Old Town Square

This medieval town square is the busiest and most beautiful in Prague.

TravelCurious Tip

Don’t miss the hourly chiming of the Old Town Hall’s astronomical clock, which features figures shaking their heads in defiance of Death...

Historic centre

Sat between Wenceslas Square and the Charles Bridge, Prague’s Old Town Square is a magnificent space surrounded by historic buildings. Its centre is dominated by a monument to religious reformer Jan Hus, whose martyrdom in 1415 sparked the Hussite Wars.

Overlooking the square is the city’s main church, the Church of Our Lady before Týn, with its stunning 80 metre Gothic towers lit up spectacularly at night. The Old Town Hall is similarly imposing, and features an astronomical clock installed in 1410 - as with many of Prague’s landmarks, it is the world’s oldest still in operation. In the pavement in front are 27 crosses memorialising the Bohemian rebels beheaded on this spot in the 1621 Old Town Square Execution.


From martyrs to markets

Also found here is the more modest but no less lovely Church of St. Nicholas, a wonderful example of Baroque architecture with a white façade - and still in care of the Hussites to this day. Excellent classical concerts are held here alongside church services.

Good street food (and great beers) can be enjoyed all year round, but the square becomes a truly magical place at Easter and Christmas when its medieval-style markets spring up. With stalls surrounding the statue of Jan Hus, the markets attract visitors from all over the world, selling everything from Christmas decorations to traditional Czech cookies, a warm honey liquor called medovina and festive potpourri.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Prague
Old-New Synagogue
Built in 1270, Europe’s oldest active synagogue holds years of fascinating Jewish history.
Parizska Street
Expensive and exclusive, Parizska is the ultimate luxurious shopping destination.
Church of our Lady before Týn
An iconic feature of the city skyline, this church’s Gothic towers are an incredible spectacle.
Astronomical Clock
Mesmerising and beautiful, the Astronomical Clock has a unique way of announcing every hour.
Jewish Quarter
Formerly the Jewish Ghetto, this historic enclave is surrounded by the Old Town.
Jewish Museum
One of Europe's oldest museums of Jewish culture and heritage, comprising six distinct sites.

Related Tours

Prague In a Day: Private Full-Day Walking Tour with Prague Castle
Discover the best of Medieval and modern Prague on this full-day private walking tour of the city’s most iconic sites including tickets and a guided tour of the fairytale castle, and a relaxing scenic river cruise along the Vltava at the end of the day. 

On your private tour your will:

  •  Discover the fairytale magic of Prague Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to some of the Czech Republic's greatest artistic and cultural treasures;
  •  Explore the rooms of the Old Royal Palace, including the opulent Vladislav Hall;
  • Hear the stories of Prague’s kings and queens, emperors and saints – in particular the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV;
  • Step inside the resplendent St. George’s Basilica and magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral and see the famous chapel and tomb of Saint Wenceslas – prince and patron saint of Bohemia, assassinated by his own brother in the early middles ages!;
  • Walk along Golden Lane and experience what daily life was like within the castle walls;
  • Enjoy watching the ceremony of the changing of the guard;
  • Exit the castle, walk by Nerudova and the famous John Lennon Wall before crossing Charles Bridge, and take a well-earned lunch break at a delicious local eatery;
  • Spend the afternoon exploring the rest of beautiful Prague, beginning with the historic Jewish Quarter, highlights include the Maisel Synagogue and the Hebrew Clock;
  • See Wenceslas Square, the Old-New Synagogue, and Jerusalem Synagogue;
  • Visit the Old Town Square and see the amazing Astronomical Clock and the Powder Tower;
  • Learn all about the Art Nouveau scene in Prague;
  •  End the tour at the dock where your guide will drop you off for your beautiful river cruise ride.

Prague is the beautiful, fairytale capital city of the Czech Republic, famous for its medieval gothic architecture, colourful baroque buildings, spectacular royal castle, and the River Vltava running through its city centre – the longest river in Bohemia and the lifeblood of the city. 

Nicknamed the ‘City of a Hundred Spires’ for its breathtaking beauty, on your day-long private walking tour of Prague, you will explore the city’s iconic highlights, including a fully guided tour of the splendid medieval castle, a UNESCO world heritage site, including St George’s Basilica, and St Vitus Cathedral - with the changing of the guard ceremony in the morning. 

After a delicious local lunch, you’ll explore the Old Town, Jewish Quarter and famous monuments – both old and new – including the John Lennon Wall and the astounding medieval Astronomical Clock dating to the 1400s. 

