Observation decks in Prague offer an unexpected perspective of the city. The viewpoints in the capital of the Czech Republic are located in the historic center. Often, these are fortress towers or cathedral bell towers, which are cultural heritage sites. Exploring these attractions immerses tourists in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.
Almost always, the climb to the top is not an easy task. But the views from up there are stunning: the Vltava River, the historic center, and new buildings. All the roofs, spires, turrets, parks, and squares seen from a bird’s eye view are forever enchanting.
Prague Castle
If you want to see the city from a bird’s eye view and from a vantage point located in the historic center, there is no better place than Prague Castle. This fortress was founded in the 9th century. The best location was chosen for it: a part of the cliff stretching from Petřín Hill to the east. The first walls were made of earth, with a wooden frame, and cobblestones laid on top; only in the 11th century was the structure replaced with stone.
The fortress garrison easily controlled all the fords of the Vltava River and the land approaches to the fortification. It is no coincidence that kings chose Prague Castle as their permanent residence. An exception was made in the 18th century when the residence was moved to Vienna. But the fortress was not forgotten: it underwent reconstruction, after which the buildings acquired a unified style.
Today, Prague Castle is one of the best viewing platforms. From this point, an excellent panorama of the entire city opens up.
The views of the capital of the Czech Republic begin from the staircase:
- Malá Strana, where vineyards are planted. This is more of a tribute to tradition: Charles IV founded the first wineries in the country.
- Wonderful turrets and spires — the calling cards of Prague.
- The Vltava River with its embankment.
Unfortunately, within the well-fortified and fenced territory, there is no convenient viewing platform: the walls block the view. But if you want to see more, you should ascend to the platform of St. Vitus Cathedral.
St. Vitus Cathedral Tower
Today, the cathedral is the residence of the Archbishop of Prague. Construction of the building began in 1344 and lasted (without interruption) for 600 years. It is the most impressive long-term construction in history. The result is impressive: times changed, and so did fashion.
The architecture of the cathedral combines:
- Gothic
- Neo-Gothic
- Renaissance
- Rococo
- Baroque
Tourists note that it is impossible to get used to the look of the cathedral: new features open up each time. The building has not only historical and cultural value: the height of the tower is almost 100 meters, and to reach the gallery, you need to overcome 300 steep steps. The staircase is spiral, and there are no rest platforms. Due to the narrow width of the opening, it is quite difficult to pass the oncoming flow of tourists. But you can stand in narrow niches (though there are few).
However, the panorama that opens and the absence of a large number of tourists are impressive and compensate for all the difficulties of the ascent. It’s worth the effort to enjoy the marvelous views:
- Petřín Tower
- St. Nicholas Church
- Old Prague
- Charles Bridge
- Old Town
- Lesser Town
- Prague 6 district
- Prague 7 district
Near the railings, city maps are placed, indicating the landmarks visible from this point: this is convenient for guests who are not familiar with the capital of the Czech Republic.
Old Town Bridge Tower
This structure blocked the entrance to Charles Bridge: from it, the royal road was perfectly visible. The tower was built at the end of the 14th century. Charles IV, the commissioner, did everything to immortalize his reign. The facade is adorned with:
- A statue of Charles IV himself
- An image of his son Wenceslaus
- A statue of Saint Vitus
- The coats of arms of the Holy Roman Empire and Bohemia
The ensemble is completed by Saints Sigismund and Adalbert, who watch over the passersby from above. On the other side of the tower, the architect depicted statues of Charles IV, his wife Elizabeth, and the Virgin Mary. But during the Swedish war, they were destroyed. The tower served not only a defensive function: there was a guard room below, and the second floor was intended for holding wealthy and noble prisoners.
There was also a touch of intimidation. In the 17th century, townspeople and those entering the capital were greeted by a terrifying garland: after suppressing the uprising against the Habsburg dynasty, the heads of executed traitors adorned the tower for a whole 10 years. Today, the tower has lost its military significance: it is a monument of culture and architecture. At a height of 40 meters, there is an observation platform that tourists strive to climb.
There are 138 steps leading up. This is the most accessible viewpoint of the city from a bird’s eye view.
Vyšehrad
Not long ago, it was believed that Vyšehrad was the origin of Prague. But excavations showed that the capital of the Czech Republic began with Prague Castle. The fortress of Vyšehrad is located on a rocky steep bank of the Vltava. It was an excellent fortification where a small garrison could hold back an enemy army.
Here lived the first princes of Bohemia, and from the walls of Vyšehrad, the young Libuše predicted the greatness of the future city. For 70 years, it was the residence of kings. Vratislav I moved it here after quarreling with his brother Jaromír.
Today, the fortress hosts exhibitions. And the unique location of Vyšehrad allows you to enjoy the beauties of the capital of the Czech Republic from different sides:
- From the hill above the Vltava, an excellent panorama of the Imperial Meadow, the river with bridges, and Prague Castle opens up.
- From the opposite side of the park, you can admire the Old and New Towns.
