Culture and attractions in Prague

If this is your first time visiting Prague, we strongly recommend that you plan your trip in advance. The choice of sights and attractions is incredible (and a little overwhelming), but with some research and planning you can fit in everything you want to do.

And your first priority could easily be Prague Castle. The combination of location and immense size makes this impressive former royal residence visible from all over the city. The castle complex is the largest in Europe, and the oldest remaining sections date all the way back to the eleventh century. Originally the area was built as a fortress, but during the eighteenth century it was opened up and later used as a castle. Remember to set aside sufficient time to get the most out of your visit to this majestic site.

See also: Current offers on flights to Prague

For many, Prague is synonymous with the Charles Bridge. After all, it is the most famous and most visited sight in the city. The beautiful, evocative bridge is famous for many things, including the story of its origin: The bridge was built during the reign of Charles IV as a replacement for the previous stone bridge on the same site, which collapsed during a flood in 1342. The cornerstone of the Charles Bridge was laid on 9 July 1357 at 5:31 AM. Astronomical calculations showed how, at that moment, the planets would be perfectly aligned – and the date and time also form a magic number that can be read both ways as: 1 3 5 7 9 7 5 3 1. The number sequence was meant to bring eternal luck to the bridge, and despite enduring flood damage many times, the bridge still stands more than 650 years later.

The old city hall square, Staromestske Namesti, is another place you won’t want to miss. The same goes for the Petrin Hill, St. Nikolai Church, the Jewish quarter, Josefov (which Hitler wanted to set aside as a “museum for the extinct Jewish race”, the Strahov Monastery, the National Museum, “the Yellow Market” -- the list goes on and on. This is where your advance planning really comes into play!

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