Prague attractions have earned it the “city of a thousand spires” moniker. Views of the capital’s magnificent dome-topped cathedrals and soaring medieval towers, many of which date back more than a thousand years, rendering it among the world’s architectural wonders. Magnificent examples of Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau are some of the best tourist attractions in Prague, strikingly contrasting with the ancient Prague Castle.
The charming city is home to most of Prague’s top attractions, including ancient architecture, and its winding alleys lead to stunning squares surrounded by old houses. The magnificent Jewish Quarter, with its ancient synagogues, is among Prague’s tourist attractions, and, of course, the many ancient churches are also among the numerous attractions in Prague.
We have compiled a list of Prague attractions so you can explore this beautiful city. Use our free and printable Prague attractions map for the best experience in the capital.
The Top-Rated Prague Attractions in Prague
Visit the Prague Castle (Prask hrad)
Prague Castle, one of the best attractions in Prague, is a large complex of museums, chapels, castles, and parks that dates back to the 9th century. It sits atop a hill above the renowned Charles Bridge as well as the beautiful Vltava River. Located in the heart of Prague’s historic neighborhood and an exceptional remnant of architectural past, it’s one of Prague’s must see attractions for any traveler to the City of a Hundred Spires.
It sits on 45 hectares of land. It’s hard to find a more breathtaking view than that of Prague Castle.
Address: Hradčany, 119 08 Prague 1, Czechia
Stroll Over the Charles Bridge (Karluv Most)
The beautiful Charles Bridge, built in the fifteenth century, is among the most recognizable symbols and Prague’s major attractions. There are Sixteen stone arches on the spectacular Gothic bridge, along with two towers for protection and thirty statues of saints from the Baroque period that have been charred black.
After floodwaters severely damaged the Judith Bridge in 1342, the construction of this Prague’s oldest bridge began.
Beginning in 1357 under the patronage of Charles IV, work on the bridge, also known as Stone Bridge or Prague Bridge, was completed in 1402.
The bridge has since been known as Charles Bridge from the year 1870.
Address: Karlův most, 110 00 Praha 1, Czechia
Check Out the Prague Astronomical Clock (Prague Orloj)
The Astronomical Clock is a mechanical masterpiece and one of Prague’s Old Town attractions that has been fascinating visitors to Prague since it was first constructed in the fifteenth century. Tourists wait in the dozens to view the display every hour as the clock hits on the southern end of Prague’s grand city hall in the renowned Old Town Square.
Around the southern end of the Old Town Hall Tower is where you’ll find the tower’s medieval clock. Every hour between 9:00 am and 11:00 pm, the 12 Apostles march in procession.
Address: Staroměstské nám. 1, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
Explore the Spanish synagogue
This spectacular Prague’s major attraction is widely regarded as the continent’s most magnificent synagogue.
The Spanish synagogue is the most recent of the six historical synagogues in Prague that was constructed in the latter part of the nineteenth century in Spanish Moorish architecture.
Oriental-inspired stylized designs are used for the decoration of the walls, sculpted doors, railings, exhibition spaces, and dome. Windows made of stained glass and plaster arabesque designs enhance the overall effect.
Address: Vězeňská 1, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia
Take in the Sights of the Jewish Quarter
Josefov, Prague’s Jewish neighborhood, is situated between the popular Old Town Square and the beautiful Vltava River.
The tumultuous past of the earlier Jewish Ghetto dates back to the thirteenth century when Jews were forced to relocate from all across the city to live in one concentrated region.
As a growing number of Jews were forced to settle in the area because they were forbidden to live elsewhere in Prague, and as exiles from Moravia, Germany, Austria, and Spain flocked to come to join them, the neighborhood became increasingly crowded.
Today, Josefov is among the top 10 attractions in Prague. Among the many historic structures in the Jewish Quarter are six synagogues, each with its own unique place in Prague’s past. Named after the Latin word for “enclosed space,” the Klausen Synagogue is now the biggest in town.
