11 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Prague
1. Spend a day at the Prague Zoo.
The magnificent Prague Zoo ( Zoologická Zahra Hilm Prahy ) is not only a tourist attraction in the city but also one of the best zoos in the world.
Located on the outskirts of Troja a short distance north of the city center , this 140-acre attraction is an especially fun trip for those traveling with kids. Highlights for younger children include a fun petting zoo, which offers pony rides and animal feeding opportunities, and a large adventure playground.
He is best known for his role in saving Przewalski ‘s original (and endangered) horse.
Things to do here include a cable car ride with stunning views of the many animal enclosures, as well as a visit to the large giraffe exhibit, the stunning salamander display, and the steamy indoor tropical forest. Be sure to check the zoo’s website for other details, including feeding times.
Guided tours and educational workshops are available in English. Food is also served on site, as well as several gift shops.
2. Walk the streets of Joseph : the Jewish Quarter
Prague’s ghetto was originally located in the castle district, but by the 1300s it had expanded into the Josefov district of the city and was considered a ghetto for centuries. Its transformation into one of the most important and interesting areas of the city began in the late 19th century, when large sections were demolished to make room for Art Nouveau apartment buildings.
Today, Josefov is a pleasant area to walk around and includes Prague’s Jewish Museum ( Židovské muzeum v Praze ), a main attraction consisting of the Maisel Synagogue, the Spanish Synagogue, the Pinkas Synagogue, the Ballroom, and the Klaus Synagogue.
One of the best free things to do in Prague is to explore the Old Jewish Cemetery, which is famous for its damaged gravestones, many of them randomly curved according to their age. Josefov is also known for its great kosher restaurants.
3. Marvel at the beauty of the Strahov Monastery and Library
Monastery and Library is the second oldest monastery in Prague. While the majestic portal and cathedral are very impressive, its most important buildings are the two beautifully decorated Baroque libraries. The Philosophical Library contains a variety of unusual items with a magnificent ceiling painted by Franz Anton Mühlbruch on the theme of the Enlightenment.
The patio has a beautiful ornate roof. Nosecky , a Strahov monk, is framed by elaborate stucco work with impressive ceiling frescoes. The libraries contain many rare old volumes and manuscripts, including the famous Strahov Bible from the 9th century, while the lower floors contain the relics of St. Norbert, founder of the Proto-Order , along with an old printing press.
There are also notable galleries containing a collection and hoard of religious art, as well as the impressive Strahov Cabinet of Curiosities , which is famous for displaying historical scientific artifacts. Tours are available in English. If you want to stay longer, consider eating at the monastery’s large restaurant, or attending one of the daily masses.
4. Walk to the top of the Patron watchtower .
Named after the hill on which it stands, the 63.5-meter-high Patron Lookout Tower (Petrínská rozhledna ) a miniature version of the Eiffel Tower in Paris which offers beautiful views of Prague. Although only a fifth the size of its French counterpart, the tower’s height creates the illusion that it is larger than it actually is.
Built in 1891 from abandoned railway tracks for the Prague Fair, it was later moved to Pattern Hill in the 1930s, where it has become one of the city’s main tourist attractions.
Today, visitors can either climb a 30-minute pattern up the hill to the base of the tower or take a funicular (there is an elevator and a café) before tackling the structure’s 299 steps.). Be sure to visit the nearby Mirror Maze, also a fun diversion built in 1891.
5. Leave your mark on the linen wall.
Perhaps one of the city’s most unexpected attractions, Prague’s Lenin Wall has been a tribute to the Beatles and former peace activist John Lennon since the 1980s. Things took off almost immediately after the singer was killed in 1980, when this unusual mural near Charles Bridge became a place for fans to express their grief and paint pictures, song lyrics and slogans attributed to the star.
It became a symbol of hope and peace for the population. The tradition continues to this day, and with gatherings commemorating Lenin’s death, tourists can often be seen attaching their feelings to the wall.
