9 Prague viewpoints where the city of red roofs unfolds before your eyes

Prague spreads across several hills, a stroke of luck for anyone chasing a great photo — panoramas open up at nearly every turn, from castle walls, Gothic towers and TV masts. Some want the classic postcard view of Malá Strana and Pražský hrad, others a free sunset without the tourist queues, and others still an unusual angle from 93 metres above the city. Here's a route planned by altitude: addresses, opening hours and rough prices for 2026.

Petřínská rozhledna (Petřín Tower)

The steel "Prague Eiffel Tower" stands atop Petřín hill (Praha 1–5) and remains the city's highest viewpoint. The metal structure was built in 1891 to a design by engineers František Prášil and Julius Souček, and stands 63.5 metres tall. From the observation deck at 55 metres, a magnificent panorama of Prague opens up, and on a clear day you can even spot the Krkonoše mountains, 150 km from Prague. You can climb the tower on foot up 299 steps, or take the lift. Opening hours vary by season: January–March 10:00–18:00, April–May 09:00–20:00, June–September 09:00–21:00, October–December 10:00–20:00. Ticket prices start from 150 CZK (reduced) and 220 CZK (full), with a family ticket at 440 CZK. To reach the top you first need to ride the funicular up the hill from Újezd station — a little adventure in itself.

Viewpoint by the walls of Pražský hrad

One of the most atmospheric — and completely free — spots is on Hradčanské náměstí (Praha 1, Hradčany), right by the castle walls. The viewpoint near the castle wall of Pražský hrad is the most visited and beloved by tourists, considered by many to offer the most beautiful view of Prague and the sights of the Old and New Town. It's open around the clock, year-round, though the castle grounds themselves are open from 6:00 to 22:00. A great spot to catch sunrise — hardly anyone around, and the view over Malá Strana's tiled roofs is unbeatable.

South Tower of St. Vitus Cathedral (katedrála sv. Víta)

For those ready for a real challenge — 300 steps with no lift — the reward is worth it. The tower of Prague's largest cathedral is the city's second-highest viewpoint; the south tower stands 96 metres tall, and you reach the platform after climbing 300 steps. The cathedral sits within the grounds of Pražský hrad (Praha 1, Hradčany). The cathedral's viewing tower is open 10:00–17:00, last entry at 16:30, and a ticket to the viewpoints costs 150 CZK. From up here you get a superb view of both the Old and New Town — and that famous sea of red roofs.

Staroměstská radnice (Old Town Hall)

Right on Staroměstské náměstí (Praha 1, Staré Město), next to the famous Orloj, stands the Gothic town hall tower, once used as a fire watch post. At its top is a viewing balcony where a guard once kept watch for fires and other dangers threatening the city — now anyone can enjoy that same view. The tower stands 69.5 metres tall, and you can reach the top via a modern glass lift or by climbing the spacious staircase along the tower's inner walls. The tower is open Mondays 11:00–18:00, and on other days of the week 9:00–18:00, while the town hall itself stays open until 22:00. In 2026 a ticket will cost around 196–250 CZK depending on visiting time — coming earlier works out cheaper.

Charles Bridge (Karlův most) Towers

Two Gothic towers on either side of Karlův most both serve as viewpoints. The Old Town Bridge Tower (Praha 1, Staré Město) stands 47 metres tall, with 136 steps and a postcard view of the bridge with Pražský hrad in the background; a ticket costs around 100 CZK. On the opposite bank, in Malá Strana, stands the Malá Strana Bridge Tower: it's the larger of the two towers joined by a gate, standing 43.5 metres tall, with the viewing platform at 26 metres — plenty to enjoy the view of Karlův most and the old town. A great pair of spots to compare the view of the bridge from two opposite sides.

Prašná brána (Powder Tower)

This Gothic gate on the border between the Old Town and New Town (by náměstí Republiky, Praha 1) is another option for fans of spiral staircases. At 44 metres, the Prašná brána has a viewing platform reached via a spiral staircase of 186 steps, offering a wonderful view over the old town. 44 metres up, 186 steps — and the view of the Old Town will cost around 90 CZK. A compact and less hyped spot, so there are hardly any queues.

Vyšehrad Fortress

This ancient fortress on a rocky hill above the Vltava (Praha 2, metro station Vyšehrad) is a rare case where the free view is every bit as good as the paid ones. The fortress has several viewpoints set up; the most popular is in the western part of the Vyšehrad gardens, above the Vltava, from where you can see the quarters of Pražský hrad and several old bridges. The fortress is open around the clock, admission is free; you can get there by metro on the red line to Vyšehrad station, then a 5–7 minute walk following the signs to the fortress. From the walls a panoramic view opens in four directions: the Old Town, residential districts, the Vltava, and Petřín hill. The place is quieter and cosier than Pražský hrad — ideal for an unhurried stroll away from the crowds.

Letenské sady and the Metronome

This park on the high bank of the Vltava (Letenské sady, Praha 7, metro Malostranská plus a walk uphill) is another completely free classic. Since the park runs along a steep bank, an unbeatable view of Prague opens up from almost every point along the route — this is perhaps the only place where you can photograph several Prague bridges lined up one after another in a single shot. Inside the park stands a giant Metronome on the site of the former Stalin monument — also a great viewpoint — with the historic Hanavský pavilon and its restaurant nearby. The Metronome is located in Letná park, open around the clock, and free to visit.

Žižkovský vysílač (Žižkov TV Tower)

The tallest structure in Czechia stands on a hill in the Žižkov district (Mahlerovy sady, Praha 3) and is visible from almost anywhere in the city. The structure consists of three concrete legs, 216 metres tall, with three glassed-in observation pods located at the 93-metre mark — the highest viewpoints in Czechia. The tower welcomes visitors daily from 09:00 to 23:30, and a ticket to the viewing deck starts from 400 CZK — the priciest view of the city on this list. It's best to go up around 30 minutes before sunset to catch the "golden hour," then enjoy the tower's night illumination in the colours of the Czech tricolour. Nearby, on the tower's facade, crawl the famous bronze babies by sculptor David Černý.

If your time in Prague is limited, start with the free viewpoint by the walls of Pražský hrad and Vyšehrad, and save one evening for sunset at Petřín or a night-time panorama from the Žižkov TV Tower: together, these three spots give a full picture of why Prague is called the golden city.