New Town in Prague – 20 Places Worth Seeing

The name is misleading.

New Town in Prague is nearly seven hundred years old.

It was founded by Charles IV in 1348 as a massive expansion of medieval Prague. Today’s Wenceslas Square, Charles Square, and the area around Senovážná Street were not created as modern commercial districts. They are part of one of Europe’s most ambitious medieval urban planning projects. Wenceslas Square itself derives directly from the New Town plan of Charles IV’s time.

The problem is that many tourists pass through this part of Prague without realizing they are visiting it.

They get off at the Main Railway Station.

They walk through Wenceslas Square.

They pass the shops.

They cross Můstek.

And only at Old Town Square do they realize that “real Prague” has begun.

This is a mistake.

New Town has its own history, its own rhythm, and its own monuments.

Here you will find:

The National Museum;
Wenceslas Square;
historic arcades;
Lucerna;
Franz Kafka’s Head;
Franciscan Garden;
New Town Hall;
Charles Square;
the site associated with Operation Anthropoid;
The Dancing House;
The National Theatre;
Jindřišská Tower;
Art Nouveau tenement houses;
Modernist and contemporary architecture;
less obvious gardens and courtyards.

New Town is best explored not as a list of points, but as a walk leading from the monumental Wenceslas Square through arcades and gardens all the way to the Vltava.

Guide’s Notebook

In New Town, it is worth looking not only at the facades. A large part of the most interesting Prague lies behind them: in arcades, gardens, gates, courtyards, and passages leading through the interiors of entire city blocks.

New Town in Prague – key places in brief

| Place | Best for | Time | | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ---------: | | Wenceslas Square | history and first contact with the district | 30–60 min | | National Museum | history, interiors, rain | 2–4 hours | | Lucerna Arcade | architecture and David Černý | 30–60 min | | Světozor and Rokoko Arcades | 20th-century urban Prague | 30–60 min | | Franciscan Garden | relaxation | 20–45 min | | Church of Our Lady of the Snows | Gothic and sacred Prague | 20–40 min | | Franz Kafka’s Head | contemporary art | 15–30 min | | Národní třída | 20th-century history | 30–60 min | | National Theatre | culture and architecture | 30–60 min | | Dancing House | contemporary architecture | 30–60 min | | Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius | Operation Anthropoid | 60–90 min | | Charles Square | urban planning and relaxation | 30–60 min | | New Town Hall | Hussitism and panorama | 60–90 min | | Jindřišská Tower | view of New Town | 45–60 min | | Senovážné náměstí | quieter Prague | 20–30 min | | Emauzy | architecture and history | 45–60 min | | Zahrada Ztracenka | hidden garden | 30–45 min | | Náplavka | river and daily life | 60–120 min | | Main Railway Station | Art Nouveau and transport | 20–40 min | | Evening New Town | lights, arcades, and Národní | 1–2 hours |

Is New Town really new?

No.

This is one of the first things worth sorting out.

Nové Město was founded by Emperor Charles IV in 1348.

It was a massive project to expand Prague.

Between the existing Old Town, Vyšehrad, and earlier settlements, a new district was created with wide streets, large market squares, and a complex of monasteries and churches.

Today’s:

Václavské náměstí;
Karlovo náměstí;
Senovážné náměstí

all have their roots in this medieval city plan.

That is why New Town is best read in layers.

Medieval churches stand next to Art Nouveau tenement houses.

Modernist arcades lead to monastic gardens.

A few hundred meters from the site of the first Prague defenestration stands the futuristic Head of Kafka.

It is precisely this contrast that is most interesting.

1. Wenceslas Square – not a square, but a city axis

Wenceslas Square is one of the most important places in modern Czech history.

At the same time, formally it resembles a wide boulevard more than a classic square.

It was created during the founding of New Town in 1348. Initially, it served a market function. Today, its upper part is closed by the monumental building of the National Museum and the Statue of Saint Wenceslas.

Walking through the square, it is worth looking not only at the shops.

This is a space associated with:

the founding of Czechoslovakia;
the occupation;
the events of 1968;
Jan Palach;
the Velvet Revolution;
demonstrations;
political transformations of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Which side to start from?

Best from the top.

Stand at the Statue of Saint Wenceslas and look down.

