The Best Architecture in Prague

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic is known for many things, not the least of which is some absolutely stellar architecture. Some of the buildings in Prague have to be seen to be believed. The cultural and historical significance of some buildings stands them alongside some of the most important landmarks in all of Europe. The fact that Prague was almost entirely spared any damage during the wars of the 20th century means that most of the medieval history of the city remains perfectly intact. Here are some must see structures in Prague. Prague is an expansive city and the best way to see it is by car. Check out car rental options when you book your trip to Prague.

The Hradcany

Not one but a series of the most famous landmarks in Prague, this royal facility is home to Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, The Renaissance Archbishop’s Palace, The Basilica of St George as well as many other interesting structures. The four aforementioned buildings alone make this a must visit. Prague Castle is still an operational judicial building and houses the Czech Presidential offices as well as the Czech crown jewels. Construction on the castle began in the 9th century when the dispersed tribes of the Czech region were united by the Premyslid family. Within the fortress that housed the castle, the basilica and cathedral were also built at the same time. The original cathedral has since been destroyed and replaced by the current, a gothic masterpiece that has to be seen to be believed. For architecture buffs this entire complex is one of the most amazing things to see in the entire world.

Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge was built in the 14th century and was commissioned by King Charles IV and built by his favourite architect Peter Parler. It is a majestic old style bridge that connects the new city with the old and is the main pedestrian route between the two. Initially conceived as a functional structure for knight tournaments the original bridge had minimal decorations but over time the Catholics saw fit to adorn the bridge in numerous statues and decorations most of which remain today as copies due to flood destroying many of the originals over time. Pedestrians enjoy an amazing view of the Prague skyline from the bridge.

Czech Museum of Music

The former baroque church, St Mary Magdalene, built in the 17th century is now the home of the Czech Museum of Music. Undergoing a huge facelift a few years ago this building now features a clash of modern and baroque styles. The assembly hall of this tremendous building is a cavernous miracle of architecture. It too has been refurbished and remade to bring to life every corner of this vast and awe inspiring room.

Dancing House

The Dancing House is one of the most unique buildings in the world. With it’s audacious curved structure nestled alongside the more historic architecture it stands as a stark contrast. Built by architects Vlado Milunc and the American Frank O’Gehry this building was initially nicknamed  “Fred and Ginger or The Astaire and Rogers Building” after the famed dancers. It was constructed between 1992 and 1996. The only accessible part for tourists is the top floor which houses one of the finest restaurants in Prague.

This post was written and supplied by one of the guys from Skedaddle Car Hire, if you’d like to know more about visiting some fantastic locations by car, check them out.

5 Reasons to visit Prague

Prague is considered to be one of the most romantic cities in the world, perhaps due to its old world charm and stunning castles. Tucked away in the middle of Europe, this Czech country has something to offer to everyone, both young and old. Let's have a look at five reasons to visit this charming European city.

1. Prague Golf Courses

There are more than 90 golf courses that dot the Prague countryside. If you want to try something different, pack your golf clubs and head on down to one of the numerous courses that are open for residents and tourists alike. Surrounded by gorgeous vistas, you'll never miss an opportunity to practice your handicap and improve on it while on holiday in Prague.

2. The Old Town Square

This is situated in the middle of the city featuring a beautiful astronomic clock atop the Old Town Hall. This region is dotted with little restaurants and food vendors who sell delicacies by the weight. It is a fabulous place to sit and watch the world go by, while savoring your Czech beer.

3. The Lobkowicz Palace

This gorgeous homage to history is not to be missed. The tour includes a narrated introduction into the history of the castle, given by the family that owns the castle. The collection of fine art contained in the castle is bound to surprise and delight even the seasoned art savant. This is one place in Prague that will leave you with a sense of legacy, magic and wonderment.

4. The State Opera

It offers unbeatable entertainment for a great, tourist-friendly price. You don't have to book in advance; tickets are readily available upon your arrival to the opera. With classics such as The Sleeping Beauty, accompanied with the music of Tchaikovsky, this is the place to be if you are into opera and classic ballet, infused with a modern twist. Official State opera site state-opera.com/

5. Amade Restaurant

Amade Restaurant is a veritable tour de force when it comes to fine and family dining. With a stunning view of the Prague Castle and overlooking the river, this restaurant exemplifies the charming spirit of Prague. The menu is as varied as is the service excellent. Prague should be on the top of your list as one of those unforgettable European cities to visit in your journeys across our beautiful planet.

