Prague walking tour & city guide

Old Town and Charles Bridge

Old Town Square is surrounded by colorful buildings and the twin towers of the Church of Our Lady before Týn. The Astronomical Clock, from 1410, comes to life every hour. Charles Bridge, lined with 30 baroque statues, crosses the river to Malá Strana.

Prague Castle

Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle complex in the world, with St Vitus Cathedral at its center and the tiny houses of Golden Lane. The Jewish Quarter, Josefov, has historic synagogues and an old cemetery.

A day in Prague

Start on Charles Bridge at sunrise, when the statues stand in silhouette against the castle and the bridge is almost empty. Walk up through the Lesser Town's baroque streets to Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, then wander down the Golden Lane, a row of tiny colorful houses built into the castle walls.

In the afternoon, cross back to the Old Town Square to watch the Astronomical Clock strike the hour, explore the Jewish Quarter with its old synagogues and cemetery, and end the day with sunset from Letná Park, where a beer garden overlooks the bridges of the Vltava.

Good to know

Prague's center is compact and best explored on foot, though its cobbles are hard on the feet. Trams are frequent and cheap, and tram 22 passes many of the main sights. The Czech currency is the koruna; check exchange rates carefully and avoid exchange offices promising 'zero commission'.

The city gets very crowded in summer and at Christmas. Spring and autumn are ideal, and even winter has its charm, with snow on the rooftops and Christmas markets on the Old Town and Wenceslas squares.