Charles Bridge. Walk through the park and enjoy the view of the bridge and across the river. Spend the rest of the day strolling through the picturesque streets of Malá Strana.

Prague Parks and Gardens

These are some of the parks and gardens you can include in your walks around the historical center:
Franciscan Garden
Petřín Hill
Vrtba Garden

Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau is richly represented in Prague's architecture. The list of buildings below is intended to serve as a mere starting point for further exploration; Art Nouveau is the predominant style of entire streets - for example, Pařížská ("Paris") street in the Old Town, or Mánesova street in the Vinohrady district.

Shopping

Stores outside of Prague tend to open at 8 or 9 a.m. (large grocery stores at 7 a.m.) and close at 6 or 7 p.m. Some stores are closed during lunch hours. The hours are shorter on Saturdays and most stores except large supermarkets are closed on Sundays.Stores in the center of Prague and in shopping malls have longer hours. Large supermarkets stay open until 8 or 10 p.m. and some are open 24 hours a day. Most stores in the Prague city center and tourist locations are open on weekends.

Prague River Cruises on the Vltava

Seeing Prague from the river is a unique experience. The historical center with its famous monuments presents itself from a different perspective and unusual angles. On the longer cruises, you will go by several islands on the Vltava and find yourself on a stretch of the river that lets you see a part of the embankment that you would not normally visit. In a matter of an hour, you can leave the bustling city behind and come out to some of Prague's quieter areas.