The Towers of Prague: Top 10 Views Over Czech Capital
Prague towers offer excellent opportunities to see the city from different perspectives. Let’s have a tour around the 10 most exciting towers of Prague and views over the Czech capital.
Old Town Bridge Tower
This tower is considered one of the most beautiful Gothic towers in the world. Its beautiful decorations are full of symbolism and mysticism that would deserve a whole lecture. However, the most exciting experience is from the top of the tower. Not many people know that you can climb 138 steps to have an unbeatable view of Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. The best experience is during the sunset when you can watch the sky magic over the river.
Lesser Town Bridge Towers
On the other side of the Charles Bridge, you can find two towers connected with a gate leading to the Lesser Town of Prague. The smaller one, also called Judith’s Tower, is older than Charles Bridge itself (and it’s not accessible to the public). The taller one was built after the completion of Charles Bridge and is the youngest piece here. You can climb on the top of the tower, walk around the Gothic spires and enjoy a view of the historical city center.
St Nicholas Bell Tower
This bell tower does not belong to the church but has its separate entrance and history. Since 1755, it served as a fire watch-out tower. During the communist period, the tower served the State Security Service to monitor Western embassies’ activities in the area. Until today, the interior is preserved as the spies left it. From the 65 meters, you have a great view of Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Strahov Monastery, Petřín, and Lesser Town from a different perspective.
Petřín Lookout Tower
On top of the hill is the main dominant of Petřín, the lookout tower that resembles the Eiffel Tower. It is not a coincidence since it was erected in 1891, only two years after completing the Eiffel Tower. It is 63 meters high that is about one-fifth of the original Eiffel Tower. Once you climb to the top, you have a splendid view of the city. You can even see Sněžka during bright days, the highest peak of the Czech Republic.
Old Town Hall Tower
This is probably the most visited tower in Prague, and there is a reason for that. From almost 70 meters, you have the best view over Old Town Square, and you are facing the spires of Týn Cathedral and Saint Nicolas´ Church. I like the super modern stairs to the top that are actually not stairs. It makes the Old Town Hall Tower the only wheelchair-accessible tower in Prague.
Powder Gate Tower
Just next to the beautiful art nouveau Municipal House, you can find this astonishing gothic tower. In middle age, it used to be part of city fortification. This gate used to be one of 13 entry points to Prague. This tower and its gate have three main functions. Firstly, it was the ceremonial entrance gate to the city. Secondly, it brought to the town the main road from Kutná Hora. Thirdly, it used to store gunpowder. That is how it acquired its name. On top of the tower is a gallery open to the public where you can admire the view over the New Town of Prague. I would especially recommend planning your visit during sunset time. You will understand why.
St. Henry Tower
This bell tower is known in Czech as the Jindřišská tower, and you can find it just opposite the Edison Filmhub cinema. At first sight, it might look like a gothic tower, but it was rebuilt in this style only in the 1870s. It is the highest freestanding bell tower in Prague, with 66 meters. At the top, on the 10th floor, is a fantastic panoramic view of Prague. Furthermore, don’t overlook the carillon and have a coin with you (10 CZK or 0,5 EUR) so you can play a song, even a modern one. Then, explore all the ten floors of the tower, with its museum of Prague towers, gallery, restaurant, and whiskeria. It is all worthwhile.
The New Mill Water Tower
This tower supplied water to the New Town from middle age until 1877. It was closed to the public for a long period until the opening of the new exhibition, the Prague on Fires. Don’t expect a boring exhibition with information panels. On the contrary, it is fully visualized, incorporating the newest technologies. In five levels – small rooms, you will see vivid animations, both in Czech and English. On the top floor, you can enjoy a lookout point with a view of the Vltava river and Letná. Furthermore, you can watch the animation of how Prague changed over centuries and look to the city’s future through virtual reality. Definitely a great experience that you should not miss.
Letná Water Tower
Letná used to have its water tower as well. This beautiful Neo-renaissance building opened only in 1888 and terminated its activities in 1913. Today, it’s open to the public again, and you can admire the view from the roof over Letná district and its enormous clock on the top.
Žižkov Television Tower
Žižkov TV tower is visible from almost every corner of Prague. Despite its labeling as one of the ugliest towers globally, you can still admire the reversed view from the tower over Prague from 216 meters height. The observation deck offers a unique view of Prague from a 360° perspective. I should not forget to mention the iconic sculptures of crawling babies that are installed on the tower. The author David Černý, is the most recognizable and controversial Czech artist, and you can find his pieces all around Prague.
