Prague/Old Town and Josefov

The Jewish Quarter lends itself to exploration, contemplation and a deeper understanding of what Prague's Jews have endured throughout the centuries. Paradoxically, Adolf Hitler is to thank for the Quarter's continued existence - he intended to create an "Exotic Museum of an Extinct Race" here after the end of the war.

Metro station or metro station .

• Old Town SquareThe center of the eventful history of Prague. The Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings were preserved here. The Historical Centre, including most of the city’s major sites, became a UNESCO-listed site in 1992.

• Jan Hus MemorialThat striking man standing atop a patina-green metal mountain in the center of Old Town Square is not Jesus, though he resembles him. It's Jan Hus, the great Czech religious reformer whose Hussite movement caused as much, if not more, friction within the Christian community as Martin Luther. The statue was erected on the 500th anniversary of his death (6 July 1915). Hus preached in the Bethlehem Church in Old Town and was himself not particularly radical, unlike some of the sects who followed him. He believed in Bibles written in the worshiper's language, in the importance of faith instead of a clergyman's intermediation with God - in other words, concepts which threatened the status quo. He was summoned to the Church's Council of Constance in Switzerland by representatives of the Emperor, and given a letter of safe conduct to get there and back. Like every member of the Habsburg family, before and after him, the Emperor was Catholic. After Hus refused to repent for his so-called sins and come back into the Church, he was burned at the stake, despite the promise of the Emperor.

• Astronomical ClockBetween January 2018 and approximately the end of summer 2018, the attraction is closed for reconstruction. The Astronomical Clock located on a side tower of the Old Town Hall (reasonably enough, on Old Town Square) is easy to find—just wait until a few minutes before the hour and look for a large group of tourists standing around waiting for something to happen! Still, Orloj is one of the most popular gathering places in Prague.
  Built in 1410 and thought of as an example of 15th century high-tech device, projected with the participation of maths and astronomy professors at Prague University. The mail dial is in principle a mechanical astrolabe, showing not only the current time, but also the placement of the sun and moon in the Zodiac, phases of the moon, the times of sunrise and sunset, length of astronomical night, the time in old Bohemian hours, in unequal hours and other data. From gathering crowds, hardly anybody understands all data astronomical dial displays.
  Then there is a slow-moving 12-month calendar with incredibly delicate, small figure paintings by 19th century Czech painter Josef Manes. Every day on the hour, the upper, glockenspiel-style section of the clock performs the same scene: Death waves an hourglass, the 12 apostles shuffle past small windows, and a rooster crows. After the hour strikes, a Turk wags his head.
  Long after the Turks had ceased to be a threat in Central Europe, their use as an allegorical figure in genre paintings and other art continued. The Czechs often sided with the Hungarians in various battles against increasing imperial power as exercised by the ruling Habsburg family over their dominions, and though the Turks never occupied Prague as they did Budapest, both countries' artists used "the Turk" (a dark-complected figure, usually wearing a turban) to represent the dangers of the world, and especially threats to Christianity. In the astronomical clock, the Turk is meant to be the stranger.
  There is a legend about the clock that states the original master builder of its interior clockworks was blinded by the King who commissioned it after the work was completed so the mechanic could never build such a wonderful clock for someone else.

• Municipal House

  phone: +420 222 002 101
  Nám. Republiky 5. The Obecní dům was built near the Powder Tower (a storage place for gunpowder and a major trade route entry into the city) on a site called King's Court where once a royal residence stood. In 1901, the Prague Civic Society made a proposal to city authorities to build a center for official and social Czech events. As happened so many other times in recent Prague history, the Czechs were trying to balance the grand buildings erected by the German-speaking community of Prague with suitable edifices of their own. The "German House" (now co-opted and renamed Slovanský dům, or Slavic House, on Na Příkopě street) and a German casino were enough to make the Czechs want a place of their own.

• Lovers of Art Nouveau should bless the memories of the Prague Civic Society's officials, because the Obecní dům would become one of the most beautiful examples of Art Nouveau in Prague, filled with artwork by the best Czech artists of the day. Neo-Baroque, neo-Renaissance, Western and Oriental influences – all combined with traditional Czech Art Nouveau. This is what makes the Obecnàdum unique among many beautiful examples of Art Nouveau public buildings in Prague. While the exterior is impressive, the interior is both finely crafted and educational. Almost every prominent living Czech artist worked on the Obecní dům. Painters Mikoláš Aleš, Václav Jansa, Alfons Mucha, Jakub Obrovský, Jan Preisler, Josef Wenig, Karel Spillar, Max Švabinský, Josef Ullman, František Zenoek, and the sculptors Josef Maratka, Josef Václav Myslbek, Karel Novak, Ladislav Šaloun, František Uprka, Bohumil Kafka and Čeněk Vosmík carved out an astounding backdrop for the many historical events that would transpire here. Though their contributions are not conspicuously noted, in some cases (such as Alfons Mucha's Mayoral Hall) it is obvious which artist decorated what room.

