Prague City Guide, Accommodations, Sightseeing Tours, Information

The Lesser Town Bridge Tower in Prague

Today, post-Communist Prague is a modern city. Towering churches, centuries-old bridges and cobblestone streets provide the backdrop for cafes, restaurants, galleries, shops and clubs.

New, Old and Lesser Towns

Prague was originally developed as four adjacent self-governing boroughs, plus a walled Jewish section, and they have maintained their individual identities. New, Old and Lesser Towns make up part of the central Prague neighbourhood, each with its own unique attractions.

The Old Town boasts cobblestone streets, beautiful baroque and Renaissance architecture, and wonderful restaurants, shops, and bars. Lesser Town is laced with narrow, winding lanes and dotted with palaces and town houses. The parliament, the government, and several embassies are housed in palaces here. New Town, the central business district, feels more like a regular town rather than a tourist attraction.

The two modern multi-storey buildings, placed elegantly side by side as if dancing, depict an upright man, with a fancy haircut, standing steady, who is stretching his arm out to a gracefully curved lady, twirling to a joyous rhythm, with her flexible legs.

Prague Castle

No visit here is complete without a visit to this castle – the largest medieval castle in Europe and the world. Constructed in the 9th century, the castle was initially a wooden fortress. Different rulers made their own additions so there is a mixture of styles from Romanesque to Gothic.

The castle grounds are filled with many buildings including several palaces, a monastery, museums, galleries and viewing towers. Probably the most the famous building is Saint Vitus Cathedral, a Gothic building which took nearly six centuries to build and where Czech kings were laid to rest.

Golden Lane is another interesting part of the Prague Castle complex. It is a small street lined by 11 historic houses, some of which house interesting armoury and textile exhibits, along with souvenir shops.

Charles Bridge

This 13th century bridge is the main pedestrian route linking the Old Town with Lesser Town and Prague Castle. Visit during the day and check out the souvenir stands, street musicians and 75 statues lining the bridge, or wait until nightfall for a romantic stroll and magnificent view of the Prague skyline.

Old Town Square

Stepping into Old Town Square is like going back in time. Dating back to the late 12th century, the square started life as the central marketplace for Prague. Over the next few centuries, many buildings were erected around the market – most notably the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, the Astronomical Clock and Old Town Hall Tower and St. Nicolas Church. This makes the square one of the most beautiful historical sights in Europe.

WOW Black Light Theatre

The secret to black light theatre are actors in black suits, gloves and masks called “black people” who work the show. They move fluorescent-coloured objects and people around so that they seem to be hovering in the air. WOW Black Light Theatre is the biggest and most modern of the nine black light theatres in Prague. Sit back and enjoy the hour-long 3D show.