Self-Guided Walking Tour of Prague's New Town (2025)

Wenceslas Square is one of the most iconic locations in Prague. Originally laid out in the 14th century as a horse market, the square evolved over time into the city’s primary commercial and political artery. Though it still retains the proportions of a long, gently sloping boulevard, it pulses with energy thanks to its surrounding shops, hotels, restaurants, and public institutions.

Over the years, Wenceslas Square has been the stage for several pivotal events in Czech history. From the declaration of Czechoslovak independence in 1918 to the 1989 Velvet Revolution, it remains a symbol of national identity and democratic struggle. At the top of the square stands a statue of Saint Wenceslas on horseback—an enduring patriotic icon.

The square’s architectural mix is just as fascinating as its history. Neo-Renaissance, Art Nouveau, and Communist-era buildings stand shoulder-to-shoulder, representing the district’s ever-changing face. At night, the street glows with vibrant lights, while during the day it’s a crossroads for tourists and locals alike.

Whether you’re pausing by the fountains, admiring the facades, or reflecting at the site of Jan Palach’s self-immolation, Wenceslas Square is the emotional heart of New Town and a must-see on any visit.

Presiding over Wenceslas Square is the monumental National Museum, a crown jewel of Czech culture and learning. Built between 1885 and 1891 in neo-Renaissance style, its grand staircase and ornate dome have made it a defining feature of Prague’s skyline.

The museum’s collections span a vast array of topics—from archaeology, anthropology, and zoology to music and Czech history. Inside, exhibitions are staged within grand halls adorned with marble pillars, stained glass, and gilded decoration. It’s a place to linger, learn, and marvel.

The building itself has played a role in more recent history too. During the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion, Soviet troops mistakenly fired on the museum, believing it to be the parliament. Damage to the sandstone facade remains partially visible despite restorations.

Climbing the dome or pausing on the upper balconies gives visitors commanding views over the entire square. Whether you’re passionate about natural history or simply love opulent architecture, the National Museum is a rewarding stop.

Just a short walk from the bustle of Wenceslas Square stands the Jubilee Synagogue, also known as the Jerusalem Synagogue due to its location. Built in 1906 to mark the silver jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph I, it blends Moorish Revival and Art Nouveau styles in a brilliant explosion of color and ornamentation.

Its bold striped facade and horseshoe-arched windows are unique within Prague, and the interior is just as striking. Golden stars twinkle against deep blue ceilings, while intricate floral patterns and elegant stained-glass windows frame the sanctuary. The ark and bimah reflect a mix of Jewish symbolism and decorative panache.

The synagogue still functions as a place of worship, but it also welcomes visitors throughout the week. Occasional concerts and exhibitions are held within, making the space both spiritually and culturally significant.

Of all the city’s synagogues, the Jubilee is the most decorative and dramatic. It’s an essential visit for lovers of design, religious history, and hidden architectural gems.

A soaring Gothic spire tucked into a side street near Wenceslas Square, St. Henry’s Tower is the tallest freestanding bell tower in Prague. Constructed in the late 15th century, the tower originally served as the campanile for the nearby Church of St. Henry and St. Kunhuta.

After centuries of storms, fires, and even war damage, the tower was restored and transformed into a multi-level cultural venue. Today, it houses a café, a restaurant, a small museum, and an observation platform that offers panoramic views of the New Town rooftops.

One of the most delightful surprises inside is the functioning carillon—a set of ten digitally-operated bells that ring melodies every quarter hour. It adds an atmospheric soundtrack to the surrounding neighborhood.

Visitors can take an elevator or stairs to the viewing deck. The museum within the tower also details Prague’s other towers and spires, making it an ideal stop for anyone interested in city planning, skyline history, or off-the-beaten-path sightseeing.

Standing over Charles Square, New Town Hall (Novoměstská radnice) has long been at the administrative and symbolic core of the district. Built in the late 14th century, it originally served as the town hall for the independent borough of New Town before the unification of Prague’s municipalities.

Its place in history was sealed in 1419 when radical Hussite followers threw Catholic councillors from the windows—a dramatic act known as the First Defenestration of Prague, which helped spark the Hussite Wars.

The hall’s Gothic tower is open to visitors, offering expansive views of Charles Square and beyond. Inside, exhibitions cover topics from civic governance to local culture, and concerts are occasionally held in its impressive vaulted halls.

