Home to the Bohemian royals until 1140, the remains of this hilltop castle are a great spot to go for a walk or a picnic looking out across Prague.
Sitting atop one of Prague’s hills, Vyšehrad Castle was once the home of Bohemian royalty. Only the ruins of the castle remain standing today, but you can still admire its church, cemetery and the striking ramparts, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet of the beautiful gardens.
You can lose yourself for hours around the complex, which is complete with its own museum and art gallery open for you to explore. Pick up a guide book from the information centre so you can find out more about the fascinating history of the site.
The castle was built over the course of several centuries. The ramparts which you’ll see still standing today were added in the 14th century by King Charles IV. Follow the remains of the walls of the castle around its gardens and you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent view across the river to the towering Prague Castle. There are also restaurants and cafés where you can stop off and enjoy the tranquillity.
Within the complex, you can also visit the National Cemetery, which contains around 600 graves, marked by tombstones that date back centuries. Many of Prague’s most famous historic residents are buried here. Appropriately enough, given the many artists lying here, the cemetery is filled with stunning sculptures at which you can marvel.
The spires of the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul can be seen throughout Prague. Visit the church itself, with its interiors remarkably restored to their original condition.
Located south of the New Town, the castle grounds are situated on a hill looking over the Vltava River. You can reach the spot by taking the tram or metro. It costs a small fee to enter the whole complex, whilst some of its attractions will charge an extra admission charge.
