8 Churches and Cathedrals in Prague You Simply Must See With Your Own Eyes

Prague isn't called the "City of a Hundred Spires" for nothing — churches here are truly everywhere, and each one has its own story, architectural style and legend. This selection is for anyone visiting the Czech capital for the first time who wants to map out a route to the city's most important spiritual and architectural landmarks — from 14th-century Gothic to lavish Baroque, from Prague Castle to quiet Vyšehrad. Every site listed below is an active place of worship, and all can be visited inside, not just photographed from the outside.

Katedrála svatého Víta, Pražský hrad

The country's main cathedral stands in the third courtyard of Prague Castle (Hradčany). Katedrála svatého Víta — officially the Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslas and Adalbert — is considered the most famous and most visited cathedral in Czechia. It is Prague's largest and most significant church. Construction stretched across nearly six centuries, beginning in the 14th century under Charles IV. Inside lies the royal crypt of Czech kings and the Chapel of St. Wenceslas. Opening hours vary by season: in summer (April–October) 9:00–17:00 (Sundays from 12:00), in winter (November–March) 9:00–16:00; the front part of the cathedral beneath the western choir can be visited free of charge. A full ticket (also covering the Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica and Golden Lane) costs 250 CZK for adults and 125 CZK for students and seniors over 65.

Kostel svatého Mikuláše, Malá Strana

Standing on Malostranské náměstí right in the heart of Malá Strana, this is widely regarded as the most beautiful Baroque church in Czechia and is also the main Catholic church of the district. Address: Malostranské náměstí, Praha 1, nearest metro station Malostranská, open 09:00–17:00. It was here that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart once played the organ during his visit to Prague, and from late March through early November the church hosts regular evening organ concerts. Tickets cost 100 CZK for adults and 60 CZK at the reduced rate.

Chrám Matky Boží před Týnem, Staré Město

The famous Týn Church on Old Town Square, with its "crown"-topped spires visible from almost anywhere in the city. Address: Týnská ulička 629/1, Praha 1 – Staré Město. Preachers such as Konrad Waldhauser, Jan Milíč of Kroměříž and Jan Rokycana once spoke here, astronomer Tycho Brahe is buried inside, and the church once held the heart of King George of Poděbrady, a generous patron of its construction. Opening hours are irregular: from March to December, Tuesday–Saturday 10:00–13:00 and 15:00–17:00, Sundays 10:00–12:00; a suggested donation of 25 CZK applies. It's worth stepping inside if only for the Gothic vaults and the altar paintings by Karel Škréta.

Bazilika svatého Petra a Pavla, Vyšehrad

A neo-Gothic basilica with two slender towers within the Vyšehrad fortress complex (Prague 2). Founded around 1070 by Prince Vratislav II, it took on its present neo-Gothic appearance in 1903, when construction was finally completed. The interior is richly decorated with frescoes and a polychrome main altar, along with a Baroque painting depicting Vyšehrad in 1420. Every hour, from 9:00 to 21:00, a carillon rings out over the district. The visit pairs nicely with a stroll through Vyšehrad Cemetery, the resting place of Dvořák and Smetana — the view of the Vltava from here is one of the best in the city.

Kostel Panny Marie Vítězné, Malá Strana

A small church on Karmelitská street in Malá Strana, known around the world for its statuette of the Infant Jesus — the famous Infant Jesus of Prague. The church is celebrated for the figurine, originally brought from Spain and gifted to the Carmelites by Polyxena of Lobkowicz in 1628. The statuette has two crowns and roughly forty-six vestments, traditionally changed around ten times a year according to the liturgical season. Church hours: Monday–Saturday 8:30–19:00, Sunday 8:30–20:00 (visits possible outside of services); the museum of the statuette's vestments is open Mon–Sat 9:30–17:30 and Sun 13:00–18:00, admission free.

Bazilika svatého Jiří, Pražský hrad

Tucked away behind St. Vitus Cathedral, this Romanesque basilica with its distinctive brick-red Baroque façade is the oldest surviving church on the Castle grounds, founded back in the 10th century. Inside are austere Romanesque vaults and the tombs of the earliest Přemyslid rulers — the atmosphere here is entirely different from the grandeur of the cathedral nearby. Entry to the basilica is included in the combined Prague Castle ticket alongside St. Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane.

Loreta, Hradčany

A pilgrimage complex on Loretánské náměstí in Hradčany, famous for its "Santa Casa" — a replica of the Virgin Mary's house from Loreto, Italy — as well as its bell tower with a unique chime of 27 bells and a treasury housing priceless monstrances, including the celebrated diamond-studded "Prague Sun." The complex differs somewhat from a classic church — it's more an ensemble of chapels around a central courtyard — but that's precisely what makes it one of the city's most atmospheric religious sites.

Kostel svatého Cyrila a Metoděje, Nové Město

This Orthodox church on Resslova street in Nové Město (Prague 2) is forever etched into history as the site of the last stand of the Czechoslovak paratroopers involved in the 1942 operation to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich. The crypt beneath the church now houses the Memorial to the Victims of the Heydrich Terror, with genuine bullet marks still visible on the walls. It's not the most "touristy" church on this list, but it's one of the most moving in terms of 20th-century history.

If you only have one day, start with St. Vitus Cathedral and St. Nicholas Church — both lie right along the main tourist routes. Those wanting to discover a less famous, but no less beautiful, side of Prague should head to Vyšehrad and drop into the crypt on Resslova street. Before visiting any church, check the current schedule of services on the official websites — tours are usually not conducted during mass.

See also:

• Prague Castle from the Inside: 9 Sites Within the Fortress You Can't Miss
• From Dinosaurs to Kafka: 7 Must-See Museums in Prague