Introduction to Prague Tour with Charles Bridge

Bridge Prague’s past and present, side-by-side with a local guide

From US$393 privately
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Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
  • Charles Bridge
  • Old Town Square
  • Malostranska Square
Photos & Highlights
  • Experience Prague for the first time, navigating the winding streets and iconic landmarks alongside a local expert.
  • Discover how Prague’s storied history has played a pivotal role in shaping its evolving identity.
Select a date
Tour Description
Join a three-hour guided tour through the heart of Prague, where every street and structure brings its complex past and vibrant traditions to life. Start your journey through the Mother of Cities, as it’s locally named, alongside a local historian, delving into key sites that reveal how Prague became what it is today. 

From the medieval origins of Lesser Town and the iconic Charles Bridge to the Gothic and Baroque splendor of the city’s landmarks—and through the turmoil of communist rule—each stop reveals how Czech history has shaped Prague’s architecture and its many monuments. Your path may lead you to the renowned Church of Our Lady Victorious or a historic synagogue. Or you may instead explore a famous artistic site like the Estates Theatre. Along the way, you’ll still find yourself in the heart of the Old Town - just around the corner from the famous Astronomical Clock. 

Throughout, your expert will discuss how religion, politics, and customs shaped the city. By the end of your experience, you’ll leave with a richer insight into Prague’s evolution and culture, ready to explore its winding streets confidently on your own.

Choose this tour if…

  • It is your first time in Prague, and you want to orient yourself while learning about the city and its inhabitants.
  • You want to cross the Charles Bridge and understand its historical and cultural significance. 
  • You want to gain insight into Prague’s vibrant culture through the eyes of a local. 
Experts
Jiri Jiri
Storyteller
Marketa Marketa
Historian
Lenka Lenka
Political Scientist
Pavel Pavel
Historian
Ian Ian
Philosopher
Marek Marek
Art Historian
Tereza Tereza
Storyteller
Markéta Markéta
Historian
Ernestina Ernestina
Art Historian
Elen Elen
Architectural Historian
Katerina Katerina
Art Historian
Robert Robert
Architectural Historian
Jirina Jirina
Anthropologist
Hana Hana
Historian
Andrey Andrey
Historian

"Spell-bound for hours"

Robert was an excellent guide to show us the fascinating city of Prague. His knowledge of history, architecture and culture kept us spell-bound for hours—he artfully condensed 2000 years of history in a meaningful, engaging and witty way. Awesome tour!

"Adapted the tour to maximize our time together"

Ernestina was an EXCELLENT guide for our Intro to Prague tour. She was very knowledgeable and presented complex information and history to us in a simple way. She was also attuned to our interests and adapted the tour to maximize our time together. 

"A fascinating walk through time with a friend"

Our journey through the Lesser Quarter, across the iconic Charles Bridge, and into the historic heart of Old Town felt less like a typical sightseeing tour and more like a fascinating walk through time with a friend with inside information. Ernestina’s knowledge of the city’s history and architecture allowed her to blend rich historical context with local legends, fun anecdotes, and insights you won’t find in a guidebook.
Your tour begins at Malostranská Square in the Lesser Town, where Prague’s first settlement was founded in the 8th century. As you begin your journey, you’ll imagine what life was like for its early settlers by exploring the Church of St. Nicholas. You may continue delving into other important religious sites like the Church of Our Lady Victorious, or instead, explore the story of Prague’s resilience during the plague as you visit the plague columns. 

Your journey continues as you cross the iconic Charles Bridge, a Gothic masterpiece that helped reshape the city. As you walk across it, you’ll almost feel the footsteps of the millions who walked before you, with each step connecting those who lived long ago to the present. You’ll want to make a wish as you gaze across the Vltava to Prague’s magnificent castle on a hill; there’s a hidden cross on Charles Bridge—find it, place your hand on it, and your wish just might come true.

Finally, you’ll head to the historic Old Town. You might explore the avant-garde House of the Black Madonna, marveling at its unique design, or visit the Carolinum, founded by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. As you wander, you’ll marvel at the striking spires of the Church of Our Lady Before Týn, or you may pause at the Old-New Synagogue to take in the centuries of rich history and tradition.


By the end of the tour, you’ll uncover the story of Prague’s cultural revolution and see how history lives in every corner of the city. 

Sites Visited

  • Charles Bridge - A Historic Gothic bridge renowned for its stunning architecture and connecting the city over the Vltava River
  • Malostranská Square - Historical area in the Lesser Town, framed by baroque architecture,  that has long served as a central point for commerce and civic life.
  • Old Town Square - A vibrant historical hub adorned with architectural marvels such as the Astronomical Clock and the Church of Our Lady before Týn.
Tickets

No tickets are necessary for this tour.

Transportation

This is an all-outdoor walking tour. We currently offer an optional private transfer service from your hotel to the meeting point. 
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.

Wheelchair accessibility

This Prague city tour is all exterior and therefore accessible for certain wheelchair users. 

Service dog accommodations

Service dogs are welcome and can be accommodated on this tour. 
Does this walking tour include skip-the-line tickets to the Prague Castle?
No. However, we do visit Prague Castle on our Castle District and Strahov Monastery tour. We've designed this route to be a comprehensive introductory tour and we believe the Prague Castle deserves more time to tour properly! If you would like to add time to cover Prague Castle on this Introduction to Prague tour, let us know in the Notes section when booking and we'll follow up with you.

Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here

Where You'll Start
Map of Introduction to Prague Tour with Charles Bridge general meeting point area
(4.83) 376 Reviews

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Thank you Ellen for a great tour! Your knowledge of Prague and its history was incredible. Thank you!
Our guide Marek, was wonderful! We were stuck in a rainstorm at one point during the tour and he found a lovely cafe for us to warm up and also try some Czech beer. We all enjoyed the tour very much.
Robert was an excellent tour guide. He actually spent extra time with our group to show the architecture and history of Prague. I would definitely recommend him.

Discover Prague's Rich History on Our Walking Tour with Charles Bridge

Embark on an unforgettable Prague Walking Tour that immerses you in the heart of this historic city. Our "Introduction to Prague Tour with Charles Bridge" takes you on a journey through time, expertly guided by knowledgeable historians who bring the city's vibrant past to life. Beginning at the iconic Charles Bridge, you'll explore significant landmarks and hidden gems that reveal Prague's cultural and architectural evolution.

As you stroll through picturesque streets, our experts will share fascinating insights and stories. For a more comprehensive understanding of Prague's heritage, be sure to read our related blog on visiting Prague's Jewish Museum, which delves into the city's rich Jewish history.

To enhance your visit, we recommend listening to our audio guide on the Iconic Prague Castle, offering detailed commentary on one of Prague's most significant sites.

Ready to explore? Book your Prague Walking Tour today and unlock the secrets of this enchanting city.