Prague was one of the first cities I visited on my sabbatical and I was immediately besotted by its timeless beauty. This city is made for lovers, and it’s why I wrote that all solo travelers should be banned from Prague.

Nicknamed the city of a hundred spires, walking through its narrow cobbled streets, I guarantee you’ll fall under its spell. There’s few places on this Earth that can match the simple romantic beauty of viewing Prague Castle from Charles Bridge at sunrise or sunset.

It’s stunning.

To help you plan your trip to Prague, below is my list of Prague’s top attractions:

Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge is one of the most iconic structures in Prague. This magnificent bridge was built in 1357 and offers the best views of Vltava river and Prague Castle.

The bridge gets VERY crowded during the day. Personally, I think the best time to visit the bridge is at sunrise. Seeing the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle illuminated in the early dusk rays was a trip highlight for me.

The bridge is also famous for the many fine statues that line both sides of its pathway. Among the most important are the statues for Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV and John of Nepomuk (the country’s most revered saint).

Prague Castle

Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world and was built in 970 A.D. This castle has changed dramatically throughout its history and hosts some of the best examples of different architectural styles over the last millennium.

This is a massive complex holding several prominent attractions including: St Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica, the Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane. This is probably the number one attraction in Prague, and touring the grounds will take most of the day. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Another main highlight of the Castle is the views you’ll get of the city and the Vltava River. Perched high on a hilltop, towering over the surrounding area, the views from the castle are breathtaking.

St Vitus Cathedral

A major attraction in Prague Castle is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Vitus.

Construction on the cathedral began in 1344 and took more than 525 years to complete. So the final result is a mix of neo-Gothic and 14th century Gothic styles.

The inside and outside of the Cathedral are equally spectacular. The halls are colored by the lights that stream through stunning stained glass windows. Other highlights include a mosaic of the Last Judgement and St Wenceslas Chapel with its jewel encrusted altar.

Old Town, Astronomical Clock & Church of Our Lady Before Tyn

Old Town’s Square is a beautiful space that’s bookmarked by two main buildings, the Church of Our Lady before Tyn and the Medieval Astronomical Clock. The square is large and a great place to relax, grab a bite to eat and people watch.

The Astronomical Clock was built in the 15th century and each hour it comes to life as the 12 Apostles and other figures parade in procession around the clock face. While the Church of Our Lady before Tyn is a remarkable building framed by its twin 80 meter spires that flank the main building.

Old Town is a popular destination that’s always packed with tourists and its a great place to spend some time in the afternoon.

Lennon’s Wall

During the end of communism (in the 80’s) students started writing John Lennon lyrics on the wall. Today the wall represents love and peace. Of course if you name a wall after John Lennon, then you better expect it’ll become a magnet for aspiring singers.

The Jewish Quarter

Prague’s Jewish Quarter, known as Josefov, is between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River.

For centuries it was regarded as a slum, but in the late 1800’s it transformed into the city’s most important and interesting districts. Important attractions in this area includes: the Jewish Museum, the Maisel Synagogue, the Spanish Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue and the old Jewish Cemetery.

Architectural Tour

Prague is an architectural wonderland. Walking through the city is a feast to the eyes and nourishing to the soul.

Many of its architectural gems come from Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque eras remain intact. In fact, Prague is often called an “architectural museum under the open sky”.

Even new buildings that have risen in Prague have added to the stunning architectural landscape. I’m specifically referring to Dancing House that looks like two people dancing.

Orchestra Performance

One of the surprising highlights of my trip to Prague was a classical show that I took in on my final night. The show was held in a small and intimate venue, where I got to watch a quartet play a wonderful selection of classical pieces.

If you ever come to Prague, then I strongly recommend you attend a classical show. The quality of performances rival any show in Vienna and it’s at a fraction of the cost.

David Cerny Statues

I was surprised to discover that Prague had a quirky side to it. It’s known for its David Cerny statues, which are not your typical statues. Cerny’s work is abstract and slightly risque.

Some of his most famous pieces include: “Utero” (a naked pregnant lady made of stainless steel) , “Pissing” (I like to think of it as two men getting into a peeing war) and Babies (disturbing statues of babies with slots for faces).

Related Video:

Below is a video from my trip to Prague.