The Old Town with its famous Old Town Square is the liveliest part of the city of Prague. One can easily spend many hours strolling alongside the hundreds of fellow visitors, gaping at the sights and soaking in the amazing vibe of this city.
There are 10 important landmarks that one should aspire to see while in the Old Town
a. Staromestske Namesti, Old Town Square
The Old Town Square is a large pedestrian zone in the Old Town. You will see hundreds of people flocking around its famous historical monuments, jostling with each other.
While in Prague, you should aim to spend at least 2 to 3 hours in the square to soak in the vibe of this amazing city.
The square is a popular site for all kinds of demonstrations and gatherings. You can never tire of sitting on one of the benches and see the world go by.
b. Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock
The Old Town Hall was established in the 12th Century and served as the administrative seat for the Old Town. The Town Hall is a set of five medieval houses with one corner occupied by the mammoth rectangular tower and the Astronomical Clock.
Conducted tours of the Town Hall are available every hour depending on your choice of language. We'd read some very good reviews about the tour of the Town Hall but didn't go for it because it was very cool and sunny that day and we preferred spending time outdoors.
The Astronomical clock is a not-to-miss attraction in Prague. It's just a clock that shows time except for the fact that it has been doing so for the last 600 years or more!
This 15th-century clock chimes every hour and a skeleton hanging on the outside rings the bell to announce the hour. Then 12 apostles appear in the window above.
Basically, to say that there is a good amount of drama around the clock that is fun to watch.
There is a surge of crowds in front of the clock as noon approaches and people gather to see the display.
The Gothic-style outer facade of the clock is impressive, it shows the movement of the Sun and other Zodiac constellations.
My Tip -
If you go up to the top of the tower to get nice views of Prague, there is an elevator too for an extra charge. You will be able to see the working mechanism of this clock from the inside.
It's a good idea to read about this clock before your trip to fully appreciate its working and history.
c. Church of our Lady before Tyn
The tall spires of this church are visible from a lot of places in Prague but the entrance to the church is from the Old Town Square from a small alley.
You will have to look for the entrance closely since it is sandwiched between two restaurants that are located right outside the church.
The beautiful edifice of the church looks ethereal during sunset. The interiors and the altar are stunning. Entry is free.
In summer, a lot of concerts are organised here, if you're interested, the ticket office is right next to the entrance of the church.
d. St. Nicholas Church in Old Town Square
There are 2 St. Nicholas Churches in Prague. This one is in the Old Town Square and the other one is in the Lesser Town.
Entry to St. Nicholas Church in Old Town Square is free while the other is paid.
The Church has a beautiful altar and a stunning chandelier. You can just walk in and admire the beautiful frescos of this Gothic and Baroque-style church.
e. Kinsky Palace
Right in front of the Church of our Lady before Tyn lies this beautiful Rococo structure with its distinct elegant exterior. The palace now is an art museum.
It was closed for renovation, so we could not see it from the inside. But the outer facade of the palace blends beautifully with the church spires jutting out from the background. Great photo opportunity.
f. Jan Hus Monument
This monument is the first thing you'll see as you step into the Old Town Square.
The massive memorial is dedicated to Jan Hus, a theologian and religious reformer in the 16th century, who condemned the catholic church for its moral decay.
My Tip -
There are lots of benches around the monument where you can sit and relax. You will find nice fast-food cafes around this place which serve the famous Czech sweet pastry called Trdelnik. The pastry is delicious, you can get a filling of ice cream on top...Umm...yum!!
g. Prague Meridien
This narrow strip of brass on the ground near the Jan Hus Monument was used to tell the time in Prague from the mid-17th century till 1918!
You will have to look at the centre of the Old Town Square to be able to locate it. Tourists are always flocking around this place for selfies so locating should not be a problem!
h. Jewish Museum / Jewish Quarter
Like in a lot of other places in Europe, the Jewish Museum refers to the many historical buildings of the Jewish Ghetto where Jews were forced to move from other parts of Prague.
I had read somewhere before leaving for Prague that Hitler wanted to preserve this area in Prague as a museum for the extinct Jewish Race.
So, ironically, a lot of artefacts were plundered from other parts of the world and brought here for preservation and display. This had caught my fancy and we made it a point to see the Jewish Quarter.
There is a statue of Franz Kafka, the most famous Jew of Prague, here in the Jewish Quarter.
My Tip -
The entire area is laden with Jewish history. There are many options for buying tickets on the day of your visit along with an optional audio guide. The neighbourhood has a distinct character that is hard to describe but you can feel it when you're there.
You can buy tickets at the Information and Reservation Centre on the day of your visit. But if you're looking for a conducted tour, then you can take the Jewish Quarter Tour.
The walking tour lasted about 3 hours and it took us deep into the turbulent history of the Jews in Prague. Owing to the massive crowds, we had bought the tour online beforehand. I'm not sure that you will be able to book a conducted tour there and then.
i. Spanish Synagogue
This stunning Synagogue is included in the Jewish Quarter Tour. The prefix Spanish was associated with this synagogue owing to its Moorish revival architecture that can also be seen distinctly in the Alhambra in Spain.
The ornate interiors of the synagogue just blew us away.
This beautiful structure reminded me of the awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Not-to-miss attraction!
The pictures I had taken did not do justice to this stunning structure, hence I've picked a professionally clicked picture here.
j. Powder Tower and Obecni Dum, Prague Municipal House
Powder Tower is a beautiful Gothic gate that separates the New Town from the Old Town. The tower, I believe, dates back to the 1400s. Its exterior facade has been blackened over the years.
In the early 18th Century, this tower was used to store gunpowder, hence the name.
Right next to the Powder Gate is Obecni Dum, Prague Municipal House.
Entry to the building is free. Inside Obecni Dum is Smetana Hall, one of the most popular concert halls in Prague. The structure is unbelievably beautiful and offers great photo opportunities.
You can refer to their official website if you're interested in watching a concert.
My Tip -
If you have the energy, walk up the Powder Tower's 150-plus steps which are slightly uneven in some places but not very tedious to cover. The views you get all around are okay, nothing spectacular. You can spend the saved time along the river instead.
So, that is Prague Old Town for you. You will need at least one day to cover this entire area at leisure.
While in Prague Old Town Square, don't forget to taste Trdelink from one of the roadside eateries offering this delightful Czech pastry with ice cream, then sit on one of the benches around the square while you relish your dessert.
If you visit Prague Old Town, do share your experience with me.
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