Things to do in Karlstejn

In years gone by, the Old Town Square (Staroměstské Náměstí) was the beating heart of central Prague. To this day, it remains a busy location where visitors flock to see the city’s famous attractions. Head here at the start of your adventure through Prague to buy a map and a guide book, stop off for something to eat or drink, or simply to soak up the heritage and history on display.

If you pay a visit to the City Hall right in the heart of the Old Town and look up high on the southern wall, you’ll see one of the oldest astronomical clocks still working anywhere in the world. Known as the Pražský Orloj, the Astronomical Clock dates back all the way to 1410. Since then it has understandably had to be repaired time and again and has been saved from destruction so well that to this day it still tells the time and becomes animated with a fascinating show at its top of every hour.

For centuries past, the famous Charles Bridge (Karlův Most) was the only route available to anyone crossing between the east and west of Prague.

Prague Castle (Pražský Hard) is one of the world’s largest castles, officially recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an iconic feature of the cityscape. Dating back over 1,100 years, the castle has been the home of Bohemian kings, Roman emperors and Czechoslovakian presidents – and to this day remains in use as the home of the modern Czech government.

Stretching as far as 750 metres through the heart of Prague, the long boulevard of Wenceslas Square (Václavské Náměstí) is the focal point of the New Town. Here you can join the locals who flock here to take a walk or eat out. The square is also the beginning of Prague’s main shopping area, as well as a lively local haunt by night.

Prague is a city famous across the world for its picturesque and historic cityscape, rather than for its garish modern architecture. Therefore, you will easily appreciate why the city’s Dancing House (Tančící Dům) was met with so much controversy when it was built in the mid-1990s. A curved B-shaped glass building, it stands in stark contrast to the surrounding buildings and is visited eagerly by modern architecture buffs as well as regular visitors who like to eat at its popular restaurant.

Walk in the footsteps of Czech kings at the fairytale-like Karlštejn Castle (Hrad Karlštejn). Glimpse inside lavishly decorated chapels, rooms and palaces. Admire displays of antique art and views from a 197-foot-tall (60-meter) tower. Karlštejn Castle commands a magnificent setting on a hilltop overlooking the Berounka River and rolling green countryside.