Walking across the Charles Bridge on the Vltava River, you will find yourself in a painting spanning seven hundred years. The statues on the bridge silently guard the city’s memory, the outline of Prague Castle in the distance becomes more charming in the dusk, and the street performers’ piano sounds seem to whisper ancient legends. This is not only a bridge, but also a cultural road leading to medieval romance.
Ⅰ. Scenic spot recommendation
1. Charles Bridge: The Gateway to the Middle Ages
Introduction to attractions
Charles Bridge is the most famous medieval stone bridge in Prague. It was built in 1357 by order of Charles IV, the Holy Roman Emperor. The 30 Baroque statues on the bridge are profound, and street performers and handicraft stalls give it a unique vitality.
Location and transportation route
The bridge connects the Old Town and the Lesser Town and is within walking distance. Take Metro Line A to Staroměstská Station and walk about 5 minutes to the bridgehead.
Opening hours
Open all day, suitable for experiencing the scenery and atmosphere on the bridge at different time periods, especially at night when the lights are more romantic.
Suggested time to play
It is recommended to reserve 45 minutes to 1 hour to walk slowly and enjoy, or choose to avoid the crowds in the morning or evening.
Ticket fee
The bridge itself does not require a ticket and is open for visit; if you join a guided tour, a fee will be charged depending on the service content.
Recommended booking platforms
Viator and GetYourGuide provide historical tours of Charles Bridge and the surrounding cities, suitable for in-depth understanding of statues and legends.
2. Prague Castle (Pražský hrad): A symbol of imperial glory
Introduction to attractions
Prague Castle is one of the largest ancient castle complexes in the world. It is located on the hill on the west side of Charles Bridge and enters its field of vision after crossing the bridge. The castle was built in the 9th century AD and was the residence of successive Bohemian kings and later the Habsburg royal family. Today it is the seat of the Czech presidential palace.
It contains many important buildings, such as St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, the Golden Lane and St. George’s Basilica, showing the essence of medieval and Gothic architecture.
Location and transportation route
It can be reached by walking from the west end of Charles Bridge through the Lesser Town for about 20 minutes. Or take tram No. 22 to the “Pražský hrad” stop and walk for 5 minutes.
Opening hours
Castle courtyard: 06:00–22:00 (open all year round)
Major buildings (St. Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane, etc.): 09:00–17:00 in summer; 09:00–16:00 in winter (closed on December 24)
Recommended time to visit
A full tour takes 3 to 4 hours, and you can arrange half a day. It is recommended to take a guided tour to better understand the historical background.
Ticket price
Tickets are divided into several packages. The standard A package is about 250 Czech crowns and includes major attractions. There are discounted prices for students, children and seniors.
Booking platform recommendation
Tiqets, GetYourGuide and Viator provide Prague Castle tickets and Chinese guided tours. Many platforms provide “skip-the-line entry” options, which are very useful especially in summer.
3. St. Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála sv. Víta): The intersection of glory and divinity
Introduction to attractions
Located in the heart of Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral is the most important religious building in the Czech Republic. The church is famous for its Gothic towers and exquisite stained glass windows, and is also the place where many royal families were crowned and buried. Climbing the bell tower, you can also overlook the magnificent scenery of the entire Old Town of Prague and the Vltava River.
Location and transportation route
St. Vitus Cathedral is located inside Prague Castle, and a visit to the castle automatically includes a visit to the church. It is about a 25-minute walk from Charles Bridge, or take Metro Line A to the “Malostranská” station and transfer to tram No. 22 to go there.
Opening hours
Summer (April-October): 09:00–17:00
Winter (November-March): 09:00–16:00
Some areas are closed on Sundays and during special religious ceremonies
Recommended time for visiting
It is recommended to arrange a 1 to 1.5 hour visit, and add an additional 30 minutes if you plan to climb the tower.
Ticket fee
Included in the Prague Castle package (about 250 Czech crowns). If you climb the tower alone, you need to pay about 150 Czech crowns.
