In a nutshell
- In this article, we share 12 genuine hidden gems in Prague — here are our three favorites to get you started.
- The Lucerna Passage gives you a real feel for Prague in the 1920s — stumbling across it feels like a proper discovery.
- The Franciscan Garden right in the heart of the city is a true oasis of calm, with a lovely café and plenty of space to unwind.
- From the Prague TV Tower, you get one of the best panoramas of the entire city.
- Keep reading — here come all our best Prague insider tips!
Vyšehrad Cemetery
Our first Prague hidden gem is the cemetery in the Vyšehrad neighborhood. It’s genuinely surprising that so few tourists make it out here. Vyšehrad is a historic fortress perched above the southern New Town — and up there, you can spend a really relaxed afternoon while soaking up the incredible views over Prague and the Vltava River. There are historic buildings, churches, and grand gates to explore around every corner.
Particularly impressive is the Vyšehrad Cemetery, where many of the great Czech figures are buried — including painter Alfons Mucha, composers Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana, and soccer player Jan Bican. The graves are correspondingly grand.
Vyšehrad tour including a visit to the casemates
Lucerna Shopping Arcade
Just off Wenceslas Square, tucked down a side street, you’ll find the Lucerna Passage. We stumbled across it completely by chance — and were genuinely blown away by what we found.
The Lucerna Passage is a shopping arcade with a cinema and a large café. Sounds underwhelming? It’s really not. The moment you step inside, you feel transported to a completely different era. The golden Roaring Twenties are still alive here — you can totally picture what it must have looked like back in the day.
The café radiates a wonderful nostalgic charm. A few older gentlemen still come here regularly to drink their pivos and reminisce. Smoking is no longer allowed — surprisingly — but the smoke from the last 100 years still seems to linger deep in the walls.
Architecture tour through Prague
Bleší Trhy Flea Market
Every Saturday and Sunday from 7 AM to 2 PM, the largest flea market in the Czech Republic takes over an old industrial site — and it really is enormous. The market is a bit outside the city center (Google Maps), but it’s absolutely worth the trip.
You won’t find many tourists here, since the offerings are aimed primarily at locals. There’s seriously everything: antiques, collectibles, household appliances, car tires, clothes, and a whole lot of junk. But sometimes you can score real treasures. In between, fuel up with tasty sausages and pivo.
Entry costs 20 CZK (about 80 cents), paid with a coin at a turnstile. There’s also a booth before the turnstile where you can exchange money.
Our tip: Come as early as possible — many vendors start packing up around 12:30 PM.
A Tour with a Prague Insider
We personally love guided tours with a local — it’s simply the best way to uncover the coolest secret places in Prague. Here are three suggestions we’d recommend.
On most of these tours, your guides are locals who know Prague like the back of their hand.
Private city walk: On a private tour you have your guide all to yourself and can ask as many questions as you like. You can also discuss in advance which highlights interest you most.
Hidden Prague bike tour: By bike you cover more ground and discover even more. This tour takes you to hidden corners and genuine off-the-beaten-path spots in Prague — great even if you’ve visited before.
Prague beer tour: You’ll learn all about Prague’s brewing culture and visit three microbreweries. A tasting is of course included!
Lies auch:
Letná Park and Metronome
The best panorama of Prague’s Old Town is from Prague Castle? That’s what we thought for a long time — until we visited Letná Park for the first time. Letná Park sits east of the castle and is easily walkable from there.
At the edge of the park stands the Metronome, a gigantic art installation erected in 1991 on the very spot where the world’s largest Stalin monument once stood.
From here you get a fantastic vista over Prague’s historic center and its many bridges, including the Charles Bridge. Letná Park is honestly one of our favorite photography spots in Prague.
On the plaza in front of the Metronome, young Praguers gather to skate, drink beer, and make out.
Our tip: If you keep walking a little further, you’ll reach the Letenský zámeček beer garden. Here you can drink delicious beer out of plastic cups alongside plenty of locals.
Prague TV Tower in Žižkov
At 216 meters tall, the Prague TV Tower is the tallest building in Prague and visible from virtually everywhere in the city.
Even so, most tourists wouldn’t put it at the top of their list — largely due to the tower’s unusual exterior. Particularly quirky are the baby sculptures by artist David Černý, crawling up the outside of the structure.
Don’t let that put you off, though: at 99 meters up there’s an observation deck with views across all of Prague, and a few floors below that, a panoramic restaurant. You can even spend the night in the TV tower.
Also check out our tips for unique hotels in Prague
Our tip: Set aside time to explore the two neighborhoods of Vinohrady (a former working-class district) and Žižkov (the bohemian quarter) around the TV tower. This is where you get a real feel for everyday Prague life — and they’re also among our favorite areas to stay in Prague.
Strahov Stadium
The Strahov Stadium in Prague holds a total of 250,000 spectators and is considered the largest stadium in the world. These days it’s slowly falling into disrepair — but if you’re into abandoned places, the Strahov Stadium is a seriously compelling find.
Built in 1926, it was designed less for soccer matches than for mass events like Spartakiads and gymnastics competitions. The interior today contains eight soccer fields that are still used for training.
As a result, there’s usually a way in somewhere around the perimeter. The best way to explore it is to walk all the way around.
Right next to the Strahov Stadium (Google Maps) is the Evžen Rošický Stadium. It’s in better condition and can also be entered.
