Prague Castle
Prague Castle is the most popular and visited sight in Prague. Its history goes back to the 9th century and has always been the seat of the Czech rulers. Nowadays it is presidential palace. Do not miss a masterpiece of the gothic architecture, St Vitus Cathedral and the beautiful gardens Na valech and Rajska zahrada. The castle is open daily from 5 am to 11 pm. Most sights are open from 9 am to 5 pm except Monday.
Small Quarter (Lesser Quarter, Lesser Town, Little Town)
Small Quarter (Mala Strana) is squeezed on the hill between the Prague Castle and Vltava River. Narrow streets, Renaissance buildings, Baroque churches and palaces give Mala Strana its present charm. Do not forget to visit the Church of St. Nicholas with its huge green cupola. It is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm in summer, to 3:30 in winter.
Kampa
Kampa is the most picturesque part of Mala Strana. As a matter of fact it is an island. Tourists often call it Prague's Venice because buildings rise straight out of water. Do not forget to visit the Kampa Park.
Charles Bridge
It is the most famous bridge in Prague dating back to 1400s. Enjoy it during the day when you have to share with the hordes of other tourists or venture out on a romantic walk late at night or early in the morning.
Old Town
Old Town has been working heart of Prague ever since the 10th century. Many of buildings have Gothic insides and Romanesque basements. Some were rebuilt in 17th and 18th centuries after a fire. Do not forget to walk through the Royal Way from Powder Tower, down Celetna to Old Town Square along Karlova and over the Charles Bridge to Mala Strana and Prague Castle.
Old Town Square
This square has always been Prague's main marketplace until the beginning of this century. Do not forget to visit Old Town Hall (open daily from 9 am to 5 pm except Monday) with its Astronomical Clock. Enjoy beautiful view from its the 60 meter tower. Visitor Center is located next to the astronomical clock. Do not miss the gothic Church of Our Lady Before Tyn.
Wenceslas Square
The square has always been the center of cultural, financial and everyday life. There are a lot of theaters, cinemas, restaurants, shops, stores and banks around.
Petrin Hill
This 318-meter hill is actually a network of eight parks. It is great for cool, quiet and romantic walks and for jogging. Petrin is easily accessible by foot from Hradcany and Strahov or by the cable car (daily from 9:15 am to 8:45 pm every 10 or 15 minutes) from Ujezd. There is the Petrin Tower, the Observatory and The Maze at the top of the hill. Do not forget to visit the rose flower garden next to the Observatory. It is beautiful in May and June.
Petrin Tower
From many parts of Prague you can see the Eiffel Tower silhouette on the horizon. This small copy of Eiffel Tower is located on Petrin Hill. Tower was built for the Prague Exposition in 1891. Usually you can climb its 299 steps for only 25 Kc daily from 9:30 am to 6 pm. Some of the best views of Prague are from here.
The Old Jewish Quarter (Josefov)
Prague's former Jewish ghetto is located in the Old Town within Kaprova, Dlouha and Kozi streets. The Jewish community was wiped out by the Nazis during World War II. Today a few thousand Jews live in Prague, compared with some 50.000 in the 1930s. Do not miss the Old-New Synagogue, High Synagogue and Old Jewish Cemetery.
