Prague: Culture, Historic Routes and Green Urban Spaces

Prague combines a UNESCO-inscribed historic centre with distinctive architecture, extensive green spaces and experiences for different types of day plans. The historic centre lies on both banks of the Vltava and preserves its basic urban structure, network of routes and spatial composition. Gothic, High Baroque and modern architecture shape the cityscape and influenced the development of Central European architecture.

Historic Centre and Prague Castle

Old Town Square is home to the Old Town Hall, the Church of Our Lady before Týn, St Nicholas Church, the Kinský Palace, the House at the Stone Bell and the Jan Hus Monument. The square developed from a 10th-century marketplace at the intersections of European trade routes and was connected to the Ungelt customs house. Prague Castle complements this historic focus: the permanent Story of Prague Castle exhibition tells more than a thousand years of the castle's history and explores the complex through its rulers, presidents, artists, builders, architects, scholars, craftsmen and servants. The castle is also home to the Bohemian Crown Jewels, the treasury of St Vitus Cathedral and the burial sites of important Bohemian rulers and saints.

Walks and Public Routes

For a continuous city walk, a practical route leads from Muzeum via Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square, across Charles Bridge to Malá Strana Square and onwards to Prague Castle or Petřín. You can reach the castle by tram line 22, by taking Metro line A to Malostranská and then using the Old Castle Stairs, or via other nearby tram stops and short routes. Prague's public transport network connects trams, buses and the metro and provides access to the city's monuments and sights.

Petřín, Divoká Šárka and Other Green Destinations

Petřín is one of Prague's largest urban green spaces. The hill includes the Rose Garden, Nebozízek Garden and Seminary Garden, with more than 2,100 fruit trees. From the observation tower, you can look out over the city; there is also a mirror maze, walking paths, benches and several playgrounds. Divoká Šárka presents a different landscape of steep rocks, plateaus, groves, meadows and grassland shaped by the Šárecký Stream. Marked but unpaved paths support hiking and cycling; swimming and family outings are also possible there. Stromovka offers mature trees, bodies of water, lawns, opportunities for a picnic and a network of recreational routes and paths. Prague Zoo complements this selection with more than 10 kilometres of paths through themed areas such as Africa House, the Indonesian Jungle, the Elephant Valley and Darwin Crater.

Market Visits and Choosing Where to Stay

The regular farmers' markets on Prague's Rašín Embankment and in squares such as Jiřího z Poděbrad provide a local touch. There you can choose fresh produce; at the Heřmaňák market, you can also find plastic-free shopping, organic products, bread, pastries, organic beef, flowers and occasional stalls run by artisans or authors. When looking for accommodation, you can therefore first consider whether you mainly want to combine your stay with historic squares and city routes, green excursions or both. For further orientation in the city, start with Prague for the relevant information.

More About the Destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Prague - Czech Republic Network, Prague Nightlife - Czech Republic Network, Cultural Trip to Prague.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Hradec Králové, Jihlava, South Bohemian Region, Central Bohemia.