What to see in Prague: a guide for lazy and active tourists

For the lazy and those who have arrived for a couple of days

Prague Castle … This is an ancient fortress with an area of 45 hectares with picturesque towers, gardens, a palace complex, historical buildings where museums are located. The main attractions: the Gothic Cathedral of St. Vitus, Wenceslas and Vojtěch, as well as the Zlata street with miniature houses, where, according to legend, alchemists lived.

Old Town Square … There is the town hall with the famous astronomical medieval clock, the Tyn Church (one of the symbols of Prague), the Cathedral of St. Nicholas with a crystal chandelier in the shape of a crown. It was presented by the Russian Emperor Nicholas II.

The Charles Bridge … It is 520 meters long and connects the banks of the Vltava River. A hangout place for musicians, artists, souvenir merchants. The bridge is over 600 years old.

Petrin Hill and Petrin Observation Tower … The highest hill in Prague with picturesque gardens, a tower that looks like a smaller version of the Eiffel, a mirror labyrinth and an observation deck.

Prague landmarks: Petrin Hill and Petrin Observation Tower

Wenceslas Square … It is 750 meters long and looks like a boulevard. On it stands the monumental building of the National Museum, as well as the monument to St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech Republic.

Mala Strana … Historic district of Prague with beautiful houses.

Prague Zoo … One of the largest in Europe. The zoo has a unique pavilion where the jungle is recreated.

For those who came for a week

Zizkov TV Tower … Its peculiarity is an unusual decoration. Giant cast-iron babies (each weighing 700 kg), made by the sculptor David Cherny, are crawling along the tower. The height of the building is 216 meters, inside there is a bar, a restaurant, observation decks and a hotel with a single suite.

How to get there: by metro to the station Jiřího z Poděbrad or by surface transport to the tram stop of the same name.

dancing House … It was built on the site of a building destroyed during the war. The house seems to be clenched into a fist by a giant: according to the architect's idea, it is a metaphor for a dancing couple. The unusual building is popularly called "Ginger and Fred" (in honor of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire) and "The Drunken House".

Address: Jiráskovo náměstí 1981/6, Praha 2.

To get to the place, use the applications collected at the end of the article.

Kafka Museum … Located in the building of a former brick factory. In the courtyard of the museum there is a famous fountain - two bronze pissing men who draw out the words set by visitors with water. The museum is divided into two parts: "Existential space" and "Imaginary typography".

Address: Cihelná 2b, Praha 1.

Letna Park … From here, a gorgeous photogenic (especially at sunset) view of the Vltava River and bridges opens up. The park has a 24-meter metronome with a 20-meter pole. This place used to be a huge monument to Stalin. Nearby you can see old pairs of shoes hanging - a symbol of the need to part with the past without pity.

Address: Letenske sady (Letna Park), Prague 7 - Letna.

Narrowest street - Vinarna Certovka … Its width is 70 centimeters. One person can walk along it: for this, the traffic is regulated by special traffic lights. Previously, it was a fire passage between houses, and "Chertovka" was the name of the winery located nearby.

The narrowest street in Prague - Vinarna Certovka

The street is located on the island of Kampa (in the "Venice of Prague"), where there are many interesting tourist attractions. Including the wheel of a 500-year-old water mill.

How to get there: walk 150 meters from the Charles Bridge (if you move from the center towards Hradcany, after the bridge you need to turn right).

John Lennon Wall, which is considered a man-made monument not only to the legendary Beatle, but also to freedom. The wall was painted many times, but the young people painted it again. The cult place has become a tourist destination.

Address: Velkopřevorské náměstí, Prague 1.

Tankodrome Milovice … Located 50 kilometers from Prague. From 1968 to 1991, the headquarters of the Central Group of Forces of the USSR was based here, now it is a giant entertainment complex with tanks, special-purpose trucks and ATVs that you can ride.

Sex Machine Museum … Includes over 300 curious exhibits, including a cyber sex machine. The museum hosts screenings of old erotic films. Only adult visitors can view the exhibition.

Address: Melantrichova 18, Praha 1.

If you have time and desire, you can visit other Prague museums: alchemists and magicians, LEGO, chocolate, wax figures, torture, ghosts and legends, miniatures, pomegranate, communism, KGB, Charles Bridge, thimble, Cold War, historic chamber pots and toilets, Apple and others. The complete list can be seen here.

