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Orientation Advice:
Set Your Reference Point – Prague Castle
– The river Vltava bisects Prague and provides the best line of orientation.
– You can use Charles Bridge as your central point.
– From the bridge, turn toward the dominant of the city skyline – Prague Castle with the cathedral thrusting out.
– Now you’re facing west.
Quarters of the Historical Center
– Up on the hill is the Castle District known as Hradcany.
– Running up the hill between the bridge and the castle is the district known as Malá Strana (literally the “Small Side,” but known as Lesser Town in English).
– Turn around, and behind you on the other side of the Vltava river (east) bank is Staré Mesto (Old Town).
– And farther to the south and east Nové Mesto (New Town).
– The highlands even farther east used to be the royal vineyards, Vinohrady, now a popular neighborhood for expatriates with a growing array of accommodations and restaurants.
– The districts farther out are where most Praguers live, and have few attractions.
Main Bridges, Squares & Streets
– You’ll best enjoy Prague by walking its narrow streets, busy squares, and scenic bridges.
– After Charles Bridge (Karluv most), the other two bridges (next to Charles Bridge) worth walking are Mánes Bridge (Mánesuv most), which provides a stunning low-angle view of the castle especially at night,
– and the Bridge of the Legions (most Legií), which links the National Theater to Petrín Hill.
Old Town Square – Heart of Prague
– On the east side of Charles Bridge, you can wind through most any of the old alleys leading from the bridge and get pleasantly lost amid the shops and cafes.
– The tourist-packed route through Old Town is Karlova Street.
– Like Karlova, almost any other route in Old Town will eventually lead you to Staromestské námestí (Old Town Sq.), the breathtaking heart of Staré Město with the famous Astronomical Clock at the Clock tower dominating the square.
– We recommend you to visit this tower providing the nicest views in town.
– A monument to Jan Hus, the martyred Czech Protestant leader, is to be found in the middle of the square.
– The tree-lined boulevard to the right behind Hus is Parížská (Parisian Blvd.) with most expensive boutiques and restaurants; it forms the edge of the Jewish Quarter.
– Alley Melantrichova (opposite of the Astronomical Clock) winds southeast to Václavské námestí (Wenceslas Sq.), site of pro-democracy demonstrations in 1968 and 1989.
