Prague is a fantastic city to visit in Europe and one that is extremely photogenic. It has awesome landmarks, as well as plenty of top viewpoints allowing you to capture the city from the best angles. As a photographer who has visited Prague many times in this post I am sharing all the best spots around the city that I have found. Below I have also noted the best times to go for pictures, some tips for the location, whether it’s free or not, and also a link to the location on Google Maps.
Here are the best and must-visit Instagram and photography spots in Prague.
Here are some top activities that you may like for Prague.
This article has been written by Mike Clegg who has visited Prague many times. During these visits he spent much time exploring and photographing the city and finding the best places for taking pictures. You can read more about him below and on his bio.
1. Charles Bridge (Karlův most)
Starting with one of Prague’s most popular spots in the city, Charles Bridge. This incredible medieval bridge was finished at the beginning of the 15th century and is one of the most popular tourist spots. It can get extremely busy so I recommend heading here early morning for sunrise if you want quieter shots.
Best time for pics: Morning for quiet shots, or day to show busy scenes
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
2. River and swans – Lesser Town side
Along the waterfront on the west side of Charles Bridge, there is a small park and pavement that dips towards the water. I have found at this spot there is often a huge number of swans. And I mean more swans than I’ve ever seen in my life. Definitely a spot worth checking out. You’ll find this location just north of the bridge in the Lesser Town side. Click the location below for the exact spot.
Best time for pics: Afternoon to sunset
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
3. View from Old Town Hall Tower
Next is the Old Town Hall Tower in the Old Town which is a top location for Instagram and Photography. Make sure you head up the tower where you’ll get amazing views in all directions. It’s also a great spot for capturing the main Christmas Market too. To really capture as much as possible consider using a wide-angle lens such as 24mm or wider. The below shot was on a 14mm lens.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Ticketed
Location on Google Maps
4. Mariánské hradby
If you are visiting Prague in the autumn then head to the street Mariánské hradby. This is quite close to the Prague Castle complex and is a great location for getting pictures of the trams with trees on either side. Make sure you stand in a safe spot off the tracks when taking pictures and consider using a zoom lens which will help with this.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
5. Na Opyši
There is a small pedestrian path called Na Opyši which leads up to Prague Castle. And Close to the top is various spots which are perfect for taking photographs of the city and it’s skyline. I have found around late afternoon and sunset are great. Sometimes you may even get lucky and have some amazing colours if you visit in the autumn.
Best time for pics: Late afternoon and sunset
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
6. Dancing House
One of my favourite spots in the city for Instagram and photography is the fantastic Dancing House. This incredible architecture was designed by architects Vlado Milunić with Canadian-American Frank Gehry and consists of lots of unusual curves and shapes. I recommend coming here for around sunset/blue hour to get the best pictures. Also, consider using an ND filter when taking pictures during the day to get blurred trams.
Best time for pics: Late afternoon-night
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
7. The Vrtba Garden
This garden is really beautiful and photogenic. During my trip, I visited quite late in the afternoon and towards sunset so the sun was actually quite low, hence why my picture below is partly shadow and it’s not the best. I would recommend visiting this spot when the sun is high in the sky to avoid this.
Best time for pics: Early afternoon when the sun is high in the sky
Cost: Ticketed
Location on Google Maps – The entrance is off Karmelitská street, shortly after the turning for Tržiště.
8. Franz Kafka Monument
This monument is pretty cool and the whole face twists and turns. It’s pretty interesting to watch. Below you can see two sections that are moving near the nose and eyes.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
9. Petřín Park
It takes a fair bit of walking to get up Petřín park, and along the way, you’ll probably see various openings in the trees such as below. For the ultimate view then there is the Petřín Lookout Tower which rises above the trees and is probably the highest viewpoint in the city. When heading up the tower consider using a zoom lens such as 105mm+ so as to compress the scene and create the best pictures.
Best time for pics: Anytime although I’ve only been during the day
Cost: Free for the park. The tower is paid.
Location on Google Maps
10. Along Smetanovo nábřeží
To capture Prague Castle and part of Charles Bridge walk to the path alongside the road “Smetanovo nábřeží”. This is just south of Charles Bridge on the East side of the river (Old Town). On a quiet evening with no wind, you’ll probably get great reflection shots from this perspective.
