Top 10 Things to Do in Prague Old Town Near Hotel Haštal

Hotel Haštal sits on a quiet church square in Josefov, the old Jewish Quarter, and almost everything people come to see in Prague Old Town is within a 15-minute walk. This guide lists ten things to do, ordered by how long they take to reach on foot. The walking times come from a pedestrian route planner (OpenStreetMap data), so they are realistic rather than optimistic.

Getting Around Prague Old Town on Foot

The streets are cobbled and mostly flat, and the sights are close together. Here is how far each place in this guide is from the hotel entrance:

Náměstí Republiky, the nearest station on metro line B, is about nine minutes away on foot. For a longer look at the area, read our guide on whether Prague Old Town is walkable.

Ten Things to Do in Prague Old Town

1. Speculum Alchemiae (about 2 minutes)

Around the corner at Haštalská 1, Speculum Alchemiae is a reconstructed alchemist’s workshop, found during the renovation of one of the Old Town’s oldest buildings, the house U Rabbiho Loewa. It shows the alchemy and magic of Emperor Rudolf II’s Prague. According to the official Prague tourism site, it is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, and tours of about 30 minutes start every half hour. Check the museum’s own website for current prices and tour languages.

2. Spanish Synagogue and the Kafka Monument (about 4 minutes)

The Spanish Synagogue on Vězeňská street is part of the Jewish Museum in Prague and is known for its Moorish-style design. Franz Kafka was born in Josefov in 1883, and a monument to him stands near the synagogue on Dušní street. Opening hours and tickets change through the year, so read our guide to Jewish Museum tickets and hours before you queue.

3. Old Jewish Cemetery, Maisel and Pinkas Synagogues (7 to 9 minutes)

These three sights sit within a few minutes of each other. The Old Jewish Cemetery has crowded layers of gravestones and was in use from the 15th century until 1787. The Pinkas Synagogue is a memorial, with the names of Bohemian and Moravian Jewish victims of the Holocaust written on its walls. Our self-guided Josefov walk links the sites in a sensible order, and the history of the Jewish Quarter explains what you are looking at.

4. Pařížská Street (about 6 minutes)

Pařížská is Prague’s most elegant avenue, a broad street of Art Nouveau and neo-Renaissance façades laid out in the 1890s, when the old Jewish ghetto was cleared and rebuilt. It runs from Old Town Square toward the river. Fashion boutiques line both sides, but the buildings are the real attraction, so look up as you walk.

5. Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock (about 7 minutes)

This is the heart of Prague Old Town: the twin spires of Týn Church, the Baroque St Nicholas Church and the Old Town Hall, whose Astronomical Clock dates from 1410. The clock’s figures appear on the hour, and a crowd gathers a few minutes beforehand, so arrive early or watch from the edge of the square. For the history and the best viewpoints, see our Old Town Square guide.

6. Municipal House and the Powder Tower (8 to 9 minutes)

The Municipal House (Obecní dům), opened in 1912, is the city’s great Art Nouveau civic building. It hosts concerts and has a café and restaurants, so it is worth a look inside. Next to it, the Gothic Powder Tower was begun in 1475 as one of the gates of the Old Town and can be climbed for views over the rooftops. Check opening hours and ticket prices before you go.

7. Palladium Shopping Centre (about 10 minutes)

If it rains, or if you have forgotten an umbrella or a phone charger, Palladium at Náměstí Republiky is a large shopping centre with shops and places to eat. The metro station is next to it, which makes it a practical stop for a break from walking.

8. Cafés and Courtyards in Prague Old Town

Some of the best moments need no plan. Wander behind Týn Church to the Ungelt courtyard, a quiet historic space that is only a few minutes from the busiest part of the square, then stop at a café such as Týnská literární kavárna on Týnská street. At the hotel, the lounge is a calm place to plan your afternoon with a coffee.

9. Charles Bridge (about 15 minutes)

Plan about 15 minutes to reach the Old Town Bridge Tower, a little over a kilometre from the hotel. The bridge was founded by Charles IV in 1357 and is lined with 30 statues, most of them copies of the Baroque originals. It is busiest in the middle of the day, so go at sunrise or late in the evening if you want space to look around. Our guide to getting around Prague’s city centre shows the easiest route.

10. Letná Park and the Hanavský Pavilion (about 15 minutes)

Cross the river and climb into Letná Park for one of the best skyline views in the city. The Hanavský Pavilion, a cast-iron pavilion built for the 1891 Jubilee Exhibition, now houses a café-restaurant with a terrace over the Vltava. The climb is short but steep, so wear comfortable shoes.

Why Stay in Prague Old Town at Hotel Haštal

Hotel Haštal is a small hotel with 31 rooms, a 24-hour reception and free luggage storage, so you can start sightseeing on arrival day and keep exploring after check-out. A breakfast buffet with hot and cold dishes is served every morning, free Wi-Fi is included, and the rooms have Nespresso machines. If you are travelling with children, take a look at the 65 m² Family Apartment, and read why a boutique hotel suits Prague Old Town. Booking direct is the simplest way to see current prices and availability: book your stay at Hotel Haštal.

Prague Old Town: Frequently Asked Questions

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