Czech Republic · City break
Prague City Break
Prague is Gothic, Baroque and the world's largest castle complex high above the Vltava. No planning needed - ready-made routes from the metro lead you through the Old Town, across Charles Bridge and up to the castle.
🗺️ Open Prague interactively – map & navigationOur walks through Prague
Two routes take you through the Golden City on foot: through the Old and New Town from the Powder Tower to Wenceslas Square (11 stops, approx. 2.8 km), and from the Dancing House across Charles Bridge up to Prague Castle, Strahov Monastery and Petřín hill (17 stops, approx. 5.5 km). The highlights:
Old & New Town: Powder Tower, Old Town Square & Wenceslas Square
From the Powder Tower across the Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock and Týn Church through the Jewish Quarter and past the Klementinum, then via the Infinite Book Tower and the Kafka Head to the broad Wenceslas Square with the National Museum.
- Powder Tower – The black Gothic city gate of 1475 marks the start of the former Royal Route. A narrow spiral staircase leads up to the viewing gallery.
- Municipal House – The opulent Art Nouveau building of 1912 next to the Powder Tower holds the Smetana concert hall and a room by Alfons Mucha - a highlight of Czech Art Nouveau.
- Old Town Square – The magnificent main square of the Old Town with the Jan Hus memorial, colourful Baroque and Rococo town houses and cafés all around - the lively heart of Prague.
- Old Town Hall & Astronomical Clock – The famous Astronomical Clock (Orloj) of 1410 shows the procession of the Apostles on the hour. From the town-hall tower - reached easily by lift - you get the best view over the square and Týn Church.
- Týn Church – The Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn, with its two unequal needle-sharp spires, dominates the backdrop of the Old Town Square. Inside rests the astronomer Tycho Brahe.
- Josefov (Jewish Quarter) – Get your bearings at the Gothic Old-New Synagogue - the oldest active synagogue in Europe: from here the moving Old Jewish Cemetery with its thousands of leaning gravestones and the Maisel, Pinkas and Spanish synagogues are all just a few steps away. The compact ensemble of the former ghetto is one of Europe's most important Jewish heritage sites.
- Infinite Book Tower – In the entrance hall of the City Library stands the sculpture Idiom - a tower of books with mirrors top and bottom that seems to plunge endlessly into the depths. A favourite photo spot.
- Klementinum – The vast Baroque Jesuit complex houses one of the world's most beautiful library halls and an astronomical tower with panoramic views. Visits by guided tour only.
- Man Hanging Out – Just before the Kafka Head, look up: high above Husova Street a bronze figure dangles casually by one hand from a pole over the void. David Cerny's 'Man Hanging Out' depicts Sigmund Freud - easy to miss unless you tilt your head back.
- Franz Kafka Head – David Cerny's 11-metre mirrored bust is made of 42 rotating stainless-steel layers that endlessly break the writer's head apart and reassemble it - hypnotic.
- Wenceslas Square & National Museum – The broad, boulevard-like Wenceslas Square is the stage of Czech history - from the Velvet Revolution to today. At the top stand the grand National Museum and the equestrian statue of St Wenceslas.
Vltava Riverside, Charles Bridge & Prague Castle
From the Dancing House on the Vltava bank north to the finest photo spots for bridge and castle, across Charles Bridge to the Lesser Town with the Certovka, the Lennon Wall and St Nicholas, then up Nerudova Street to Prague Castle with St Vitus Cathedral, the Golden Lane and the viewing terrace - finishing at Strahov Monastery and the lookout tower on Petrin hill.
- Dancing House – The curving office building by Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunic (1996), nicknamed Ginger & Fred, dances out of line with the historic facades along the Vltava. A rooftop bar sits on top.
- Photo spot: riverside & castle – A little further along the bank the view opens across the Vltava to the Lesser Town and up to the castle - a calmer photo spot away from the bridge bustle.
- Photo spot: Charles Bridge & castle – From the Old Town riverbank you catch Charles Bridge and Prague Castle in one frame - one of the city's most photographed views, especially at golden hour.
- Charles Bridge – The famous stone bridge of 1357, lined with 30 Baroque statues of saints, links the Old Town and the Lesser Town. Early morning you have it almost to yourself - the finest moment.
