Prague, the capital city of Czechia, is easily one of the most beautiful and inspiring cities in Europe.
A city that is steeped in history and awash with quaint cobbled streets, ornate bridges, towering castles and marvellous baroque architecture. You will find plenty to do with galleries and museums to rival the great capital cities of the world.
In this guide I show you the city’s highlights ranging from big attractions to lesser-known sites.
Where to stay in Prague
Along with my friend Harriet, we checked into our very lovely hotel, the Lindner Prague Castle, which is without surprise, very near to Prague Castle. It had everything we could wish for and most importantly, is within walking distance to all the main attractions.
Inside Linder Hotel Prague Castle – isn’t it pretty?! (sorry about the mess!)
Prague Castle
Prague Castle is a vast cultural complex dating back to the 800s that includes St. Vitus Cathedral, Basilica of St. George, a monastery and several palaces, gardens and defense towers.
The castle also houses several museums, including the National Gallery collection of Bohemian baroque and mannerism art, exhibition dedicated to Czech history, Toy Museum and the picture gallery of Prague Castle, based on the collection of Rudolph II.
Recommended: You can skip the queue and purchase tickets to Prague Castle here.
St Vitus Cathedral is a magnificent feast of Gothic architecture that displays some of the finest examples of stained glass windows in Europe.
Art museums & public sculptures
If you love art, Prague is a perfect place to discover it. Although difficult to compete with its European counterparts – London, Paris and Berlin, it is still a leading capital for art, especially by drawing attention to lesser known artists in the Artbanka Museum of Young Art.
An installation entitled ‘Guns’ by Czech artist David Cerny at the Artbanka
For bigger names head to the National Gallery to view glorious works by Gustav Klimt and his protége, Egon Shiele.
Further reading: An Art Lover’s Guide to Prague: Museums, Architecture & Street Art
The eleven-metre-high David Černý statue is a 21st-century technical marvel of Prague. Forty-two moving panels form the face of the great Czech writer Franz Kafka. To get the complete metamorphosis, you need to wait for the right alignment of the panels. It’s very hypnotic and appears to dazzling in any whether!
For literary lovers
Born in Prague, the city is synonymous with Franz Kafka, the writer behind such novels The Castle and The Trial and perhaps the most famous novella ever written, The Metamorphosis.
If you haven’t read the latter, the opening line goes, “As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect”. I think it’s one of the best opening lines ever penned. The Metamorphosis became the topic of my undergrad dissertation so I hold it close to my heart.
You can learn more about his life and work at the Franz Kafka Museum. Inside, you will have the chance to see letters, diaries, and photographs of the young writer before he passed way in 1924 at age 40.
Charles Bridge
Be sure to walk down the iconic Charles Bridge. During summer it is often lined with musicians who liven up the atmosphere. At nightfall the Gothic statues and gargoyles add a certain kind of beauty to the medieval landscape. I’m sure Edgar Allen Poe would’ve been a fan.
Old Town Square
Prague’s Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) is special for its vibrant blend of history, architecture, and atmosphere. It has been a central meeting point and marketplace since the 10th century, making it a living museum of the city’s medieval past. The square is surrounded by stunning landmarks that tell the story of Prague through the ages.
The Astronomical Clock is the most famous landmark in the main square. Installed in 1410, it is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest still in operation. Crowds gather hourly to watch the procession of the 12 apostles and marvel at its intricate design.
Petrin Park
If you’re looking for green spaces head to Petrin Park, one of Prague’s largest and most beautiful parks. It offers a tranquil escape from the city streets. Perched on Petrin Hill, it provides stunning panoramic views of the Prague skyline, including the castle and the Vltava River.
Inside the parks is The Memorial to the Victims of Communism, located at the base of Petrin Hill. This haunting series of bronze statues by sculptor Olbram Zoubek and architects Jan Kerel and Zdeněk Holzel commemorates the suffering caused by the communist regime. The statues appear to deteriorate as they ascend the staircase, symbolising the physical and emotional toll on the victims.
Final thoughts…
Prague is a city for culture lovers, with art, architecture and history on every corner.
From any direction, with its colourful buildings painted in shades of blue, pink, green and yellow pastel and highly detailed structures, I’m sure you’ll be taken by the beauty of it all.
8 responses
Prague looks amazing.
My photographs do not give it justice, it’s the archetype landscape fit for a picture frame!
Prague is such a beautiful city! Did you see the statue with the two “peeing men” outside the Franz Kafka Museum? That was my favorite 😉
Haha yes, and I saw that you highlighted it in your commentary of Prague! The “peeing men”, and the statue of a boy with a golden phallus inside the grounds of Prague Castle, and the sex museum makes Prague a rather kinky city to explore!
I loved Prague so much! Just the most perfect city for an aspiring art historian like me!
I imagine you must love Prague’s medieval architecture! – Do you study a lot of architecture on your course? In the same way it inspires you, it inspires me for it’s attachment to Franz Kafka – I’m so in love with his work and imagination!
Prague is one of my favorite cities in the world. It is just so unbelievably beautiful for all the reasons you mention.
Hello Jenna! Prague is a true beauty isn’t it? I would love to go back and visit all the places I didn’t, and see the city in different seasons to see how it’s beauty alters (I imagine it would still look magnificent on wintery days – wrapped up in gloom and Gothic). Thank you for commenting 🙂