Best time for pics: Sunset – Night
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
11. Lesser Town Bridge Tower
The view from the Lesser Town Bridge Tower is perfect for getting views over Charles Bridge towards the Old Town and the surrounding architecture. It also allows you to really capture how busy the bridge can get.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Ticketed
Location on Google Maps
12. St Nicholas Church – interior
When taking pictures in this church use a wide-angle lens so as to capture as much as possible. Also, use a wide aperture or tripod to capture the highest quality images with as little noise as possible.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Ticketed
Location on Google Maps
13. Town Belfy by St. Nicholas Church
I loved the view from this tower and you can get some great views in all directions. Such as towards Petřín Park, towards the Old Town, or even towards Prague Castle.
Best time for pics: Day-Sunset
Cost: Ticketed
Location on Google Maps
14. Prague Castle complex
The castle complex is free to enter the main part but to see some of the main attractions, such as the St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane and various other spots you have to get a ticket. However, there are plenty of nice spots around the complex which are free and good for photography.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Ticketed for certain areas
Location on Google Maps
15. Letna Hill
Providing some of the best views of the city, especially at sunset is the view from Letna Hill. From this spot, you will get views of the Vltava river. If you have good clouds consider using an ND filter to capture a long exposure and capture streaky clouds.
Best time for pics: Sunset
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
16. St. Nicholas Church from Malostranské náměstí (east)
A great spot I found in the Lesser Town region of Prague is at the square along Malostranské náměstí on the east side of the church. Here you’ll be able to get pictures with trams or Old Prague Cars and St Nicholas Church in the background. For a different type of image also consider using a tripod and long exposure at night, or taking pictures during the day with an ND filter.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
17. View from Old Town bridge tower
Another of my favourite views is from the Charles Bridge Tower on the Old Town side. I think it’s particularly good at sunset and into the blue hour when Prague Castle lights up. For techniques check out my post photography tips – cities at night.
Best time for pics: Sunset-night
Cost: Ticketed
Location on Google Maps
18. Nový Svět
This cute little area is west of Prague Castle and is great for pictures. When here I recommend heading up the path along Keplerova where you’ll be able to capture a view like below. When taking pictures of this street also consider using people to make the picture even more interesting and add scale.
Best time for pics: Day
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
19. The metro
Prague Metro is fairly nice and can be quite a good place to get some good transport pics. Consider using a slightly slower shutter speed so as to capture a little bit of motion blur.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Metro fair
Location: Můstek station and many others are good for shots like below.
20. Most Legií (bridge) towards the National Theatre
Although not the easiest spot to take photographs, from Most Legií you’ll be able to take pictures of trams, Prague Old Cars and the beautiful National Theatre. A long exposure during the blur hour may be good for this spot, although I haven’t tried it yet.
Best time for pics: Day-blue hour
Cost: Free
Location on Google Maps
Other spots to consider
Here are some other spots around the city that I haven’t made it to or in yet.
- Strahov Library – This library is in a monastery and has a stunning library. You will often see pictures of this shared on Instagram.
- St. Vitus Cathedral – Located in the Prague Castle complex. There can often be long queues.
- Golden Lane – Also located in the Prague Castle Complex. I’ve heard good things about this spot. You can get access to this through a Prague Castle ticket.
My Prague photography tips
- Head out early to get pictures of Charles Bridge and the Old Town before it gets busy.
- Visit at Christmas to capture amazing lights around the city, especially near the Old Town Square.
- Use a decent travel tripod for night photography.
- Visit in the autumn for amazing colours of trees around the city.
- Use an ND filter to flatten the water, or create streaky clouds during the day
Head to Ultimate Tips for Travel Photography for more tips, advice and techniques.
Tours and activities
Prague has heaps of awesome tours, day trips and other activities to help maximise your trip. Below are some ideas to get you started or head to Prague: 10 Best Tours and Activities or click the blue button for even more ideas.
Summary
I hope this helps on your trip to Prague and you manage to get lots of awesome Instagram and Photography pictures. Why not also extend your visit into a multi-destination trip – Head over to Multi-Destination Trips – Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest for ideas.
Need a hotel in Prague?
Book one of my recommend hotels or find a deal on booking.com:
- $$ Recommended mid-range hotel: Golden Key
- $$$ Recommended luxury hotel: Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Ready to book? Search for:
