abrunettetravels Last updated on June 3rd, 2024 at 03:35 pm
As an Amazon associate, I may earn a small commission on qualifying items purchased through this blog at no additional cost to you. If you choose to make a purchase through any of the links that I am affiliated with, thank you! For more information, see my privacy page.
Are you someone who enjoys wandering off the beaten path in search of hidden gems? If that sounds like you, Prague is the perfect destination for your next adventure. In fact, even those who don’t go in search of offbeat sites will enjoy the best hidden gems in Prague. Keep reading for a list of places to add to your itinerary.
It doesn’t take much research to realize that there are a multitude of must-see sites in historic Prague. From castles to clocks to bridges and squares, there is enough to do and see in Prague to keep you busy for days.
For ideas on how to spend your time in Prague, I have put together a list of some of the best sites to see during your stay.
After spending five days in Prague, I realized that some of the most unique things to do and see in Prague often get overlooked. Prague’s hidden gems range from art to architecture to libraries, but they all have one thing in common–they are all worth visiting.
Prague’s Art Scene
At the forefront of Prague’s quirky side is it’s love for street art. It is truly impressive. Even if you don’t consider yourself a patron of the arts, I encourage you to map a few (or all) of these out. Think of it as an artistic treasure hunt!
Man Hanging from an Umbrella
High above the streets in Prague, you will find–exactly what is described–a man hanging from an umbrella. This whimsical sculpture is one of my favorites in Prague. I mean, how often do you look up to see someone hanging from an umbrella? Not to mention, if you don’t know to look up, you will miss it.
Not a lot is known about the origin of this peculiar piece other than it was created to honor Alphonso Mucha, one of Prague’s well-known artists. No need to read a lot into this piece, just enjoy it.
Pro Tip– Make sure to look around and you will see a woman hanging from an umbrella. I was surprised to see this as I had only read about the hanging man. From the right angle, you can snap a picture with both of them dangling.
Crawling Babies
In a city with scores of unique and thought-provoking street art, this one is undoubtedly at the top of the list for most perplexing. David Cevny’s oversized bronze crawling statues are a popular attraction with tourists. This sculpture is freakishly fascinating and makes one ponder the story behind it.
Memorial to the Victims of Communism
Best described as haunting, this eerily real-life sculpture serves as a reminder of the struggles endured by the Czech people as they fought for freedom. The memorial illustrates the erosion of the human spirit under communism.
The Piss
Yep, you read that right. This is possibly the most head scratching, albeit humorous sculptures. It is located in front of the Frank Kafka Museum yet feels tucked away from the crowds. Notice that the two men are standing over a map of the Czech Republic making this even more curious.
Pro Tip– You can reach the statue by going through the cute gingerbread house on the street. Make sure to pick up your favorite sweet treat before heading out the back to see the sculpture.
Franz Kafka Memorial
Located in the Jewish Quarter, this sculpture is exactly as labeled, a tribute to Franz Kafka. Known as one of Prague’s most famous and beloved writers, his presence is felt throughout the city. As with the other sculptures, this one provokes questions about its design.
Franz Kafka Rotating Head
There is the Charles Bridge, the astronomical clock, Prague Castle and then you have Franz Kafka’s rotating head. Technically, this probably isn’t a hidden gem of Prague. In fact, it’s possibly the symbol of the city’s quirky art scene. Sadly, I didn’t get to see it in person. Well, I was able to see the scrim and scaffolding surrounding it while repairs were being made. Alas, I didn’t get the strange pleasure of watching the giant head rotate. Just another reason to go back!
Prague’s Architecture
Wandering aimlessly through Prague is one of the best ways to spend a day in this splendid city. As you wind through the narrow streets, take notice of one of Prague’s hidden gems-the architecture. Whether it’s quirky or artistic is in the eye of the beholder. One thing is for certain; it is unique and worth a visit.
I have included three examples of this next hidden gem. Fortunately, they are easy to visit and can be seen relatively quickly. All three can easily be seen in one day.
