Prague Attractions: My Favorite Highlights

The Czech capital, Prague, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe for me. So it's no wonder that it attracts so many tourists every year. Prague Castle, the Royal Palace, and Charles Bridge are the most well-known highlights. The Jewish Quarter and a boat trip on the Vltava River are also a must for me. My personal surprise and highlight was Strahov Monastery, the "most beautiful library in the world"? As a bonus, I recommend a food tour because culinary highlights are essential for me when traveling to a city.

If you only have a weekend to explore everything Prague has to offer, this blog post is just right for you!

You should definitely not miss the following top 10 attractions in Prague.

The most popular places and top attractions are the following ten. This does not automatically mean that they are highlights for you. These are the classics that, in my opinion, every visitor to Prague should see.

I have been to Prague several times because there is so much to discover. Here are the most exciting and frequently visited (and well-known) attractions in Prague for me. If you are looking for more inspiration, you should take a look at my article on spending 3 days in Prague with a suggested itinerary.

Prague Castle is one of the landmarks and also the most famous attraction in Prague. Located on a hill above the Vltava River, this sprawling medieval fortress and the largest castle in Europe houses some of the most important historical buildings in all of Europe.

From Gothic cathedrals and baroque palaces to Renaissance courtyards and Romanesque churches - there is no shortage of impressive architecture at Prague Castle. Whether you are an art historian, a history buff, or simply someone who appreciates beautiful buildings, Prague Castle will captivate and fascinate you.

The main buildings within the castle grounds include St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George's Basilica, the Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane. For these places, you need to buy a "Prague Castle" ticket.

Note for visiting beforehand:

You should visit Prague Castle - especially on weekends - as early as possible in the day. Because from 9:30 AM, the lines on both sides of the entrance (everyone has to go through a security check) become extremely long. It's best to be here before 9 AM to visit the grounds before the South Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral, Vladislav Hall, and Golden Lane open at 9 AM and 10 AM.

Included in the ticket for Prague Castle:

You can buy your ticket here at Get Your Guide (it is also linked as a QR code on-site and is an official partner). The ticket is valid for 2 days and allows you a one-time entry to each building inside the castle during the castle's opening hours. With this ticket, you can skip other lines at the castle (not at the security check, everyone has to go through that).

On-site, you can rent an audio guide for 350 CZK - also in German - (deposit 500 CZK). We decided to skip that.

In addition to Prague Castle and the Vltava River, another landmark and highlight in Prague is Charles Bridge. On the former coronation route of the Bohemian kings, 10,000 visitors stroll across to the other side of the Vltava River every day. It's no wonder, because from Charles Bridge, you have great views of Hradčany and Prague Castle, the Vltava River, and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Where Charles Bridge stands was the first stone bridge of Prague, the Judith Bridge, in the 12th century - over the Vltava River. After a flood, this was destroyed. Legend has it that the cornerstone for the new 16-arch Charles Bridge, adorned with statues of saints, was laid on July 9, 1357, at 5:31 AM. A sequence of numbers that remains the same whether read forwards or backwards. Whether that date is really accurate or just a clever idea is debatable.

The bridge is a popular spot to watch the sunset, and on summer evenings, it is often crowded with people enjoying the view at dusk. However, be prepared for everyone to be tightly packed as they walk across the bridge.

Whether you admire the view from afar or stroll across the bridge, Charles Bridge is an essential part of any visit to Prague and one of the top attractions.

My expert tip: Visit Charles Bridge early in the morning. You will be almost alone here until 8:30 AM. Because during the day, crowds of people file across the popular bridge.

Old Town Square lies in the heart of the city and is one of the most popular places in all of Europe. The bustling square, with its centuries-old buildings, charming boutiques, and picturesque cafés, is a truly fascinating place.

Whether you stroll through Old Town Square on your own or join a guided tour, you are sure to discover something new and exciting at every corner.

Regardless of whether you admire the Gothic architecture or simply people-watch from a café terrace, it is enjoyable to experience the atmosphere of the city.

My most beautiful surprise and personal highlight in Prague was Strahov Monastery, which is located right next to our Lindner Hotel. The impressive vaults with amazing ceiling paintings and a gigantic collection of 200,000 books, many unique items, prints, manuscripts, engravings, and maps.

The most beautiful and oldest library in the Czech Republic also houses the three best-preserved globes in Europe.

In addition to the library and an art gallery, a look at the cabinet of curiosities with many archaeological finds (I would say, quirky things) is also worthwhile.

Wenceslas Square is a large pedestrian square in the center of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. It is named after Saint Wenceslas and has been the site of many significant events in Czech history.

The square is a popular meeting point for locals and tourists and houses many important landmarks, including the National Museum, the State Opera, and the Lucerna Palace. Additionally, the square is lined with hotels, shops, and restaurants.

