One Day in Prague: Essential Old Town & Castle Quarter Guide

A cozy café near Prague Castle, serving freshly baked bagels with creative toppings, hearty breakfasts, and excellent coffee. A great place to fuel up before exploring the historic streets of Malá Strana.

With over a thousand years of history, Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) stands as the largest ancient castle complex in the world, covering an astonishing 70,000 square meters. Once home to Bohemian kings, Holy Roman emperors, and Czech presidents, it remains a powerful symbol of the nation’s freedom and identity. Founded in the late 9th century by Prince Bořivoj of the Přemyslid Dynasty, the castle has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the Velvet Revolution of 1989, and the transformation of the Czech Republic into a modern democracy. Today, visitors can explore its breathtaking palaces, churches, and gardens while uncovering centuries of fascinating history.

Highlights of Prague Castle

Changing of the Guard Ceremony – Witness this traditional spectacle daily at 12:00 in the first courtyard, with hourly shifts from 9:00 to 18:00 at the castle gates.
St. Vitus Cathedral & Great South Tower – An architectural masterpiece with intricate stained glass, soaring Gothic spires, and a 100-meter-high tower offering panoramic views of Prague.
Golden Lane (Zlatá ulička) – A charming row of colorful, historic houses once home to castle guards and goldsmiths. Step inside for a glimpse of medieval life.
St. George's Basilica (Bazilika Sv. Jiří) – A striking Romanesque church dating back to 920, featuring twin stone towers, an impressive Baroque façade, and the tomb of the Přemyslid dynasty.
Old Royal Palace – The former seat of Bohemian rulers, home to the grand Vladislav Hall and the remnants of All Saints Chapel.
Castle Gardens – Stroll through beautifully landscaped gardens, where fountains, vibrant flower beds, and sweeping city views create a serene escape from the bustling city below.

Prague Castle is more than just a historical site — it's a journey through the heart of Czech history, art, and culture.

Golden Lane (Zlatá ulička) is a charming, colorful street within Prague Castle, lined with tiny historic houses once home to castle guards and artisans. Step back in time and explore its quaint shops, medieval armor displays, and literary heritage.

An integral part of Prague Castle, St. Vitus is a stately Roman Catholic Cathedral with over a millennium of history. The Cathedral has striking architecture and it serves as the largest and most prominent worship place in the Czech Republic. As such, it also had an important part in the royals' coronations and is the last resting place of Czech' rulers, royals, nobles, and religious figures. The history of the Cathedral date back to 925, when Prince Wenceslas, Duke of Bohemia, built a Romanesque rotunda at this location. During the centuries, the Cathedral dilated and become a main religious and administrative center. In the middle of the 14th century, Charles IV, the first King of Bohemia and the Holy Roman Emperor, ordered to convert the structure into a Gothic cathedral. It took approximately 600 years to complete the Cathedral, which due to a needed renovation and improvements, is now a mix of Gothic and Neo-Gothic architecture styles. The Cathedral's center is at the remarkable St. Wenceslas Chapel that including a tomb of the patron saint, St. Wenceslas. The Chapel has a heavy bronze door and is beautifully adorned with priceless stones and impressive paintings. While it sealed by seven locks and not possible to view, the chapel is on the way to the Crown Chamber, where the Bohemian Coronation Jewels are stored.

Great South Tower of the Cathedral
Originally constructed during the late 14th century but renovated in the following centuries. The tower reaches a height of 100 meters and climbing 280 steps to its top will grant you a fantastic view of the city and the cathedral bell. The 15 tons Zikmund bell, the biggest in the Czech that was added in 1549.

Originally built during the 9th and the 10th century, the Old Royal Palace was the first residence of the royals in the Castle. The palace underwent massive changes during the 12th century, under the prince Soběslav regime. Mainly wooden at the outset, the place was converted into a Romanesque-style stone palace and the remarkable Vladislav Hall was added in the late-15th century. At the beginning of the 16th century, Vladislav Hall becomes functional and serves the Bohemian royals for state events, coronation celebrations, knights' contests, and more. The Old Royal Palace was built right next to the All Saints Chapel that was unfortunately destroyed during the great fire of 1541, but the surrounding walls still can be seen.

A splendid Square and a wonderful way to view before entering Prague Castle. The Hradcany Square is opulent with magnificent buildings and palaces and is a beauteous display of Prague Renaissance and baroque architectural aesthetics.

Nerudova (Nerudova ulice) is a lovely street with alluring architecture and charming buildings that are full of shops, café, restaurants, bars, hotels, and embassies. Nerudova Street is on the way from Malá Strana to Prague Castle. In old times, it was part of the coronation route that begins at The Powder Tower, went through Charles Bridge and ends at Prague Castle. The street was named after the widely-known Czech poet and journalist, Jan Neruda, who lived "At the Two Suns", which is house no.47. A timeless classic, Nerudova houses are delightfully elegant and famous for the winsome house symbols and the unique numbering system. Until 1770 the houses had no numbers, they were recognizing by the symbols of the houses which the street is abundant with. Today, each of the Street's houses have 2 signs, a red sign which marks the district number and a blue sign that marks the street number. Nerudova Street is among the most specials streets in Prague and surly exhibits another wonderful side of this magical city.

Located in Malá Strana, St. Nicholas Church (Kostel svatého Mikuláše) is a resplendent church that is famous for being a spectacular example of Baroque architecture. The church has a long and unique history. Originally, the place contains a Gothic church that serves as a house of faith from 1283 until 1743. The constructions and conversion of the place into a Baroque church took around 100 years, but most of the constructions been made during 1704 – 1752. St. Nicholas Church is beautifully decorated and has 20 meters dome and interior that is 57 meters high, which makes it the tallest in the city. Another lovely surprise this Church keeps is the 4,000 pipes organ that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart himself used while visiting Prague.

