Prague is the city that makes every visitor fall in love. The Czech capital sits on the Vltava River in the heart of Bohemia. The city has been an important European centre for over 1,000 years. It was founded around 880 AD. Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world. The Charles Bridge was built in the 14th century. The Old Town Square dates from the 12th century. The city has 10 major museums, 40 theatres, and over 100 galleries. A beer costs less than 2 euros. The architecture spans Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau. Prague survived the wars of the 20th century largely intact. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Prague Castle: The Largest Ancient Castle in the World at 70,000 Square Metres

Prague Castle was founded around 880 AD by Prince Bořivoj. It covers 70,000 square metres. It is the largest ancient castle in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. The castle complex includes 3 courtyards, a cathedral, 4 palaces, and 5 gardens. St Vitus Cathedral was built between 1344 and 1929. The construction took 585 years. The cathedral’s main spire rises 96.5 metres. The Great South Tower is 97 metres tall. The climb to the top has 287 steps. The view from the top covers the entire city. The castle houses the Crown Jewels of Bohemia. The crown dates from 1347. The castle receives 2.5 million visitors per year. A combined ticket for the cathedral, Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane costs 16 euros (as of 2026).

Charles Bridge: A 516-Metre Stone Bridge with 30 Statues

Charles Bridge was commissioned by King Charles IV in 1357. Construction finished in 1402. The bridge spans 516 metres across the Vltava River. It is 9.5 metres wide. The bridge is supported by 16 arches. There are 30 statues on the bridge. Most are Baroque copies. The originals are in the Lapidarium museum. The most famous statue is of St John of Nepomuk. He was thrown from the bridge in 1393. Touching the bronze plaque on his statue brings good luck. The plaque has been polished to a shine by millions of hands. The bridge has survived 17 major floods. The worst was in 2002 when the water rose 3 metres above the bridge. The bridge is pedestrian-only. It connects the Old Town with the Lesser Town.

Old Town Square: 1,000 Years of History in a 9,000-Square-Metre Square

The Old Town Square has been Prague’s main square since the 12th century. It covers 9,000 square metres. The square is dominated by the Church of Our Lady before Týn. Construction started in 1345. The twin spires rise 80 metres. The astronomical clock was installed in 1410. It is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest still operating. The clock mechanism has been running for over 600 years. The hourly show draws hundreds of spectators. The Jan Hus Memorial was erected in 1915. The statue is 6 metres tall and surrounded by figures representing Hussite battles. The Old Town Hall was built in 1338. The square hosts a Christmas market from late November to early January. The market has 100 wooden stalls.

Jewish Quarter: 5 Synagogues and the Oldest Active Cemetery in Europe

Prague’s Jewish Quarter dates from the 13th century. It covers about 8 hectares. Six synagogues survive. The Old-New Synagogue was completed in 1270. It is the oldest active synagogue in Europe. The Old Jewish Cemetery was used from 1439 to 1787. There are 12,000 tombstones. Around 100,000 people are buried here. The layers of graves reach 12 deep in places. The Spanish Synagogue was built in 1868. Its Moorish-style interior has 200 gold-leaf decorations. The Jewish Museum in Prague holds 40,000 objects. It was founded in 1906. The Pinkas Synagogue has the names of 77,297 Czech Holocaust victims handwritten on the walls. The Jewish Quarter was spared from demolition during urban renewal in the 1890s. Combined entry costs 17 euros (as of 2026).

Would you explore Prague Castle first or watch the astronomical clock strike the hour? 🏰

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