Speculum Alchemiae

phone: +420 773 645 234

address: Haštalská 795/1

A museum dedicated to the mysteries of alchemy, housed in a classified building dated from 980 AD in the center of the Jewish district, one of the only authentic buildings preserved after the massive redevelopment of the Old Town's Jewish Quarter during the 19th century. Only guided tours available in English or Czech. Tours include a history of alchemy, the role of the Kings in the alchemical development of Prague, the search for various elixirs and the relation with golems, and a tour through the laboratories in the underground catacombs under the city, dating from the 16th century renaissance period. Duration: 30 - 40 minutes. The catacombs are fairly cold even in summer, so warm clothing is recommended.

Convent of Saint Agnes

address: U Milosrdných 17

The Anezsky klaster is the first Early Gothic building in Prague (founded 1234) - something notable in a city filled with amazingly well-preserved examples of Gothic architecture such as St Vitus, the Charles Bridge and the Powder Tower. Over the years the complex's convent, chapels and several churches deteriorated and in some cases, were completely destroyed. After Habsburg emperor Josef II's religious reforms, the convent was shut down in 1782 and converted into lodgings for the poor. St Anežka, (Sv. Anežka česká) who is pictured on the pink 50 Kč banknote, is the patron saint of Bohemia and founder of the convent complex. She was a daughter of the ruling Premyslid family, but no wallflower in terms of her activism, intelligence and energy. St Francis of Assisi, after whom one of the churches in the complex is named, founded his religious order in 1209 without the sort of financial backing earlier orders had enjoyed. As communism was crumbling, the remaining religious leadership, decimated over years by Communism's anti-religious influence, lobbied the Vatican to finally declare Anežka a saint. This happened 12 November 1989, though Anežka's niece Elizabeth had started the process in 1328! Today, the convent is used to house part of the Czech National Gallery's collection.

Museum of Czech Cubism

phone: +420 224 211 746

address: Ovocný trh 19

The Museum of Czech Cubism is in the recently renovated House of the Black Madonna. This unique Cubist building, designed by Josef Gočár, was built in 1911–1912. No longer seems to exist on website

Czech Museum of Fine Arts

address: Husova 19-21, Praha 1

20th century Czech art and changing exhibitions.

Museum of Decorative Arts

phone: +420 251 093 220

address: 17 listopadu 2, Praha 1

This 17th century palazzo-style building houses examples of historical and contemporary crafts, as well as applied arts and design.

Church of the Holy SpiritBaroque church

Pariska StreetTree lined street with number of historic buildings, exclusive shopping and upmarket restaurants and hotels.

Rudolfinum

phone: +420 227 059 352

address: Alšovo nábřeží 12

Neo-Renaissance style auditorium, home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

Jaroslav Fragner GalleryContemporary architecture. You can find here profiles of influential people and groups, retrospective exhibitions, thematic exhibitions, recent movement in architecture. Gallery provides lectures, seminars and publishing, regarding central Prague. The JFG is a centre for architects, professional and general public, students of architecture and construction companies.

Sex Machines Museum

phone: +420 227 186 260

address: Melantrichova 476/18

Humorous presentation of historic and present day sex toys and related installations. A visit takes about 60 to 90 minutes, and offers an initiation in the world of domestic and commercial pleasure engineering. Not suitable for kids due to the nature of the exposition, or physically disabled due to the very steep stairs.

Lego Museum

phone: +420 777 771 070

address: Národní 362/31

A small museum dedicated to Lego bricks and their creations. Don't expect a history of the bricks, the museum is entirely focused on Lego constructions applied to the Czech context, with many monuments of Prague replicated as scale models in Lego. Most of the models on display are standard sets however, so the museum will be only worth its entrance fee for die hard Lego fans.

Powder TowerOne of the original city gates, which separates the Old Town from the New Town. The gate was used to store gunpowder in the 17th century, hence the name Powder Tower or Powder Gate.

