Top Sights in Prague

It's no secret, any vacation or getaway in a European capital must necessarily include a scenic spot. Looking at the rooftops from a bird's eye view is a nice way to understand the geography of a city and enjoy unforgettable landscapes and certainly one of the things to do in Prague.

Did you know that Prague has a miniature version of the Eiffel Tower? Well yes, the Petřín Lookout Tower (Petřínská rozhledna) was built in 1891 on the occasion of the Jubilee Exhibition and is a smaller-sized replica of its French cousin.

The tower is surrounded by a large park that houses the Lobkowicz gardens, the Štefánik observatory and the Letohrádek Kinských Ethnographic Museum. During the warmer months, the inhabitants of Prague and tourists reach this corner to escape from the hustle and bustle and climb the 299 steps of the watchtower to admire the skyline.

The Petřín Tower is not very high (it measures 63 meters) but, being at the top of the eponymous hill, its vantage point overlooks the city. Professional photographers often come here for two reasons: for the incomparable views and for the absence of glass or plastic barriers. On clear days it is possible to see the country's highest peak, Snezka, a mountain 150 km away, right on the border between the Czech Republic and Poland.

• Address: Petřínské sady 633
• How to get there: to get here, the most recommended option is the funicular. This means of transport departs from the Malá Strana district (Ujezd Street) and arrives at the foot of the watchtower. Alternatively, you can take the streetcar (line 22 or 23) to the Pohořelec stop.

Founded in the 9th century, Prague Castle is the largest in the world. On its 45 hectares there are fortifications, gardens, historic palaces and two places of worship of great importance: the Cathedral of St. Vitus and the Basilica of St. George. From the heights, the views over the city are breathtaking.

In my opinion, the best option is to visit this area during sunset. When daylight gives way to night, the atmosphere becomes magical. If you want more information about this fortress, I recommend the post about the 10 best tours of Prague Castle.

• Address: Hradčany, 119
• How to get there: the easiest way to get there is by streetcar (line 22).

Letná Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the Czech capital. It is located on the western bank of the river and has a peculiar feature: from here you can see all the bridges of Prague. This green lung is a real urban oasis. In spring and summer, tourists and locals flock to Letná Park to skate, go for a bike ride or just hang out.

Others come here for its biergarten, literally a "beer garden". It is a space equipped with wooden benches and tables where people can sit and drink a few beers. If you are interested in the subject, I advise you to read the article about the best beer gardens in Prague.

This green area is located within walking distance from the center and is a must-do stage of any vacation or long weekend in the Czech capital. However, you won't be able to enjoy these sights if you travel in autumn or winter. Indeed, Letná Park opens in spring and closes in October. In this case, I recommend you consult a small guide with the 10 things to see and do in Prague during the winter.

• Address: Letná, 170
• How to get there: if you are staying in the old town, you can walk up Letná hill in about twenty minutes. If you don't feel like walking, you can take the streetcar (lines 2 or 18) and get off at Chotkovy sady station.

The Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) is the heart of the Old Town and one of Prague's major tourist attractions along with the Charles Bridge and the Castle. This central space houses the famous Astronomical Clock, the ensemble of buildings that make up the old town hall, the Church of Týn (Týnský chrám) and the Kinský Palace, a jewel of rococo style.

The Hotel U Prince is located on a corner of the square and its rooftop restaurant enjoys incomparable views over the nearby buildings. A picture is worth a thousand words; therefore, I encourage you to take a look at the hotel's Instagram profile. Its gourmet menu is complemented by an extensive cocktail menu that you can enjoy while daylight gives way to night.

• Address: Staroměstské náměstí 29
• How to get there: Old Town Square is the nerve center of the Czech capital. Don't worry, during your vacation you will spend in this place more than once.

Founded in the 10th century, Vyšehrad Castle stands on the eastern bank of the Vltava River. From its privileged position, the fortress dominates the city and its vantage point is a balcony overlooking the Charles Bridge and the rooftops of the Old Town. Being less well known than the late Gothic castle in the Hradcany district, you will find fewer tourists and can take a leisurely stroll.

The hill is also home to the Gorlice (a subway warehouse housing six sculptures that adorned the Charles Bridge), the Slavin cemetery (where many personalities who have linked their names to the history of the Czech Republic are buried) and the ruins of the Libuse baths.

The latter was a princess who became the first woman to reign in Prague. According to legend, Libuse married a humble farm laborer Premysl and together they started the Premyslid dynasty that would rule for 400 years. She was also a prophetess and predicted the founding of Prague saying: "I can see a great city, whose fame will reach the stars".

• Address: V Pevnosti 159
• How to get there: Vyšehrad Castle is located a few kilometers from the Old Town. To get here you can take streetcar 18 from the Staroměstská stop and get off at Ostrčilovo náměstí. It will take you less than five minutes to get to the top.