Dancing House
Likely one of the most iconic examples of quirky architecture in Prague. The Dancing House stands on the corner of the riverfront in downtown Prague. Often referred to as the Fred & Ginger house due to resemblance of two people dancing, the Dancing House stands out amongst its surroundings.
Pro Tip– Spend some time at the Dancing House at the rooftop bar. Simply take the elevator up, walk past the high-priced restaurant, buy a drink and head outside for sweeping views of the Vltava River. There is a fee to go outside if you don’t buy a drink, so you might as well relax for a bit and hydrate.
An amazing example of decontructivist design, the Dancing House has received its share of criticism. Many believe the design doesn’t fit with Prague’s Baroque, Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings. While this is true, you can decide for yourself if it’s a worthy addition to Prague’s landscape.
Prague is a sprawling city with intriguing sites spread out from corner to corner. Luckily, the next two hidden gems are close together making them easy to see.
Lennon Wall
One need not be a John Lennon fan to appreciate the simple beauty of the Lennon Wall. Originally created shortly after Lennon’s tragic death as a memorial to the peace-loving vocalist, the wall has morphed into a symbol for freedom. Unveiled in 2019, the new focal point of the wall is a colorful world map with Freedom written in thirty languages.
Narrowest Alley
When it comes to hidden gems in Prague, there is nothing more hidden than the narrowest alley. This super tiny alley, complete with a streetlight is easy to miss. During the day, look for the lineup of people in the street and you are probably in the right spot.
This unique hidden gem is located in the Mala Strana district in Old Town. The alley leads down to a tavern with good views of the Vltava River. Note: it is a dead end, so you will need to walk back up to street level. Just make sure you wait for the green light to start your climb to the top.
Pro Tip– The Gingerbread house and Piss Sculpture are just down the street from here. Combine these with the narrowest alley and Lennon Wall for fun laid back morning (or afternoon).
Libraries
Admittedly, this is the first time I included libraries to our itinerary. But I am so glad I did! Prague has three libraries that are absolutely worth your time for their beauty and history, not to mention one particularly mesmerizing display. Surprising to me, this was one of my favorite things we did while in Prague.
Infinity Book Tower
The easiest of the three libraries to visit is the Municipal Library of Prague. As long as you visit during normal hours, you can witness the Infinity Book Tower for yourself. Depending on what time of day you visit, you are likely to find a line stretching out to the sidewalk. Take heart, the line moves quickly, and the book tower is located front and center right inside the front doors. Just wait your turn to see the towering collection of books with no end in sight.
Strahov Monastery and Library
An absolutely beautiful library high atop Old Town Prague. Actually, the Strahov library consists of two separate halls, the Theological Hall and the Philosophical Hall. The Baroque Theological Hall is the oldest dating back to 1674. The Classicist Philosophical Hall was completed in 1794. Even though the libraries have different architectural styles, the focal point of both are the ornate frescoed ceilings.
Anyone who loves art and beaty will appreciate the design of both libraries. History lovers will marvel at this being one of the best-preserved historical libraries with first prints dating back to 1501.
Pro Tip– Make sure to visit the beer garden on property either before or after your visit. It is a lively setting with wonderful schnitzel, strudel and of course, beer! I would visit Strahov again just for the beer garden. One of the best schnitzels I have had.
Klementinum Library
If there is one library in Prague that people have heard of, it’s Klementinum. This frequently photographed library is stunning and absolutely worth a visit. Some say it is the most beautiful library in the world.
We chose to take a tour of the library combined the astronomical tower. I highly recommend this tour as it was informative and the perfect way to see both sites. If you are an early riser, you can score discounted tickets for the earlier tours.
Conclusion
Prague is a beautiful city with may well known sites and with sites comes crowds. Why not spend a day or two wandering the streets and seeing some of the less crowded hidden gems of Prague. It would be a shame to visit and not see some of the most beautiful sites Prague has to offer.
