Day 2: the historic district of Prague, Mala Strana
What to see in Prague in 2 days? There are numerous tourist places here and you do not need to see them in a hurry. So, you’d really need 3 to 4 full days to get the most out of your visit to Prague! If you plan to do some excursions outside the city even a whole week may not suffice.
Of all the districts of Prague, Mala Strana would claim the title of most beautiful. Given that this district is historical the most important monument here is the fortress of the Castle of Prague. To find out how to see it without spending two hours in the queue, read more below.
The 10 major places of interest in this district are marked with numbered blue circles and are described below; the rest is described on other pages of our site.
Page last updated: September, 2024.
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Prague Castle complex
View of Prague Castle at night
There are many attractions in the area of the Prague Castle. You can spend an entire day here or see everything in half a day before lunch.
Important: tourist sites are open from 9 am, but entry to the area of the Castle opens at 6 am. It is best to arrive between 8.00 and 8.30 am (at 9 am there is already a very long queue due to a security check at the entrance). Once inside the fortress, walk along its length and before the hordes of tourists arrive line up at one of the tourist offices (which open at 9 am) to buy the ticket.
How to get there: on tram 22 to “Pražský hrad” (the nearest stop) or to the “Malostranská” metro station.
Price: 350 CZK / €13 / $14, to visit the entire complex. 250 CZK / €9.20 / $9.80 (free if in possession of the Prague Card) to visit the four main monuments (recommended). In addition, you can visit the Tower of the church: 150 CZK / €5.50 / $5.90 (20% discount with the Prague Card), the Lobkowicz palace (Lobkovický palác): 275 CZK / €10 / $11 (50% discount with the Prague Card).
Name in Czech: Pražský hrad.
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Saint Vitus Cathedral
This cathedral inside the Prague Castle is one of the more conspicuous buildings. Built in Gothic style in the XIV century, today the Church is the spiritual symbol of the Czech Republic. In addition to the visit inside the cathedral, you can also climb the Great South Tower (285 steps). It opens at 10 am.
Name in Czech: Katedrála Sv. Víta.
St. Vitus Cathedral taken from Petřín TowerSt. Vitus Cathedral
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The Old Royal Palace
Once upon a time only princesses lived here, but from the XIII and XVI centuries it became the king’s palace. The highlight of this building is considered to be the Vladislav room, worthy of note because it has one of the most beautiful vaulted ceilings in the late Gothic style.
Name in Czech: Starý královský palác.
Interior of the Old Royal PalaceOld Royal Palace
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Saint George’s Basilica
This Romanesque building is the second oldest church in Prague (920). The church is divided by two spires of white stone 41 m in height, behind a bright red facade in the Baroque style. There are various chapels in the basilica.
Name in Czech: St. George’s Basilica / Bazilika Sv. Jiří.
St. George's BasilicaInterior of the St. George's Basilica
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Golden Lane
Surrounded by legends about alchemists, Golden Lane is still today a magical place in Prague. Franz Kafka himself lived here! The gothic style Daliborka Tower is situated at the end of the street. Prisoners were once kept in the tower, and among them we can remember Dalibor.
Name in Czech: Zlatá ulička u Daliborky.
Golden LaneGolden Lane
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The Lobkowicz Palace
The palace belonged to the aristocratic Lobkowicz family. It is currently a museum with paintings of inestimable value, furniture and musical instruments. An audioguide is included in the cost of the visit to the Lobkowicz Palace.
Opening times: from 10 am to 6 pm.
Time needed for the visit: about an hour.
Name in Czech: Lobkowiczký palác.
Lobkowicz Palace at Prague CastleLobkowicz Palace Museum at Prague Castle
Lobkowicz Palace Museum at Prague CastleLobkowicz Palace Museum at Prague Castle
Lobkowicz Palace Café terrace
Lunch
That was the last place to visit during your walk in the Prague Castle. Now you could stop for lunch at the Lobkowicz Palace Cafe on the terrace with a panoramic view over the city center of Prague. And then you could admire the remaining monuments on the right bank of the Vltava river.
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The Church of San Nicola and its bell tower
An important Church in baroque style. The dome is impressive with its height of over 70 meters / 230 feet and the nave of the church is decorated with the largest frescoes in Europe. The bell tower is adjacent to the church. To get to the top you need to do more than 300 steps (212 are required to reach the first observation area and there is no elevator).
Price: 90 CZK / €3.30 / $3.50 (50% discount with the Prague Card) to climb the tower and 70 CZK / €2.60 / $2.70 for entry to the Church.
Name in Czech: Chrám sv. Mikuláše, Svatomikulášská městská zvonice.
St. Nicholas ChurchView from the bell tower of St. Nicholas Church
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The Vrtba Garden
This botanical garden (1720) is an architectural project which is unique in its kind and is not only of artistic value but also of historical value. The grand staircase, the fantastic flower gardens, the statues of the ancient gods: if you stroll through the Vrtba Garden you will understand why it is regarded as one of the most beautiful areas of Prague.
Price: 65 CZK / €2.40 / $2.50.
Opening times: from 10 am to 6 pm.
Time needed for the visit: half an hour.
Name in Czech: Vrtbovská zahrada.
The Vrtba GardenThe Vrtba Garden
The Vrtba GardenView of the city from the Vrtba Garden
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The Church of Our Lady Victorious
This is the place that many pilgrims visit to worship the statue of the Child Jesus set in the walls of the Church of Our Lady Victorious. Entry to the Church is free.
Name in Czech: Kostel Panny Marie Vítězné.
Church of Our Lady VictoriousInterior of the church of Our Lady Victorious
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Petrin Hill
This is a green parkland area of Prague (one of the entrances is marked on the map) with panoramic landscaped gardens, a miniature Eiffel Tower, a maze of mirrors, Saint Michael 's Church and even the funicular (ride included in the Prague Card). If there is a long queue you can walk up to the park in about twenty minutes. If you are not going to stay there for long, climb the tower; they say that on limpid days you can see the whole of Bohemia from here.
Price: 120 CZK / €4.40 / $4.70 (free with the Prague Card). There are 299 steps here, but you can use the elevator for 60 CZK / €2.20 / $2.40.
Opening times: from 10 am to 10 pm (in March and October until 8 pm, and in winter until 6 pm).
Name in Czech: Petřínské sady.
Petřín Lookout TowerPetrin Hill, a lovers statue
More reading:
Read about other sights of Prague, marked on the map, on the pages:
