Prague Castle

Located in Prague\’s Hradcany neighborhood, Prague Castle (Pražský hrad), once the home of Bohemia\’s kings, is today the official residence of the Czech Republic\’s President and one of the city\’s most visited tourist attractions. Originally built as a walled fortress around AD 870, the castle has changed dramatically over the years and contains examples of most of the leading architectural styles of the last millennium. Within the castle walls are a number of Prague\’s most popular tourist sites, including St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George\’s Basilica, the Powder Tower, the Old Royal Palace, and the Golden Lane. One of the top things to do at night in Prague is to find a good spot from which to enjoy the castle illuminations that light this magnificent structure in a range of hues.

Charles Bridge

One of the most recognizable old bridges in Europe, magnificent Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) boasts 32 unique points of interest along its 621-meter span. Built in 1357, the bridge has long been the subject of a great deal of superstition, including the builders having laid the initial bridge stone on the 9th of July at exactly 5:31am, a precise set of numbers (135797531) believed to give the structure additional strength. For added good measure, it was constructed in perfect alignment with the tomb of St. Vitus and the setting sun on the equinox. The bridge is particularly famous for its many fine old statues. Among the most important are those of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV and John of Nepomuk, the country\’s most revered saint, unveiled in 1683 (a more recent superstition involves rubbing the plaque at the base of the statue for the granting of a wish). Other highlights include spectacular views over the River Vltava and the structure\’s superb Gothic gates. Viewing Charles Bridge at night is also highly recommended.

The National Theatre

Idyllically perched on the banks of the River Vltava, Prague\’s National Theatre is a must-visit for lovers of the performing arts. Home to the country\’s top opera, ballet, and drama performances, the National Theater was opened in 1881 as a symbol of Czech national identity and to promote the Czech language and culture. Despite a somewhat checkered past that saw the building destroyed by fire and even closed by the communists, this stunning theater has undergone extensive renovations and stands as a monument to the city\’s rich talent and cultural significance. (English language guided tours are available).

Another Prague theater of note is the Estates Theatre (Stavovské divaldo), built in the late 18th century in Neoclassical style and once a favorite of Mozart, who chose to premier Don Giovanni here.

Vitus Cathedral

Situated within the grounds of Prague Castle, the Roman Catholic St. Vitus Cathedral (Katedrala St. Vita) is the Czech Republics largest and most important Christian church. Seat of the Archbishop of Prague, it\’s also home to the tombs of numerous saints and three Bohemian kings. Founded on the site of a Romanesque rotunda built in AD 925, the cathedral was started in 1344 and took more than 525 years to complete, resulting in a mix of modern Neo-Gothic and 14th-century Gothic styles, along with Baroque and Renaissance influences (be sure to keep an eye out for the impressive gargoyles adorning the exterior of the cathedral).

The Church of Our Lady before Týn

One of Prague\’s most recognizable buildings is the Church of Our Lady before Týn (Kostel Matky Boží pred Týnem), often abbreviated to simply Týn Church. Unmistakable for its twin 80-meter-tall spires flanking each side of the building (each supporting four smaller spires), its main entrance is through a narrow passage past the houses obscuring its façade.

Although completed in the 15th century, the church was altered numerous times through the centuries as the city\’s allegiances changed, and while interior renovations are ongoing, there\’s still much worth seeing, including numerous fine tombs, the superb Gothic northern portal with its Crucifixion sculpture, early Baroque altarpiece paintings dating from 1649, and one of Europe\’s finest 17th-century pipe organs.

The Lennon Wall

Perhaps one of the city\’s most unlikely attractions, Prague\’s Lennon Wall has stood since the 1980s as a tribute to former Beatle and peace campaigner John Lennon. Things got started almost immediately after the singer\’s murder in 1980, when this otherwise unassuming wall near the Charles Bridge became a place for fans to demonstrate their grief, painting pictures, lyrics, and slogans attributed to the star.

Despite police efforts to erase the graffiti—Czechoslovakia, as it was then, was still under communist rule—the memorial wall kept reappearing, and the site became a symbol of hope and peace for the city\’s population. The tradition continues to this day, and along with gatherings on the anniversary of Lennon\’s death, tourists can frequently be observed adding their sentiments to the wall.

Wenceslas Square

A highlight of Prague\’s New Town (Nové Mesto) district—an area that grew out of the city\’s need to expand as it prospered—is the wonderful Wenceslas Square (Václavské námestí), home to the National Museum and numerous other architectural treasures. Named after the patron saint of Bohemia, whose statue can be seen here, Wenceslas Square was created in the 14th century during the reign of Charles IV as a horse market and has since become one of the city\’s most important public spaces, still used for demonstrations and celebrations alike. A visit today is a fun experience and undoubtedly one of the top free things to do in Prague, and will introduce visitors to some of the city\’s best dining and restaurant experiences, as well as great shopping. If you are visiting Prague in December, it\’s also the site of the city\’s largest Christmas Market.

