The capital of the Czech Republic is one of the main attractions to get to know the countries of Eastern Europe and discover other cultures. Prague is a city full of history and great architectural beauty, known as The City of Hundred Towers or the Golden City.
Visiting Prague is like entering a fairy tale, the streets seem created for the enjoyment of the senses, the shops are beautifully decorated and the medieval atmosphere that surrounds the city can take you back to immemorial times. Without a doubt, it is a beautiful place that once you visit it you fall in love with its beauty.
Stare Mesto: The historic center
Also known as the Old City, being in the historical enclave of the city and can be accessed on foot. This area is the most medieval in Prague and its streets concentrate a large part of the “Hundred Towers”. The points of interest in the Old City are:
- Old Town Square, one of the most beautiful in all of Europe.
- Townhall
- Astronomical Clock, located in the Town Hall tower that dates to 1410. At every hour on the dot, you can go see the operation of the carillon and its figures.
- Clock Tower, where you can go up and enjoy panoramic views of the medieval centre.
- Church of Our Lady of Týn, which has two towers that appear above the houses, and which at night captures the attention of tourists due to its incredible lighting.
- PowderTower is one of the historic gateways to the city and is the only one that remains to stand of the 13 that were built. You can visit it inside if you can climb the 168 steps to enjoy other panoramic views of the city.
Clock tower
Mala Strana: The Little Town
It is one of the oldest and most historical areas of Prague. The palaces and old houses maintain a magnificent state of conservation.
- Church of San Nicolas: Its huge dome will catch your attention.
- Church of Our Lady of Victory: Inside is the famous statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague.
- Malostranské náměstí: Most famous square in the area and the heart of the neighborhood.
- Kampa Island: It is located under the Charles Bridge. It is the liveliest park in Prague and some old mills can be found restored as strange figures in the surrounding gardens.
- John Lennon’s Wall: At the exit of Kampa Island, you arrive at the Grand Priory Square where this wall is located. Its story is based on what it meant in the protest of the communist regime. Now it is full of graffiti and paints.
- Petrin Hill: It is one of the best places to admire Prague. It is full of gardens, parks, and an old vineyard, to enjoy a sunny day with friends or relax. You can see the Petrin Tower on the hill, which has a similar structure to the Eiffel Tower and the Labyrinth of Mirrors. You can go up to the Hill by transport or on foot.
- Wallenstein Palace and Gardens: Geometric gardens that sometimes host exhibitions from the National Gallery. The Palace building houses a Hall of the Knights but is currently the seat of the Senate and can only be visited on weekends. The Gardens have bronze statues, numerous fountains, a pond, the artificial grotto that imitates the shapes of stalactites and the Earth Room, a pavilion setting and decorated in mythological scenes.
John Lennon bar
Josefov: the Jewish quarter
The neighborhood originated when the two existing Jewish communities in the Middle Ages gradually came together. This neighborhood is located north of the Old City. To access all the synagogues and be able to visit the Jewish Cemetery, it is necessary to take a pass that allows free entry except for the Old-New Synagogue (it goes with a separate entrance), and you can even accompany it with a guide. I attach the official website where you can check the prices and schedules
- Jewish Cemetery: It is an impressive place where for more than 300 years it was the only one where Jews could be buried. If there are queues when you buy your ticket, go visit the synagogues and then come back.
- Spanish Synagogue: It is the most impressive of the six inside, similar to the Alhambra in Granada. On the outskirts, you can take a photo with a statue of Kafka.
- Pinkas Synagogue: It is a memorial tribute to all the Czech victims of the Holocaust, whose names (around 80,000) cover the walls.
- Maisel Synagogue: It is the simplest on the outside but as it is part of the Jewish Museum it keeps old books, decorative objects, jewelry, and other types of objects related to the daily life of the Jews of the neighborhood.
- Upper Synagogue: Originally it was part of the Town Hall and now houses part of the Jewish Museum collection.
- Klausen Synagogue: It has an important collection of texts in Hebrew and a permanent exhibition on Jewish traditions and customs.
- Old-New Synagogue: Today it is the oldest in Europe still active and inside you can see a collection of Jewish religious objects.
Entrance to the Jewish cemetery
Nove Mesto: New Town
This neighborhood extends in the center of the city outside the limits of the old medieval city. The most important points of interest in the New City are:
- Wenceslas Square: A large square that was a key place in the fall of communism and is characterized by being a long and huge open space next to the Old City.
- National Museum: It houses the most important museum in the city and is located at the bottom of Wenceslas Square.
- Other places to visit: State Opera, National Theater, Museum of Communism, and The Dancing House.
- The Charles Bridge connects the Old Town with Mala Strana and is the most famous landmark in Prague. It is currently pedestrianized and along with it, you will see 30 statues on both sides of the bridge. Curious data: In the place from where San Juan Nepomuceno was thrown into the water is the statue of him. It is said that whoever makes a wish by placing his left hand in the representation of his martyrdom (at the base of the statue), it will be granted. 🤗
Charles Bridge
Hradcany: The Prague Castle area
It was the city that began to be built in the 14th century on the outside of the castle wall. The most important visits are:
- Vitus Cathedral: It is the most important church in the Czech Republic. To get beautiful views of the city, you can climb the towers of the cathedral by its spiral staircases.
- Prague Castle: It is the largest castle in the world composed of a set of beautiful palaces and buildings connected by small and picturesque streets. The visit will take you at least one morning, more if you want to know all the monuments that are in this fortified complex. Official website to see the different circuits and prices
- Royal Palace: It was built in the 12th century to be the residence of the kings of Bohemia, and throughout history, it was the seat of the Bohemian Parliament. The great Ladislao Room is one of the most outstanding corners of it.
- Callejón de Oro: It is one of the most welcoming corners inside the castle grounds. Occupied by small colored houses that once housed goldsmiths, today the area has interesting artisan shops.
- George’s Basilica and Monastery: Today it houses the collection of 19th-century Bohemian art from the National Gallery in Prague.
- Royal Gardens: On the outskirts of the Castle grounds, you can find numerous gardens full of paths, green areas, and flowers, to walk around and sit and enjoy the views of the city.
Vitus Cathedral