The weather plays a secondary role when viewing: on a clear and sunny day, you can see far, and on a cloudy and rainy day, the panorama becomes eerie and slightly mystical. You can enjoy the view of the surroundings for free.
Strahov Monastery
Strahov Monastery was built where the city guard was located. The first building was erected in 1140. Over time, it became a wealthy institution: fields, gardens, and vineyards stretched around it. There were more barns and wineries in the monastery than churches and rooms for the Premonstratensian monks. All the buildings had 2-3 floors (at that time, the houses of wealthy townspeople were single-story).
The monastery houses an extensive library, and since the 8th century, church hierarchs have been collecting a collection of paintings. Subsequently, the library became public, and the gallery was opened to the townspeople. Strahov Monastery returned to the faithful after the fall of the Bolshevik regime. But the exhibitions that were there when it was closed remained.
Near the walls of the historical and cultural monument, architect Kuza designed a convenient place for viewing the capital of the Czech Republic in 1995. The area is paved with tiles and fenced with a parapet. A hedge adds charm to the place.
From here, you can see:
- Prague Castle
- Vyšehrad
- Old Town Square
Below the viewing platform is an alley where tourists can see the old monastery garden and vineyards. This beauty is planted on 4 terraces.
Petřín Tower
This tower is located on Petřín Hill, which is surrounded by the Vltava River, providing an amazing panorama. The elevation itself is the highest point in the capital of the Czech Republic. But to climb the tower itself, you must first conquer Petřín Hill. This is also interesting: you can walk the entire distance, gradually admiring the unfolding views of the city, or take the funicular to the top.
This tower is the main attraction of Petřín Hill. It is located at the very top, in the middle of a well-maintained garden. The surrounding area is very clean and tidy: the lawns are trimmed, flower beds are laid out, and benches are provided for tired tourists. The tower’s design resembles the Eiffel Tower, but at a 1:5 scale. And because the structure is at the highest point in Prague, it is actually 17 meters taller.
Two viewing platforms are designated: one in the middle, the other at the very top, at a height of 55 meters. Tourists are invited to appreciate the beauty of the views as they ascend. The tower is made of metal, weighs over 175 tons, and is over 60 meters high. You can climb it in two ways: by elevator (for an additional fee) or on foot (almost 300 steps).
But these are not worn stone steps of spiral staircases but quite comfortable wooden ones. Handrails are attached on the side for convenience. The difficulties of the climb are fully compensated. You can see everything:
- Old districts and new buildings
- The Vltava with its bridges and embankment
- Prague Castle
- Petřín Hill itself with its wonderful green gardens
The ground floor of the building offers souvenirs in the local shop and a cozy café to rest. If you go down to the basement, you can get acquainted with an exhibition dedicated to Jára Cimrman.
Žižkov Television Tower
It is called monstrous but considered the most fashionable. They say it combines features of a spaceship and a Kalashnikov rifle. People debate whether to preserve or demolish it. But while the debate continues, the Žižkov Tower is the most visited viewpoint of the capital of the Czech Republic from a bird’s eye view. The author of the television tower project is Václav Aulický.
To implement his idea, an old Jewish cemetery had to be demolished. And in 2000, it was discovered that the structure needed to be balanced. Therefore, sculptor David Černý created 10 babies and placed them on the structure. Whether the appearance of 700-kilogram babies crawling on the structure added charm to the tower is an open question. But Prague residents have come to love the black two-meter babies and show them to tourists.
There are no taller buildings than the Žižkov Tower in the capital, so the city opens up from all three platforms like a palm. To reach the desired floor, it is recommended to use the elevator. The ascent takes 20 seconds. But for tourists who want to test their strength, there is a staircase.
The platform itself is the pinnacle of comfort and care for guests:
- You can rest in hanging chairs
- You can view the city through telescopes
- For lovers of unusual architectural forms, there is a model of the structure on display
But that’s not all. The fourth floor attracts visitors with themed exhibitions. Hungry guests can eat in the bar or restaurant. However, the prices are astronomical. If you wish to stay long, you can rent a room in the hotel located right there on the tower. From this point, you can view Prague throughout your vacation.
Old Town Hall Tower
This is also a former guard structure. But now it is a cultural and architectural monument. The viewing point is located at a height of 56 meters from the ground. To see the Golden City from a bird’s eye view, you have to walk on inclined ancient slabs. Such an ascent is not to everyone’s liking, so many tourists use the high-speed elevator.
After you get tired of admiring the beauties of the capital of the Czech Republic, you can go downstairs and see an unusual spectacle. The Old Town Hall Tower is adorned with unique clocks. They show the date, time, the position of the zodiac constellations, and the time of the moonrise and sunset. Every hour, guests can witness a show: the Prague astronomical clock strikes the time. Before this, amusing figures on the clock perform a show.
Powder Tower
At the end of the 15th century, the construction of the Powder Tower (or Gate) began. The usual goal: to control entry into the capital of the Czech Republic. But ten years later, the king moved the residence to Prague Castle, so the building was left unfinished. The structure was planned to be demolished, but after a slight modification (an external staircase of 186 steps was added, and a roof was built), it began to be used as a gunpowder warehouse. This staircase is still in use today.