You’ll walk through Wenceslas Square, across the old Charles Bridge built in 1402 and lined with Catholic saints, and marvel at the famous Jewish places of worship, including the Maisel, Jerusalem and Old-New Synagogues and the Hebrew Clock. 

Your guide will regale you with stories of the rogues and royals of the past, the development of Gothic architecture, the emergence of Art Nouveau and the history of the Jewish community in this fascinating and beautiful city. 

At the end of your walking tour, your guide will take you to the river for your relaxing, scenic cruise along the mighty Vltava. 
The Best of Prague: Private Half-Day Walking Tour
Explore the best of Prague and its most popular highlights in just half a day, with a private guide giving you the rich and complex history for which the city is known. 

On your private tour, you will: 

  • Take a stroll through Prague's Old Town, a fairytale-like part of town with cobblestone streets and beautiful architecture;
  • See the medieval Astronomical Clock with over 600 years of history and one of the most photographed attractions in the city;
  • Walk across Charles Bridge, the oldest standing over the Vltava river connecting the Old town with Lesser Town;
  • Explore the Jewish Quarter located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River including the famous Hebrew clock;
  • Discover the Gothic Quarter, known as Lesser Town and Malá Strana with incredible gothic architecture;
  • Learn about the architectural influences behind the iconic medieval Nerudova Street;
  • Finish your tour on Prague Castle’s grounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in around 880.

See the heart of Prague, Old Town Square, where you will learn about the religious symbolism of the absolutely stunning medieval Astronomical Clock and its long-standing historical influences. Then, your guide will take you wandering through the Old Town, where you will be able to experience what ‘Old Prague’ must have been like 500 years ago. 

Be immersed in the layers of history and cultural influences that are around every corner. Your private guide will be more than happy to field any questions you may have on the history of this great city and the changes it saw, set in motion by the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV. 

Crossing over to the Lesser Quarter of Prague over the Vltava River, your guide will show you the Gothic masterpiece of the Charles Bridge, which dates back to the 14th century.  It was key in creating Prague’s New Town area, as it linked the established parts of Prague with new innovation and development. 

Looming above the Vltava's left bank, with its many beautiful fairytale-like spires and towers, the stunning Prague Castle is one of the most famous and imposing buildings in Europe. 

Within its walls lies a fascinating collection of historic buildings, museums and galleries that are home to some of the Czech Republic's greatest artistic and cultural treasures. For those who book the morning tour, you will have the chance to see the daily changing of the guard, which happens at noon each day. 

Explore the Historic Prague Castle: Private Half-Day Walking Tour
Founded in the 9th century by Prince Bořivoj, the historic Prague Castle holds the Guinness world record as the largest coherent castle complex with approximately an area of 70.000 m2. Your private tour guide will help you immerse yourself in the history of the fascinating city of Prague by learning the history of its beautiful castle. 

On this half-day walking tour, you will:

  • Explore Prague Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated on the top of Castle Hill and one of the most visited monuments in Central Europe;
  • Learn about the Czech monarchy and the castle's architecture which date back to the 9th century, when the castle was first founded;
  • Discover the Old Royal Palace, the seat of Bohemian princes and kings until the 16th century made of a mix of many architectural styles, particularly Gothic and Renaissance;
  • Explore St George’s Basilica, founded in 920 and the oldest preserved church in the castle, while learning about the history of Prague as the capital for Holy Roman emperors throughout the Middle Ages;
  • Visit St. Vitus Cathedral, the scenario for many coronations of Czech kings and queens and home to the tomb of Saint Wenceslaus, the most important Czech patron;
  • Stroll down idyllic Golden Lane, originally built in the 16th century where you will get a sense of life behind the castle walls;
  • End your tour outside the castle where your tour guide will give you great recommendations for the rest of your stay.

Prague Castle looms above the Vltava River’s left bank and is adorned with many beautiful fairytale-like spires and towers. Within its walls lies a fascinating collection of historic buildings, museums and galleries that are home to some of the Czech Republic's greatest artistic and cultural treasures. Prague Castle is an absolute must for anyone visiting the Czech Republic.

The castle has long been the seat of Czech monarchs, as well as the official residence of the head of state. Its construction has been on a monumental scale and is famed across Europe; with Prince Bořivoj founding a fortified settlement here in the 9th century. It grew sporadically as monarchs made their own additions to the castle complex. 

