Things to do near Prague’s Old Town

Prague’s atmospheric old town has quite the pedigree. With over a thousand years of history under its belt, it has borne witness to coronation parades, high-profile executions, revolutions and, of course, more Christmas markets than you’ve had hot goulash dinners. Probably way more. It’s also home to some of Prague’s most visited attractions, including the medieval Staroměstské náměstí (aka the Old Town Square), which is where you’ll find some of the city’s most photogenic edifices.

We’re talking the rococo confection that is Kinský Palace, the soaring gothic spires of the Church of Our Lady before Týn, and the extraordinary Prague Orloj – a working 15th-century astronomical clock that comes complete with moving apostle figures and a spooky skeleton representing Death.

Other eye-catching highlights of Prague’s old town include the time-worn cobbles and baroque statues of medieval Charles Bridge, a swoonsome stone crossing that connects the old town to Malá Strana (lesser town) and Prague Castle, and the Jewish Quarter’s old cemetery, Moorish revival-style Spanish Synagogue, and other fine museums.

Many of the old town’s must-see attractions are included with a Prague pass from Go City, which can save you up to 50% on admission to the likes of the Jewish Museum and Prague Castle. Click here to find out more.

And now, let’s take a stroll to discover all the other great things you can do near Prague’s Old Town…

Take your time to stroll across the moody Charles Bridge, at the other side of which lies Malá Strana. Set along the banks of the Vltava in the castle foothills, this fairytale district is every bit the equal of its medieval counterpart across the river. Fortify yourself with dumplings and local pilsners in a candlelit beer cellar before stuffing your camera roll full of pastel-hued baroque buildings, preening peacocks in the pretty Vojan Gardens, and bleeding-edge street art at the iconic Lennon Wall.

Malá Strana is home to Prague attractions galore, including a number of fine galleries and museums that take you straight to the heart of the Czech psyche. The Waldstein Riding School at Wallenstein Palace hosts an ever-changing roster of National Gallery exhibitions, while Museum Kampa likes to wear its modern and contemporary art on its sleeve: you can ogle waddling yellow penguins, giant sculptures of babies by Czech artist David Černý, and Magdalena Jetelová’s enormous chair before you even get inside! 

The neighboring Kafka Museum is every bit as disorienting as the great man’s writings. Sure, you may not find yourself actually transformed into a giant insect, but the ‘infinite’ neon staircase and maze of oversized filing cabinets are certain to puzzle as well as entertain.

Read our guide to Prague’s best museums here.

Put some pep in your step and work off that solid Czech lunch with a yomp to the top of Petřín Hill. Or, should the steep 400-foot ascent not tickle your pickle, opt instead for the funicular, a landmark feature of the city since leg-weary residents first insisted on its installation way back in 1891. This cute little mini railway whizzes you up to pretty Petřín Gardens in no time, and with zero effort on your part, meaning your energy is conserved should you wish to climb the 299 steps of the Petřín Lookout Tower once you’ve reached the top. Those who do are rewarded with fine views of Prague Castle, Malá Strana’s terracotta rooftops, the old town and beyond.

Note that the funicular is currently closed for refurbishment and is scheduled to reopen in 2026. In the meantime, take your time on a stroll up via the network of wooded hillside trails, pausing to rest at strategically positioned benches and admire the skyline views along the way.

Opulent palaces, fairytale towers and gardens fit for a king (or queen) are the order of the day at Prague Castle, a vast complex that has been lording it over the city for some 1,200 years from its hilltop perch on the west bank of the Vltava. Visit the grand Old Royal Palace and stop for a selfie among the colorful painted houses that crowd along the cobbles of picture-perfect Golden Lane.

Star of the show here, however, is the extraordinary gothic masterpiece that is St Vitus Cathedral, an emblem of Prague for centuries thanks to its soaring twin spires, trademark flying buttresses, and Insta-tastic art nouveau stained-glass windows. Do not miss.

Check out our complete guide to the Prague Castle complex here.

Prague’s National Museum covers a number of sites in the city and beyond, including the excellent Antonín Dvořák Museum (home of the maestro’s piano, no less), the Lapidarium (specializing in Bohemian stone sculpture), and the delightful/creepy Museum of Czech Puppets and Circuses out of town in Prachatice. 

The main event, however, is the monumental neo-renaissance building that dominates Wenceslas Square, just southeast of Prague's old town. Only the biggest museum in all of Czechia, this behemoth contains everything from dinosaur skeletons and prehistoric meteorites to priceless medieval chalices, jewels and crowns. The storied history of the Czechs is also revealed in a groundbreaking exhibition with more than 2,000 exhibits that take you on a fascinating journey from the 8th century to the 20th.

Prague loves a good museum and, as already evidenced, there are plenty to discover in and around the old town. Another of our favorites is the Museum of Communism, just east of the old town, which celebrates the survival of Czech spirit under Soviet rule. But there are plenty more weird and wonderful places you can go without even leaving the compact old town. Optical tricks and sensory distortion are the name of the game at the Illusion Art Museum and Museum of Senses, while the interactive Museum of Bricks will keep Lego fans of all ages entertained for hours.

Finally – and strictly for adults only – the Sex Machines Museum contains an eye-popping array of, ahem, sex aids of yore. Try not to blush as you ogle medieval mechanical sex toys and catch cheeky black-and-white erotic films in the peepshow cinema.

Looking for more things to do near Prague’s old town? The Prague pass from Go City is your friend, and can help you save on your sightseeing. Hit the buttons below to find out more and to bag your Prague pass!