During the war with Prussia in the 18th century, the building was partially destroyed and looted. But in the 19th century, reconstruction began. The architect decided to harmonize the Powder Tower and the Charles Bridge tower. Josef Mocker tried to preserve the historical appearance of the building, but due to the addition of new details, the pseudo-Gothic style turned into neo-Gothic. Today, the Powder Tower is an excellent landmark for tourists.
It is made of dark sandstone (due to the high iron content) and decorated with sculptures of Prague kings. Christian themes are also reflected in the design. You can enter the building and inspect the first floor for free. But to go higher, you need to buy a ticket. An observation point is equipped on the second floor. To climb here, you need to overcome the same 186 steps. From a height of 44 meters, the city opens up in all its glory.
Jindřišská Tower
In the 15th century, the residents of the suburb needed a church with a parish school. This church became the Cathedral of Saints Henry and Cunigunde.
The church bell tower stood separately. Over the centuries, it was rebuilt several times:
- Initially, it was constructed in a Gothic style. The most accessible material was used: local sandstone. The wooden roof was blown away by a hurricane in 1801. In the 16th century, the bell tower was supplemented with mechanical clocks with figures carved on them. In the 17th century, during the war with the Swedes, the bell tower was a well-fortified fort. The walls of the building were partially destroyed. In the 18th century, the authorities decided to reconstruct the bell tower in a Baroque style. At the end of the 19th century, the building was restored to its historical appearance. The new roof was designed by Mocker and complemented the structure organically. The clock design was also changed.
Today, the bell tower of the Church of Saints Henry and Cunigunde is as tall as a 10-story building. On the top floor, an excellent platform is equipped for viewing the city from a bird’s eye view. But tourists are not only invited to explore Prague but also to listen to a concert of bells. Ten bells of different tones are installed here.
You can also ascend to the viewing point by a high-speed elevator in a few dozen seconds. But it is more interesting to overcome the 200-step staircase: it passes through the interior rooms, with interiors restored to the maximum.
Hanavský Pavilion
Enjoying the city from this place will appeal to those who prefer to combine art with a very tangible activity: lunch or dinner. Today, Hanavský Pavilion is a trendy restaurant. The history of the building began in 1891. The owner of a metallurgy plant commissioned a pavilion for an industrial exhibition in Hanava.
Gieser designed the building. His goal was to attract visitors with an unusual architectural solution. The pavilion was decorated with ornate wrought-iron details. And a cast iron column was installed in the hall, around which samples of products from the Hochau factory were displayed. Part of the hall was allotted for an exhibition of products by students of the factory school.
But the exhibition ended, and the need for the pavilion disappeared. Wilhelm Hochau presented the building to the city. The pavilion was dismantled and transported to Letná Gardens. Initially, it was used by Prague residents walking in the park, seeking shelter from the rain.
But later, the city administration decided to open a restaurant in the pavilion. Unfortunately, the building fell into disrepair. In the 1970s, a major reconstruction was needed. During the work, architects tried to restore the historical appearance of the building.
Today, Hanavský Pavilion once again welcomes tourists. It offers not only national dishes but also European, Mediterranean, and Eastern cuisine. Sitting on the open veranda, you can watch Prague sprawling at the foot of the hill.
St. Nicholas Church Tower
Although the guides call the building the Tower of St. Nicholas Church, it belongs to Prague. And it was built as a watchtower. The bell hanging at the top warned Prague residents of enemy attacks. The place for construction was chosen successfully: the entire Lesser Town was visible from the embrasures.
A sturdy structure about 70 meters high allowed not only to signal danger to the townspeople but also to repel enemy attacks for some time. A fire at the beginning of the 20th century seriously damaged the bells: only one remains. It is called Mikuláš (after the saint in whose honor the church was consecrated).
Today, it is a favorite place for tourists: at a height of 65 meters, there is a platform from which the charming Lesser Town opens up. An exhibition of old musical instruments reminds visitors that the tower was once a signaling tower.
You can view it before ascending to the top. By the way, to reach the goal, you have to overcome 200 steps of a steep and narrow spiral staircase: there is no elevator in the building.
Restaurant “Terrace at the Prince”
A very unusual and romantic viewpoint of the city. It is located on the roof of the family hotel U Prince. The building was constructed in the 12th century and is now fully renovated. The owners have equipped a restaurant with a viewing platform on the roof to attract tourists.
To get to the top, you need to:
- Go to the hotel reception, head to the elevator
- Go up to the 4th floor
- Decide on your choice: drinks and food or just food (this is necessary for placement on the terrace)
Some tourists believe that the panorama from the drinks zone is better (you can see the cathedral, the entire square, and the town hall). But it’s a matter of taste. The dishes offered are national and European. The drinks include excellent beer and decent wine. It is recommended to book a table in advance: during the high season, there are many guests here. You can enjoy the views of Prague until 11 PM: then the establishment closes.