Walking through the old streets of Prague, you might discover that many houses you’ll pass are marked with strange symbols above their entryways. These are the famous Prague house signs. House signs were a popular method of identifying guilds, businesses, and palaces worldwide before the numbering system of city planning was implemented.
Searching out these famous street signs of Prague is a fun little scavenger hunt! If you’re looking for an alternative tour of the town, looking for these symbols is a great way to explore Prague.
Hradčany is one of Prague’s quietest blocks despite being located right beside some of the most prominent attractions. This allows travellers to explore the charming street corners and historic buildings while getting away from the hoards of tourists.
Hotel Elite Prague, located along a peaceful cobblestone street, is set inside a 14th-century old monastery. So much of the old building has been preserved, so you feel like you are staying in a piece of Prague’s history.
This self-guided walking tour will take you through the legends of Prague’s Mala Strana, or ‘Little Quarter.’ Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these stories are a fun way to learn about the spirits that may still haunt Prague today!
The Municipal House or Obecni Dum is one of Prague’s most iconic Art Nouveau buildings.
The Jewish Quarter, or Josefov as it called in Czech, is the smallest of Prague’s neighbourhoods and yet perhaps is the one filled with such intense and powerful histories. Although some of these histories are rather dark, these streets seem to fill to bursting with stories. The echoes along the cobblestones feel like the voices of the people who once called this place home. Many of the areas most important buildings were spared from destruction, and you can still to this day walk through their doors to discover secrets from the past.
One of my favourite parts of Prague was Malá Strana, or “Lesser Quarter”. Mala Strana itself is divided between the lower and upper halves of the hill. The upper half consists of Prague Castle, which is where the majority of tourists flock, with good reason, but the rest of Lower Town has a more subdued vibe. With less big-ticket attractions, you’ll find that there are slightly fewer tourists along these streets. But this area is still filled with historic Burgher houses, astonishing churches and adorable cafes and restaurants.
Golden Lane is one of Prague’s most picturesque streets. Located inside Prague Castle, this fairytale like laneway of pastel coloured homes was built in the castle’s fortifications at the end of the 16th century. To access the Golden Lane, you need to purchase a ticket for Prague Castle. Almost every different circuit ticket includes the Golden Lane and for a good reason, since no visit to Prague castle is complete without visiting Golden Lane.
Strahov Monastery in Prague and their illustrious shelves of parchment treasures, is a dream come true for any visitor. It is one of the greatest libraries of the world and well worth the effort of visiting if you come to Prague.