Address: U Staré školy, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia
Tour the Prague National Theatre
This gem is among the best attractions in Prague and it reflects the Czech people’s yearning for self-determination and independence.
Funding for its construction came from contributions made by a diverse range of people, from commoners to aristocrats to the emperor personally. On May 16, 1868, a ceremony commemorating the opening of the theatre would become a national holiday.
In 1881, the theatre first opened its doors to the public. The devastating fire that year prompted a flood of new donations to help rebuild the theatre.
Since its rededication in 1883 with the opera Libuše ( Bedřich Smetana), the Prague National Theatre continues to serve as a symbol of Czech national pride and a showcase for Czech art and culture until this day.
Address: Národní 2, 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia
Enjoy Nature at the Prague Zoo
This zoo is one of the leading Prague nature attractions and the globe’s most picturesque locations.
More than 4,000 animals representing over 650 species call the Prague Zoo home. Many of the species housed there are endangered or critically endangered.
The Prague Zoo first welcomed visitors in 1931, although its roots go back much deeper. Around 1881, Count Sweerts-Sporck began planning what would become the Prague Zoo.
Today, families flock to this scenic area so their kids can visit the kid-friendly Zoo and pet the animals there.
Address: U Trojského zámku 120/3, 171 00 Praha 7, Czechia
Unwind at the Kampa Island
Kampa Island is among the best tourist attractions in Prague.This artificial Island is situated at the far end of the famous Charles Bridge and is widely regarded to be among the world’s most attractive urban green spaces. Grassy spots on the island are popular places to have picnics and unwind.
Today the island is clearly split into two sections. A small, intimate square forms the first section, which is closest to Charles Bridge; the remaining section is a park built when many old gardens were combined.
As early as the end of the twelfth century, while a Johannine monastery was established on the tiny island, Kampa was being discussed.
The island’s shape has been changing for millennia as a result of the repeated flooding that plagued it. Vltava’s Čertovka waterway separates Kampa and Malá Strana. Before the middle of the 16th century, there wasn’t much going on on the island but three watermills. Both mill wheels are still visible today. Craftsmen who were tasked with maintaining Charles Bridge came to Kampa Island in the sixteenth century.
Address: Island in the Vltava
Witness the Wenceslas Square (Václavské Námesti)
The boulevard-like Wenceslas Square is one of Prague’s Czech Republic tourist attractions, among the most significant public squares in the capital. It is broad and tree-lined, with designer boutiques and sidewalk coffee shops, giving off an air of cutting-edge and international. Historical significance abounds in the plaza, from the complex art nouveau architecture to the moving tribute to the fallen soldiers of the Soviet rule.
Charles IV established the New Town around 1348, and it was at this time that the square was built. The Prague National Museum (1885–1891) and a monument of St. Wenceslas made by Josef Václav Myslbek (erected in 912) stand out today.
Address: 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia
Climb the Petrin Lookout Tower (Petřínská Rozhledna)
Petrin Tower is a miniature Eiffel Tower that sits atop Petrin Hill and is one of Prague’s top attractions. Being the capital’s highest point, visitors from all over the world go to the monument to take in the breathtaking views of Prague from above.
It was constructed in 1891 for the Jubilee Exposition as a sloppy imitation of the Eiffel Tower (at a 1:5 ratio). It stands at exactly 58.70 meters tall as the original Eiffel Tower, and has 299 steps leading to its summit.
Address: Petřínské sady 633, 118 00 Praha 1-Malá Strana, Czechia
More Prague Must See Attractions
Gaze in Awe at the Žižkov Television Tower
Located in the heart of the Žižkov neighbourhood, this 216-meter-tall attraction in Prague is not just the city’s tallest but also the city’s most recognizable icon.
Ascend 93 meters to a viewing platform that lays you all of Prague 360 degrees below you.
On one floor, guests can unwind and, most importantly, indulge in gourmet delights of the highest calibre.