Jewish sites

• Jewish Museum

  phone: +420 222 749 211
  address: U Staré školy 1
  This is not a single site but consists of four synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Memorial Hall - entrance to all being covered by a single ticket. A combined ticket that includes the Old-New Synagogue can be obtained at a considerable extra cost but the interest of the building justifies it.

• Maisel SynagogueOne of the historical monuments of the former Prague Jewish Ghetto. Nowadays the synagogue belongs to the Jewish Community of Prague and is administered by the Jewish Museum in Prague as a part of its expositions.

• Spanish Synagogue

  address: Vězeňská 1
  The Spanish Synagogue, so-called because Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain at the end of the 15th century built a previous synagogue on this site, is a wild combination of neo-Renaissance and Moorish-Spain style. Think the Alhambra crossed with a Victorian wallpaper store, with some Islamic geometric and floral flourishes thrown in for good measure. The predominant color is red, which lends a regal aura to the interior, but there are also multiple shades of green and blue. The background behind the altar is blue covered with gold stars, visually implying the intercession of the deity in the holy space of the building, drawing one's eyes upward to the vast ceiling.

• Pinkas Synagogue

  phone: +420 222 326 660
  address: Siroká ulice 3
  Inside the front door of the Pinkas Synagogue, inscribed in tiny red and black letters on almost every square inch of wallspace are the names of 77,297 Jews who were killed in the war. This visual representation humanizes such a number, attaching names to the statistics. In larger type at the front of the synagogue are the names of the concentration camps in which they perished: Dachau, Mauthausen, Oswiecim (Auschwitz) and others. The second floor houses a moving exhibit of children's art which is smaller than the original exhibit at Terezin but no less sad.

• Old Jewish Cemetery

  address: Siroká ulice
  On the left wall before the entrance is a plaque detailing conservation efforts (which cost 1 million crowns per year). Over 20,000 people are buried in about twelve layers of graves, stacked to save space. Avigdor Kara is the earliest known person buried here - he was a poet who lived to tell about the 1389 pogrom. The reddish, grey and black tombstones are tilted at crazy angles, some covered with moss, some newly cleaned. Walking along the path that winds around the perimeter, Rabbi Loew's tombstone is about halfway through. It has a lion on it and a plaque on the wall across from it. Loew is known as the father of the Golem legend in Prague.

• Klausen SynagogueThe Klausen Synagogue is nowadays the largest synagogue in the former Prague Jewish ghetto and also a single example of an early Baroque synagogue in the area.

• Ceremonial HallThe last service to the deceased members of the Prague Jewish Community was held here.

Old-New Synagogue

address: Maiselova 18

The name sounds strange for a building from the 13th century but it was called 'New' to distinguish it from an even older synagogue. This was replaced by the Spanish Synagogue in the 17th century, when the Old-New Synagogue acquired its current name.

Jewish Town Hall

address: Maiselova 250/18

Renaissance style building

• Hacker's Nest

  phone: +420 777 779 005
  address: Bilkova 21
  Interactive co-op puzzle game requiring players to work together to save the world from destruction. Players solve puzzles and uncover mysteries in a race against time, attempting to defeat the doomsday plan from an Anonymous hacker. Minimum 2 players. No knowledge of hacker culture required, but minimal technical skills are helpful. Play time is 60 minutes. It is a relatively difficult game, not recommended for new players.

• Allegro

  phone: +420 221 427 000
  address: Veleslavínova 2a, Prague 1
  Chef Andrea Accordi serves up modern Italian cuisine in this restaurant located inside the Four Seasons Hotel in Prague. Considered by many to be the best restaurant in Prague.

• Ambiante Pizza Nuova

  phone: +420 221 803 308
  address: Revoluční 1
  An upscale place which does a very accurate rendition of Neapolitan pizza, but whose real selling point is the amazing play area for small and smallish kids.

• La Dégustation Bohême Bourgeoise

  phone: +420 222 311 234
  address: Haštalská 753/18, Prague 1
  Often voted as the best Czech restaurant, with price matching the quality. But if you have the cash, it's supposed to be a culinary experience as no other. Menu from 2200 Kč to over 4000 Kč with wine included. One of two restaurants in Prague with a Michelin star.

• Grand Cafe Orient

  phone: +420 224 224 240
  address: Dům u Černé Matky Boží, Ovocny trh 19
  Coffee, tea, cakes and sandwiches with free wi-fi between Namesti Republiky and the Old Town Square.

• La Casa Blu

  phone: +420 224 818 270
  address: Kozí 15
  Spanish/Mexican food at good prices, close to Dlouha Trida tram stop. Free wi-fi internet. Service can be slow.

