Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic is one of the most iconic landmarks in the country’s historic downtown. With more than 500 meters long and 10 meters wide, the bridge offers some breathtaking views over Prague’s Old Town Square. Especially at night when the bridge gets illuminated, giving you a new and even more beautiful side of the country.
Things To Do At Charles Bridge
Visit the Lesser Town Bridge Tower
Address: 57, Malá Strana, Prague 1, 118 00 Prague.
Opening and Closing Hours: Opens at 10 AM, but closing time varies depending on the season.
The Lesser Town Bridge Tower overviews the Charles Bridge and the Vltava River. It was built in 1464 and it marks its western point and the entrance to Lesser Town. Furthermore, this impressive building its 43.5 meters tall with an empty gallery in the middle. Plus, it was often used as a control point and a storage facility in harder times. For that same reason, it needed some retouches in the 19th century. Finally, until this day, passing through this tower is mandatory for anyone who wants to visit Prague Castle.
Cost: general ticket for an adult is 100 CKZ or $5 USD.
Websites:
- Official Website – Lesser Town Bridge Tower
- TripAdvisor – Lesser Town Bridge Tower
Visit the Statue of John Nepomuk
Address: Karlův most, Prague 1, 118 00 Malá Strana.
Opening and Closing Hours: never closed.
The Charles Bridge is famous for the 30 statue collection that accompanies the 500 meters walk. From all of them, the statue of St. John Nepomuk shines the most. Even though there is still great controversy surrounding him, it’s said that Nepomuk was a vicar who didn’t comply with King Wenceslas IV. For that, he was tortured and drowned in the Vltava River by the king’s order. Then, he quickly became a saint in people’s eyes but didn’t get the title until 1729.
Cost: free.
Websites:
- Official Website – Statue Of John Nepomuk
- TripAdvisor – Statue Of John Nepomuk
Visit the Old Town Bridge Tower
Address: Karlův most, Prague 1, 110 00 Prague.
Opening and Closing Hours: Opens at 10 AM, but closing time varies depending on the season.
The Old Town Bridge Tower was completed alongside the bridge itself in the first half of the 15th century. Furthermore, this tower crowns the entrance to Old Town Square and it was an obliged route back in the monarchy days. Now that there are other connections with the rest of the country, the tower stays still as an icon of Czech Gothic architecture and glory days.
Cost: general ticket for an adult is 100 CKZ or $5 USD.
Websites:
- Official Website – Old Town Bridge Tower
- TripAdvisor – Old Town Bridge Tower
Shop for Art and crafts
You can find street artists throughout the bridge and get yourself a cute painting, a portrait, postcards and more. You can also shop for handmade jewelry, flowers and some pieces of clothes.
Listen to Music
Musicians are popular in places like the Charles Bridge and throughout Europe. So, while you walk you can enjoy some notes to set the mood.
Take a Walk
Unless you’re moving on a car, Charles Bridge is impossible to miss to those who want to get to and off Old Town Square. Plus, it’s a popular destination for couples and families to visit and enjoy some quality time together while the sun sets in the evening.
How To Get To Charles Bridge
The closest airport to Charles Bridge is the Václav Havel Prague Airport (PRG):
- By bus: this ride is divided into two parts. First, you’ll need to catch bus 119 or 322 on Terminál 1 at the airport, which takes up to 18 min. This bus will leave you at Nádraží Veleslavín station. From there, you’ll catch the line A subway all the way to Staroměstská station for about 8 min. Once you’re there, you can walk to the Eastern bridge entrance. Bus and subway tickets may apply charges.
- By taxi: you can catch a taxi outside the airport for a $30 USD price. The ride takes about 15 min and will leave you at the Eastern bridge entrance. Also, you can call to get picked up by any of the following services: Taxi-Prague, Taxi Praha, Prague Taxi, and Nejlevnější-Taxi.
When to go
The best time of the year to visit the Charles Bridge is early Spring and Autumn to catch all the colors of the seasons and fewer people.
How long do I go for
An hour is more than enough to walk through Charles Bridge.
History
The Charles Bridge started its construction in the second half of the 14th century, after the previous bridge was seriously damaged by a flood. Sadly, this new bridge was soon hit by mother nature too. Nowadays, the stone structure we see is a result of the works in the 19th century. Yet, the numerous disasters and heavy transit didn’t stop there. So, now Charles Bridge with its 500 meters long is a walk-path only structure that is constantly under inspection.
Inside Information
If you like to go on morning walks or go jogging, make sure to get to the bridge before 8 AM to avoid the crowds. Likewise, if you’re into night walks hit the bridge pass 9 PM.
Safety and Security
Crime
Pickpockets are one of the biggest threats to tourists in Prague, so always be attentive to your stuff and don’t carry too much money with you. Nevertheless, if your hotel provides a safety box, please use it and keep your money aside from your personal documents. If your passport gets stolen, you will need to contact your embassy and apply for an Emergency Travel Document. Anyway, having an online copy of these could save you hours of stress.
