There are so many things to do in Prague that it’s easy to fill your time in this Ithum 73 Even if the weather is poor your list of options can include tours, museums, monuments and cafes just to name a few. But what about alternative things to see and do in this medieval city?
One of our favorite uses of free time is to visit one of the many spire topped towers in Prague. After all, Prague is considered the City of One Hundred Spires and these awesome spires make up one of the more memorable European skylines.
There are numerous reasons to visit at least one of these remarkable towers. Of course, their views are reason enough to visit, but they are also fairly inexpensive with tickets costing just a few dollars and many towers offer discounts for seniors, students and children. You can also save by purchasing family tickets if you have two adults and one or two children. In addition, most towers offer visitors a historical exhibition inside that gives each landmark some added value.
The best and most comprehensive view of Prague is the 360 degree view from atop Old Town Hall tower. Located on the corner of Old Town Square, this Gothic tower has a wraparound walkway at the top and each side has a glorious view. This perspective of Prague will only deepen your idea of the city’s archaic layout and the tight swarm of historical buildings nearby. From here, visitors can take advantage of a viewpoint of Old Town Square that the tourist crowds below will likely miss. Luckily, this tower is one of the few that has an elevator which makes it accessible to all ages.
The two towers that bookend Charles Bridge are also worth visiting. Both towers offer incredible views of the 14th century bridge, Lesser Town and the banks of Old Town. Inside, you’ll see that the towers themselves have changed only slightly from their first days. You can note their interesting stone interiors and splendid rooftop lookouts at the top of each one. If the views weren’t enough, each of these towers include historical exhibitions as well making a visit well worth the small admission fee. Unfortunately, neither of these towers have elevators.
Another tower worth climbing is the Baroque bell tower of St. Nicholas’ Church in Lesser Town. Built in 1755, it stands strong beside the green dome of the church. The tower also has the distinctive feature of once being a small hideout for State Secret Police. The police used the tower to spy on residents below and today there is a small exhibition inside that recreates the spy den that was once here. Of course at the top of the tower you will find magnificent views of Lesser Town, Petrin, Strahov Monastery and many other attractions.
Lastly, one of the most notable towers in Prague is the bell tower at St. Vitus’ Cathedral in the heart of Prague Castle. Admission to this 14th century beauty is included in either general ticket to the castle and is well worth the tight climb to the top. From the peak, visitors can experience a visual treat with an expansive view of the city as well as scenes that reach beyond the city’s edges. Of course, there is no elevator here and the narrow staircase may not be for everyone, but most visitors find the majestic view at the top to be well worth the climb.