In recent years, the square has been extensively renovated and now features new fountains, statues, and a large screen that shows live events. Whether you want to dive into history or simply people-watch, Wenceslas Square is definitely worth a visit.

Whether you want to shop, people-watch, or simply enjoy the atmosphere, Wenceslas Square is definitely worth a visit.

For the highest view of Prague, we recommend the Petřín Tower. It was built in 1891 as part of the anniversary exhibition and was meant to be Prague's mini version of the Eiffel Tower (hexagonal and five times smaller).

The 63.5-meter-high "Prague Eiffel Tower" is located on Petřín Hill, a large park with a rose garden, verdant surroundings, apple trees, a mirror maze, and plenty of benches that are perfect for people-watching.

The hill is located close to our Lindner Hotel Prague Castle. Therefore, you can easily reach the Petřín Tower. If you are staying in the valley, the funicular takes you up. Since we wandered down to the valley after visiting the castle, we took the funicular back up.

My tip: After visiting Prague Castle, walk down and then take the funicular back up. Once you get there, you can either have a snack and drink at the rooftop terrace of Atelier Petřín or make your way up the 299 steps to the top of the observation tower. There is also an elevator, but it was out of order (broken) during our visit.

The Jewish Museum. The Jewish Museum in Prague spans several locations in the Jewish Quarter (Josefov) of the city: 4 synagogues, the ceremonial hall, a gallery, and the old Jewish cemetery, the oldest in Europe.

Both the synagogues and the ceremonial hall are beautiful and full of interesting information. My personal highlight was the Pinkas Synagogue. It was an emotional experience that helped me understand the ghettos of World War II from the perspective of children. The 78,000 names on the walls make the scale of the Holocaust in Prague tangible.

If you are in Prague, visiting the Jewish Museum or its complexes is a must.

I highly recommend this ticket with a brief introduction to the Jewish Quarter.

Included in the ticket:

I found this introduction with tickets fantastic. It allows you to personalize your visit and spend as much time as you need.

The Josefov quarter is also known as the birthplace of Franz Kafka. Spend some time here and stroll through the narrow streets.

The John Lennon Wall is a famous landmark in the heart of Prague, known for its vibrant murals and international peace messages.

This wall has been a meeting point for activists, artists, and dreamers for decades and has become a symbol of freedom and hope for the people of Prague. The appearance of the wall is in constant flux, as new messages are written by visitors each day. As street artists like to say: art is ephemeral.

So if you are in the Czech Republic, make sure to stop by this landmark and read the messages. For me, it is one of the most important sights to see in Prague.

Especially during warm temperatures, a one-hour boat tour on the Vltava River is a must. This way, you can see the city from a different perspective while enjoying an aperol. You will glide around Kampa, one of the most picturesque urban islands in the main Vltava River. You will also pass the Vyšehrad Fortress, a local favorite (which is also worth a visit if you have more time), and some of Prague's water towers.

There are several tours to choose from in Prague. We took the one-hour tour from the Rašín Quay. You will not go under Charles Bridge but will turn around earlier. The alternative would be a two-hour tour, which starts on the other side of Charles Bridge and takes you under the bridge as well (see here). The one-hour tour was enough for me.

Note: Along the quay, you will find great cafés and beer gardens (also on boats). If you have time, be sure to stop by.

Fred and Ginger is the nickname of the futuristic Dancing House (Tančící Dům). The actual name is the more prosaic Nationale Nederlanden building. Enjoy a drink up in the glass bar.

Since its completion in 1996, it has been one of the cornerstones of contemporary Prague architecture. The project was designed by internationally renowned architects Vlado Milunić and Frank O. Gehry.

The concept for this house was inspired by a famous on-screen couple known for their dance art: the stone tower represents Fred Astaire, and the glass tower represents Ginger Rogers. The house itself features a bar with a viewing terrace, a restaurant, a gallery, and a hotel. From an architectural aspect alone, it is an extraordinary building.

As we want to experience a bit of the nightlife as well, we visit U Malého Glena. Even the New York Times has reported about this tiny jazz bar in the basement of an Irish pub. Here you can enjoy live music from Czech jazz and blues greats every evening.

Later, we were quite exhausted from the long day and happy to hop back on Tram 22, which took us directly to the hotel.

For dinner, we go to the Smíchov district and the street food market. With live music from the DJ, cocktails, and food ranging from Japanese ramen to Argentine empanadas and Mexican tacos, you will find a huge selection here - and all for rather local prices (compared to the rest of the program, which was in the tourist center).

There's also a small pool, and the overall atmosphere is very relaxed. The food and cocktails were very good.

Note: A new location of Manifesto is set to open in Berlin at Potsdamer Platz in fall 2022.

Are you a fan of art? Then you should take the opportunity to visit the National Gallery in Prague.

