One of the Finest Medieval City Centers Worldwide
Table of Contents
A. About Prague
Nickname: The City of Hundred SpiresThe charming Old Town of Prague is one of the best-preserved in Europe and is showing that during the Middle Ages, the Czech capital was the most important city in Central Europe.
The large car-free area starts at Old Town Square and extends across the Vltava River.
Prague is a unique and iconic city, that should be extremely high on your priority list.
➕ The Good
Scoring quite high in all the important categories and being on top of that still a rather cheap city explains why Prague ranks so high in our list.
➖ Negative Aspects
Prague has fortunately no prominent weaknesses.
B. Best Things to Do in Prague in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)
In total, we count more than 110 sights in Prague. The following sights contribute to an excellent score of 7.50/10 in this most important category:
# HISTORIC CENTER 8
The charming Old Town of Prague is one of the best-preserved historic centers in Europe and a reminder that during the Middle Ages the Czech capital was the most important city in Central Europe.
The large car-free area starts at Old Town Square and extends across the Vltava River.
Historic Area 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1992
# OLD TOWN SQUARE 7
Prague’s fairy-tale-like main square is dominated by two striking churches (the Baroque St. Nicholas Church and the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn) as well as the tower of the town hall with its famous Astronomical Clock.
It is one of the biggest and most beautiful squares in Europe.
Square 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1992
by Mihael Grmek / CC BY-SA 3.0
# ST. VITUS'S CATHEDRAL 7
As one of the most beautiful churches in Europe, the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral features extraordinary art nouveau stained-glass windows and a climbable tower with fantastic views.
Built over a time span of almost six hundred years, it was finished in 1929.
Cathedral 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1992
# ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK 6
This wonderful early 15th-century astronomical clock is a famous symbol of Prague.
Each hour between 8 am and 8 pm the 12 Apostles and other figures appear and parade in procession across the clock face.
Historic Clock 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1992
# PRAGUE CASTLE 6
Dominating Prague's skyline, the impressive Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world, occupying an area of 70,000 square meters (750,000 square feet).
Highlights of the immense grounds include St. Vitus Cathedral, the former Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, and the Golden Lane.
Castle 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1992
by Ricardo Liberato / CC BY-SA 2.0
# National Gallery (Národni Galeri) 6
Housed mainly in Veletrzní Palace (Modern and Contemporary Art) and the Šternberk Palace (Old Masters), the National Gallery in Prague manages the largest collection of art in the Czech Republic.
This is our selection of the five best paintings of the Národni Galeri:1) The Maiden, Gustav Klimt (1913)
by Wikimedia / Public domain
2) Sitting Woman with Bent Leg, Egon Schiele (1917)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
3) Feast of the Rosary, Albrecht Durer (1506)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
4) The Slav Epic, Alphonse Mucha (1912)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
5) Promenade in the Rieger Gardens, Bohumil Kubišta (1908)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
Art Museum Gallery Space: 13,500 m2 / 145,000 ft2 | Artworks on Display: ca. 2,300| Opened: 1796 | Visitors [2016]: 712,619
# Prague Municipal House 5
Completed in 1912 in Art Nouveau design, this large cultural center with a stunning concert hall is one of Prague’s most spectacular buildings.
by Jorge Royan / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Clementinum 5
This historic complex of impressive buildings contains one of the world's most beautiful libraries, a hall with splendid Baroque and Rococo interiors as well as a visitable Observatory Tower.
by Jorge Royan / CC BY-SA 3.0
C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Prague
#11 | Petrín Lookout Tower and Petrin Hill 5
Petrin Hill is a scenic area in Prague with numerous attractions and beautiful views, easily accessible by a funicular railway.
The Petrín Lookout Tower, resembling the Eiffel Tower, provides stunning views of Prague and is accessible via 299 steps or an elevator.
by MedaBleda / CC BY-SA 4.0
#12 | Prague Zoo 5
Prague Zoo, spanning 140 acres in Troja, Prague, houses over 5,000 animals from 700 species, and is notable for its conservation efforts.
Opened in 1931, it has a rich history and has become one of the leading zoological gardens in the world.
by Jiel Beaumadier / CC BY-SA 4.0
#13 | State Opera 5
The State Opera Prague, established in 1888, is a premier European venue for opera, ballet, and classical concerts.
It was designed by renowned Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer. After extensive renovations, it reopened in 2020 with state-of-the-art facilities and restored historic elements.
by VitVit / CC BY-SA 4.0
#14 | Convent of St. Agnes 5
The Convent of St. Agnes, established in the 13th century by Agnes of Bohemia, is a Gothic architectural gem in Prague that now serves as a museum for medieval art under the National Gallery.
The convent complex includes a church, a cloister, and various monastic buildings, showcasing medieval architecture.
by VitVit / CC BY-SA 4.0
#15 | Spanish Synagogue 5
Built in 1868, the Spanish Synagogue in Prague features Moorish Revival architecture.
The synagogue's interior is richly decorated with Islamic-style motifs and intricate gold designs.
by Thomas Ledl / CC BY-SA 4.0
#16 | National Museum (Národní Muzeum) 5
The National Museum in Prague is a prestigious institution dedicated to preserving Czech cultural heritage through its extensive collections and educational initiatives, housed within a magnificent Neo-Renaissance building.
The museum's collections include natural history, anthropology, archaeology, history, and arts, offering visitors a comprehensive view of Czech history and culture.
by che / CC BY-SA 4.0
#17 | St Nicholas Church 5
St. Nicholas Church in Prague is a Baroque masterpiece located in the Old Town Square, dating back to the 18th century.
Its stunning interior boasts intricate frescoes, ornate stucco decorations, and a magnificent dome, showcasing the grandeur of Baroque architecture.
by A.Savin / CC BY-SA 4.0
#18 | The Dancing House 5
The Dancing House in Prague, designed by Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry, is a modern architectural masterpiece that symbolizes the city's embrace of innovation and serves as both a landmark and a functional office space.
by Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0
D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Prague
KUTNA HORA 5
Kutná Hora, historically a major economic hub due to its silver mines, now thrives as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular tourist destination, showcasing its rich medieval history and cultural heritage.
The town boasts remarkable Gothic architecture, notably the St. Barbara's Church and the Italian Court.
City 🌍 World Heritage Site: since 1995 | Distance from Prague: 62 km
by al.trcka / CC BY-SA 3.0
E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Prague (including close-by excursions)
To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Prague for at least three entire days: