Prague tourist information

Prague tourism

Visas & passports

Prague tourism information:

Prague is the "Jewel in the Crown" of Central Europe and tourism plays an important role. This Prague tourism guide offers useful information, including the layout of the city.

Prague Castle

Prague Tourism Information
Prague, ancient capital of Charles IV's Bohemian Kingdom, has played a pivotal role in the development of Central Europe since the Middle Ages. An epic history has made Prague one of the most beautiful cities in the world and today tourism is a major force.

Prague is not overrun by tourism, but its effects are evident for all to see. Much of the post-communism reconstruction and regeneration of Prague has been driven by tourism, as ancient buildings have been transformed into fine restaurants and stylish hotels.

Key Prague Tourism Fact: in 1992 the entire historical centre of Prague, all 866 hectares, was listed in the UNESCO World Cultural & Natural Heritage Register.

Layout of Prague's City Centre - map of Prague
Prague's city centre comprises four areas, spanning the Vltava River. On one side: the Old Town (Stare Mesto) with the Old Town Square; the New Town (Nove Mesto) with Wenceslas Square; and the Jewish Quarter (Josefov). On the other side: the Lesser Quarter (Mala Strana), which leads up to Prague Castle.

Areas close to the city centre are: Vinohrady, Hradcany (at the rear of Prague Castle), Holesovice, Smichov, Karlin and Vysehrad.

The city centre has Prague 1 and Prague 2 postcodes.

Charles Bridge and Prague Castle

Key Prague Tourism Fact: Prague is a compact city. From Prague Castle on one side of the city to Wenceslas Square on the other (passing over Charles Bridge and through the Old Town Square), is just a 25 minute stroll. Stay in a hotel or apartment in Prague 1 or 2, on either side of the river, and you can easily walk to all the sights and attractions.

Old Town Square in Prague

Prague's Most Beautiful Views
Prague Castle is the premier Prague tourist attraction. Located on a hill, it offers fine views over the city.

There are also excellent views from the following sights and attractions: Old Town Hall Tower, Old Town Bridge Tower, Mala Strana Bridge Tower, Klementinum, Jindrisska Tower, Petrin and Vysehrad.

Tourism in Prague has encouraged several top floor restaurants to open, boasting stunning views over the city. Enjoy a spot of lunch in the sunshine, or watch the city light up at night: restaurants with city views.

Prague Sights & Attractions
Prague tourist guide books often use English names for famous sights. This can be confusing as maps and street signs are nearly always in Czech. The following Czech translations might be useful:
Old Town = Stare Mesto
Prague Castle = Prazsky Hrad
Charles Bridge = Karluv Most
National Theatre = Narodni Divadlo
Wenceslas Square = Vaclavske Namesti
Old Town Square = Staromestske Namesti
Little Quarter/Lesser Town = Mala Strana

More information: Prague sights & attractions

Wenceslas Square in Prague

Estates Theatre in Prague

Prague Highlights
The dramatic history of Prague is reflected in the beauty of the buildings. Once the seat of a mighty Medieval empire, Prague is an open air museum best explored on foot. Our Prague tours can help with this.

Opera and classical concerts are another highlight, with performances taking place in the Prague opera houses, concert halls and churches all over the city. Prague has some fairly unique black light and puppet theatres too.

Prague is also developing a reputation as a centre for gastronomy, with fine restaurants in lovely locations.

Finally there is the world famous Czech beer.

More Prague Tourism Information
Our Prague tourist information section contains more up to date traveler advice and information on the city.

Czech Language
Czech, a consonant-rich Slavic language, is one of the most difficult European languages to learn. English speakers find some sounds very hard to pronounce.

Fortunately, tourism and global commerce mean many Czech's now speak English, particularly in Prague.

St. Nicholas Church in Prague

Czech Republic in Europe

Czech Republic & the Czech People
The Czech Republic covers an area of 78,864 square kilometres. It borders Slovakia, Austria, Germany and Poland. The highest mountain is Snezka (1604m). The longest river is the Vltava (434km).

The population is 10.3 million. Czech's belong to the West Slavic group of peoples, along with the Poles, Slovaks & Luatians. Romanies, or Gypsies, are the most conspicuous minority in Prague. They are thought to descend from Indian migrants in the 15th century.

The Prague tourism and construction boom attracts migrant workers from Central & East European states, plus former Soviet block countries like the Ukraine.

For the best introduction to Prague, try our Prague city break: Prague Package

Prague Experience: Prague Tourism Information