If you are planning a trip to Prague, then you are most likely interested in such questions as: where to start exploring the city, which places to visit, in which area of the city is best to stay? The tip is simple: start from the city center. It is also very convenient to buy a sightseeing tour of the city (bus or pedestrian).
In Prague, there are a lot of architectural monuments and places of interest to tourists. What places to visit? Most of the tourist attractions of the city are located in the city center, in the administrative district of Prague 1. Charles Bridge can be considered the center of this district. See our short guide to the center of Prague.
The best places to visit are in the city center
The administrative district of Prague 1 includes the medieval part of the city, consisting of the historic districts of Josefov, Stare Mesto, part of the territory of Mala Strana, Hradcany and Nowe Mesta. Charles Bridge is located right in the center of the tourist district of Prague.
The Vltava River divides the city into two parts. On one of the banks is Prague
- Castle, the historic districts of Hradcany, Mala Strana.
- On the opposite bank is the Old Town (Stare Mesto), Josefov, Nove Mesto, Vysehrad.
Charles Bridge (Karlův most) is the most famous bridge over the Vltava River in Prague. This is a pedestrian, medieval bridge connecting the historical districts of Mala Strana and Old Place. Tourists travel between the Old Town and Prague Castle, usually along this bridge. The bridge is 520 meters long and 9.5 meters wide. On the bridge are thirty sculptures, mostly religious content.
The Old Town
Old city. Staré Mesto (Old Town, Staré Město) is the historic district of Prague on the right bank of the Vltava. The center of the Old Town can be considered Old Town Square. The nearest metro stations are Staroměstská, Můstek, Hlavní nádraží, Náměstí Republiky.
Places to see:
Old Town Square (Old Town Square, Staroměstské náměstí) is the central square of the Old Town. The square is located in the historic center of the city, at a distance of about 480 meters from Charles Bridge.
The Tyn Church (Church of Our Lady before Tyn, Kostel Panny Marie před Týnem - Týnský chrám) is one of the most visible buildings in the Old Town Square. The building with two towers is located in the eastern part of the square.
The Old Town Hall (Staroměstská radnice) is a monument of medieval architecture. Located on the Old Town Square. On the building are the Prague Astronomical Clock.
Prague Astronomical Clock (Pražský orloj, Staroměstský orloj) is a medieval tower clock installed on the southern wall of the tower of the Old Town Hall on the Old Town Square in Prague.
The Church of St. Mikulas (Church of St. Nicholas, Kostel sv. Mikuláše) is a temple on the Old Town Square in Prague.
The Powder Tower (Prašná brána) is a Gothic tower, a monument of architecture of the XV century. Located on Republic Square in Prague. The distance from the Old Town Square is about 470 meters.
Many cafes, restaurants and shops are located near the Old Town. Palladium Shopping Center is located about 500 meters from the Old Town Square. Address: nám. Republiky 1078/1, 110 00 Nové Město, Prague. Metro station: Náměstí Republiky.
Historic Quarter Josefov (Josefov) was the site of the residence of Jewish community of Prague. It is located between the right bank of the Vltava River and Old Town Square (northwest of the square).
View: Maisel Town Hall, known as the Jewish Town Hall (Jewish Town Hall (Czech: Židovská radnice)). Address: Maiselova 250/18, Praha, Česko. Distance from Charles Moska about 350 meters.
Prague Castle
Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) is located on the opposite (left) bank of the Vltava River. Prague Castle was a fortress in which the Czech kings lived. The residence of the President of the Czech Republic is here now.
Places to see:
Prague Castle is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Prague (more than 1.8 million people annually). There are several museums in the fortress, including the National Gallery of Bohemian and Baroque and Mannerist Art Collections, an exhibition dedicated to the history of the Czech Republic.
The Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Václav and Adalbert (metropolitní katedrála svatého Víta, Václava a Vojtěcha) is also located here. This cathedral is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture.
The distance from Charles Bridge is about 1 kilometer. The nearest underground station: Malostranská.
Choose your hotel is in a good location
Which area of the city is the best in Prague for tourists? The best place to stay is in the area of Prague 1 (or near it). In this case, most of the sights of the city will be within walking distance. If you are looking for a cheaper hotel, you can choose a hotel away from the center.
Read more about places to stay in Prague.
Buy a guided tour
The fastest and most convenient way to see the way to see the main sights of the city and get a lot of useful information is to buy a ticket for a group (or individual) sightseeing tour. This can be either a bus or walking tour of Prague. (Each has its own advantages.)
Bus trips to Vienna, Dresden, Munich and Karlovy Vary are also popular with tourists. (But, they are quite expensive and take a long time.)
Read more about guided tours in Prafue.