New Town Hall is not just a historical relic—it’s a living part of Prague’s civic life. For those interested in revolutionary history or medieval architecture, it’s a rewarding stop.

Among the largest squares in Europe, Charles Square (Karlovo náměstí) was also established by Charles IV in 1348 as a centerpiece of his planned New Town. Originally a vibrant market square, it became home to monasteries, hospitals, and administrative centers, balancing both spiritual and civil needs.

Today, the square functions more like a park, offering locals a place to stroll among trees and fountains while surrounded by heavy traffic and important buildings. It’s home to the New Town Hall, the Church of St. Ignatius, and the Faust House, wrapped in legend and mystery.

The Faust House is particularly famous for its Gothic roots and apocryphal stories about alchemists and otherworldly experiments. Though not generally open to the public, it remains one of the most photographed buildings in the square.

With its blend of civic, religious, and mythological significance, Charles Square serves as a fitting anchor to Prague’s urban planning and cultural imagination.

This Baroque church, built in the 1730s, may appear unassuming from the outside, but it holds one of the most poignant memorials in Prague. Beneath the main sanctuary lies the crypt where Czech paratroopers made their final stand in 1942 after assassinating Reinhard Heydrich, a high-ranking Nazi official.

Known as Operation Anthropoid, the mission is one of the most celebrated acts of resistance during World War II. After being betrayed, the men took refuge in the church, where they were ultimately surrounded by Nazi troops. Rather than surrender, they chose to die in the crypt.

Today, that space serves as a deeply moving memorial, with photographs, documents, and artifacts chronicling their bravery and sacrifice. The exhibit is compact but powerfully curated.

Visiting the church and memorial is a sobering but important stop on any tour of New Town—offering a reminder of Prague’s courage in the face of tyranny.

The National Theatre is one of Prague’s most treasured cultural institutions and a symbol of Czech national identity. Opened in 1881 and then reopened in 1883 after a fire, the theatre was funded entirely by public donations—an extraordinary act of civic pride and unity during the Czech National Revival.

Designed in neo-Renaissance style by architect Josef Zítek, the theatre’s opulent facade and richly decorated interior continue to inspire awe. The golden-crowned rooftop and allegorical sculptures make it one of the city’s architectural highlights, especially when viewed from across the Vltava River.

Inside, the theatre hosts performances of opera, ballet, and drama, featuring both Czech classics and international works. It remains a working house with a rotating schedule of productions in three venues: the historic National Theatre building, the Estates Theatre, and the New Stage.

Whether you’re attending a show or admiring the building from the nearby Legion Bridge, the National Theatre is a cornerstone of Czech artistic heritage—and a striking visual and cultural highlight along any walking tour of New Town.

Nestled on Slovanský Island in the middle of the Vltava River, Žofín Palace is one of Prague’s most elegant Neo-Renaissance landmarks. Built in 1837 and named in honor of Princess Sophie (Žofie), the mother of Emperor Franz Joseph I, the palace has long been associated with music, art, and politics.

Originally used for social and cultural gatherings, it hosted performances by luminaries such as Bedřich Smetana, Antonín Dvořák, and Franz Liszt. Its majestic grand hall with crystal chandeliers and lavish detailing remains a popular venue for concerts, balls, and galas to this day.

Set amid landscaped gardens and riverside walkways, Žofín Palace offers a peaceful retreat from the urban bustle. The surrounding park and café terraces provide a relaxed space for a break during your walking tour, while offering beautiful views of the National Theatre and Old Town skyline.

Today, Žofín also serves as a hub for political events, conferences, and civic receptions. Whether you’re admiring it from the riverbank or attending a live performance inside, the palace represents a bridge between historic charm and living tradition.

Nicknamed “Fred and Ginger,” the Dancing House is one of Prague’s most distinctive modern buildings. Designed by Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry, it was completed in 1996 on a site left vacant after bombing in World War II.

The structure’s two towers appear to sway together like dancers—the stone tower upright and rigid, while the glass tower curves inward. This visual metaphor makes it a striking symbol of creativity and post-Communist architectural freedom.

Inside, the building houses offices, a restaurant, and a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the Vltava River and Prague Castle. Exhibitions and art installations are also occasionally staged in its gallery space.

Whether viewed from the riverbank or climbed for its skyline perspective, the Dancing House captures the spirit of a city that’s unafraid to blend tradition with bold innovation.