Booking platform recommendation
Prague Castle tickets on Klook and GetYourGuide are mostly in combination, including St. Vitus Church, Golden Lane and guided tour services, and some provide Chinese commentary headphones.
4. Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock (Staroměstské náměstí & Orloj)
Introduction to attractions
After crossing the Charles Bridge and entering the Old Town, the most stop-over is the Old Town Square and the Prague Astronomical Clock. The square is surrounded by colorful Gothic and Baroque buildings, and the world’s oldest functioning astronomical clock performs a small mechanical puppet show every hour, attracting countless tourists to stop and take pictures.
Location and transportation route
Located at the east end of Charles Bridge, it is about an 8-minute walk. You can take the subway line A to the “Staroměstská” station or multiple bus lines to the “Pařížská” station.
Opening hours
The square is open all day; the astronomical clock show is performed every hour on the hour.
Astronomical Clock Tower Summit: 09:00–22:00 (open on Mondays at 11:00)
Recommended play time
It is recommended to arrange 1.5 to 2 hours to stroll around the square and the clock tower and take pictures. If you climb the tower, it is recommended to set aside another 30 minutes.
Ticket price
The ticket to the top of the clock tower is about 250 Czech crowns for adults and about 150 Czech crowns for students and children.
Recommended booking platforms
Viator and Tiqets offer fast-track tickets to the top of the clock tower; there are also astronomical clock + city walking tour combination tours, suitable for travelers who want to learn more about Prague’s history.
5. Kafka Museum: Enter the inner world of a literary genius
Attraction introduction
If you are a literature lover or interested in existentialism, then the Kafka Museum in Prague must not be missed. It not only displays Kafka’s manuscripts, letters and photos, but also allows visitors to enter his absurd, cold and profound literary world through immersive multimedia images.
Location and transportation route
The museum is located in the Lesser Town on the west side of Charles Bridge. It can be reached by walking to the bridge head and heading north about 200 meters. There is a No. 22 tram “Malostranská” station nearby.
Opening hours
Open every day throughout the year, from 10:00 to 18:00.
Suggested time for play
It is recommended to arrange 1 to 1.5 hours. The museum contains a lot of information, which is suitable for a slow immersion experience.
Ticket price
Adult tickets are about 200 Czech crowns; student tickets are 150 Czech crowns. No reservation is required, but there may be queues on holidays.
Recommended booking platforms
GetYourGuide and Klook offer tickets and literary walking tours in the Lesser Town, and some are also paired with cafe break packages, which are very suitable for in-depth cultural tourists.
Crossing the Charles Bridge is not just a check-in at the attractions, but an immersive travel experience about history, humanities, architecture and art. Prague cleverly combines the poetry of the Middle Ages, the grandeur of the empire, the depth of literature and the convenience of modern times. Each attraction tells its own unique story.
You will walk from the magnificent royal buildings into the deep alleys of literature, and from the historical statues into modern memories. May you not only gain romance and scenery on the cobblestone roads of Prague, but also bring back stories and memories. The medieval bells still ring in your ears, and you have become a part of this city’s memory.
Ⅱ. Travel Tips: Practical Suggestions for Traveling in Prague
1. Dressing and Walking
The Old Town of Prague is mostly paved with cobblestones. It is recommended to wear comfortable flat shoes to avoid high heels or hard-soled shoes that affect the walking experience. Especially in the Castle District and Charles Bridge area, the walking time is long, and comfortable shoes are essential.
2. Avoid peak traffic
Popular attractions such as Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and Prague Castle are most crowded between 10 am and 4 pm. It is recommended to go in the early morning or evening, not only there are fewer people, but also to take more beautiful photos of light and shadow.
3. Book tickets in advance
Prague’s popular attractions often require long queues, especially during the peak tourist season. It is recommended to book tickets in advance through platforms such as GetYourGuide, Tiqets or Klook to save queuing time, and some even provide “skip-queue channels”.
4. Pay attention to currency exchange and payment methods
The Czech Republic uses the Czech crown (CZK), and some attractions or small shops do not accept euros or credit cards. It is recommended to exchange a small amount of cash in advance and carry a usable international credit card or mobile payment app with you.