Prague has two main, central squares located a few minutes' walk from each other: the historic Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí), famous for its10th-century origins, Astronomical Clock, and, Google website and the modern, commercial hub Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí), known for the National Museum and historic events.
The two main squares in Prague are Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square, which are just 5 minutes walk from each other. The third significant square is Lesser Town Square, on the other side of the river.
What is the difference between Prague 1 and 2 and 3?
Prague 1 is the historic, tourist-heavy center (Old Town, Castle), best for sightseeing but crowded and pricey; Prague 2 (Vinohrady) offers charming residential streets, cafes, and parks, popular with expats; while Prague 3 (Žižkov) is known for its bohemian, alternative vibe with affordable pubs and nightlife, though less polished than Prague 2. Choose P1 for convenience, P2 for balanced charm, and P3 for local, edgy flavor.
Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) is the most vibrant, dynamic area of Prague; a centre for a wide range of leisure and commercial activities. It is one of two main squares in Prague (the other is Old Town Square, 5 minutes walk away).
The square was also the site of many anti-communist protests in 1989. Today, Wenceslas Square is a bustling commercial and social scene, with shops, cafes, hotels, and nightclubs lining its main avenue. The square is home to the Prague National Museum and a bronze statue of Saint Wenceslas.
Prague, Czech Republic: Old Town Square - Rick Steves’ Europe Travel Guide - Travel Bite
What is the number one tourist attraction in Prague?
Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) is the No. 1 tourist attraction in Prague and Czechia, and the largest ancient castle complex in the world. It comprises palaces, grand halls, state apartments, churches, viewing towers, museums, art galleries, great courtyards, gardens, and St. Vitus Cathedral.
While Prague is generally safe, avoid the park near the Main Train Station (Vrchlického sady/Sherwood) and be cautious on Wenceslas Square, especially around side streets like Ve Smečkách, due to potential scammers, dealers, and petty theft, and be wary of overly aggressive touts in tourist hubs like Old Town Square and near the Charles Bridge, where pickpocketing is common. Also, stay alert in crowded transport like trams and metro, and at busy spots like Anděl, watch for drunk behavior and pickpockets.
1. Staré Mesto, Prague 1 – The best place to stay for sightseeing 🗺 If you are looking for a classic city holiday and want to live in the center, I would like to recommend that you spend the night in Prague's old town, which is also called Staré Mesto.
Aside from a few "card only" bars, payment in cash is still acceptable everywhere in Prague. Most shops, bars, cafés and tourist attractions only accept payment in Czech Crowns (CZK). Some larger hotels, shops and restaurants accept Euros (EUR) too, but not all.
Unlike American infrastructure with our concrete-jungles, Prague is lively and very vibrant. There are parks everywhere, trees all around many places, it is very walkable, very clean, and the buildings are a beautiful mix of old European architecture.
Pařížská Street is Prague's most prestigious boulevard, home to a wide range of luxury boutiques representing the world's most prominent fashion brands.
To the east of Prague city centre is the largest neighbourhood of the Prague 3 municipal district: Žižkov. It was established as an independent municipality under the name Královské Vinohrady I in 1875 by dividing the Královské Vinohrady neighbourhood.
Ever wondered 'where is the Harry Potter castle?' - well, you'll find answers right here at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland - one of the most iconic filming locations in the wizarding world, and an import Harry Potter castle location.
Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire was used to film the exterior scenes of Malfoy Manor, family home of Harry Potter's nemesis Draco, of Slytherin house. It features in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, with help from some CGI effects.
General Tipping Culture in Prague. Tipping in Prague is a customary practice but not as rigidly defined as in some other countries. While tipping is appreciated in many situations, it's not always expected, and the amount largely depends on the quality of service and personal preference.
Don't worry—many people speak English: In most tourist areas, restaurants, and hotels, staff usually speak decent English. However, it's helpful to know a few Czech phrases for polite interactions.
In both Prague and the Czech Republic, it's standard practice to leave a tip, ideally 5% to 10% of the total bill, in restaurants and cafés. Locals usually round up the amount to the nearest 10 or 100 crowns. At the bottom of the receipt you'll see “service is not included”.
