The Old Town of Prague has hundreds of extremely interesting and beautiful historical sights. If you don’t have time to see everything, this page will help you decide what to see in priority.
Here are 5 attractions of the Old Town that you shouldn't miss:
Powder Gate
The Powder Gate marks the beginning of the Royal Route, one of the most beautiful sightseeing routes in Europe, leading from the Old Town through Charles Bridge to Prague Castle. From 1715, the tower was used as a gunpowder storage facility, hence the name Powder Gate. Today’s stunning look is the fruit of the pseudo-Gothic reconstruction in the 19th century.
What we particularly like about the tower is the panorama at the top. The tickets can be purchased at the box office inside the tower and the admission is CZK 150.
Old Town Square
Amongst the most famous attractions of the Old Town Square are the Church of our Lady before Tyn, the Church of St. Nicholas, the Jan Huss Memorial and the Old Town Hall with the famous Astronomical Clock. Every hour, on the hour, there is an old show called the Walk of the Apostles watched by hundreds of people from the entire world.
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The tower of the Old Town Hall is accessible to the visitors. Of all the observation decks in Prague, we think this one offers the best panorama. The tickets can be purchased inside or online and the cost is CZK250.
Charles Bridge
This is the oldest and the most famous bridge in Prague linking the Old Town with the Lesser Town. The bridge is protected by 3 Gothic towers and decorated with an alley of 30 baroque statues and statuaries. It is a perfect place for a relaxing walk surrounded by Prague's most stunning views.
Here as well you can buy a ticket and walk upstairs to take a photo. We recommend skipping the Lesser Town tower and checking out the Old Town bridge tower, which offers better panoramas. The admission is CZK 150.
Josefov Jewish Quarter
The ancient Jewish quarter also known as Josefov is located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava river. It is one of the best preserved Jewish neighbourhoods in Europe, dating back to the 11th century. Although technically it is a separate quarter, you can’t miss it exploring the Old Town.The most important sights are six synagogues, the Jewish Town Hall, the Jewish Ceremonial Hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery.
Take our Prague Old Town and Jewish Quarter free tour to get introduced to this fascinating place. After our walk, we also recommend the official guided tour of the Jewish Museum.
Rudolfinum
Within the stone's throw from the Jewish Quarter and the Old Town Square is the Rudolfinum, the historical philharmonic building associated with music and art since 1885. The main venue of the Prague Spring International Festival is a top destination for classical music lovers. But it is worth visiting just for its marvellous neo-Renaissance architecture and the great scenery around it with an amazing view of Prague Castle on the hill.
Would you like to learn more about the Old Town and see these and other interesting sights? Join one of our free walking tours of Prague! You will find more details and the free Old Town tour schedule here.