Kingdom of Railways. It is located in the Anděl hotel in Prague. This is one of the largest in the world (121 meters long) and detailed layouts of railway tracks running along the stí nad and Karlovy Vary regions. Stations, landscapes, towns have been recreated in great detail.

Address: Stroupežnického 3181/23, Anděl, 150 00 Praha 5.

Tour of unusual monuments … You can arrange for yourself a walk along a self-paved route.

There is a hanging man on Gusovaya Street (monument to Sigmund Freud).
Along the banks of the Vltava, not far from the Kampa Museum, 34 penguins are marching and there is a six-meter chair.
There are also many unusual sculptures in the museum itself. In the courtyard, for example, there are three giant babies - “brothers” of those crawling along the Zizkov TV tower.
Near the Estates Theater stands the Cloak of Conscience, or Commander (dedicated to the opera Don Giovanni by Mozart).
In the Futura gallery, there is a monument to sycophancy - two naked five-meter human figures, bent at an angle of 90 degrees.
On the wall of the Na Zábradlí Theater in Prague, there is a human embryo that starts to glow in the evening (work of David the Black).
There is an unusual statue of the patron saint of the Czech Republic in the Lucerne shopping center on Vodickova street. Saint Wenceslas sits on an inverted horse.
At the foot of the Petrin Hill there is a monument to the victims of communism.

Monument to sycophancy / lidovky.cz

Embryo at the corner of the Prague theater Na Zábradlí / Prague.eu

Gastronomic Tour … In the Czech Republic, you should definitely visit authentic institutions and try national dishes or go for a beer tasting.

There are such cafes and bars, for example, in the Zizkov and Vinohrady districts.

You need to try boar knee, dumplings with goulash, duck, drowned fish, pickled cheese.

Tourists are recommended to look at:

To the Ferdinada restaurant on Karmelitska, 18.
At the Vytopna beer depot on Wenceslas Square. Beer is served here on small steam locomotives on rails between the visitors' tables.
Kafíčko coffee shop near the Kafka Museum, where delicious thick hot chocolate is located. Address: Míšeňská 67/10, Praha.

For those who want to feel like a local

Bike tour … The best way to explore non-touristy places in the city is by renting a bike (classic or electric). There are several cycling routes in Prague that pass through the places where locals rest. Learn more here.

Slope in Riegrovy Sadywith a beautiful view. The inhabitants of Prague come here for picnics. Be sure to bring a blanket with you.

Open air cinemas: Výletní kino Smíchov, located on the Smíchovskaya embankment of the Vltava, Žluté lázně beach (movies are shown here on Tuesdays), the MeetFactory art space.

Naplavka embankment on the Vltava with open concert venues and bars, a farmer's market (open on Saturdays), where you can buy fresh vegetables, fruits, bread, fish, cheese and other products. From October to April, a sauna opens on one of the ships moored here.

Flea market on Kolbenova. Here you can find inexpensive rarities from sellers from different European countries. The market is open on weekends from 9:00 to 14:00.

Bobsleigh track 800 meters long, open all year round. Here you can speed up to 62 km / h on a sled.

Theater "Ta Fantastic" … This is a black theater, where artistic performances based on the optical effect of a black office are shown. Thanks to this, objects on the stage "come to life" and become characters along with the actors. The main means of expression here are movement, light, music. You won't need a translator.

What is not worth wasting time and money in Prague

Experienced travelers do not recommend specifically waiting in the Old Town Square when the clock on the Town Hall begins to strike. Yes, it is an interesting sight: the figures begin to move, the trumpet player is playing. But wasting time waiting for this is definitely not worth it.
The same applies to another action - the changing of the guard at Prague Castle. There is nothing special about it.
It is quite expensive to visit the Jewish quarter and the cemetery located here. If you are attracted by historical graves, it is better to visit the Vysehrad Fortress, where many famous Czechs are buried.
You can save on walks along the Vltava. They are quite short, not cheap, and you can see the river well from the banks.
It is not recommended to sit in the park in front of the Main Station: according to reviews, this is not the most criminally calm place in Prague.
You should not pay money to enter the Zlata street: in the evening you can walk along it for free. You can also save money on visiting the royal chambers of Prague Castle.
Skip the not-so-delicious ham from the skewers at Old Town Square. You will most likely have a large and expensive piece cut off, which you will most likely regret.
Do not spend time in shopping centers and passages in Prague. You will not find anything special in them.