During the 1980s, designers Václav Aulick and Ji Kozák created the tower’s architecture. Around the base of the tower are ten life-size sculptures of infants by renowned Czech sculptor David ern.
Address: Mahlerovy sady 1, 130 00 Praha 3-Žižkov, Czechia
Stop By The National Museum (Národní Muzeum)
Not only is Národní Muzeum a prominent symbol of the Czech capital, it is also among the best tourist attractions in Prague. It is located on the northwest corner of Wenceslas Square.
In addition to the “main construction,” or what is commonly referred to as “the National Museum,” there are ten smaller museums that are under the National Museum‘s care in the capital and a further five across other Czech cities.
The museum’s exhibits are on par with those of other European museums because it houses a wide variety of scientific and historical artifacts. The building’s beautiful interior, however, is where its charm and distinctiveness really shine.
Address: Václavské nám. 68, 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia
Marvel at Vyšehrad
Vysehrad, an ancient fortification overlooking the Vltava River, constitutes one of Prague’s must see attractions.
The ancient fort of Vysehrad in the middle of Prague is one of the most important cultural landmarks in the country. The castle, situated atop a hill overlooking the Vltava River, is said to have been the original residence of Czech dukes. It currently protects many architectural monuments and provides a breathtaking panorama of Prague.
Vysehrad is a vast complex with lots of green space and winding alleyways where you may get away from the crowds.
Vysehrad has a mysterious and enchanting air even in the modern era because of its rich history, which includes the burial sites of many well-known Czechs and its abundance of tourist attractions. It’s easy to see why the castle attracts so many sightseers every year — it has some of the best vantage points in all of Prague, plus it’s a comfortable place to relax and a gateway to the city’s many cultural and spiritual treasures.
Address: V Pevnosti 159/5b, 128 00 Praha 2-Vyšehrad, Czechia
Admire the John Lennon Wall
This famous wall represents the peaceful protests and free expression of Czech youth. Construction on the wall began after Lennon’s assassination in 1980. The wall was built as a memorial to John Lennon by the young of Prague, despite the fact that he never set foot in the city.
Young creatives and activists wrote tributes to Lennon and pledged to keep his message alive on the wall. Young people in Central and Eastern Europe looked forward to John Lennon because his music encouraged joy and independence—two things they rarely experienced under the Soviet-backed Totalitarian-Communist regime.
The wall, which was formerly covered in anti-Communist graffiti, has become a symbol of peace across the globe. The famous wall, situated in Mala Strana, is among the leading Prague attractions for young adults visiting the Czech Republic.
Address: Velkopřevorské nám., 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
Pay A Visit to the St. Nicholas Church
Situated in the northwest quadrant of the Old Town Square, St. Nicholas Church is an impressive Baroque center of worship constructed from 1732 until 1737 amid the era of the revival of Catholicism in the Czech territory following the Thirty-Year War.
One of Prague’s top attractions and the most fascinating examples of Baroque architecture in all of Europe’s central region is the Church of St. Nicholas. The entrance, marked by a grand cupola and backed by twin tall towers, leads to a hall filled with works of art and historical relics from the Czech Republic.
Address: Malostranské nám., 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
Learn About the Municipal House
This structure, constructed between 1905 and 1911 is the one of Prague’s main attractions, a sensual structure, and a masterpiece of Art Nouveau. This flashy Art Nouveau structure is covered in intricate filigree and flower designs. Famous all throughout the globe for its windows made of stained glass. The interior is decorated with beautiful murals and tiles, many of which are the work of the renowned Czech Art Nouveau professional Alfons Mucha.
Smetana Hall, a renowned performance venue in the city of Prague, is located within this municipal building. It may be found in the heart of the city at the intersection of Námst Republiky and Powder Gate.
The site of the earlier Royal Court Palace now houses the Municipal House. Between 1383 and 1485, this was the official residence of the monarch of Bohemia. The current Municipal House, which dates back to 1905, was built to replace the knocked-down Royal Court palace. It first opened in 1912.