Then you can clearly see that the square is a huge axis leading toward the Old Town.

How much time?

A quick walk takes about 20 minutes.

For a leisurely look at the facades, monuments, and arcades, it is worth setting aside about an hour.

2. National Museum – the symbol of Wenceslas Square

The historic building of the National Museum stands at the top of Wenceslas Square.

Its Neo-Renaissance structure was built between 1885 and 1891 and is today one of the most important representative buildings in Prague.

After a major reconstruction, it reopened in 2018.

Today, the historic building and the adjacent New Building form a single museum complex connected by an underground passage.

What to see?

The exhibition offer changes, but the museum covers topics such as:

Czech history;
20th-century history;
nature;
zoology;
mineralogy;
evolution;
culture.

However, the building itself is just as important as the exhibits.

It is worth paying attention to:

the monumental staircase;
representative halls;
the Pantheon;
architectural decoration;
views from the upper parts of the building.

How much time?

At least two hours.

With a full tour, even half a day.

When is it particularly worth visiting?

during rain;
in winter;
with children;
during a first visit;
if interested in Czech history.

A full plan for bad weather can be found in the article Prague in the Rain – What to Do When It Rains?.

3. Statue of Saint Wenceslas – the orientation point of the entire city

The Statue of Saint Wenceslas by Josef Václav Myslbek stands in the upper part of the square.

Today it seems a natural part of the space, but it is also an important symbol of the Czech state.

This is where people have gathered for decades:

during demonstrations;
at ceremonies;
at protests;
during key political moments.

It is also worth comparing this statue with its ironic counterpart in Lucerna.

A few hundred meters away, Saint Wenceslas sits on a horse again.

Only this time, the horse is hanging upside down.

4. Lucerna Arcade – Prague hidden behind the facade

Lucerna is one of the places that best explains why New Town should not be explored solely via the streets.

Palác Lucerna is a multifunctional complex with a cinema, halls, café, shops, restaurants, and cultural spaces.

However, the most famous element is the sculpture by David Černý.

Saint Wenceslas on an Upside-Down Horse

A few minutes after viewing the official statue on Wenceslas Square, you can enter Lucerna and see its subversive commentary.

The saint sits on the belly of a dead horse suspended from the ceiling.

The sculpture works best when juxtaposed with the statue standing in the square.

What else to see?

historic interiors;
stairs;
skylights;
the café;
Lucerna Cinema;
entrances to further arcades.

Lucerna is particularly useful during rain.

5. Světozor, Rokoko, and the Arcade System – a City Within a City

Lucerna is not a solitary attraction.

In the vicinity of Wenceslas Square, there is a whole system of arcades.

You can walk through the interiors of city blocks and suddenly emerge on another street.

It is worth getting to know, among others:

Světozor;
Rokoko;
Alfa;
Koruna;
passages toward Vodičkova;
the area around Jungmannovo náměstí.

This is a legacy of the early 20th-century city, when an arcade was not just a shopping center.

It was part of the city’s infrastructure.

It connected:

cinema;
café;
trade;
offices;
culture;
pedestrian communication.

Why is it worth it?

Because New Town works best when you start looking behind the first facade.

6. Franciscan Garden – a green space just steps from the square

Františkánská zahrada is located literally just minutes from Wenceslas Square.

And yet, it is easy to miss.

The current garden has roots in the medieval monastic space created after the founding of New Town. Prague City Tourism describes it as a green oasis with benches, roses, fruit trees, an herb garden, and a playground.

What to do here?

First and foremost, to rest.

It is a good place for:

a 20-minute break;
coffee;
relaxing with children;
a moment away from the bustle of Wenceslas Square.

Hours

The garden operates according to seasonal hours.

In 2026, official hours change between summer, autumn, and winter seasons.

It is worth checking the current closing time before an evening stroll.

7. Church of Our Lady of the Snows – a trace of plans larger than reality

Near the Franciscan Garden stands the Church of Our Lady of the Snows (Kostel Panny Marie Sněžné).

Construction began in the times of Charles IV.

The church was meant to be part of a monumental vision of New Town, but it was never built in its full planned form.

Despite this, the interior still makes a huge impression.