• Lokál

  phone: +420 222 316 265
  address: Dlouhá 731/33, Prague 1
  A new member to famous Ambi restaurants group, this is the place, where traditional and modern blend together. While evoking Czech pubs from times years ago, everything is brand new. Beer (35 Kč) and food (100 - 200 Kč) is very good. Large non-smoking section in the back.

• Hybernia

  phone: +420 224 226 004
  address: Hybernská 7
  The name of this restaurant comes from the enormous skewers of meat and vegetables they serve, balanced vertically on an especially designed plate. Once you figure out how to handle them, they're great. The restaurant has great service and strongly flavored dishes.

• Touch Restaurace & Lounge

  phone: +420 222 322 685
  address: Jakubská 744/4, Prague 1
  Specialized in feathery dishes, modern cuisine, meals. Excellent food well presented.

• Konvikt

  phone: +420 224 247 033
  address: Bartolomějská 11
  Authentic local pub and restaurant

• Chabad Kosher Shelanu Restaurant & Deli- Great Place

  phone: +420 221 665 141
  address: 8 Břehová

• King Solomon

  phone: +420 2 24 81 87 52
  address: Široká 8
  Kosher restaurant.

• Dinitz Kosher Restaurant

  phone: +420 222 244 000
  address: Bilkova 12 - Prague 1
  Middle Eastern specials, in this Israeli restaurant offering Glatt kosher meals. The highlight is the Famous Sampler Menu, which consists of many tapas-style plates & mixed grilled meat on skewers.

• Kolkovna

  phone: +420 224 819 701
  address: V Kolkovně 8, Prague 1
  Offers a combination of the tradition and uniqueness of the Pilsner Urquell brand and traditional Czech cuisine fused with modern gastronomy (French, German and International influences).

• Kafka Snob Food

  phone: +420 725 915 505
  address: Široká 12
  Good breakfast, nice place to sit at a street table with a coffee. Service can range from very good to poor depending who is working that day.

• Indian Jewel

  phone: +420 222 310 156
  address: Týn 6
  Very good Indian restaurant

• Kavárna Obecní dům

  phone: +420 222 002 763
  address: náměstí Republiky 5
  Good selection of food in an interesting setting.

• Marina Ristorante

  phone: +420 605 454 020
  address: Alšovo nábřeží
  Italian restaurant on a boat providing views across to lower town and the castle.

• Cafe Restaurant Střelecky Ostrov

  phone: +420 606 750 002
  address: Střelecký ostrov 336

• Bakeshop

  phone: +420 222 316 823
  address: Kozi 1
  A cafe with a large selection of warm drinks and cakes. Finding seating is not guaranteed during the busiest hours of the day, so check for seating before ordering unless you're planning to eat underway.

• Pizza Coloseum

  phone: +420 224 238 355
  address: Ovocný Trh 8, Staré Město
  A cozy pizzeria with a wood fired pizza oven in the center. The pizza of the house for 215 Kc is a treat. During the evening hours, it is recommendable to make a reservation since the place tends to be very crowded.

• Five Rivers

  phone: +420 222 312 513
  address: Krizovnika 10, 110 00 Praha 1
  Family friendly Indian restaurant, bar, cafe. Menu includes vegetarian and non vegetarian starter, main course and dessert. Free Wi-Fi, historical exhibit, no selfie ban.

• Restaurant Nuance

  phone: +420 224 247 400
  address: Malé náměstí 138/4 110 00 Praha 1
  Czech cuisine and cuisines of surrounding european countries are a base for the innovative and creative meals of our chef Michal Paulík.

• AghaRTA Jazz Centrum

  phone: +420 222 211 275
  address: Železna 16
  AghaRTA is another well known jazz club, and organizer of the Prague Jazz Festival.

• Al Capone's Cocktail Bar

  phone: +420 224 212 192
  address: Bartolomějská 3
  Al Capone's is a small and family-like bar, located in the very centre, with acceptable prices.

• Chateau Rouge

  phone: +420 222 316 328
  address: Jakubská 2
  Three-floor club in the old town. Plenty of tourists, including Americans and pub crawl groups, to be found any night of the week.

• Karlovy lázně

  phone: +420 222 220 502
  address: Smetanovo nábřeží 198
  This self-styled "biggest music club in Central Europe" is right next to Charles Bridge, with 5 floors of clubs each featuring a different style of music. It is frequented by Czech teenagers and German high school students. There are security guards at the door who search entering patrons. It is more often than not incredibly dirty and filled with very young males.

