Staré Město
Staré Město: the back story
Area guide
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Tadeáš Gregor · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Staré Město: the back story
The Old Town is the heart of medieval Prague: Old Town Square, founded in the 12th century, with the Old Town Hall of 1338 and its astronomical clock, the Týn church and the Kinský Palace; Charles Bridge at its river edge; the Clementinum’s Baroque library; and, at its eastern gate, the Powder Tower and the Art Nouveau Municipal House.
Sights
Old Town Square and the Old Town Hall, Charles Bridge, the Clementinum, the Municipal House and the Estates Theatre, where Mozart’s Don Giovanni had its premiere.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Godot13 · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsEating
La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise and Field hold One MICHELIN Star in 2026; V Zátiší, Mlýnec and CottoCrudo are in the guide.
Come to Old Town Square early in the morning, before the crowds gather at the clock.
Staying
Four Seasons on the river, the Hotel Paris, The Emblem and Hotel Josef.
Our advice: cross Charles Bridge at dawn, then breakfast at the Grand Café Orient.
Why it's on our list
- Sights
- Eating
- Staying
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Staré Město: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Staré Město: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 14 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro and tram stops
- StaroměstskáATram200 m3 min walk
- Právnická fakultaTram500 m7 min walk
- MůstekAB550 m7 min walk
Key sights
- Jewish Museum300 mWalk 4 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Wenceslas Square800 mWalk 10 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Charles Bridge850 mWalk 11 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Prague Castle1.5 kmWalk 19 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Vyšehrad2.6 kmWalk 32 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Václav Havel Airport11 kmCar or taxi 35 min
Main railway stations
- Masarykovo nádraží850 mWalk 10 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Praha hlavní nádraží1.2 kmWalk 15 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 8 min