The Top Things To Do And See In Prague's Mal Strana

Hugging the meanders of the Vltava River and nestled in the shadow of the great gothic rises of Prague Castle, the Malá Strana, or Little Quarter, is unquestionably one of the most enchanting and alluring in the capital of the Czech Republic. Alive with hidden streets and cobblestone squares, ancient churches and unforgettable sights, the area is bursting with interesting activities and worthy cultural pursuits. Here are Culture Trip’s highlights.

1. Church of St. Nicholas

Bridge, Church, Cathedral

There are oodles of churches in Prague, but perhaps none as fascinating as this baroque-styled piece in Malá Strana. St. Nicholas Church’s iconic green dome and bell tower has long been part of Prague’s historic skyline. The famous composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart both had concerts at this Church. Located between the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, this spot allows visitors to soak up the atmosphere without hordes of other tourists. Make sure to climb to the top of the bell tower on a clear day, and see the unforgettable panoramic view of Prague spread out into the distance.

2. Petrin Tower

Building

The Petrin Tower is a tower on the outskirts of the Malá Strana area. Similar to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, this landmark is a favorite with tourists. The views are pretty amazing at all times of the year but are particularly spectacular during fall, when the changing colors of the surrounding forests illuminate the city’s various districts. The tower has a whopping 299 steps, and this doesn’t include those found on the hike up the hill beforehand—perhaps not an excursion for the faint-hearted.

3. Wallenstein Garden

Park

For travellers in need of an escape from the city in one of the quieter corners of Malá Strana, the peaceful Wallenstein Garden is perhaps the best place to head. These hidden gardens surround the Wallenstein palace, the home of the Czech Republic Senate. The garden, constructed in the 17th century, houses hundreds of unique sculptures, fountains and even some magnificent peacocks, who wander around aimlessly at their pleasure.

5. Kampa Park

Park

Another great park located in the Malá Strana, Kampa Park edges up to the banks of the Vltava River and is a perfect paradise away from the hustling, bustling streets of Prague central. On the weekends, various food and farmers’ markets pop up here, so be sure not to miss those. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this park though is the Crawling Babies exhibit, created by artist David Černý and now famous right across the globe.

6. Mostecká Street

Building

When looking to do a spot of shopping in Malá Strana, Mostecka Street is the place to go. It is the main street in the neighborhood and hosts a whole host of boutiques and emporiums. The shops are all run by citizens of Prague and the products differ store-to-store. There is one shop that sells elegant glassware and has a great collection of crystal glasses, vases, and sculptures; another shop sells fragrant candles, and another touts body lotions—all perfect choices for souvenirs.

7. Blue Light Bar

Bar, British

There are plenty of bars and pubs in Prague, but none quite like the Blue Light Bar. This jazz bar is funky, lively and any patron is destined for a good time. The décor is completely unique, with graffiti-covered walls and oodles of antiques, while the music is great for dancing. The place is packed most nights of the week and it’s open late for any night owls. What’s more, the drinks are delicious and reasonably priced.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.