Prague is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval capitals, a city where Gothic towers, Baroque facades, and Art Nouveau flourishes crowd together along the banks of the Vltava River. Little of it was destroyed by war, so wandering the Old Town or crossing the Charles Bridge at dawn feels less like sightseeing and more like stepping into a centuries-old painting. Beyond the postcard views, Prague has a living culture of beer halls, puppet theatres, classical concert halls, and neighbourhood bistros that make it endlessly walkable and easy to fall for.
For travellers who prize the journey as much as the destination, Prague is a signature stop on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, whose vintage 1920s and 1930s carriages roll across Europe in a style that suits this city's own storybook character. Arriving into Prague after a day spent in wood-panelled cabins, dressed for dinner and watching the countryside slide by, sets the tone for exploring a capital that has always understood romance and grandeur.
Palace Trains can build a Prague visit around this classic Orient-Express routing, pairing time in the city with onward rail travel through Central Europe for a trip that feels like a journey through history in more ways than one.
- ✦Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral
- ✦Sunrise walks across the Charles Bridge
- ✦Old Town Square and its Astronomical Clock
- ✦The historic Jewish Quarter
- ✦World-class Czech pilsner and beer halls
- ✦Views from Petřín Hill
- ✦Arrival aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Places to See in Prague
Prague Castle
The largest ancient castle complex in the world, this hilltop citadel has been the seat of Czech rulers for over a thousand years. Its grounds hold St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, and the Golden Lane of tiny historic houses.
St. Vitus Cathedral
A soaring Gothic cathedral inside Prague Castle, home to the Bohemian Crown Jewels, the tomb of St. Wenceslas, and dazzling Art Nouveau stained glass by Alphonse Mucha.
Charles Bridge
The 14th-century stone bridge lined with 30 Baroque statues remains the most atmospheric way to cross the Vltava, especially at sunrise before the crowds arrive.
Old Town Square
The historic heart of the city, ringed by pastel townhouses, the twin-towered Church of Our Lady before Týn, and the Astronomical Clock, which draws crowds on the hour for its mechanical parade of apostles.
Jewish Quarter (Josefov)
One of Europe's most important Jewish heritage sites, with the Old-New Synagogue, the strikingly crowded Old Jewish Cemetery, and the Pinkas Synagogue's Holocaust memorial.
Wenceslas Square
A broad boulevard that has witnessed much of modern Czech history, from the Velvet Revolution to independence celebrations, now lined with shops, hotels, and the National Museum.
Petřín Hill
A green hilltop park reached by funicular, offering a mini Eiffel-style lookout tower, a mirror maze, and quiet rose gardens above the city rooftops.
Lesser Town (Malá Strana)
A tangle of Baroque palaces, embassies, and hidden gardens beneath the castle, best explored on foot with stops at the Lennon Wall and St. Nicholas Church.
National Theatre and Municipal House
Two showcases of Czech performing arts and Art Nouveau architecture, where opera, ballet, and classical concerts are staged nightly in gilded halls.
Food & Gastronomy
Prague's food culture centres on hearty Central European comfort dishes, best paired with some of the world's finest beer. Czechs take their pivo seriously — the country practically invented pilsner-style lager, and Prague's pubs pour it fresh and cold by tradition, not trend.
- Svíčková — marinated beef sirloin in a creamy root-vegetable sauce, served with bread dumplings, cranberries, and whipped cream, widely considered the national dish.
- Vepřo-knedlo-zelo — roast pork with bread or potato dumplings and braised sauerkraut, the archetypal Czech Sunday dinner.
- Guláš — a rich, paprika-spiced beef stew, usually mopped up with dumplings rather than eaten with rice.
- Trdelník — a spit-roasted, cinnamon-sugar-coated pastry sold hot from Old Town stalls, now something of a tourist icon.
- Smažený sýr — a slab of breaded, deep-fried cheese served with tartar sauce and fries, classic Czech pub food.
- Czech pilsner — brewed since 1842 in nearby Plzeň, the original golden lager remains the benchmark, served with a thick head at pubs across the city.
- Becherovka — an herbal digestif from Karlovy Vary, often taken as a shot before or after a heavy meal.
For a taste of daily life, browse the stalls of the Havelské Tržiště market near Old Town Square, or settle into one of the wood-panelled beer halls in Žižkov and Vinohrady where locals still outnumber visitors.