Brewery Tours in Prague

If you are staying in Prague then apart from the usual historical sites that can be seen throughout the city, there is also the opportunity to visit one of Czech Republic’s most famous brewery’s.  Not only will a day trip to the famous Pilsner Urquell brewery include a guided tour but also gives you the chance to explore the famous Koneprusy Caves.

The production of beer in the area of Pilsen has been happening since the 13th century and in the 1840’s Pilsner Urquell became the first producer of a golden ‘lager’ in the world after developing a new method of fermentation and storing its beers. Beers today are now mostly based on this pilsner style, with the brewery being a fascinating monument to the history of beer from around the world.

Tours of the Pilsner Urquell brewery will include a documentary that highlights the development and evolution of beer production and a trip to the museum that showcases equipment used over the centuries for brewing beer. Form here you will be shown the modern plant that is used for the production of beer nowadays, with information teaching you about how modern science and techniques have totally transformed production of beer. From there you can see the maltose and witness how beer barrels are made in the traditional way, and then you have the opportunity to taste some freshly brewed beer.

The Koneprusy Caves are an impressive system of caves that make up the biggest in the country. In there you will witness some awesome stalactites as well as the unique rocks that are opal bearing. These cave’s have been heavily excavated over the past several years and the information has been used to help map one and a half million years worth of Earth’s history.

Pilsner Beer

Interested also in skiing whilst in Czech? Also learn about some of the best family attractions in Prague worth visiting. A fan pf Czech beer? Find information on the best pubs in Prague for a quiet drink.

What to see in Prague

If you have booked a trip to Prague or are still considering whether to visit the city, this video by Rick Steves is worth watching. It should give you an idea of the look of the city and the types of attractions and sites you can expect to see.



Prague is a city steeped in culture and history lovers will certainly appreciate what the city has to offer. If you are youthful and are more interested in bars or restaurants then you will also love Prague. Prague has something for everyone. Staying in the Nove Mesto area of Prague?

Christmas Markets in Prague

Religion plays a significant part in the culture of Prague, making Christmas one of the most exciting times of year to visit the city. Amongst the most prominent of seasonal features are the Christmas markets which can be found around the city as they pull tourists and locals together to enjoy the festivities at this magical time of year.

During December the city centre is transformed into something of a giant winter wonderland, with the lights from the Christmas markets brightening up the entire area. Many of the streets are lined with stalls selling products ranging from locally made seasonal gifts to generic items which have been sourced from elsewhere in the world. The Bohemian crystals, wooden toys and homemade jewellery on sale here make for great stocking fillers and are easy to carry home. Local cuisine is also a prominent feature with many stalls selling things such corn on the cob, sausages and pastries, all of which are suitably complimented by hot drinks, including the traditional Czech hot wine. The buzz around the markets is instantly contagious and fills one with seasonal cheer.

Some of the best Christmas markets to visit in Prague are those in Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square, although it is also well worth a visit to those held at Havel’s market and Republic Square. This being said, the city as a whole has sporadic stalls on street corners and can almost be considered one big market. Read about more Christmas markets in Europe. In need of accommodatiom. Holiday-velvet.com are one company who provide a range of Prague rooms for stays in the Czech capitral for tourists to the city for short term stays.

The Czech Museum of Music

Prague has a long association with music, which makes it fitting that the Czech Museum of Music is located here. This is a truly fantastic museum which is a must visit attraction for everybody who visits the city, regardless of their levels of interest in music.

There are various reasons to visit the Czech Museum of Music, with the first being the fabulous building in which the museum is located. This is a 17th century Baroque church which, despite undergoing major renovation to allow it to home the museum most effectively, the building still has all of its charm from the outside and contains an intriguing mix of old and new design features on the inside.

The main attraction of visiting the museum is of course to see the various artefacts from the history of Czech music. In total there are a staggering 700,000 items to explore which take you on a fascinating journey through the evolution of music over the years, with the library of notation being particularly extensive. The museum in Prague also has a vast recordings library as well as collections of instruments from some of the most famous composers and musicians from Czech music history.

On occasion the museum hosts live music events, and the opportunity to combine such an event with a browse at the historical artefacts provides a truly comprehensive music experience. Find flights to Prague from across Europe.

