Get to know Prague from on high!

Love amazing views? Then you’ll like our tips. Prague is known as the “city of a hundred spires", so there’s no shortage of views! If you’re not afraid of heights, it’s definitely worth climbing one of these lookout towers and viewpoints we’ve picked out for you. So take a deep breath and look around!

Prague, the city of a hundred spires and lookout towers

For centuries, Prague has been known as the city of a hundred spires. When you look at the panorama of the historical centre, you’ll be amazed by the number of towers you can see, and not only church spires! And some of them offer truly breathtaking views. One good place to visit is the Astronomical Tower of the Baroque part of the Clementinum, which one of the tours takes you to. And what’s more, it also gives you a look into the Baroque library, acclaimed as the most beautiful library in the world!

Not far from the Clementinum, you’ll find the Malá Strana Bridge Towers, two spires in different styles connected by a gate, from where Charles Bridge leads into Malá Strana. From the walkway of the higher and more recent tower there is a gorgeous view of the Vltava River and the historical centre. Another spire you really shouldn’t miss is the Powder Tower, one of Prague’s most distinctive Late Gothic monuments. It used to form the monumental entrance to the Old Town, through which the coronation processions of the Czech kings entered Prague.

And, of course, we can’t forget the view from the almost 100-metre-high Great South Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle. On the way up, you’ll also see the largest and heaviest bell in the whole of Czechia, the Zikmund bell, which is more than 400 years old and weighs 15 tons. And what about a tip for a lookout tower? Clamber up all 299 steps of the Petřín Lookout Tower and enjoy views of the whole of Prague!

Rooftops with views far and wide

It’s not just Prague's historical towers that offer some amazing views, but also their more recent counterparts. One interesting tip for a great view is the roof of the National Museum of Agriculture with its soft lawn, herb garden and picnic meadow. The viewing terrace offers some unconventional and attractive views of much of the city, including Petřín and Prague Castle. However, there are also some other rooftops with fine views from on high, such as the roof of the Dancing House, the historical dome of the National Museum and the flat roof of Prague’s first skyscraper, the 52-metre-high functionalist building on Žižkov dating from 1934, which is now called the House of Joy.

One hidden treasure is the roof of the Lucerna Palace near Wenceslas Square, which in recent years has been transformed into terraces, an urban garden and a venue for cultural and social events. This unconventional space is currently undergoing renovation, which should be completed in the spring of 2024. You can visit the roof at weekends from May to October from 4 p.m. until dusk.

Must-see parks

But you need good shoes to explore every inch of Prague! That’s because the Czech capital is dotted with dozens of parks and places where you can escape the hustle and bustle, chill out and recharge your batteries in the shade of trees.

If you like great views, you simply have to go up to the top of Petřín hill. Not only is it a natural park and one of the few areas in the city centre that has never been built on, it also offers lots of nooks and viewpoints that are the perfect place to stop and rest. We also recommend going to the opposite side of the Vltava, to Vyšehrad. In our language, the name of this oldest residence of the Czech princes is derived from the fact that it is a "castle built on high".

The promontory above the Vltava River offers some unique views of the Czech capital, and dotted around the park there are also some real architectural treasures, including the Romanesque rotunda of St. Martin and the neo-Gothic Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul. And if you want to combine a stroll in the park with a view of the city and some refreshment in the shade of chestnut trees, visit Letná Park. The wooden pavilion in the eastern part of the park is home to a renovated unique historical carousel from the late 19th century. If you long for some romance and peace, visit the Botanical Garden and St. Claire's Vineyard. From the newly refurbished vineyard gazebo, you have the entire Vltava valley in the palm of your hand!