• Music Club Zlatý Strom

  phone: +420 222 220 441
  address: Karlova 6
  Lively half dance club, half go-go club. Watch out for the bucket mojito cocktails for 599Kč!

• U Zlatého Tygra

  address: Husova 17
  If you aren't easily scared off by smoke so thick you can touch and mean-looking Czechs that look like they would rather shake you than share a table, then this place is a must-stop. It is almost always crowded to standing capacity but if you stop by just before closing during the week, you can usually grab a table next to a local or knowledgeable expat and have some great Pilsner Urquell for 34 Kč a half liter, a price that is almost charitably low for the city center. There's also a simple menu of snacks and mains for around 35 Kč-90 Kč. Check the picture on the wall- that's President Bill Clinton drinking here. Favored hangout of the late Czech author Bohumil Hrabal, whose bronze bust stands watch over the heads of patrons.

• Barock

  phone: +420 23 29 221
  address: Pařížská 128/24
  This oh so trendy bar is filled with lithesome wannabe supermodels and cool hipster dudes that accompany them. It's the place to be seen, especially while nibbling on the Japanese snacks on offer.

• Restaurant Franze Kafky

  address: náměstí Franze Kafky 24/3
  Pleasant place to sit with a drink and people watch in the evening when the establishments on the old town square insist on food only customers.

• Apple Hostel

  phone: +420 777 277534
  address: Náměstí Republiky 7, Králodvorská 16
  5 min on foot to Old Town Square or Wenceslas Square. Kitchen, internet, lockers and a TV/music room. Free breakfast and no curfew.

• Botel Florentina

  phone: +420 739 002 550
  address: Dvorakovo nabrezi, Pier no 7
  Boat moored close in the centre. Cruises, restaurant.

• Four Seasons Hotel Prague

  phone: +420 221 427 000
  address: Veleslavínova 2a/1098
  On the river very close to the Charles Bridge. The Four Seasons is best known for having lowered the wall in front protected it from the flood. But when dry it's as close as you get on the right bank to everything in Prague.

• Hilton Prague Old Town

  phone: +420 221 822 100
  address: V Celnici 7
  305 rooms, including 20 suites in a central location, 5 min walk from Palladium shopping centre. Gordon Ramsey's Maze Prague restaurant is open throughout the day. Kosher food is available.

• Hotel U Tri Bubnu

  phone: +420 224 214 855
  address: U Radnice 8
  Well located small 3-star hotel with unique rooms.

• Hotel Cerny Slon

  phone: +420 222 321 521
  address: Tynska 1
  Small, family run 4-star hotel a few meters from the Old Town Square. Rooms have private bathroom, satellite TV, IDD telephone, WiFi and safety deposit boxes.

• Intercontinental Prague

  phone: +420 296 631 111
  address: Náměstí Curieových 43 / 5
  One of the older Western hotels in Prague, the Intercontinental is located very close to the centre

• Marriott Hotel

  phone: +420 222 888 888
  address: V celnici 8

• Old Prague Hostel

  phone: +420 224 829058
  address: Benediktska 2

• Pension U Medvídků

  phone: +420 224 211 916
  On the site of an old brewery that is now a Czech Budweiser (Budvar) restaurant, the pension building houses a brewing museum and shop. It is also connected to a smaller bar that is open until 3AM. The rooms are clean and atmospheric. Ask for a room at the very top (#43 is a good pick) to avoid street/restaurant noise. Rates are seasonal but start from around 1550 Kč/2300 Kč/3100 Kč per night for singles/doubles/triples off peak. Add an extra 10% if you want one of the beautifully restored historical rooms.

• The U Prince

  phone: +420 737 261 842
  address: Staromestske namesti 29
  Comfortable beds and beautiful marble bathrooms. The terrace bar has a view of the city and Old Town Square.

• Clarion Hotel Prague Old Town

  phone: +420 296 398 100
  address: Hradební 9
  Near Old Town Square Modern equipment and services in a historic building dating back to 1930. Recently completely renovated rooms have internet, free WiFi in common areas.

• Buddha-Bar Hotel Prague

  phone: +420 221 776300
  address: Jakubská 8, Prague 1
  Vibrant music and oriental aromas in the historic city centre of Prague.

• Hotel Melantrich

  phone: +420 224 235551
  address: Melantrichova 5
  Comfortably equipped fully en-suite rooms.

• Grand hotel Praha

  phone: +420 606 600 583
  address: Staroměstské náměstí 22
  Luxury hotel in a historical building. Rooms with a view of the Apostolic Clock and the Old Town Square.