Mala Strana in Prague: baroque houses, Petřín Hill and an abundance of tourists. We tell you what sights to see, how to get there, how much tickets cost, opening hours.
The Malá Strana district in Prague is cute but touristy. This is a good place for those who like to look for quiet, beautiful streets - they can be found here, unlike the Stare Mesto in Prague. Let's see which sights of Mala Strana are worth paying attention to.
Look for interesting excursions in Prague on the websites Sputnik8 and Tripster. Individual and group, no crowds of tourists and in Russian.
Lesser Town Towers
Charles Bridge ends with two photogenic towers. In Czech - Malostranská mostecká věž. In the evening, they are wonderfully illuminated. You can climb the high tower. Tickets: 100 CZK. Opening hours: daily from 10:00. From November to February until 18:00, in March and October until 20:00, April - September until 22:00.
Beautiful streets of Mala Strana
The Mala Strana district in Prague is loved by tourists, because there are many interesting sights here. We liked it first of all for its streets:
- Mostetskaya (Mostecká) starts from the Charles Bridge and the Lesser Towns Towers.
- Nerudova (Nerudova ulice) with old houses decorated with coats of arms and unique names. Only in 1770 was the numbering of houses introduced, and before that the inhabitants of Prague were guided precisely by the names: "At Two Suns" (U Dvou sluncu), "At the Golden Bowl", U Zlatého Noha, U Zlaté podkovy, etc.
- Carmelite (Karmelitska).
- Wallenstein The street (Valdštejnská) has preserved many historical buildings and palaces: Palfi, Kolovrat, Furstenberg palaces, Wallenstein palace and garden, houses "At the Golden Sun", "At the White Lamb" and "At the Black Lamb".
Church of St. Nicholas
Kostel svatého Mikuláše on the outside is an imposing and beautiful Baroque church, an example of Prague's Baroque. We were not inside, but tourists respond well and advise you to visit. The guidebooks also sing the praises of the temple.
Address: Malostranské náměstí. Opening hours: daily from 9:00. From November to February - until 16:00, from March to October - until 17:00. The ticket costs 70 CZK. Children and students (10-26 years old) - 50 CZK.
Free viewing platforms
- From the Legia Bridge and the very tip of the Streletsky Island (Střelecký ostrov), beautiful views of the Charles Bridge, Stare Mesto and Mala Strana open up. You need to go down from the bridge to the island by elevator.
- From the end of Charles Bridge, almost at the towers, on the left and right sides you can admire the roofs of the Lesser Town houses.
- Views of Mala Strana and Prague Castle from the site at the Bedřich Smetana Museum on Novotneho lavka street.
- The area behind the Kafka Museum (read below in the "Swans" section).
Swans
If you go down from the Charles Bridge and go around the Franz Kafka Museum along Cihelna Street, you can go to the Vltava and the observation deck with a gorgeous view of the Charles Bridge and Stare Mesto. This attraction is almost number 1 on our list! There are hundreds of fearless swans begging for food, ducks, seagulls, as well as cute and impudent nutria. We spent over an hour here watching and taking pictures. Memories were the warmest.
John Lennon Wall
The advertised attraction of Mala Strana, which is not worth not only the time spent, but even a mention. Just a wall covered with mediocre graffiti against which selfies are taken. It's all. What would Lennon say about this?
On one site we read that in Prague they believe that a true fan of a musician will find an autograph of Lennon himself. What? Lennon has never been to Prague!
Address: Lennonova zeď - Velkopřevorské náměstí.
Velkopřevorska mill
If you go beyond the Lennon Wall, you will reach the 13th century water mill (Velkopřevorský mlýn). It is also called the Devil's by the name of the river. But the view of the mill is much better from Charles Bridge! Another pastoral view opens up if you go down from the bridge along the right stairs (after the statue of St. Philip Benicius) and look from under the arch of the bridge.
The narrowest street in Prague
Vinarna Devil (Vinárna Čertovka) is the narrowest street in the city, its width is only 70 cm. Only one person can walk along it, therefore there are traffic lights at both ends. We found this attraction by chance, when we were returning from the observation deck to the Charles Bridge. I remember that in the 90s I saw a program ("Bad Notes"?), Where the host talked about her.
Address: U Lužického semináře, next to the U Páva hotel (room 105/30), it is between the Charles Bridge and the Kafka Museum.
Churches
We did not go to the churches and churches of Mala Strana, because by the end of our trip to Europe we were rather tired of religious buildings. In this area, tourists are advised to visit the temple of the Virgin Mary under the chain and the temple of the Virgin Mary Victorious. The latter contains the wax baby Jesus (Pražské Jezulátko, or Bambino di Praga). The Jesulatress Jesus is popular with believers - it is believed that he grants wishes. From the outside, the temples look attractive and austere.
Address of the temple of the Virgin Mary under the chain (Kostel Panny Marie pod řetězem): Lázeňská 285/13.
The address of the Church of the Virgin Mary Victorious (Kostel Panny Marie Vítězné): Karmelitská 9.
Petrin Hill
Petrin Hill (Petřín) 327 meters high. It is a large park area with a tower offering views of Prague. We advise in the warm season, when it is green, warm and roses bloom. If so, this is a great place to walk! We were in a cold and windy time, so we did not visit the hill.
There are many sights on the Petrin Hill: temples, chapels, Hungry Wall, gardens, courtyard and garden of Kinsky, and more. Just walk around and check the map!
How to get to Petřín Hill in Prague? First you need to get to the Újezd stop by tram. Suitable number 6, 9, 12, 20, 22, 57, 58, 59, 91. Then you need to climb the hill on foot or by funicular (tickets and passes for regular transport are valid). Tourists are advised to go on foot - there are usually queues on the funicular, and views open up during the walk.
Tower. There are two observation decks. The entrance to the tower costs 150 CZK, an additional lift is paid - 60 CZK. In March and October - until 20:00, April - September - until 22:00, November - February - until 18:00.
When visiting the hill, we were advised to try beer in Strahov Monastery (Strahovský klášter) - they say it's great there. Address: Strahovské nádvoří 132/1.