- Lesser Town Square & St Nicholas – The central square of the Lesser Town is dominated by the mighty Baroque Church of St Nicholas with its green dome - a masterpiece of Prague Baroque. The bell tower offers a view.
- Nerudova Street – The picturesque Baroque lane winds steeply up to the castle, lined with palaces and old house signs like the Three Fiddles or the Golden Key - the classic climb.
- Prague Castle – The largest coherent castle complex in the world sits high above the city. The ticket route takes in the Old Royal Palace with its vast Vladislav Hall and the Romanesque St George's Basilica.
- St. Vitus Cathedral – The Gothic St Vitus Cathedral at the heart of the castle towers high over Prague. Inside glow stained-glass windows by Alfons Mucha and the ornate Wenceslas Chapel.
- Viewing terrace – From the terrace on the southern edge of the castle opens the most classic view over Prague - red roofs, the Vltava, Charles Bridge and the towers of the Old Town at your feet.
- Golden Lane – The row of tiny colourful cottages against the castle wall once housed goldsmiths and guards. Franz Kafka lived for a time at number 22.
- Castle gardens entrance – Here you descend into the castle gardens: the Royal and Southern Gardens are free, and the Baroque terraced gardens below the castle (Ledebour Garden and others) are an enchanting gem - a worthwhile detour if time allows.
- Photo spot: Charles Bridge & Old Town – Right before the bridge, the classic look back at the Old Town Bridge Tower and the towers of the Old Town framed by the Vltava - the perfect first shot before you cross.
- Prague's narrowest lane – Barely 50 centimetres wide, the lane down to the Vinárna Certovka is so narrow that a little traffic light manages oncoming pedestrians. A quirky photo stop.
- Čertovka Canal & Kampa – The narrow Certovka mill channel with its old water wheel earned Kampa Island the nickname Prague's Venice. The Kampa park below is a green oasis right on the Vltava.
- John Lennon Wall – Since the 1980s this wall has been a colourful icon of freedom - Lennon portraits, Beatles lyrics and peace messages that change constantly. Anyone may add to it.
- Strahov Monastery – The Premonstratensian monastery of 1140 holds two breathtaking Baroque library halls - the Theological and the Philosophical - with ceiling-high frescoes. Next door the monks brew their own beer.
- Petřín Lookout Tower – The 63-metre lookout tower of 1891 is a little brother of the Eiffel Tower and crowns the green Petrin hill. From the top the view spans all of Prague - the funicular takes you up with ease.
Getting there & around
The Old Town, Lesser Town and Castle lie close together and link up well on foot. For longer hops there is the metro (lines A, B, C), the famous trams (e.g. line 22 to the Castle) and DPP buses. A 24- or 72-hour ticket is handy; buy and validate tickets before travelling. Payment is in Czech crowns (CZK), not euros. Beware overpriced exchange offices and pickpockets on Charles Bridge.
Going out & nightlife
Rooftop bars
- T-Anker – Relaxed roof terrace atop the Kotva department store with views over the Old Town rooftops, Czech craft beers.
- Cloud 9 Sky Bar – Smart bar on the top floor of the Hilton with sweeping views over Prague, cocktails and the occasional live DJ.
Nightlife quarters
- Žižkov – The district with Europe's highest density of pubs: down-to-earth beer halls and student bars beneath the landmark TV tower.
- Náplavka (Moldauufer) – The riverside promenade below the New Town, with bars in old vaults, boat pubs and a Saturday market, Prague's most laid-back spot in summer.
- Dlouhá-Straße – Central nightlife street in the Old Town with cocktail bars and clubs, including the legendary Roxy.
Food & restaurants
- Lokál – Modern Czech tavern with daily fresh-tapped Pilsner Urquell and honest home cooking. Several branches, often busy.
- U Fleků – Historic brewery from 1499 with its own dark beer, brass music and rustic halls, very touristy but legendary.
- Café Savoy – Magnificent 1893 café with a neo-Renaissance ceiling, famed for breakfast, pastries and Viennese classics.
Bars & clubs
- Hemingway Bar – Atmospheric cocktail bar with a vast rum and absinthe selection, regularly among the world's best. Booking advised.
- Anonymous Bar – Hidden 'V for Vendetta'-themed cocktail bar with theatrical drinks, an insider tip in the centre.