The Best Viewpoints in Prague: 11 Best Views of Prague You Can’t Miss
Looking to discover the best viewpoints in Prague? Keep reading for all the best views in Prague.
Prague really is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and on my recent visit I have to say how taken aback I was by its beauty, architecture and vibe. The city has so many beautiful spots to visit, and relax in and so many beautiful historical areas and neighbourhoods to explore. From the beautiful Old Town Square to nature-filled Petrin Gardens, there is something for everyone in Prague.
One thing Prague does really well (there are many other things actually) is viewpoints. There are so many places around the city where you can get the best views of Prague from different perspectives. Many of them are also free. Thanks to its hilly topography, especially on the Mala Strana side of the Vltava River, there are so many natural viewpoints you’ll no doubt come across when exploring.
Most of the best views in Prague are free and can be added to any Prague itinerary as they are all centrally located and around most of the city’s main sights and attractions.
Keep reading for all of the best viewpoints in Prague and make sure to save them or pin them to your Google Maps for easy access later when walking around the city. All the following viewpoints are in and around the city center, making access to them quick and easy.
*This ‘best viewpoints in Prague’ post contains affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top quality content for free.
Read more: 2 Days in Prague: The Perfect First-Timer’s Itinerary
The Best Viewpoints in Prague
Use and save the Google Map below for all the best viewpoints in Prague that you can add to your trip.
Astronomical Clock Tower
In Prague’s Old Town Square you’ll find the Astronomical Clock Tower, on which the elaborate Astronomical Clock chimes on the hour. While the clock and the tower itself are beautiful enough, you want to head inside for some of the best views of Old Town Square.
Inside the tower, you can visit the Old Town Hall Museum to get a little more acquainted with the building before heading up the clock tower to the top.
The walk to the top is via a spiral platform or you can opt for the elevator for an additional fee. From the top, you’ll get some of the best views of Prague and particularly of the Old Town Square. Walk around the viewing platform to glimpse Prague Castle, the fairytale buildings below and Charles Bridge. Even though the tower isn’t that high, this was still my favourite viewpoint in Prague due to its perspective on the beautiful square below.
The best time to visit the Astronomical Clock Tower viewpoint is at sunrise or sunset but this can be difficult in summer due to long daylight hours and shorter opening hours.
Cost: 200CZK for just the Tower.
Best Time to Visit: The Astronomical Clock tower opens at 9 am and closes at 6 pm-9 pm depending on the time of the year- 6 pm in winter and 9 pm in summer- so try to visit the closest to sunset or sunrise you can given the opening hours for the best light.
Entrance tickets to the Town Hall Museum and Astronomical Clock Tower are very popular so make sure to skip the lines and book your ticket in advance here.
Chotkovy Sady / Chotek Gardens
Right next to Prague Castle’s Royal Gardens and the 16th Century Summer Palace you’ll find this gorgeous hilltop park. Perfect for a stroll and even a picnic in spring or summer, from here you’ll also find one of Prague’s best viewpoints.
Head to the southeast corner of the garden and enjoy this stunning panoramic view of Charles Bridge, Mala Strana neighborhood, the Church of Our Lady before Tyn and the Vltava River as it snakes around the corner.
There are also some benches here where you can just sit down, relax and enjoy the view in the afternoon sun.
Cost: Chodkny Gardens are free to access and so is the viewpoint.
Best time to Visit: Any time of the day.
Planning a trip to the beautiful, Medieval town of Cesky Krumlov? Check out these Magical Things to Do in Český Krumlov
Prague Castle Complex East Entrance
It’s true that there are great views of Prague from many places around the Prague Castle complex but the best one has to be from the east entrance. Marked on Google Maps as ‘ Vyhlídkové místo Na Opyši’ it can be easily reached climbing up the Old Castle Stairs from Pod Bruskou Street.
From here you have a 180-degree view of the city below. You can see the Vltava river curving through the city, Charles Bridge and the spires of the Church of Our Lady before Tyn on the Main Square. On a sunny day, this is a great spot to take in the incredible views Prague has to offer. You can also visit this viewpoint before or after your visit to the Prague Castle depending on which way you decide to come in or out.
Cost: Free
Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon or sunset is best but any time of day is good. Just know that due to its proximity to the Castle, this viewpoint does get very busy so make sure to come early or later in the day if you’d like the place to yourself.
If you are visiting the Prague Castle Complex earlier or later in the day, make sure to book your tickets online to skip the lines- they can get extremely long, especially in summer. Book your entrance tickets in advance here.