Walking through the various exhibition halls of the five floors leads you to both permanent and rotating exhibitions. Artworks of significant painters from classical modernism to expressionism, contemporary portraits, and exotic African sculptures. If you don't have much time in Prague, this exhibition is not a must.

The good thing about Prague is that unlike a city trip to London, you don't have to board a plane or a ferry. By train via Nuremberg, it's only a two-hour journey to Prague.

From Berlin, you can travel to Prague in 3-4 hours. From West Germany, flying is the fastest way to arrive.

According to my experience, the best time to visit Prague is late spring or early autumn. I visited once in early May and another time in October. Generally, the weather from May to October is ideal, with pleasant temperatures and typically rain-free days. Perfect for sightseeing. However, the summer months of July and August are very hot. In the Old Town, the air can feel stiflingly hot.

Therefore, you should consider a trip between March and May or September and November. In winter, the Christmas market is presumably beautiful. However, it is not idyllic, as this time of year is also very popular among visitors, and the city can be very crowded.

The quietly located Lindner Hotel Prague Castle in the historic center of Prague, right next to Strahov Monastery, near Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, and the 'Prague Eiffel Tower' Petřín Tower. I found the location ideal, as the hustle and bustle seems far away, yet everything is within walking distance. Additionally, the tram station for line 22 is only 2 minutes away. For me, the location of the hotel is a great starting point to explore Prague. However, if you want to stay in the midst of noisy bachelor parties, you need to go elsewhere.

The best thing about the hotel: Lindner offers a package with 2 nights, 2 tickets for the boat tour on the Vltava, and entry to Strahov Monastery. We only took the private tour of the monastery, as that is when you can access the impressive rooms. Here you can find the offer on the hotel's website.

There are so many excellent restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy superb meals. I highly recommend the following:

Prague Beer Culture

Prague has a long and rich history of brewing beer. The first documented mention of beer in Prague dates back to 993 AD, and there are even documents suggesting that brewing existed in the city as early as the 10th century. Over the centuries, brewing beer became an important part of Prague's economy and culture.

Today, there are dozens of breweries in Prague, and the city is considered one of the best places in the world for beer enthusiasts and brewery tours with tastings.

Whether you are looking for a traditional Czech pilsner or an experimental craft beer, you are sure to find something to your liking in Prague. One of the special experiences is to cheers!

Bohemian Cuisine

The city of Prague is located in the heart of Europe and is known for its vibrant culture and rich history. What many may not know is that Prague also has a flourishing restaurant scene that reflects both its Central European roots and the diverse culture of immigrants.

The most famous dish in Prague is goulash, a hearty stew typically made with beef or pork and served with bread or potatoes. Other staples of Czech cuisine include fried cheese, dumplings, and pork roast, as well as a variety of international dishes influenced by the many ethnic communities living in the city.

Prague is a beautiful city with much to offer tourists. The historical buildings and stunning architecture are a big draw, and there are many museums, art galleries, and other cultural attractions to keep visitors busy.

Since there is so much to see and do, it's important that you plan ahead and take enough time to explore the sights.

A good rule of thumb is to plan for at least three days for a visit. This way, you have enough time to see the highlights and relax a bit while enjoying some activities. Whether you are interested in history or art, shopping or sightseeing, Prague has something to offer everyone - so be sure to include Prague in your travel plans for your next city trip!

Imagine you're in Prague. You haven't planned anything in advance and find on-site that the lines at attractions are extremely long, tickets for other sights are sold out, and everything is becoming overall much too expensive. That would be really annoying, wouldn't it?

That's why our tip: Buy a city tourist card before your trip. The most well-known card is the Prague Card (Prague Card). However, it seems this has undergone revisions recently according to Prague Tourism. At Get Your Guide, however, you can purchase the Prague Card. You then have to redeem the card on-site at the designated pickup point printed on the ticket. As per our official info, the card is apparently not available at the moment, so I could not test it.

For Prague, I relied on this linked Dumont travel guide. As it was the most up-to-date and also contained walking tours for every quarter, I purchased this travel guide.

When you're in Prague, you should explore the city on foot! Even if you stick to a specific area, you're likely to rack up thousands of steps before you realize it. Sneakers or tennis shoes are ideal since you'll encounter uneven cobblestones almost everywhere in the Old Town and around Prague Castle.

As in any large city, Prague is a paradise for pickpockets. Pay close attention to your valuables, especially in the crowded areas of Charles Bridge and in front of the Town Hall at the astronomical clock. You usually notice that something is missing when it's too late, in the midst of the hustle.

Prague attracts many visitors - especially during the popular summer months! If you want to avoid long lines or take photos without large crowds, you should start your exploration early in the morning.

Here is my suggested itinerary for Prague: day by day, I describe which sights I visited.

Leave us a comment if we missed any attractions! We are curious about your highlights in the Czech capital and appreciate your feedback.

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