Prague Sightseeing
The center of Prague is basically one big landmark, monument and historic site after another, spread across three districts. Most of the city's attractions are found there. The best way to experience it all is by foot, and a lot of the old city is zoned for pedestrians only. Although disastrous floods damaged the city's foundations in the summer of 2002, the city has completed reparations. Visitors will find little or no evidence that a catastrophe ever occurred, although if you look down into Na Kampa on the Mala Strana (the Lesser Quarter) side of the bridge, you can see a marker on the building showing where the water level reached.
Begin your tour at Prague Castle, once the home of Bohemian royalty, which overlooks the city from the ancient quarter of Hradcany. Afterward, make your way down to the Mala Strana, where the winding cobblestoned streets are the city's best for strolling. Cross the 14th-century Charles Bridge. Continue to Old Town Square (Staromestske Namesti) and you'll find rows of well-preserved historic buildings, large sidewalk cafes and churches.
On the Old Town Square are the Kinsky Palace, where the beginning of the communist state was proclaimed, and the former city hall (radnice) with its tall tower and famous Astronomical Clock's orloj (moving figures) that delight the gathered crowds at the top of each hour. You'll also see the statue of the 15th-century reformer Jan Hus, the other St. Nicholas Church (the more-famous one is in the Lesser Quarter—this one contains a magnificent crystal chandelier) and the many-spired Church of Our Lady Before Tyn.
Of course it helps to know what you are looking at. Prague boasts seven dominant architectural styles, but the key styles for intrepid visitors are Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, baroque and art nouveau, whose most famous practitioner was the beloved Alfonse Mucha. The Romanesque style, an early medieval style closely associated with thick walls and arches, was the basis for the Convent of St. George on the grounds of Prague Castle. The Charles Bridge and Our Lady Before Tyn on Old Town Square display the characteristics of the Gothic movement. With its playful arcades and copper roof, Belvedere, Prague Castle's summer palace that sits next to the Royal Gardens, is an outstanding example of Italian Renaissance architecture.
If you have time, climb one of the city's many towers (most open their doors and spiraling stairways daily for a nominal fee). Good options include the Powder Tower next to the Municipal House and the towers of Charles Bridge. Magnificent views are one of Prague's specialties, so don't miss the funicular ride up Petrin Hill in Mala Strana. From there you get a panoramic vantage point, but you can just as easily survey the city's gems from Letna Park.
Prague Castle - The biggest ancient castle in the world, according to the Guinness World Records, which rises above the city offering beautiful views of the areas below. Also on site is the St. Vitus Cathedral with its lookout tower, the Castle Picture Gallery several palaces and museums and the beautiful Royal Garden, among other attractions. You can also watch the Presidential Guard, and the changeover of the guards on duty on the hour. The entrance for St. Vitus Cathedral is free.
Charles Bridge - One of several bridges over the Vltava. Its construction started in the 14th Century and it is one of Prague's most beautiful attractions. Over the day it is a bustling place of trade and entertainment.
The Old Town (Staré město) - Prague's historic centre. Includes numerous historical buildings and monuments, most notably the famed Astronomical Clock (Orloj), the pure GothicTýn Church, the mural-covered Storch building, and the Jan Hus monument. Nearby, the Estate Theatre is a neoclassical theatre where Mozart's opera Don Giovanni was first performed. The old town features many historical churches (St. James Church, Church of Our Lady before Tnem among others) and some other interesting historical buildings like the Old Town Hall.
Josefov - The historical Jewish ghetto. Interesting for its well preserved historical synagogues, unique in the entire world. The Old New Synagogue (Czech: Staronová synagoga) is Europe's oldest active synagogue. It's rumoured to be the resting place of the famed Prague Golem. Another interesting synagogue is the Spanish Synagogue, a highly ornamented building of Moorish style. Other attractions are the old Jewish Cemetery, which is the oldest in Europe, and Kafka's house. The Old New Synagogue is NOT a part of the Jewish museum, so it's recommended to buy a combined pass to all Jewish attractions.
The New Town (Nové město) - The new town was constructed as an extension of the old town at the 14th Century. Nonetheless, despite its oldness, most of it was modernized. The main attraction here is the Wenceslas Square, which has many stalls, shops and restaurants. At the top of the square is the National Museum which is well worth a look (see below). Midway down this historic Boulevard, one finds trendy discos and Art Nouveau hotels, as well as quaint parks and arcades, while just off the beaten path are some wonderful panoramic views (Henry Tower), romantic restaurants, Narodni, and the dazzling, Disney-colored Jubilee Synagogue.