Prague City Tourism emphasizes that the temple stands out with record parameters among Prague churches, and its monumentality is particularly well visible from the side of the Franciscan Garden.

Why is it worth it?

Because it shows a different Prague than the Old Town.

Not a merchant’s Prague.

Not a tourist’s Prague.

Just the Prague of Charles IV and his urban ambitions.

8. Franz Kafka’s Head – contemporary Prague in motion

Near the Quadrio center, above the Národní třída metro station, stands one of the most recognizable contemporary sculptures in Prague.

Franz Kafka’s Head by David Černý consists of rotating steel segments.

The sculpture:

weighs about 39 tons;
is almost 11 meters high;
was created in 2014.

The segments rotate, breaking the writer’s face apart and then reassembling it.

Is it worth waiting for the movement?

Yes, but you don’t need to spend half the day waiting around it.

The sculpture is best combined with:

Národní třída;
arcades;
Franciscan Garden;
National Theatre.

Those interested in the writer can also choose Kafka’s Prague – Josefov and Old Town.

9. Národní třída – the street that leads through 20th-century history

Národní is one of the most important streets connecting New Town with Old Town and the riverbank.

At first glance, it is a sequence of:

shops;
trams;
cafés;
theaters;
tenement houses.

But the history of the street is much heavier.

Particularly important is November 17, 1989, when the intervention against demonstrators became one of the events starting the Velvet Revolution.

That is why Národní is best walked slowly.

It is not just a road to the National Theatre.

10. Café Louvre – a break that is still sightseeing

Near Národní stands one of the most famous historic cafés in Prague.

Café Louvre is a good place to change the rhythm for a moment.

Instead of another monument:

a table;
coffee;
breakfast;
dessert;
a moment under the roof.

New Town has a strong café and arcade tradition, so such a stop is not a detachment from sightseeing.

It is part of it.

You can find more addresses in the article TOP 10 Cafés in Prague with History and Character.

11. National Theatre – the building that became a symbol

Národní divadlo stands on the Vltava and is one of the most important symbols of Czech culture.

Construction was funded, among other things, by a national collection.

The theatre was first opened in 1881, but shortly after, the building was seriously damaged by fire. It reopened in 1883.

What to see without a ticket?

From the outside, it is worth walking around the building.

It looks best:

from the side of the Vltava;
from the Legia Bridge;
from the opposite bank;
in the evening.

Interior

It is worth checking:

the repertoire;
performances;
opera;
ballet;
the possibility of a tour.

Even without knowing the language, a concert, opera, or ballet can be a good evening highlight.

12. Riverbank and Legia Bridge – the moment when New Town reaches the river

After reaching the National Theatre, the Vltava opens up.

This is a good moment to see how New Town connects with the left bank.

You can see:

Petřín;
Kampa;
Hradčany;
Střelecký ostrov island;
further bridges.

You can go down lower and walk toward Náplavka or continue toward the Dancing House.

13. Dancing House – architecture meant to be a contrast

Tančící dům stands on Rašínovo nábřeží.

It was built between 1992 and 1996.

Its authors are Vlado Milunić and Frank O. Gehry.

The project is based on the juxtaposition of two parts resembling a dancing couple.

Hence the popular association with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Why does the building stand here?

The previous house in this location was destroyed during the American bombing of Prague on February 14, 1945.

For decades, the plot remained unbuilt.

The current building is therefore not only an icon of contemporary architecture but also part of the city’s post-war history.

What is inside?

The building houses, among others:

a gallery;
a restaurant;
commercial spaces;
a terrace with a 360° view of Prague.

Best photo

Do not stand directly under the facade.

Step back.

The volume looks much better when neighboring tenement houses and the riverbank appear in the frame.

14. Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius – one of the most important places of 20th-century history

On Resslova Street stands the Orthodox Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius.

This is the place associated with one of the most dramatic events of World War II in Czechoslovakia.

After the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich in May 1942, seven Czechoslovak paratroopers hid in the church and crypt.

On June 18, 1942, German forces surrounded the building.

A multi-hour battle ensued.

The crypt, which can be visited today as part of the National Monument to the Heroes of the Heydrich Terror, is the authentic site of these events.

Who does the place commemorate?

