Tour guides Czech Republic > Prague

5 ideas for guided tours in Prague

• Strahov Monastery Library

  

  In the Hradčany district, the Strahov Monastery hides a library that impresses as much for its atmosphere as for the richness of its collections. Thousands of volumes line the old shelves, giving the feeling of stepping into a place where time has stopped.

  Two main halls make up the library. The Theological Hall, decorated in the 17th century with biblical frescoes by Siard Nosecký, carries a marked sense of solemnity. Later, the Philosophical Hall was designed in a neoclassical style, rising over two levels and crowned by a fresco by Anton Maulbertsch depicting the spiritual evolution of humanity.

  Beyond its ancient manuscripts and rare works, the library also houses a unique collection of terrestrial and celestial globes. The eye drifts across the painted ceilings, back to the carved woodwork, and then to the endless shelves — as if caught in a loop of images and details.

  Outside, the Petřín Hill and the nearby castle offer sweeping views over Prague. The monastery gardens, quiet and discreet, extend the visit, inviting a slow walk after the visual richness of the reading rooms.

• Spanish synagogue

  

  Wandering through the streets of Josefov, the Spanish Synagogue stands out with its unusual appearance for Prague. Built in 1868 on the site of a former medieval place of worship, it embraces a Neo-Moorish style reminiscent of Andalusia and the Alhambra.

  From the entrance, the walls are covered with intricate geometric patterns and arabesques. Light filters down from the great golden dome, mixing with the colors of the stained glass. Columns and arches form a rich, almost hypnotic setting, where gold and deep hues echo one another.

  Everything seems designed to envelop the visitor. Details abound, from the fresco designs to the woodwork, creating an atmosphere both solemn and delicate — as if you were walking through a space suspended outside of time.

  Upstairs, the museum deepens the experience. Manuscripts, religious objects, and archives tell the story of the Jewish communities of Bohemia and Moravia. Moving through the displays, you sense that the synagogue is more than a religious building — it is a precious keeper of Prague’s memory.

• Charles bridge

  

  Charles Bridge crosses the Vltava like a living ribbon of stone, worn smooth by centuries of footsteps and processions. You walk between dark statues, some polished by the touch of countless hands, surrounded by a steady stream of musicians, painters, and street vendors.

  At each end, Gothic towers frame the view, reminding you that this crossing was once a key strategic point. Early in the morning, the bridge feels almost empty, while by evening it fills with voices and lights spilling in from the city.

  Not far away, the Old Town Square shows off its clock and ornate façades, while the Prague Castle crowns the hill, reached by a tangle of narrow streets and stairways. The bridge links these two sides of the city — bustling and solemn.

• The Astronomical clock

  

  On the façade of Prague’s town hall, the astronomical clock never fails to draw attention, whether from curious visitors or locals. Installed in the early 16th century, it owes its mechanism to the clockmaker Mikuláš of Kadaň, who created a system remarkably precise and complex for its time.

  The clock is made up of three main parts. The richly decorated astronomical dial shows not only the time but also the positions of the sun and moon. Below it, a painted calendar completes the display, while at the center lies the mechanism that keeps everything in motion.

  From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., every hour brings a familiar ritual: the chimes ring, and the small windows open to let the apostles pass by — wooden figures set into motion by the clockwork. Crowds gather on the Old Town Square, between cafés and cobblestones, to witness this centuries-old spectacle.

• Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)

  

  In Prague, the Old Town Square is one of those places where everything comes together — baroque façades, gothic houses, and tightly packed cafés. Your eyes are first drawn to the astronomical clock, its ancient mechanism attracting a focused crowd every hour.

  Around the square, the Church of Our Lady before Týn rises with its twin dark spires, standing out against the lighter-colored buildings nearby. You cross the square slowly, moving from a lively terrace to a narrow alley that opens onto a new scene.

  Follow the cobblestones and you reach the Charles Bridge, its statues lined up with views over the Vltava, or turn toward the old Jewish Quarter, with its synagogues and tightly packed cemetery stones. Every step carries an echo of history — sometimes heavy, sometimes light.