The capital city of the Czech Republic, Prague has a rich architectural heritage and offers plenty of fun and cultural things for people to see and do. The following is a list of things you must add to your itinerary, especially if your time in Prague is limited.
- Prague Castle
Prague Castle dominates the city skyline and is one of the most visited places in the city. Once home to the Bohemia kings, the castle was established in 970 AD as a fortress. Today, it is the official presidential residence. A vast complex, the entrance is beneath the Battling Titans statues. Beyond, there are three separate courtyards, gardens, and fortifications. You can also visit St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane, and St. George’s Basilica. Opening hours vary from summer to winter, and admission prices start at 40 CZK.
- Charles Bridge
This 520 m long historic bridge is one of the most iconic in Prague, attracting thousands of tourists annually. It was constructed in 1357 from 135757531 stones, among the legends, it’s said that rubbing the plaque on the Statue of John of Nepomuk will bring you luck. A sunset visit offers stunning views, and the bridge is accessible all year round.
- The Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock
The Old Town Square is full of historic sites and is found in the old town. This 12th-century square offers something for all ages of visitors, including churches, palaces, and the Old Town Hall. The Astronomical Clock chimes on the hour, with figures marching across the clock face. Go to the top of the Old Town Hall Tower for breathtaking views, and dine in one of the many restaurants. Here, you will also find the largest Christmas Market in the city.
- The Church of Our Lady before Tyn
Found in the Old Town Square, this is one of the most impressive churches in the city. Built in Gothic architecture, the Church has two 80 m spires, each having four smaller spires above it. You can see many tombs, 17th-century pipe organs, Baroque altarpiece paintings, a Crucifixion sculpture, and much more. There are also five restaurants in the ancient courtyard at the back. Opening times vary throughout the year, and admission is 25 CZK.
- St Nicholas Church
Another stunning church, St Nicholas was built by Jesuits in the 18th century in the High Baroque style. Inside, you’ll find a 19th-century example of a chandelier and Baroque paintings by Karel Skreta, a popular Czech artist. The bell tower allows stunning views of the church dome and over the old town. St Nicholas Church is a venue for concerts, including popular pieces like Mozart’s Requiem. The church is open daily, and entrance prices start at 50 CZK.
- The National Museum
The National Museum tells the history of Prague and is one of the biggest and most significant in the country. Built in 1818, the museum is home to some of the oldest and biggest antiquities collections, including displays of art, music, anthropology, mineralogy, archaeology, and zoology, with millions of artifacts on display. The museum is open year-round, and admission prices start at 60 CZK.
- The Dancing House
The Dancing House is one of the most uniquely designed buildings in the Czech Republic, a non-linear design by Frank Gehry and Valdo Milunic that makes the building look like it is moving. The structure was originally called the Fred and Ginger and, inside, you will find a gallery, a glass bar, a restaurant, and a hotel, with 360° views over the city skyline. Everything is open daily; the only entrance fee is for the gallery, which costs 190 CZK.
- Franz Kafka Statue
The first tribute to Kafka was the bronze memorial statue built just under 80 years after he died. It stands in the Jewish Quarter, in a quadrangle on Dusni Street, where Kafka lived and wrote. It shows Kafka sitting on a headless figure’s shoulders and perfectly embodies his works’ surrealism.
- Wallenstein Palace Gardens
Located in Lesser Town, Wallenstein is a Palace built by Albrecht von Wallenstein in the Baroque style in 1629. Here, you can find a fountain, aviary, grotto, cave, and plenty of Classical Bronze statues. In the summer, senate-sponsored cultural events occur at the palace, which is open daily.
Prague is well worth a look if you are visiting the Czech Republic, with something for everyone to do and see, and the above is just a small sample of what this beautiful city has to offer.