A paradise for meat lovers, Pork’s specializes in slow-roasted pork knuckle, crispy pork belly, and rich Czech sauces. Located near Prague Castle, it’s the perfect spot to savor traditional flavors in a relaxed setting.

A must to any Beatles fan, the Lennon Wall is a magnificent tribute to the legendary musician, John Lennon. Alongside his prolific breach-boundaries musical activity, Lennon uses his fame and influence to promote peace in the world. When he was murdered in 1980, the wall becomes a spontaneous memorial to Lennon, but more than that, to a symbol of the Czechs resistance to the communist regime. Covered by graffiti and poetry of Lennon and the Beatles together with political activism messages, the wall is a living reminder to all, that freedom ideas flourish even under the most difficult regimes and circumstances.

Charles Bridge is a breathtaking 14th-century landmark connecting Old Town and Malá Strana. Spanning 500 meters, it features 16 arches, two grand towers, and 30 Baroque statues, including St. John of Nepomuk. Stunning at night, its reflections shimmer in the Vltava River.

Old Town Hall (Staroměstská radnice) is one of the most memorable monuments at the Old Town Square. Founded in 1338, and originally was in used of the Old Town administration. It includes the remarkable Prague astronomical clock (orloj) that can be seen from the outside. A Gothic chapel with beautiful stained glass that enlightens the chapel during sunny days and grants a direct view to the clock's apostles. More, the Gothic tower of the Old Town Hall is rising to a height of approximately 70 meters and as such is a wonderful vantage point. The place also has upper and underground halls and is impressively decorated with art, ornamentation, paintings, statues and mosaics that create a colorful, and exquisite space.

Step into the heart of Prague’s history at Staroměstské náměstí, the enchanting Old Town Square. Surrounded by centuries-old architecture, this iconic landmark is a must-visit for anyone wanting to soak in the city’s fairy-tale charm. Dating back to the 12th century, the square is home to some of Prague’s most famous attractions: the mesmerizing Astronomical Clock, the Baroque Church of St. Nicholas, the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn, and the elegant Kinsky Palace.

At the center of the square stands the Jan Hus Memorial, honoring the reformer whose beliefs shaped Czech history. Whether you're admiring the intricate facades, exploring the Stone Bell House, or watching the lively street performances, Old Town Square is a timeless blend of history, culture, and breathtaking architecture - a true jewel of Prague.

Prague astronomical clock, or orloj as it called by the locals, is one of the popular and bustling attractions in the Czech Republic. The astronomical clock history reaches back to 1410 when it was originally installed on the Old Town City Hall southern Tower wall. Every round hour, from 9:00 AM until 23:00 PM, you will be able to see the show of Twelve Apostles moving to the joyous of the locals and tourists. The clock is exceptional not only due to its beauty, complexity of details, zodiac signs, sculptors, astronomical and calendar dial but also since it is the last operating medieval clock in the world. A relic of a glorious past, Prague Astronomical Clock is a must-see at the Old Town Square.

Even in a 'City of Hundred Spires' the twin spires of the Church of Our Lady before Týn (Chrám Matky Boží před Týnem) managed to stand out in Prague's skyline. Located in the Old Town, the church was built during the 14th-16th centuries in a Gothic Style while the spectacular interior was revamped in a Baroque style at the end of the following century. The Baroque Style grants the interior a golden-shimmering look and bold colors that make this church to unforgettable and among the top of the must-see list in Prague.

Imagine walking in a road where ancient kings went before you on their way to be crowned, a majestic way where you can almost hear the wings of History. The Powder Tower (Prašná brána) is the beginning of a royal journey, where Bohemian kings enter the Old Town, starting their coronation while on their way to Prague Castle. The construction of the iconic Gothic Tower start in 1475, and it went through many changes during the years to come by. The Tower reaches the height of 65 meters and the observation deck where you can see a wonderful view of the city, to a height of 44 meters. The place used to be called the “New Tower”, however since the early-18th century, the Tower stores gun-powder and therefore named the Powder Tower.

The Municipal House (Obecní dům) is an Art Nouveau celebration to the eyes. The lavish building which was decorated by fine prominent artists opens its gates in 1911. It includes the music venue Smetana Hall, French (Francouzská) and Pilsen (Plzeňská) restaurants, Café, and American bar. On the second floor of the Municipal House, you may also find lovely exhibitions that add another artistic layer to the visit. To expand and deepen your knowledge about the place architectural style and the place history, guided tours are also available for the public.

Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) is one of Prague’s two major squares, second only to Old Town Square. Nestled in the historic New Town (Nové Město) founded in 1348 by Charles IV, this vibrant plaza is steeped in centuries of history and culture. Home to iconic landmarks such as Josef Václav Myslbek’s statue of Saint Wenceslas, the majestic National Museum (established in 1890), Prague State Opera, Letka Palace, and Prague Palace, the Square has witnessed pivotal national events and celebrations. Today, it buzzes with life as a dynamic center of culture and commerce, lined with shops, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, hotels, and nightclubs. Whether you’re exploring its rich heritage or enjoying modern-day delights, Wenceslas Square is an essential destination that captures the enduring spirit of Prague.

At Výtopna Railway Restaurant, your drinks arrive via miniature trains running through the restaurant. Enjoy hearty Czech dishes and beverages while marveling at the intricate train system that makes dining here a unique, playful experience.