The best things to do in Prague will stand out in your memory for quite some time to come, as will the best places to visit. After all, if the picture-postcard beauty of Prague looks a bit familiar to you, even if it’s your first time visiting, it’s because this Czech capital is the backdrop for countless films and commercials. Because its history dates way, way back (like, 1,000 years or more) and the city is so beautifully preserved, its castles, cathedrals and cobblestoned streets have provided the perfect settings for films as distinct as Casino Royale and Amadeus. Check out the Old Town Square, the Charles Bridge, and everything in-between the next time you’re in town to enjoy a picture-perfect experience—this is a magnificent city to stroll through and enjoy. Here are 10 of the best things to do in Prague, and places to visit, the next time you’re in town.
| Name | Location | Description |
| Old Town Square | Staroměstské náměstí, Praha 1 | Established in the 10th century as a marketplace, people still flock to the square. With its beautiful architecture and vibrant atmosphere, it’s a great place to grab a coffee (or a beer) and people watch. |
| Charles Bridge | Bridge between Mala Strana and Old Town | This gorgeous bridge dates back to 1357. Thirty statues of saints line the bridge, which is worth walking across just to see. But you can also buy souvenirs and catch some amazing street performers while you’re there. |
| St. Vitus Cathedral | III. nádvoří 48/2 | Not just any church, this is where Czech kings and queens were crowned. It’s also where royalty and saints are buried, including St. Wenceslas, in the St. Wenceslas Chapel. |
| Prague Castle | 119 08 Prague 1 | Dating back to the ninth century, Prague Castle isn’t just any castle—it’s the largest, most coherent castle complex in the world. This place packs in such a great swatch of architectural and art styles across more than 1,000 years of history that you’ll basically find yourself walking through time as you visit its grounds and interiors. |
| Mala Strana | Mala Strana, Prague, 1 | One of the most picturesque neighborhoods, it’s no wonder Mala Strana’s been featured in dozens of films. Cobblestone streets, squares, and baroque architecture await you here, so enjoy wandering in churches like St. Nicholas (see below), pubs and more. |
| Petrin Lookout Tower | Petřínské sady 118 00 |
Inspired by that other tower in Paris, this lookout rewards visitors who have climbed its nearly 300 steps with gorgeous vistas of the city. And, yes, it was definitely modeled after the Eiffel. |
| St. Nicholas Church | Malostranské námestí 272/1 | Located in Mala Strana (lesser town), this is where Mozart played on the 4,000 pipes of the church organ. It also is home to the largest fresco in Europe. Besides regular masses, the church hosts 200 concerts a year. |
| Astronomical Clock Tower on Old Town Hall | Staroměstské náměstí 1/3, Old Town Square | This clock has been around since the 15th century, but it hasn’t been telling time. Rather, it determines the moon’s phases and equinoxes, and each hour reveals a visualization of time that’s quite unusual. It’s located on the Old Town Hall, which had started construction back in 1338, and the hall itself is one of the most visited structures in all of Prague. |
| Jewish Quarter (Josefov) | Jewish Quarter Maiselova 38/15 (Jewish Museum location) | Prague’s historic Jewish quarter is home to some important synagogues, as well as the Jewish Museum. What is perhaps even more impressive is the historic Jewish Cemetery. It has 12,000 visible graves, but in some places, the graves are 12 layers deep: It’s the oldest surviving cemetery of its kind. |
| Wenceslas Square and National Museum | New Town, 110 00, Wenceslas Square, 68 | Located in New Town, this area features shops, nightlife, and several hotels. The square itself, of course, features a statue of Good King St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech Republic. The area also features the National Museum and the National Museum New Building. The museum itself is closed for remodeling until 2020, but the new building hosts exhibits and more. |
Cheat Sheet
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Jeanette Hurt is the award-winning writer and author of eight culinary and drink books, including The Cheeses of California: A Culinary Travel Guide, which received the 2010 Mark Twain Award for Best Travel Book, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Wine and Food Pairing. She's written for TheKitchn.com, Four Seasons Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, Entrepreneur.com, and dozens more publications.
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