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Ultimate sightseeing guide
Welcome to your ultimate sightseeing guide to discover the many wonders Prague has to offer!
Prague is home to so many amazing unique activities and sightseeing spots, that planning your trip can often even become a bit overwhelming. That’s an incredible “problem” for a city to have, which only means that your time in Prague will be memorable and never lack beautiful landmarks to enjoy.
In search of ideas and inspiration to plan your time in Prague? Check out some of the best sightseeing spots in the city of a hundred spires.
Charles Bridge, Prague
You can consider your visit to Prague incomplete until you walk across the charming Charles Bridge. Located at the heart of the city, Charles Bridge is not just the oldest bridge in the Czech Republic, but also the most renowned and visited.
Construction of this world-famous Gothic bridge started in 1357 commissioned by Czech King and Roman Emperor Charles IV and concluded in 1402. For over 400 years, until 1841, it became the only way to cross the Vltava river and the most important connection between Prague Castle and the city’s Old Town and surrounding areas, quickly consolidating Prague as an important route for trade between the East and West of Europe.
Curiously, the bridge was first named Stone Bridge and it wasn’t until 1870 that it started being called Charles Bridge.
At 516 meters long and 10 meters wide, Charles Bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most emblematic spots in the Czech capital. Upon your first visit, you will fully understand why. With 30 baroque-style statues decorating the entire bridge, its picturesque cobblestone road, and a tower at each end of the bridge, Charles Bridge is as dreamy as it gets and should be at the top of your must-see list of places to visit while in Prague.
Old Town Square, Prague
Old Town Square has been the epicenter of the Czech capital for centuries and this statement is no different today.
Located between Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge, this emblematic square was constructed as a marketplace in order to accommodate the increasing population around Prague Castle during the 12th century.
Entirely surrounded by a series of buildings and churches, Old Town Square has been the backdrop to some of Prague’s most important historical events. From executions to uprisings, weddings and even political meetings, Old Town Square carries with it centuries of major historical episodes. Today, it is considered to be Prague’s heartbeat and an important meeting point for travelers looking to grasp the spirit of the city.
Every day, hundreds head out to this symbolic square to travel back in time. Among the most famous buildings in Old Town Square are the Church of St. Nicholas, the Týn Cathedral, and the Town Hall with the famous astronomical clock.
Of course, you can plan an entire day visiting the different important buildings and churches that surround Old Town Square, but one of the best and simplest ways to enjoy this landmark is to relax and gaze at the streets’ buzzing crowds.
To truly breathe in Old Town Square, we recommend you visit at different hours of the day. which won’t be of any inconvenience due to its central location just a few minutes away you will find Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge.
Every year, Old Town Square gives life to one of Prague’s most important Christmas markets. If you want to learn more about how to spend the winter season in Prague, don’t miss our guide 8 Best Things to do in Prague in December.
Now that we’ve covered Old Town Square, let’s dive right into one of the square’s most important and visited landmarks: the world-famous Astronomical Clock, which sits at the top of the Old Town Hall.
Prague Astronomical Clock astronomical, Czech Republic
Often referred to as The Orloj, Prague’s Astronomical Clock is 600 years old, one of the city’s most popular emblems and the third oldest functional astronomical clocks in the entire world.
First installed in 1410, this marvel shows the relative positions of the moon, sun, Earth and constellations as well as the time and date.
Every hour, between 9:00 h and 21:00 h, crowds gather around the Old Town Hall to witness “The Walk of the Apostles” represented by 12 small apostle figurines moving. Other figurines include one carrying an hourglass intended to personify death, and another carrying a small mirror as a representation of vanity.
Prague’s Astronomical is definitely worth the visit and a memory you will take with you for years.
The Church of St. Nicholas, Prague
Considered one of the best showcases and most impressive expressions of Prague Baroque, the Church of St. Nicholas is another of Prague’s sites that will leave you amazed.
Built between 1704 and 1755, the Church of St. Nicholas is a must-see for all travelers headed to Prague. Part of its impressive and intricate decorations and architecture comprises a series of frescoes -including one on the ceiling depicting the Apotheosis of St. Nicholas- sculptures by František Ignác Platzer, and a Baroque organ with 4,000 pipes up to 6 meters long graced in 1787 by Mozart!
Located at Lesser Town Square in the Lesser Town area of Prague, you can easily get to the Church of St. Nicholas by metro, tram, taxi, or foot.
Weekly masses are scheduled for every Sunday at 20:30 h.
Dancing House, Prague
Our next place on the list of Prague’s must-see spots is the famous ultra-modern building Dancing House. Despite this popular landmark’s official name being Nationale-Nederlanden Building, it’s more commonly known today as Dancing House.
The design of this unusual yet alluring building is the result of the collaboration between architects Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry and its construction concluded in the year 1996.
The Dancing House was not well received at first and became a source of controversy as many detractors considered it was not an appropriate fit for the Czech capital famous for its Art Nouveau, Gothic and Baroque buildings while for others, it was welcomed as a representation of liberty in the wake of the fall of the Communist state.
No matter your personal opinion on this controversial building, one thing is for sure, you won’t feel indifferent while gazing at it. Today, the Dancing House is a definitive emblem of the city and a very impressive one at that!
These are just a few of Prague’s most emblematic landmarks and sightseeing spots. Keep browsing our complete sightseeing guide for inspiration to plan your visit and maximize your time in the golden city.
After all the sightseeing you will be doing, you’ll surely want to take a break to enjoy some of the best in Czech cuisine! Check out our guide Where to eat – restaurants in Prague and savor Prague like a local.