Another common act of theft are tourist scams while shopping for stuff, so be attentive at the items being sold in the street. For any of the above, you must reach the nearest police station and report the crime. You will be given a report number through which you’ll be updated. This said number can be given to your embassy or consulate representative for any following procedure.
Sexual Assault
Items as pepper spray and tasers are banned as luggage from and to the UK, yet the Czech Republic permits carrying these self-defense weapons freely. The only restriction is carrying them to court buildings, mass meetings or demonstrations. So, if you are in a vulnerable situation these could provide you with enough time to run off. But remember you must get rid of them before coming back to the UK.
Likewise, if you suspect you’re being followed by a stranger reach out to bigger crowds to lose him or her. Don’t go straight to your hotel, instead, change your route and report the situation to the nearest authority representative or office. Seek shelter there.
Last but not least, if you happen to be a victim of sexual assault while abroad reach out for the nearest medical center to get help, both physical and mental. Plus, you must contact both local officers and your embassy or consulate representative to report the crime, and ask for instructions on how to proceed.
Terrorism
With a heightened alarm of terrorist attacks due to the political interventions in the Eastern hemisphere, nations, individuals, and groups linked to it could be possible targets. Even in the Czech Republic, where there’s no history of terrorist attacks. Since these events are usually indiscriminate, they could take place in touristic locations were locals, expatriates and foreigners meet. So, be attentive at all times as Czechia holds citizens from many nations.
If you happen to be caught up in one, seek refuge as soon as possible and report yourself to your nearest embassy, consulate or Foreign Office and ask for instructions on how to proceed.
Health
A crowded place like Charles Bridge could trigger anxiety and panic attacks, just like suffocating conditions related to claustrophobia or heights. Nevertheless, traveling can be a stressful activity, especially if you suffer from an illness or if you happen to be injured. For that, we highly recommend you to carry a health card with you. This card should include your blood type, allergies and any other condition that limits your basic functions. Plus, an emergency contact person always comes in hand, specifically for those who travel alone.
On the other hand, to get both prescribed and non-prescribed medicine you need to go to a pharmacy as grocery stores don’t have these products. Yet, if you take a particular medicine you must contact your embassy or Foreign Office to get the full information on its legal status in the Czech Republic.
If your medicine happens to be restricted, you will need to contact your prescriber to get a signed explanatory letter to be able to purchase it abroad. If it’s banned, on top of that you’ll need an export permit. In these cases, you will need to carry with you the required amount of medicine to cover your stance. This also applies if you can’t find information about the legal status of your medicine or its components.
Finally, whether you’re traveling before or after the UK leaves the EU, it’s important to get a comprehensive travel insurance that includes cover for emergency medical treatment and other associated costs. The existing EHIC arrangements are not an alternative to travel insurance, as some health-related costs including medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment, and non-urgent treatment, are not covered. Read more about what your travel insurance should cover.
Other Nearby Attractions
Charles Bridge Museum
Address: Křižovnické nám. 191/3, Prague 1, 110 00 Josefov.
Opening and Closing Hours: Opens at 10 AM and closes at 6 PM.
The Charles Bridge Museum is located right next to the Old Town Bridge Tower. There you can catch a glimpse of the history behind the bridge that is also the history of Old Town Square. Plus, the original set of statues is here for protection just like the maps and original construction drafts.
Cost: general ticket for an adult is 170 CKZ or $8 USD.
Websites:
- Official Website – Charles Bridge Museum
- TripAdvisor – Charles Bridge Museum
Prague’s Old Town Square
Address: Staroměstské nám., 110 00 Prague 1, Josefov.
Opening and Closing Hours: never closed.
Prague’s Old Town Square is less than 10 min away from the Charles Bridge and its part of Prague’s historic downtown. Packed with great attractions such as the Astronomical Clock, the Jan Hus Memorial and more, this landmark is a common stop for tourists on their journeys.
Cost: free
Websites:
- Official Website – Prague’s Old Town Square
- TripAdvisor – Prague’s Old Town Square
Bedrich Smetana Museum
Address: Novotného lávka 201/1, Prague 1, 110 00 Staré Město.
Opening and Closing Hours: Opens at 10 AM and closes at 5 PM.
Smetana is a Czech musician and composer famous for his devotion to his country and music itself. His skills flourished in times where Beethoven, Liszt and Wagner had it all. Yet, Smetana became an icon and a pioneer for his contributions to Czech music development. Sadly, in the personal field Smetana’s life differs greatly from his incredible tones. That is why this museum is doing amazing things to recover and share his works.
Cost: general ticket for an adult is 50 CKZ or $3 USD.
Websites:
- Official Website – Bedrich Smetana Museum
- TripAdvisor – Bedrich Smetana Museum
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