Raoula Wallenberga Promenade on Petrin Hill
Petrin Hill does have some incredible viewpoints scattered around the park and you’ll no doubt find them as soon as you enter Petrin Gardens and start walking upwards. Due to the gardens’ privileged hillside location on the Mala Strana side of the Vltava River you’ll be able to see much of the city from any of the higher points in the park.
One of the best viewpoints in Prague is located at ‘Promenáda Raoula Wallenberga’. You can find it under this name on Google Maps. This viewpoint can be found just under Strahovsky Church and Monastery at the top of Petrin Park, you’ll just need to walk down the path adjacent to the Church.
From here the breathtaking cityscape of Prague will open up before you. This is one of the widest, sweeping views of Prague and it really is worth coming up here at some point during your trip.
While it doesn’t come up on Google maps there’s also a lovely bar with a wooden terrace right at the viewpoint- quite honestly the perfect place to come and have a typical Czech beer while checking out the view.
From here if you continue down the path to your right you’ll follow the park around to descend down to Mala Strana. The path down has some equally amazing views, including those of the Dancing House, which you can’t quite see from the angle of this viewpoint.
Cost: Free (unless you have a beer at the bar)
Best Time to Visit: You can visit this park at any time of the day, Petrin Gardens are open 24 hours per day. This viewpoint is incredible at sunrise if you’d like to see the sun rising over the city before you. Note that at sunset the sun will be setting on the city behind you casting a golden glow on the city – weather permitting.
Petrin Tower
While you’re in Petrin Gardens you might as well check out two viewpoints, right? You’ll most probably have already cast your eyes on Petrin Tower from the city below, a cast-iron tower, looming over the city on the top of Petrin Hill.
Built in 1892, this is Prague’s, very similar version of Paris’ Eiffel Tower. At the top of Petrin Tower, there’s a deck for some of the most splendid city views around. On a clear day, you can even see all of Bohemia for miles around.
The tower offers 360-degree views of Prague and beyond. From here you’ll be able to see Prague Castle and St Vitus Church, the Old Town and the spires of the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, Charles Bridge, the Dancing House, the Vltava River and so much more.
If you’re a photographer I highly recommend bringing a zoom/telephoto lens to this viewpoint in Prague to capture some great details of the city.
Cost: 150CZK for adults, 100 CZK for a reduced ticket and 350CZK for families.
Best Time to Visit: Opening hours vary depending on the season, but the tower is generally open from 10 am until at least 6pm every day of the year. When visiting in the summer, it’s open from 9 am until 9 pm. The best time to visit is during ‘golden hour’ or an hour before sunset for the best light and city views. I’d highly recommend visiting on the clearest day possible for the best views of the city and surrounding countryside. Make sure to check the opening hours before visiting here.
Legii Bridge/Legion Bridge
For a really great view of the Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and the Vltava River that’s easy to access make sure to stroll along Legii Bridge at some point during your Prague itinerary.
From anywhere on the bridge, you’ll get sweeping views of Charles bridge to your right, Prague Castle as well as some of the Old Town side and Mala Strana side of the river. Walking over the bridge, you can also notice and appreciate some of the gorgeous, pastel-coloured townhouses built along the river.
In the middle of Legion Bridge, you’ll also find Legion Island, a small island on the river you can descend onto for a relaxed walk and more city views.
I found the best views from Legii Bridge to be between the island and the Old Town Side of the river. From here there’s a much better angle of Prague Castle with Charles Bridge. A telephoto lens also really helps here if you have one.
Cost: Free
Best Time to Visit: You can walk along Legii Bridge at any time of day or night and you’ll probably do it at some point in your Prague itinerary anyhow as it is one of Prague’s most beautiful and centralised bridges.
Wondering what camera and lenses I used to take these photos? Read about What’s In My Camera Bag
Starbucks by Prague Castle
Starbucks isn’t normally a place you go for sweeping city views but this one is certainly an exception. Right by the Western entrance to Prague Castle on Ke Hradu Alley, you’ll find a Starbucks with the best views of Prague from its rooftop.
You can order a coffee, take a seat on the rooftop and enjoy the beautiful views of the city. On a warm summer’s day, this is a great place to relax after exploring Prague Castle.
The rooftop terrace is also open for those who aren’t interested in ordering a coffee, you can also enter just to take a photo. From here you can see the snaking Vltava River, Charles Bridge, the Lesser neighbourhood and the Old Town below.
