Top 7 things to do in Prague

Are you looking for a holiday in the heart of Central Europe, and have you chosen Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic in Bohemia? Nestling in the rolling hills like a diamond in the palm of your hand, this unique city with its rich history attracts many visitors every year.

Renowned the world over for its works of art and healthy food, it is one of those cities that fascinate. With its origins dating back to its creation by the Celtic people in 200 BC, you’ll find plenty of museums, historic monuments and sites ready to tell you the story with a capital H. In this article, we take a look at the various cultural and other activities available in Prague.

What to do in Prague

1. Prague Castle

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: Dating back to the 9th century, this is one of the oldest historical monuments in Prague. Its age bears witness to the medieval era with its magnificent palace-like towers, like those seen in films. Many believe that the history of Prague began when this castle was built. Strategically located, it became the centre of the city and the residence of the King of Bohemia. Just over a century ago, in 1918, the President of the Czech Republic took up residence here. You can see St Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane and the Old Royal Palace, to name but a few. Located west of the Vltava river, Prague Castle is open from 6am to 10pm from November to March, and from April to October from 5am to midnight.

2. The John Lennon Wall

Category: Free/Insolite

Description: This wall is a legend. After all, it was built in honour of a legendary artist who founded one of the world’s most famous music groups: The Beatles.

Go to the heart of the legendary Malá Strana district. There you’ll find a wall that looks like any other you’ve come across in your life. And yet… The fact remains that this wall is artistically and creatively decorated and drawn over its entire surface. Existing for 40 years, the drawings on the John Lennon wall are a hymn to peace, art and freedom, just like his songs. This fresco, which can sometimes move fans of the late singer, is much more than a simple work of art. Through its graffiti, it represents “a space for the fight for freedom of expression during communism”. Breathing beauty and hope, it’s the kind of place where a nice photo is a must.

3. The Prague Astronomical Clock

Category: €€/Cultural/Insolite

Description: Wondering what time it is? Let Prague’s spectacular Astronomical Clock tell you!

On a more serious note, this monument (if you can call it a monument) looks as if it has stepped out of a completely different dimension. Located on the Town Hall building, it also marks the city’s medieval period. It’s the most famous clock in the world, to say the least. Built by the master clockmaker Hanus and improved with better tools by Jan Taborsky around the 16th century, it is made up of three very distinct parts: the calendar by Josef Mánas, which represents the months of the year passing by; the animations (don’t miss the parade of the twelve apostles presented every hour); and the famous astronomical clock, which is both imposing and intimidating. As an added bonus, we recommend climbing the tower for an unbeatable view of the city, open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm, and on Mondays from 11am to 6pm.

4. Wallenstein Gardens

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: The Wallenstein Gardens have a very special feature that sets them apart from other gardens in the area. As well as being bursting with greenery and dotted with brilliantly coloured flowers, the leaves and grasses are finely chiselled to produce a perfect geometric pattern.

Baroque in style and covering an area of over 14,000 m², this magical place was created at the same time as the impressive Wallenstein Palace, in the 15th century. Since then, it has always been properly maintained to the last millimetre, to give you what you know today, or rather what you’re about to know! The best time to stroll around is during the summer, when many concerts and theatrical performances take place. Located in the Malá Strana district, you can enter from 7am until 7pm, when the sunset is absolutely sumptuous.

5. Franch Gehry’s Dancing House

Category: €€/Insolite

Description: This funny house lives up to its name. Franch Gehry’s Dancing House seems to dance before our very eyes, and when evening comes it is decked out in blue, purple, yellow, green and red, giving us the impression that it is coming to life!

The 9-storey building is made of glass and concrete, and is one of the city’s most recent monuments, dating from 1996 to be precise, a testament to contemporary architecture. Whose work is it? Architects Frank O. Gehry and Vlado Milunić. Marking the aftermath of the festivities that followed the Velvet Revolution and the return of democracy, it stands on the banks of the quays on the right bank of the river Vltava. We recommend that you go there in the evening, as the view is breathtaking!

6. Charles Bridge

Category: Free/Cultural

Description: It’s impossible to talk about Prague without mentioning its most famous bridge: Charles Bridge. It is 500 metres long and 10 metres wide, stretching between the Old Town and Malá Strana. It owes its name to its worthy creator, none other than King Charles IV, who, according to historians, laid the very first stone in 1357. As you stroll along this expanse of sturdy stone, you will see no fewer than 30 statues, many of them copies of those found in museums such as the National Museum in Prague. Interestingly, one of the statues, that of St John Nepomuk, stands right where he was thrown into the water. Make a wish there by placing your left hand on the statue, and it will be granted.

7. The Powder Tower

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: Let’s finish this overview with one of Prague’s best-known symbols: the Powder Tower at the entrance to the Old Town. Blackened, it is steeped in Gothic art and is certainly one of the darkest monuments in the world. Built in 1475, it was ravaged by a powerful fire in 1541. In the 17th century, it became a gunpowder depot, hence its current name of “Powder Tower”. Inside, it houses an exhibition recounting the history of Prague, as well as several towers. Open all year round from 10am, it generally closes at around 10pm, except from November to February, when it closes at 6pm.