More than 1.2 million people live in the Czech capital Prague. Every year, the historic university city with its wealth of expressive buildings and cultural highlights is visited by over 5 million tourists from all over the world. In addition to the impressive sights, the cityscape impresses with the unique charms of the Vltava River, which flows under many bridges. The capital’s beauty is also enhanced by its countless parks, gardens and green spaces, as well as small, attractive islands.
Various viewpoints offer a magnificent overview of the city and the river. The traditional Czech cuisine convinces every gourmet. Fresh Pilsner beer tastes good with it. With their inviting, stylish flair, Prague’s coffee houses also set special accents. The shopping miles such as Pariser Straße and large shopping centres are also impressive with their attractive offers. Thanks to the Václav Havel Airport in Prague and a well-developed road network, the metropolis in the Czech Republic can be reached quickly. With the metro and nationwide bus connections, a high level of mobility in the capital is guaranteed by public transport. The moderately mild climate is characterized by dry, cold winters and pleasantly warm summer months with a risk of precipitation.
Prague: Sights and excursion destinations
One of the city’s landmarks is the historic Charles Bridge from 1357. The connecting bridge to Prague’s Old Town is one of the oldest stone bridges in Europe. On both sides of the bridge, which is over 500 meters long, there are figures of saints and Madonnas. From the Charles Bridge there is a beautiful view of the Vltava River and the neighboring districts. In the immediate vicinity there are numerous artists and souvenir dealers. As the centre of Prague’s New Town with the monument to St. Wenceslas, the spacious Wenceslas Square offers numerous attractions. The meeting place for locals and tourists alike offers a variety of leisure activities through numerous shops, restaurants and cafés as well as bars, discos and cinemas.
Behind the monument is the National Museum with numerous exhibitions and collections on the cultural and natural history of the country. The Built in the late Gothic style in the 15th century, the powder tower was not used until the 17th century as a storage town for gunpowder to defend the city. As the entrance gate to the romantic old town, the Powder Tower is located on the edge of the Republic Square. The Old Town Hall was built in the 14th century and has a 70-meter-high tower. Its popularity as one of the most visited attractions in the city is due to the extraordinary clock equipped with a sun and moon hand. The watch has remarkable mechanics and is combined with a zodiac calendar. The Old Town Square in the historic part of the Czech capital shows a lively hustle and bustle. The 9000 square meter marketplace is also used as an event space.
A number of well-known sights are spread around the square. In addition to the Old Town Hall, there is the Týn Church, the House of the Stone Bell, as well as the Kinsky Palace and the Church of St. Nicholas. On a hill on the other side of the Vltava River stands the 63.5-metre-high Petrín lookout tower. The appearance of the tower is strikingly comparable to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, which served as a model for the construction of the tower in 1891.
Special highlights
A unique highlight for architecture lovers is the well-preserved Prague Castle on Hradčany Hill. This exclusive building is the world’s largest closed castle complex. It was built as early as the 9th century and attracts the most visitors in the country as a tourist magnet with 1.42 million people every year. The complex includes St. Vitus Cathedral, the largest Czech church, and St. George’s Basilica, the third oldest Bohemian church. With a tower height of 99 meters, St. Vitus Cathedral offers visitors a fantastic view over Prague. A boat tour in the style of a gondola ride across the dreamy Vltava creates a special feel-good atmosphere for holidaymakers. This opens up a new view of the city’s sights. A detour to the small island of Kampa is recommended.
Nightlife, gastronomy and events in Prague
Dancing throughout the night is no problem in the discos, jazz and music clubs. If you only feel like having great cocktails, you won’t be disappointed in the city’s nightlife either. Bugsy’s Bar, for example, has over 300 different cocktails on offer and is one of the 20 best bars in the world according to Newsweek magazine. If you want to pamper your palate, you can choose from a wide range of international and regional cuisine. Delicious Czech beer fresh from the barrel is offered in many places.
Beer connoisseurs pay a visit to the brewery “At the Bad Times” in Prague’s Nusle district. There, 1a of beer from Czech breweries flows simultaneously from 24 taps. Prague offers a variety of events, especially musical ones. From classical concerts to rock and pop festivals, everything is on offer.