Cost: Free or the price of a coffee to sit down and stay longer.
Best Time to Visit: The rooftop terrace is open from 10 am- 6 pm just like the Starbucks. The best time to visit is probably when you need a sit-down and refreshment after exploring the area.
Charles Bridge
While most look for viewpoints to view Charles Bridge from, the views from this iconic bridge aren’t so bad either. You’ll definitely find yourself on Charles Bridge a few times during your trip and you’ll see that the views from the bridge itself are pretty fantastic too.
From Charles Bridge looking east, you’ll see the Old Town Bridge Tower and St Francis of Assisi Church and at sunrise, you’ll also see the sun going up in this direction too. Walk a little further over the bridge and looking West you’ll have spectacular views of the Lesser Neighbourhood Bridge Tower and St Nicholas Church. From the centre of the bridge, you can also get the best views of Prague Castle.
Angle your camera right and you can get some beautiful photos of Charles Bridge with Prague Castle behind you.
Note that the bridge gets incredibly crowded from mid-morning until evening, so for the best photos and experience, you’ll need to get to Charles Bridge early in the day.
Cost: Free
Best Time to Visit: Due to the crowds you’ll want to get to Charles Bridge for sunrise or as early as you can in the morning.
The Powder Tower
The Powder Tower is another one of the best viewpoints in Prague. The Powder Tower, or Prašna Brána, is located on the eastern edge of the Old Town, giving you a completely different perspective and view from most of the other viewpoints listed in this guide.
Characterised by its distinctively sloping roof, this unique tower dates back to 1475. Throughout history, it as used as the city’s gunpowder storage facility, which is where the name comes from.
Climb to the top of the tower where you’ll have 360-degree views of Prague. Look westwards for the best view of the Old Town, of Our Lady Before Tyn church and St Vitus Cathedral. Look South and you’ll have great views of Prague’s New Town and Zizkov TV Tower. This viewpoint is still a bit of a hidden gem and you won’t find so many crowds here.
Cost: 100 CZK per adult, 70 CZK for a reduced ticket.
Best Time to Visit: Sunset and golden hour are best for photography and light but it is possible to visit at any time of the day. Opening hours are from 10 am-6 pm or 10 pm depending on the season – 6 pm in winter and 10 pm in summer.
Manes Bridge
For a lovely, landscape view of Charles Bridge, make sure to also factor in a walk across Manes Bridge into your best viewpoints in Prague list. I personally wouldn’t go out of my way for this view but you can easily weave it into your day when needing to naturally cross from one side to the other.
If you’re heading from the Jewish Quarter to Waldstein Garden, for example, you can use this bridge.
From the bridge, there are great photo opportunities of trams passing with Prague Castle in the background as well as landscape photos of the whole of Charles Bridge in one shot.
Cost: Free
Best Time to Visit: At any time of the day.
Letna Park
Finally, if you’re searching for a gorgeous viewpoint a little off the beaten path and away from the crowds, make sure to head to Letna Park, just across the river and North of the Old Town for a wonderful stroll in nature and of course, impressive views. If you don’t want to go too far into the park to explore, one of the best viewpoints is from Prague Metronome in the park.
From here you can see a large part of the following Vltava River, multiple bridges and river islands and most of Prague’s most iconic sights and buildings. There is also space here to relax, come for a picnic on a warm and sunny day and just people watch.
Cost: Free
Best Time to Visit: At any time of day.
My Favourite Viewpoints in Order:
These are all my favourite viewpoints in descending order of the ones I personally liked the most. If you have limited time then maybe focus on the top 5 on this list as well as including other viewpoints naturally as you move around the city.
- Astronomical Clock Tower
- Raoula Wallenberga Promenade on Petrin Hill
- Petrin Tower
- Prague Castle Complex East Entrance
- Chotek Gardens
- Legii Bridge
- Charles Bridge
- Starbucks by Prague Castle
- Letna Park
- The Powder Tower
- Manes Bridge
The Best View of Prague
If I had to choose just one (or maybe two) viewpoint to recommend to you, or if you have time for just one viewpoint, I’d recommend the Astronomical Clock Tower and Raoula Wallenberga Promenade on Petrin Hill.
These two viewpoints are both varied and provide completely different views of the city. If you have time for just one or two viewpoints, I’d recommend these.
Ready to explore the best viewpoints in Prague? Let me know your questions and comments below, I’d love to hear from you.
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