Stromovka: Prague's Largest Park
Královská obora Stromovka, as the park is officially known, is the largest park in Prague. And yet tourists have so far largely overlooked it.
Luckily — because Stromovka is a genuine escape from the sightseeing hustle. The park sits in Prague’s hipster neighborhood Holešovice and draws plenty of locals, especially in summer.
But it’s well worth a visit for travelers too: there’s loads of nature with trees and ponds, playgrounds, jogging paths, barbecue areas, restaurants, cafés, and even a planetarium for stargazing.
If you’re already planning to explore the Holešovice neighborhood, definitely add Stromovka to your itinerary.
Manifesto Market Anděl
Attention foodies — Manifesto Market Anděl in Smíchov is your heaven on earth: from Brazilian to Hawaiian to classic Czech, this food market truly has it all, living by the motto eat your way around the world.
Aside from the food, we love the atmosphere. Instead of simple wooden stalls, you’ll find steel containers with modern light installations and plenty of chill-out areas. Events and smaller concerts are held here regularly too — which goes down especially well with young Praguers, who love wrapping up their evenings at Manifesto with beer and cocktails.
Much of the signage here is only in Czech, which is actually a good sign — it means the market is genuinely frequented by locals.
The golden rule at Manifesto Market? Bring a big appetite and plenty of time. The market is open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM.
Franciscan Garden
The Franciscan Garden is a true oasis of calm right in the heart of Prague. Once used by Franciscan monks for growing fruit and vegetables, today it’s a favorite lunch-break retreat for many locals.
Roses climb iron gates, fountains trickle, and pretty sculptures dot the grounds — if that doesn’t sound idyllic, what does? If you’re visiting Prague with kids, there’s also a small playground.
The garden isn’t the easiest to find, though. You can enter via Jungmann Square (Google Maps).
Art at DOX
DOX is Prague’s Center for Contemporary Art, located in one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods: Holešovice.
Inside, old industrial charm meets modern technology. From classic art to design and architecture, there’s a little bit of everything here. DOX has, by the way, been voted the best gallery in Prague multiple times.
The slightly quirky highlight is the airship called “Gulliver” on the roof. Sure, why not?
Our tip: While you’re there, take a stroll through Holešovice. The neighborhood has transformed at lightning speed from a run-down working-class area into Prague’s premier creative district. The old factory halls are now filled with great cafés, artists’ studios, and innovative startups.
Pilsner Urquell Experience Prague
The Pilsner Urquell Experience in Prague is an absolute must for beer fans — and for anyone who wants to experience Czech beer culture up close.
Right in Prague’s Old Town, you’ll dive into the history of the world’s very first pilsner and discover the brewing process through a modern, multimedia exhibition.
The “Original Tour” features interactive stations, compelling storytelling, and beer tastings — two freshly poured Pilsner Urquells are included. A special extra is the Tapster Academy, where you learn how to pour a Czech pils the proper way.
The experience lasts about 60 to 90 minutes and combines knowledge, entertainment, and enjoyment in a genuinely unique way. You can also round out your visit with a beer sommelier dinner, lunch in the beer hall, or a freshly poured beer at Výčep U Zvonu.
If you’re after a truly special activity in Prague, this is it — you won’t find anything more authentic, more entertaining, or more immersive when it comes to Czech beer culture.
Book the Pilsner Urquell Experience
Restaurants and Cafés in Prague
Beyond the amazing things to see in Prague, great food is an essential part of any good city trip for us. Here are our Prague recommendations for restaurants and cafés.
Our Restaurant Tips for Prague
- Potrefená Husa: Great Prague specialties, and meat lovers will be especially happy here. It’s always busy, so it’s best to reserve ahead of time.
- U Pinkasu: Fantastic location — really rustic and cozy inside, and outside there’s a beer garden set within the unfinished nave of the neighboring Church of Our Lady of the Snows.
- U Malého Glena: Blues and jazz bar with live music near Petřín Hill. A wide selection of beers, and ingredients are sourced from local markets whenever possible.
- Roesel: Bistro with local craft beer and small but excellent dishes. Mostly frequented by locals and tucked away near the Charles Bridge.
- Kolkovna Celnice: Brewhouse vibes right in the heart of Prague. Portions are huge, so come hungry. In summer there’s a lovely terrace under trees overlooking the lively Republic Square.
- Červený Jelen: Modern cuisine in the unique setting of an old bank, with excellent steaks for meat lovers. The showstopper is a beer tower made of 12 kegs spanning multiple floors.
- Havelská Koruna: Simple canteen serving Bohemian cuisine in a fast-food style. Prices are very reasonable, and you’ll be eating alongside locals.
Great Cafés in Prague
- Alchymista: Charming café near Letná Park with delicious cakes and a stylish interior. In summer you can also sit in the garden.
- Kavárna Adria: On warm days, you have to grab a seat on the rooftop terrace with views of Jungmann Square. Delicious breakfast and great coffee!
- Grand Café Orient: Stunning building in the Czech Cubist style. The interior transports you straight back to the 1930s. Sometimes there’s even live piano music.
- Českavárna Portheimka: Tasty Czech snacks, good wine, and even better coffee. The building was designed by the architect of St. Nicholas Church in Prague’s Malá Strana.
- Café Truhlárna: Cozy café right at the Franciscan Garden — perfect for relaxed summer days, with a small terrace, good coffee, and tasty snacks.