There have been four major reconstructions, from that of Prince Soběslav in the 12th century to a classical facelift under Empress Maria Theresa (r 1740–80). 

Your expert city guide will help you to unravel the fascinating history of this enigmatic building in the heart of Prague. The Castle also provides a breathtaking, royal view over Charles Bridge, the Vltava river and the rest of Prague. 

Exploring the Castle complex will help us to discover more about the fascinating life of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV, and his contributions to his Empire. 
Prague in the Communist Era: Private Half-Day Walking Tour
Discover the shrouded corners, monuments, and memorials of Prague’s Communist era, as you learn the twentieth-century history of this incredible city – including the run-up to WW2, the Nazi Occupation, the city’s liberation by the Red Army, and what life was like under Soviet rule behind the ‘Iron Curtain’ for over forty years, before the fall of Communism in 1989. 

On your private tour you will:

  • Begin your private tour at the Prague Metronome - built on the site where a statue of Stalin used to loom over the city, a permanent reminder of the time the city spent under Communist rule;
  • Walk through the historic Jewish Quarter and hear about the increased persecution of the Jews under Communist rule;
  • Explore the Old and New Town and learn about the rebellious and subversive counterculture that emerged under Communism;
  • Pass by the building of the Na Perštýně, home to the Secret Police Agency, and learn about the surveillance techniques used by the feared StB – the Czech Secret Police;
  • See other key Communist-era buildings, monuments and memorials;
  •  View the Powder Tower, where Czechoslovakia was formed, and learn about the country’s complex historical politics at the Municipal House – a famous Art Nouveau building and civic centre;
  • Enjoy a guided visit to the Communist Museum – dedicated to the history of the regime in Prague and life behind the Iron Curtain for many millions of people after the Second World War;
  • Visit Wenceslas Square, famous for being the focal point of rallies, and protests against the regime, and where crowds gathered for the triumphant fall of Communism in 1989;
  • Finish your tour at Petřín hill to see the Memorial to the Victims of Communism, a series of statues commemorating the victims of the communist era.
Today, Prague is one of Europe’s most visited cities – known as the ‘city of the hundred spires’ it is famous for the beauty of its Medieval and Baroque architecture and is a thriving modern metropolis.

But Prague under communism was a scary place, and the city does not shy away from memorializing this dark era of its past, nor honouring those who suffered under the Soviet regime. From the memorials to the Jews persecuted by first the Nazis then the Communists in the Jewish Quarter, to monuments dedicated to the heroism of everyday people who courageously stood up to the regime, modern Prague does not forget its Communist past.

On your private tour, you will learn about the interrogation of ordinary working-class citizens by the Secret Police, and the oppression of any so-called enemies of the state. Learn how Prague’s intelligentsia was forced into menial jobs and dissidents tortured for subversion.

See Prague’s most prominent Art Nouveau building, Municipal House, where Czechoslovakia as an independent republican state was proclaimed in 1918 and learn about the complex political history of the country.

Pause by a simple bronze cross paying homage to Jan Palach and Jan Zajíc. Palach set himself on fire in protest, making headline global news - a story that intensified when fellow student Jan Zajíc also set himself ablaze. 

Head to Wenceslas Square, the city’s focal point for rallies and political protests and where the crowds gathered to celebrate the emotional end to Communism with the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. End your tour at the incredibly moving Memorial to the victims of the communist era on Petřín hill. 

Fascinating, and at times harrowing, this fully immersive experience provides a rich historical and social context of Prague and the Communist era throughout Europe.
The Best of Prague Live Virtual Tour
Discover the best of Prague, one of the most popular destinations in Eastern Europe on this Live Virtual Tour which will be the perfect introduction to the city!  On your virtual tour, you will:

  • See the Prague Castle
  • Walk the Charles Bridge
  • Walk the Old town Square
  • Learn amazing facts about Prague’s history
  • See interesting details on buildings and beautiful Prague’s architecture
Prague is known for its centuries of history and cultural heritage. It's the medieval heart of Europe the beat of which can be felt in its narrow cobblestone streets.

You'll hear about Prague’s history and be led passed the city's iconic landmarks on this live virtual tour a perfect introduction to the city. 

You will be taken on a walk through the pretty narrow streets of Prague, one of the most popular destinations in Eastern Europe known for its historic baroque architecture, friendly people, and delicious food. Nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires,” Prague is known for its Old Town Square, the heart of its historic centre, with its baroque buildings, Gothic churches and the medieval Astronomical Clock, which gives an animated display every hour.
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