Old Town Square (“Staroměstské náměstí”) is the Prague you’ve seen in pictures. The mechanical wonder of the 15th-century Astronomical Clock impresses with both its exterior beauty and maintained functionality. Look closely at the twin towers of the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn, whose decades of construction delays resulted in spires aren’t actually identical. A towering statue of martyred religious leader Jan Hus and his followers dominates the center of the cobblestoned square. Bubble blowers, mimes, and other gimmicky acts perform for tourist tips, and Christmas and Easter seasons bring massive holiday markets. For authentic stories and legends of this medieval center, join one of the free walking tours at the northern edge of the square.
Time Out tip: Time a trip to the top of the Astronomical Clock around the half hour to avoid the crowds gathering to watch it chime every hour from 9am to 11pm. You’ll find signs to the entrance in the Old Town Hall.
Nearby:
Skautsky Institute: For a friendly, low-key café run by welcoming Scouts
Maitrea: For delicious vegetarian oasis from a meat-loving culture
Black Angel’s Bar: For craft cocktails in an underground, Prohibition-era bar