Prague, czech republic
Attractions Guide
Introduction
Prague is a stunning Bohemian city of beautiful Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture with many colorful historic buildings, and the Vltava River running through its center.
Old Town Square
Prague’s Old Town is a very scenic area to walk around and explore amongst its many historical buildings. The most impressive part of the Old Town is located at its center, Prague’s Old Town Square.
The Old Town Square is most famous for hosting the medieval Prague Astronomical Clock, the oldest astronomical clock in the world which still operates. Every hour on the hours you can witness the mechanical figurine show that this amazing clock puts on. Be sure to climb to the top of the clock tower for fantastic views overlooking the Old Town.
Old Town Square also hosts the imposing 14th century gothic Church of Our Lady before Tyn, with its towering spired roofs and striking gothic architecture. The lavish baroque St. Nicholas' Church (Stare Mesto) can also be found on the square with its elegantly decorated interiors. The St. Nicholas Church is one of two churches in Prague with the same name (the other being near Mala Strana).
Old Town Prague
Nearby the Old Town Square you can tour the elegant baroque Clementium, a UNESCO world heritage site. The Clementium is famous for its stunningly gorgeous and highly ornate library hall, which is among the most beautiful in the world. Additionally the Clementium hosts the Astronomical Tower, as well as the elaborate Mirror Chapel.
The 14th century Charles Bridge is perhaps the most iconic sight in Prague. This picturesque stone-built bridge is approximately 1,700 feet (520 m) long and spans the Vltava River which flows through the middle of the city. Along the bridge you’ll see many intricate Baroque statues. From the bridge you can enjoy incredible views of the Prague Castle Complex and the colorful historic buildings of Prague.
Just north of Old Town Square is the stunning Spanish Synagogue, with its extravagant and intricately decorated Moorish-style interiors.
East of Old Town Square you can admire the Powder Tower, a massive medieval gate to the city. This gothic tower gate stands on the opposite side of the Old Town from the Old Town Bridge Tower entrance to the Charles Bridge.
Nearby the Clementium you might consider visiting the eclectic Apple Museum, which is dedicated to the history of Apple Computers and Steve Jobs.
Prague Castle Complex
From the Old Town you can cross the Charles Bridge to reach the hilltop Prague Castle Complex. At the eastern edge of Prague Castle you can enjoy amazing, far-reaching views overlooking the city from high above. On the western side of the complex (and below) you can admire many colorful Baroque buildings, such as around Hradcany Square.
St. Vitus Cathedral
Within this complex you’ll find many different attractions, most notable the strikingly intricate St. Vitus Cathedral. This towering gothic cathedral is absolutely beautiful and the largest church in. The Czech Republic. This incredible cathedral also hosts the tombs of many Holy Roman emperors and Bohemian kings.
Another important church within the Prague Castle is the impressive 10th century St. George’s Basilica. Across from these two churches is the Old Royal Palace, whose historic interiors and furnishings you can tour.
Golden Lane
Among the castle complex’s top sights are the historically decorated medieval houses of the Golden Lane, which contain historic artifacts and furnishings and have been frequented by tourists for hundreds of years.
Lobkowicz Palace
Across from the Golden Lane is the baroque Lobkowicz Palace. Within this palace’s grandiose exteriors you can admire many masterpieces of fine art, as well as priceless historic items such as original scores and manuscripts by Beethoven and Mozart.
Mala Strana (Lesser Town)
Just below Prague Castle you can admire the elegant Wallenstein Palace and the lovely adjacent Wallenstein Garden which hosts peacocks and owls amongst lush fine gardens.
The neighborhood below the Prague Castle is the extremely scenic Mala Strana (Lesser Town), which hosts many palaces and baroque structures.
Mala Strana also hosts the baroque St. Nicholas Church (Mala Strana) with its highly embellished interiors. Interestingly, this elaborate 18th century church took 100 years to complete. This church also hosts a tower which you can climb for stunning views over the city.
Royal Route & Kampa Island
On the western side of the river, the Charles Bridge becomes Mostecka Street, which is lined with many beautiful baroque structures as well as the striking medieval Mala Strana Bridge Tower, part of the Royal Route.
Be sure to walk around and explore Mala Strana and its streets, which are lined with countless colorful and elegant baroque palaces that make up Prague's Royal Route.
Other scenic streets associated with the Royal Route in Mala Strana that you should walk along include Misenska and Mostecka near the Lesser Town Bridge Tower, as well as Trziste, Nerudova, and Karmelitska near the St. Nicholas Church.
Kampa Island
Additionally be sure to visit Mala Strana's Kampa Island, which sits along the river hosting wondrous views of the Old Town across the river.
Lennon Wall
Near Kampa Island you can also admire the famous Lennon Wall, a long urban wall covered in graffiti art-work specifically related to John Lennon and The Beatles.
Strahov Monastery & Loreta Complex
To the west of Prague Castle you'll find several more popular attractions, including the Strahov Monastery which features another incredibly beautiful and elaborate library, as well as a treasury and observation deck overlooking Prague.
Nearby is the Loreta Complex, a popular pilgrimage site which hosts a baroque church and the highly intricate Holy Hut structure.
Southern Prague
National Theatre
Just south of Prague's Old Town along the river is the majestic National Theatre, which you can tour to see its decadent interiors. Alternatively, you might catch an opera, ballet, or play in this historic structure.
Dancing House
Further south along the river is an iconic architectural masterpiece designed by Frank Gehry, known as the Dancing House. This building is truly unique and is highly recommended as it is quite photogenic.
Vysehrad Fortress
Even further south along the river is a larger fortified hilltop complex known as Vysehrad, where you can admire a medieval church and enjoy exceptional views over Prague. This fortress retains many of its walls and is quite an interesting place to explore.
Northern Prague
Prague Zoo
On the norther outskirts of Prague is the famous Prague Zoo, which is recognized as one of the top 10 zoos in the world and houses many rare and endangered animal special.
Troja Palace
Adjacent to the zoo is the magnificent Trojsky Zamek (Troja Palace), a baroque 17th century palace loosely modeled after a Roman villa, which hosts a stunningly intricate fresco-covered interior and is surrounded by large formal gardens.
More Attractions
Wenceslas Square & National Museum
Southeast of Old Town Square is the vast 14th century Wenceslas Square, which leads up to the Czech Republic’s grand National Museum (Nadroni Museum). This museum houses a large collection of historical artifacts as well as exhibits in Natural History, Ethnography, and more.
Church of St. Ludmilla
Just beyond Wenceslas Square is a giant Neo-Gothic basilica, the Church of St. Ludmila, with its massive spired bell towers.
National Technical Museum
Also noteworthy is the country’s National Technical Museum, located across the river north from the Old Town. This museum hosts a vast array of exhibits in science, mechanics, and engineering, as well as many vintage cars, aircraft, trains, motorcycles, and other types of transportation.
Google Maps Attraction Lists
Save Prague Attraction Lists to your Google Maps Account:
1. Click Link above while logged into Google account on your device.2. Click Follow, and the attraction pins will be saved in your Google Maps.
