Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic. It is known for its unique medieval architecture and considered one of the most charming, colorful and romantic cities in Europe. Prague also has an interesting history and the city historic center was inscribed as a World UNESCO Heritage site since 1992.
Traveling to Prague is also not that expensive and it is considered one of the cheapest places to visit in Europe. Aside from that, there are also several free things to do in Prague.
So if you are visiting this city soon, here are the best things to do in Prague for free.
1.Discover Words of Wisdom at the Lennon Wall
In the 1980s, this wall, located in Mala Strana, was painted by students with the image of John Lennon, various Beetle’s lyrics and political statements. This increased tension between the students and the communist regime at the time.
As many times as the authorities painted over the wall, the students returned to re-do their artwork.
Like the Beetles, the wall represented peace, love, and unity. These days, the original Lennon painting is covered over by different paintings and graffiti, but the spirit remains the same, to spread messages of peace and hope. There are still images of Lennon at the top of the wall that those who add art to the wall appear to leave untouched.
The Lennon Wall has become quite the tourist attraction. I stumbled upon it one afternoon and it was so crowded with people that it was difficult to appreciate what it represented for young Czechs under the communist regime.
So if you are in the city, whether you have a week or 3 days in Prague, this symbolic place is a must visit. It’s one of the many hidden gems of Prague.
Source: Katie Minahan of Just Chasing Sunsets
2.Stroll through Petrin Park
Petrin Park is a lovely escape from the hustle and bustle of Prague. It’s located in Mala Strana just south of Prague Castle which means you can walk through this park on your way to the castle.
There are paved walking paths that lead uphill towards Petrin Tower (which is not free), Along the way, there is ample green space just perfect for a mid-afternoon nap, picnic, or Pilsen. As the path moves higher, there are excellent vantage points of Prague below.
From these viewpoints, you can see many of the bridges crossing the Vltava river and the typical orange roofs of Prague. When you make it to the top of Petrin hill there are lovely rose gardens to wander through on your way to Prague Castle.
Make sure to wear good walking shoes, as even though the paths are paved, it’s a pretty steady uphill climb and you’ll likely break a sweat!
Source: Katie Minahan of Just Chasing Sunsets
3.Walk the grounds of Prague Castle
Hoisted on a hill, east of the river in Praha 1, you’ll find the sprawling grounds of Prague Castle. Dating back to 9th century, the complex is still state-controlled and allows for visitors to roam the grounds for free.
Fees do apply though when heading inside some of the structures, however, an entire afternoon could be spent just wandering the gardens and inside the castle walls.
Most notably, positioned in the middle of the complex is massive and just as impressive, St. Vitus Cathedral. The Gothic stone spires with fantasy creatures like gargoyles and witches that adorn the perimeter of the roof truly make you feel like you’re being transported back in time.
If you’re lucky, you’ll even catch the changing of the guards’ procession that occurs in the front castle courtyard every day at noon.
Source: Alex Peters of The Wayward Walrus
4.Stroll across the Charles Bridge
Strolling the pedestrian-only Charles Bridge in Prague is one of the most popular activities for visitors. It’s a popular spot for artists, musicians, and vendors to ply their wares. Construction began on the 516 meter stone bridge in 1357 to connect the old town and the lesser town on either side of the Vltava River after the previous bridge washed away.
There are towers at either end of the bridge and 30 statues adorn the sides. One of the most significant statues is St. John of Nepomuk. He was hurled to his death from the bridge in 1383 because he would not break the seal of the confessional and give up the name of the queen’s lover.
It’s considered good luck to touch the base of the statue. The bridge is very busy but it’s possible to take your time and admire everything. Grab a trdlnik, kind of a spiral doughnut sprinkled with sugar and cooked over an open flame, and enjoy the sights from and on the bridge.
Source: Theresa Ladner of Adventures in Middle-Aged Travel
5.Explore the Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter in Prague is an incredible place to explore and learn about the history of not only Prague, but Europe. It is home to many things including the oldest synagogue in Europe and one of the most moving cemeteries I’ve ever seen. You see, for centuries the Jews were banned from living in any other parts of the city.
This also meant they could only be buried there. This resulted in an overcrowded burial ground to the point of overflow. In fact, they had to repeatedly pour more dirt and build walls to keep it together.
The Jewish Quarter is among the best-preserved for Hitler wanted to build a “Museum of the Extinct Race”. We all know how that ended and as time went on the Jewish people prospered. Today, the Jewish Quarter is the most expensive neighborhood in Prague and home to Parizska Street. I like to think of it as the Rodeo Drive of Prague.
Source: Allison Judkins of Seeking Neverland
6. Enjoy the view from Prague’s Parks
Admiring the views of the city is one of the best free things to do in Prague. Plus, it’s possible to combine it with a visit to a nice park. Letná park is one of Prague’s largest parks.
It’s situated on a hill above the River Vltava. There’s a popular beer garden in Letná which is one of the top places to grab a beer in Prague, which is loved by Czechs and expats alike. You can view the whole of Prague from there and it’s a great sunset spot.
Another great park option is Riegrovy Sady located in the Vinohrady neighborhood. There’s one particular spot from which you’ll have a nice, even though a bit distant, view of Prague. In summer this particular spot is covered with people and their picnic blankets.
Also, if you find yourself in Prague for the New Year’s Eve fireworks, it’s one of the best (and calmest) places to watch them from.
Source: Veronika Primm of Travel Geekery
7. Check out the Astronomical Clock
Prague is one of the beautiful capital cities of Central Europe. This city’s old square has tons of free and interesting things that you can see. One of the fascinating tourist attraction in the old square is the Astronomical Clock. Also called the Orloj, this giant clock is located on the southern wall of the Old town hall in Prague.
The clock has distinctive features like the astronomical dial with the sun and the moon, along with many figures from the Catholic fables. The Astronomical clock has many legends and ghost stories linked to it. The hourly clock show – where the figures of the Apostles dance to the music attracts the attention of all and is free to watch!
Source: Mayuri of To Some Place New
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Thank you Christine for an awesome blog post, I love Prague so much and looking forward to visiting this city again.