La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise

Recipes based on a 19th-century Czech cookbook, but refined to impress any of today’s gourmands – that’s what La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise has achieved, and so it’s no wonder the folk at Michelin have come a-lauding (and awarding). The chef changes the menu daily, so come here ready to just relax and let the artfully prepared small plates arrive at your table.

Field

Prague’s second 2019 Michelin star belongs to Field, which attempts to source locally while creating an exciting, Scandinavian-inspired menu. You have the option of ordering their ten-course tasting menu or eating à la carte, and both give you choices like kohlrabi and quark or various fish creations you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the landlocked Czech Republic. In addition to wine pairings with the taster menu, Field also features non-alcoholic drink pairings – mostly vegetable juices.

Kantýna

Treat your taste buds to a wide selection of meats, freshly butchered and cooked to your tastes (which you specify on a hand-written order form). Seats fill up fast in this elegant former bank building, so you might need to eat on your feet at a long communal standing table in the lobby. If you’re up for an adventurous, waste-no-part-of-the-animal approach, reserve a spot for dinner with the butcher every Monday through Wednesday

Lehká Hlava

The painted starry sky, meat-free menu and peaceful vibe of Lehká Hlava (meaning ‘clear head’) has kept Prague’s vegetarian community smiling for more than a decade. As vegan and vegetarianism continue to grow in popularity among younger generations, reservations have become more and more essential at this small neighbourhood favourite near the river side of the Old Town. A glossary of meat alternatives at the back of the menu helps to clarify the latest additions to staple ingredients like tofu, tempeh and quinoa.

U Modré kachničky

At first glance, the medieval decoration at U Modré kachničky – think armour, lush maroon velvet, lots of mahogany – might strike you as kitsch. But once you’re treated to the welcoming service and creative dégustation menus filled with duck and wild game, it all becomes rather more endearing. Pairing each course with wine will teach you a thing or two about Czech vino. Make sure you save room for dessert.

Thunovská Street

Thunovská Street connects the western part of the area of the Church of the Virgin Mary with Tomášská street on the east side. Connected to it are also the castle stairs leading to Hradčasnké Square. It measures about 350 meters. The current name of the street, which has been officially in use since 1870, was derived from Thunovský Palace, No. 180/14, which is currently used by the British Embassy. Thunovská Street is one of the most impressive places of old Prague since its medieval character was preserved. It is arched with three arches in three different places and it used for vehicular traffic only partially. It is mostly used by tourists as an access way to Prague Castle.

Vojan Gardens

The garden is considered the oldest partially preserved garden in Prague. Its melancholy seems to have survived from the Middle Ages, when it was founded as a monastery garden. Here you can find peace from the bustle of the city, near a small lake in the shade of trees to rest on a bench and admire the stalactites decorate the chapel of St. Elijah with wall paintings and sundial from the 17th century. A wide staircase at the end of the garden leads to the observation terrace with benches and rose pergolas.

The Colloredo-Mansfeld Palace

The Colloredo-Mansfeld Palace is one of the prime examples of Prague palace architecture with rich architectural development combining elements of High Baroque and later Rococo and Second Rococo modifications. The Baroque building located in one of the most exposed places of old Prague near Charles Bridge was built on the foundations of Romanesque and Gothic buildings and Renaissance buildings.

Wallenstein Garden

Wallenstein Garden (Valdstejnska zahrada) is probably the first palace garden in Prague. It belongs to the Wallenstein Palace, nowadays the seat of the Senate of the Czech Republic. The garden was built together with the palace in 1623 – 30 in early Baroque style. Now you can find it as a lovely and pieceful place in the centre of Prague. Situated in the east you can see Sala terrena with three arcades. The walls of Sala terrena are decorated by frescoes and stuccoes representing Trojan wars by Baccio di Bianco. The character of the decorations is similar to the decorations in the palace. There are many concerts and theatre performances organized in Sala terrena nowadays.

Jerusalem (Jubilee) Synagogue

Jubilee (better known as Jerusalem) Synagogue is the youngest and largest synagogue in Prague. It was built in 1906 in ornamental Moorish and Art Nouveau style.

The dominant feature on the front of the building is a monumental arch covering rosette window with the David´s star. The Hebrew inscriptions above the entrance say: “This is the Lord\’s gate. The righteous shall enter through it. and Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created us? Inside we can admire a breathtaking interior, richly decorated and painted in deep colours, with wrought chandeliers and beautiful organ. Nowadays, worships in Orthodox rite are carried out in Jerusalem Synagogue, and regular organ concerts and classical concerts are held here.

Loreto (Loreta)

This Marian pilgrimage site with the Baroque Church of the Nativity and a replica of the Holy House is surrounded by cloisters and chapels. In the tower there is a 27-bell carillon that plays the Loretan Marian song A Thousand Times We Greet Thee (every hour from 9 am to 6 pm). The Loreto treasure consists of a rare collection of liturgical objects from the 16th to 18th centuries, the most famous of which is the Prague Sun, a monstrance encrusted with 6,222 diamonds.