Address: Náměstí Republiky 5, 111 21 Staré Město, Czechia
Gaze at the Powder Gate
One of Prague’s Old town attractions, the Powder Tower, is also among the city’s most well-known towers.
Arguably the most famous example of Late Gothic architecture in Prague, this entryway was used by the inauguration procession of Czech monarchs to get into the Old Town. The Powder Gate Tower, originally built as a gunpowder storage and completed in 1475, continues to mark the beginning of the Inauguration or Monarch Route to Prague Castle.
In 1475, construction began on the present-day gate, among the Old Town’s original thirteen. It burned to ashes in 1541 but was rebuilt quickly. The tower got its current name from its service as a gunpowder storehouse two centuries later, in the 17th century.
Address: Nám. Republiky 5, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia
Appreciate the Strahov Monastery And Library
The spectacular Baroque library is one of the Prague, Czech Republic attractions located next to Prague Castle and the charming Petn Hill, is frequently included in lists of must-see tourist destinations. The Strahov Monastery, where the library is housed, was established as far back as the twelfth century. It is one of the oldest monasteries in the country that continue to fulfill its original purpose and house monks today. The monastery welcomes visitors 365 days a year, and tours run nearly every day.
Over two hundred thousand medieval manuscripts, along with artifacts, first editions, and other rarities, can be found in the monastery library’s collection of over 200,000 volumes.
The monastery also features a significant gallery showcasing one of the most valuable collections of religious art in Central Europe. About 1,500 works of art from the Gothic architecture and Romantic periods are on display.
Address: Strahovské nádvoří 132/1, 118 00 Praha 1-Hradčany, Czechia
Peruse Literature at the National Library
In 1777, the city’s most extensive library and one of the top Prague, Czech Republic tourist attractions, the National Library, was founded. There are books from India, Iran, and Turkey in addition to the vast collection of Czech literature. The renowned Codex Vyssegradensis and the Passional of Abbes Kunigunde are two prized medieval writings housed in the library. In 2005, it won a prestigious prize on a global scale.
Approximately fifty percent of the library’s collection is housed in the ancient Clementinum building in the heart of Prague. The Hostiva neighbourhood houses the remaining half of the collection. With a collection of about 6 million items, the National Library of the Czech Republic is by far the country’s largest library. About 20,000 people are using the library’s services right now.
Address: Klementinum 190, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
Prague CoolPass: Save Time and Money on the Best of Prague
The Prague CoolPass is a digital pass that gives you free entry to over 70 of Prague’s top attractions, museums, tours, and cruises. You’ll also get a 2-hour bus tour, a romantic cruise, and one sightseeing cruise from Prague Boats. Plus, you’ll get special discounts on other tours, activities, and restaurants.
Highlights
- Free entry to over 70 of Prague’s top attractions, museums, tours, and cruises
- 2-hour bus tour
- Romantic cruise
- One sightseeing cruise from Prague Boats
- Special discounts on other tours, activities, and restaurants
Included
- Entry to over 70 of Prague’s top attractions, museums, tours, and cruises (one-time entrance per attraction)
- 2-hour bus tour “Historical Prague”
- Romantic cruise “Prague Venice”
- One sightseeing cruise from Prague Boats
- Digital guide with attraction information and navigation
- Special price for 1-day hop-on, hop-off bus tour
Explore the Best Attractions in Prague
Thirty years ago, Prague attractions were unknown to tourists; today, these attractions are the continent’s most famous, welcoming almost 4 million people annually. So, today take advantage of the Prague card to visit any of the above Prague major attractions and save a lot.
The Prague Card is a multi-attraction pass that gives you access to various tourist sites and discounts on things like public transportation. You can see plenty of top attractions in Prague. However, it’s important to remember that there are also many local attractions in Prague that you should consider visiting if you’re looking for something off the beaten path—and that’s where your trusty city map comes into play.