This unique building is located on the banks of the Vltava River and is a jewel of avant-garde architecture. It was designed by world-famous architects - Vlado Milunić and Frank O. Gehry - who were inspired by a couple of dancers: Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The Dancing House (Tančící dům) has an area of over 5,000 m2; the middle floors house the headquarters of the Nationale-Nederlanden bank while the others are occupied by a hotel.

The restaurant on the seventh floor has a magnificent view over the Czech capital and is the perfect place for a romantic evening. Its windows look out over Hradčany, the castle quarter. From this privileged position you will be able to taste some delicacies while watching the towers of the largest castle in the world in the distance. If you want to discover Czech gastronomy, I advise you to read the post about the 10 best restaurants in the Czech capital.

• Address: Jiráskovo námestí
• How to get there: if you are not in a hurry, you can walk from the old town. The journey takes between twenty and thirty minutes. Alternatively, you can take the subway. The Karlovo náměstí stop is in the immediate vicinity of the building.

Charles Bridge is the oldest bridge in the city and connects the Old Town with the Malá Strana district. It is a true symbol of Prague and is visited by thousands of tourists. However, few of them climb the Old Town Tower (Staromestska mostecka vez). This watchtower is located at one end of the bridge and was built by the will of King Charles IV. The tower is 50 meters high and is a belvedere to the west bank of the Vltava River.

To get to the top you will have to climb 138 steps but I assure you it is worth it. Malá Strana is the most charming district of the Czech capital. In the 16th century, a few nobles settled here and built their residences. The magnificent baroque buildings that can be seen today are due to them. From the heights you can see the great dome of St. Nicholas Church.

• Address: Karlův most, 110
• How to get there: the metro stops Staroměstská and Mustek are located just a few meters from the bridge. You can also opt for the streetcar. Lines 12, 20, 22 and 57 will drop you off at Malostranské náměstí while lines 17, 18 and 53 go as far as Karlovy lázně, both within walking distance of the city's symbol.

To enjoy the best views, sometimes you have to climb as high as possible. In the Czech capital, this place corresponds to the Zizkov TV Tower. Built between 1984 and 1989, this gigantic tower dominates the entire city and is a rather controversial monument. According to a survey conducted by a website, it is the second ugliest building in the world. In my opinion, the result is a bit unfair but I'd rather you judge it in person.

What is certain is that its panoramic point will take your breath away. If the sky is clear of clouds, you will be able to see constructions at a distance of 100 kilometers! Two fast elevators will take you to the top which, in addition to the belvedere, has a gourmet restaurant that favors fresh ingredients and local products. At the after dinner, you can have a cocktail or a digestif while looking at the illuminated city. The tower doesn't look so ugly now, does it?

• Address: Mahlerovy sady 1,
• How to get there: if you're staying in the Old Town, take the metro (green line) at Staroměstská and get off at the Jiřího z Poděbrad stop.

St. Nicholas is the most famous baroque church in Prague. It was built by the will of the Jesuit order that acquired the land in the seventeenth century. In the same place there was another medieval place of worship that was demolished to make room for the current one. The construction lasted about a century and gave work to three generations of architects: Kryštof Dientzenhofer, Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer and Anselmo Lurago.

Inside, the church is adorned with sculptures, frescoes and an organ that has been used by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Another highlight is its two belvederes overlooking the Malá Strana district. In my opinion, it is not necessary to go up to the second one since it is "covered" by windows. Important: this monument should not be confused with the church of the same name in the old city.

• Address: Malostranské námestí
• How to get there: from the old town, just cross the Charles Bridge. The trip takes about twenty minutes. If you prefer to take public transport, you can take the bus (line 194) from Pařížská and get off at Malostranské náměstí.

The Powder Tower (Prašná brána) is a Gothic tower and one of the original gateways to the city. This monument is very important for Czech history as it marked the beginning of the Royal Route, a route followed by future monarchs on the coronation day.

Today, it houses a photographic exhibition dedicated to the towers of Prague while at the top is a belvedere. After climbing some 186 steps you will reach an observation deck overlooking the old town. From here you can admire the Art Nouveau Municipal House (Obecni dum) and the National Bank.

• Address: Malostranské námestí
• How to get there: hop on the metro and get off at Náměstí republiky or Můstek (both on the yellow line).

We have reached the end. In my opinion, these are the best views of the Czech capital. If you are short on time and need to get the most out of your vacation, I recommend reading the post Prague in 1 day: guide to make the most of your visit to Prague. If instead you plan to stay longer, you can read Prague in 5 days: a guide to discover it in detail. Have a good trip!