Visiting Prague Castle

Of all the exciting attractions to experience when visiting Prague, the castle is one which you should be sure not to miss. The castle is an absolutely colossal structure and is one of the key institutions in the entire country, mainly because of its history and the role it has played in making the Czech Republic the country it is today.

At 500 metres long Prague Castle is widely regarded to be the largest castle in the world, and this sheer size on its own is enough to fascinate you for hours, as this is around how long it takes for your brain to comprehend the scale of the place, the effort that must have gone into creating, maintaining and defending it and events that have taken place here over the years. One of the most intriguing aspects of the castle is the different architectural styles which combine to create the overall structure, which is a result of the various modifications over the years, with one of the most significant being in the early twentieth century.

Prague Castle is open every day of the year during office hours, with the many visitor attractions on site including the gardens, the state rooms and the changing of the guards. A visit here is reminiscent of visiting Buckingham Palace in London or the Whitehouse in Washington with regards to the atmosphere and character of the place, and is truly a superb experience.

The Best Prague Threatre's

Theatre has been a large part of the culture in Prague over the years, and below are some of the best theatres to enjoy performances in the city.

 Prague National Theatre 

This is the largest and arguably the grandest theatre in Prague which has a classical feel to it which is well suited to the high brow performances which are held here, performed by organisations from around the world, including the national opera. The design characteristics alone make it worth a visit here.

Metro Theatre 

This is one of the institutions which are referred to as black theatres. This name is a reflection of the nature of performances here which are carried out to a black background and use a mixture of colours and movements to thrill the crowds with a truly modern yet very Prague experience. 

Laterna Magika 

Puppetry has long been a celebrated art in Prague, and this theatre is dedicated to performances from people and organisations of all standards, whilst all are highly enjoyable and a must visit for those with kids. This is the original puppet theatre in Prague and is still going strong, with a reputation for top quality puppet costumes and highly engaging shows. 

Estates Theatre 

This is one of the most celebrated theatres in Europe which has a genuinely top draw history with many people such as Mozart having performed here over the years. There is a special feel to this place which is hard to recapture elsewhere.

Discovering Modern Prague

In a tourism context, the destination Prague is often thought of as a place to visit to enjoy the historical and cultural qualities. Despite this perception that Prague has a wealth of ancient heritage and attractions, there are in fact many modern attractions in the city, and below are some of the best.

Dancing House

This is an intriguing piece of modern architecture which was built during the 90’s in the place of the previous building which had been damaged during the bombing of Prague.
The wobbly design of the building really stands out amongst the historical architecture and can be enjoyed from the top floor restaurant.

Prague Zoo

This attraction was open during the early 20^th century and has evolved significantly since that time. Prague zoo is vast in size, approximately 111 acres, and is home to around a stunning 650 different species. It is regarded by some as one of the best zoos in the world.

Nový Smíchov

There are a host of fashionable and modern shopping areas in Prague, with one such example being the Nový Smíchov. This is a state of the art three storey shopping complex which also has a number of modern entertainment facilities.

Podoli Swimming Pool Complex

This is a swimmers paradise and is the largest complex of its type in the city. There is an Olympic size pool as well as a number of other pools suitable for different people, including people. All pools are outside which allows one to enjoy the often glorious weather.

Attractions for Classical Music Lovers in Prague

There are attractions in Prague to suit people of all tastes. Those who have an interest in classical music will be pleased to hear that spread around Prague are buildings and museums which have more than a slight association with classical music. Below are some of the places you might like to visit.

Czech Museum of Music - Generally, the sort of person who enjoys classical music will also appreciate fine architecture, so the fact that this museum is located in a 17th century baroque church creates an all around attraction. The museum boasts around 700,000 items which document the history of music and allow the music lover to appreciate the standard that we enjoy today.

Estates Theatre - This is considered to be one of the best historical theatres in the world. Some of the most famous pieces of music have been played here, and perhaps most significantly, Mozart himself once composed here. You can either take in a show here or just take in the atmosphere.

Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle - This is a glorious restaurant which is home to a range of historical and instruments which will be of huge interest to the classical music lover. Once you have discovered all of the musical artefacts you can move on to explore the wide range of paintings and decorative arts which are also held here. The glorious location in Prague Castle completes the experience.