The Lesser Town (Malá strana) - Across the Vltava from the city centre and leading to the castle, this quarter also offers beautiful streets and churches (of which St. Nicholas Church is the most renowned). The Lennon Wall which used to be a source of irritation to the communist regime is also found here, near a Venetian-like canal with water wheel and close to the Charles Bridge. Loreta. A beautiful Baroque convent in the Lesser Town.
Strahov Monastery - A monastery on the mountain. Worth a visit for both its picture gallery and its notable Renaissance library.
Prague Dancing House (Fred and Ginger Building) - One of the most fascinating architectural expressions of Prague. Accessible from Karlovo náměstí metro station.
Vyšehrad - A nice castle well worth a visit.
Petřínská rozhledna - A smaller version of the Eiffel Tower on the top of a hill.
Prague Giant Metronome - It is a huge monument erected in order to replace the Stalinistic monument that preceded it.
Memorial to the 1989 Velvet Revolution. A simple brass plaque at 20 Narodni. From Cafe Louvre, walk toward the river. You will enter an archway in just a few meters, look on the wall to the left.
Prague Zoo - A large zoo in Prague.
Czech National Gallery - Its most important collections are in the Sternberg Palace (up to to the Baroque), St George Convent (Czech Baroque and Mannerism) and Veletržní Palace (19th century and modern art). The first two are located near and in the castle respectively. Do not confuse them with the Castle Picture Gallery (see above) which is worth visiting on its own right.
Czech National Museum - An association of various museums. The main building is at the Wenceslas Square and is dedicated to natural history. Other branches include museums of the Czech composers Dvořák and Smetana, Czech Music Museum, Historical Pharmacy Museum, Prince Lobkovicz' Collection at the Prague Castle, Czech Ethnographical Museum and Naprstek Anthropological Museum.
Prague City Gallery - A museum of modern Czech arts divided between several sites most of which are in the old town. Its main building is the House of the Golden Ring at the Old Town Square featuring 20th Century Czech art in a beautiful medievil edifice. 19th Century Czech art is exhibited at the Troja Castle.
Czech Museum of Fine Arts - 20th Century Czech art and changing exhibitions.
Museum of Decorative Arts - This 17th century palazzo-style building houses examples of historical and contemporary crafts, as well as applied arts and design.
National Technical Museum - Amazing collection of motorcycles, cars, aircraft and commercial vehicles, plus many examples of communist-era technological engineering
Military Museum - Showcases the uniforms, artefacts and maps relating to the Czechoslovak armed forces during World Wars I and II.
Jewish Museum - This covers six separate places (four synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Memorial Hall) but does not include the Old-New Synagogue, although entrance tickets can either include or exclude the last named. The Old-New Synagogue is expensive in relation to the museum but in view of its age, it's worth including it. The Memorial Hall is particularly moving with exhibits of the writings of children in death camps.
Mozart and Dušek Museum - Dedicated to the works of Mozart.
Prague City Museum - An absolute must-see for the incredibly detailed cardboard model of nineteenth century Prague by Anton Langweil. The detail is amazing, even down to the colour of the doorways and the design of the windowsills.
Mucha Museum - A museum of the Czech artist and his contemporaries.
Kafka Museum - There is also a permanent exhibition at Kafka's house.
The Pedagogical Comenius Museu - A museum documenting the writings of the Czech Renaissance erudite.
The Mueller Villa - A work of art of the well known Viennese architect Loos from the beginning of the 20th Century.
Jaroslav Fragner Gallery - Jaroslav Fragner Gallery is oriented in temporary architecture. You can find here profiles of influential people and groups, retrospective exhibitions, thematic exhibitions, recent movement in architecture. Gallery provides lectures, seminars and publishing, regarding central Prague the JFG became a centre for architects, professional and general public, students of architecture and construction companies.
Museum Kampa - A museum of modern Central European art.
Museum of Communism in Czechoslovakia - Interesting exhibits on how Communism changed Czechoslavakia.
There are plenty of smaller museums. Among them are the Miniature Museum at the Stahnov Monastery, Toys Museum and Musical Automata Museum at the Prague Castle, Wax Museum, Torture Museum, Postal Museum and Brewery Museum at the Old Town and the Aviation Museum at Kbely.
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