6. St. Nicholas Church
Coastal .) in the pretty Little Quarter Square in the Old Town area svatihu Mikuláše ), one of the newer churches in Prague. Built by the Jesuits in the 18th century, it is a fine example of High Baroque and is known for its exquisite interior design with its unique 19th-century chandeliers, as well as large Baroque paintings by Czech artist Karel. Scrita that adorns the large dome. Notably, the church has two historic organs, the oldest of which was built in 1745.
The church also has a bell tower that visitors are allowed to climb, which offers stunning views of the church’s massive dome and the old city. Try to time your visit with one of the regular concerts that take place here, including Mozart’s Requiem and other notable classical pieces. Guided tours are available in English.
7. Watch a show at the National Theatre
Beautifully situated on the banks of the Vltava River, Prague National Theater is a must-visit for fans of the performing arts. The National Theater was inaugurated in 1881 as a symbol of the Czech national identity and to promote the Czech language and culture.
Despite a somewhat turbulent past that saw the building destroyed by fire and even closed by the Communists, this fine theater has been extensively renovated and is a monument to the city’s rich talents and cultural significance. (Guided tours are available in English).
Another theater in Prague is the State Theater ( Stavovsky). divaldo ) was built in the late 18th century in the neoclassical style and was a favorite of Mozart, who chose the premiere of Don Giovanni here.
8. People are watching from the rooftop of the dancing house
The dancing house ( Tancíci dum ), Prague’s finest modern architectural creation, built between 1992 and 1996 to designs by Frank Gehry . Comprised of two adjacent towers, this impressive structure has unique curves resembling two dancing figures, an effect enhanced by the fact that one of the towers is shaped like a woman wearing a skirt (this one is nicknamed “Fred and Ginger” after famous American dancer Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers).
Although the building consists mostly of offices and a hotel, stunning views can be enjoyed from the upstairs restaurant (there is also a café on the main floor).
9. Admire the views of Castle Hill: Vyšehrad
Vyšehrad looks like something out of a fairy tale, literally translating to ‘High Castle’ or ‘Castle on the Heights’ – it stands high above the Vltava River overlooking Prague. Known to have existed in the 10th century, it has long been the subject of myth and legend, including an ancient princess’ prophecy that a great city would rise around her.
Vyšehrad , the royal residence of Vratislav II, also served as part of the original royal path taken to coronation by kings, who would stop here to pay homage to their ancestors (the Vyšehrad route from Haradkani ).
Although the fort is now largely in ruins, it is a great place for a stroll or stroll and offers stunning views of the surrounding city. During the summer months, the attraction’s outdoor stage hosts musical and theater performances. Guided tours can be arranged in English
10. Discover modern art on Kimba Island.
A small island in the Vltava River, Kampa lies at the Mala Strana end of Charles Bridge. Due to its location, some of the best views of Prague can be found on the beaches of Kampa Island. Arrive here as the sun sets over the water, and swans come ashore for some of the most romantic evening photos in Prague.
Of the most popular attractions on Kemba Island is the giant baby statues of famous Czech artist David Cerny, which take center stage in Kemba Park . Just steps away is the Campa Modern Art Museum , housed in a converted riverside mill and filled with masterpieces by 20th-century European sculptors.
The island’s only Na Campe square is home to a charming traditional Christmas market each December. In summer, head to the Čertovka Channel (also known as Devil’s Stream), which separates the island from Leisure Town. Only the water wheels of the many mills that once powered the island remain, but you can take a boat tour of the canal to admire the colorful old homes that line the shore.
11. Olshansky Cemetery
Created in 1680 to accommodate the many victims of the Prague Plague, Olshansky Cemetery ( Olshansky hrbitovy ) served as the city’s principal burial ground for centuries and is the final resting place for countless victims of disease and war.
Large enough to hold an estimated two million graves and divided into sections, the cemetery consists of a Jewish cemetery, which houses the grave of writer Franz Kafka, and a Christian cemetery, where you can find the final resting place of a prominent will. Czech, Jan Palach , who set himself on fire in 1968 to protest the Soviet invasion. Although his body was moved from Ulsanje Cemetery in 1973 to prevent his grave from becoming a site of organized protests, his coffin was returned in 1990.
Despite its somewhat obscure history, it is still a fascinating place to explore due to its many mysterious ancient tombs and Art Nouveau ruins.