In the church were:

Josef Gabčík;
Jan Kubiš;
Adolf Opálka;
Josef Valčík;
Josef Bublík;
Jan Hrubý;
Jaroslav Švarc.

What to see?

the church;
the crypt;
the exhibition;
the battle site;
traces of events on the facade.

This is one of those points where it is worth abandoning haste.

It is not “just another museum.”

It is a place of memory.

15. Charles Square – a huge square that became a park

Karlovo náměstí is one of the largest spaces in New Town.

Today, a large part of the square takes the form of a green park.

It is hard to imagine that its scale is the result of Charles IV’s medieval plan.

Surrounding it are:

New Town Hall;
churches;
university buildings;
hospitals;
historic tenement houses.

The square shows well how ambitiously New Town was planned.

Is it worth it?

Yes, but not as a separate “photo attraction.”

It is a space through which it is best to walk between subsequent points.

16. New Town Hall – the site of the first Prague defenestration

Novoměstská radnice stands at Charles Square.

It is one of the most important buildings in the history of Hussite Prague.

In 1419, an event known as the first Prague defenestration took place here.

Throwing the aldermen out of the town hall windows became the symbolic beginning of the Hussite Revolution.

The subsequent fate of the building was equally stormy. Prague City Tourism recalls that after losing its original town hall function, the building served, among other things, as a criminal court, and the prison began to be called the “Prague Bastille.”

Tower

There is a viewing point on the tower.

In the former guard’s apartment, there is an exhibition dedicated to the history of New Town.

Why is it worth going up?

Because the panorama is completely different from that of Old Town Hall.

Here, the main character is:

Charles Square;
New Town;
the southern part of the center.

17. Emauzy – a medieval monastery with a 20th-century war trace

The Monastery of the Teutonic Knights of the Star Cross, known as Emauzy, is one of the more underrated places in New Town.

It was founded on the initiative of Charles IV and was an important element of the district’s sacred plan.

However, the current silhouette is an unusual combination of medieval and 20th-century styles.

The old towers were destroyed during the bombing in 1945.

After the war, they were replaced by a distinctive modern form.

This is a great example of a place where Prague’s history does not fit into a single pure epoch.

What to combine it with?

New Town Hall → Charles Square → Emauzy → Ztracenka → riverbank

This is one of the best less obvious routes in New Town.

18. Zahrada Ztracenka – a garden whose name suits its character

Ztracenka is located in a less touristy part of New Town.

Prague City Tourism describes the garden as a place offering a unique view of the lower part of New Town on the Vltava and a panorama toward the university campus and the Church of Saint Apollinaris.

It is a small space.

It is not a competitor to Petřín or Letná.

Its advantage is precisely its intimacy.

For whom?

for a second visit;
for people who like gardens;
after Emauzy;
for those looking for quieter places.

19. Náplavka – New Town that goes down to the water

Rašínovo nábřeží and Náplavka show a completely different side of the district.

Not monumental.

Daily.

On the riverbank, you will find:

barges;
cafés;
events;
cyclists;
strollers;
markets;
boats.

In warmer months, the place comes alive especially in the evening.

Best time

Late afternoon or evening.

You can combine:

Dancing House → Náplavka → walk toward Vyšehrad

This is a good end to the day after a few hours of sightseeing architecture.

20. Jindřišská Tower – a New Town panorama that Petřín does not give

Jindřišská Tower stands near Wenceslas Square and the Main Railway Station.

This Late Gothic tower is 65.7 meters high and is the tallest freestanding bell tower in Prague. There is a panoramic point on the 10th floor, and the building also has an elevator.

What can be seen?

Primarily New Town.

This is its greatest advantage.

From Petřín, you view the entire center.

From Old Town Hall Tower, you see Old Town.

From Jindřišská, you can clearly see:

the area around Wenceslas Square;
Senovážné náměstí;
the roofs of New Town;
the towers of the center.

Is it worth it?

Especially during a second visit or if interested in photography.

Bonus: Senovážné náměstí – a quieter part of the center

Senovážné náměstí lies between Wenceslas Square, the Main Railway Station, and Na Příkopě Street.

Most visitors simply pass through it.

However, it is worth slowing down.

The area shows representative Prague from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries:

large tenement houses;
hotels;
palaces;
quieter streets;
characteristic architectural details.

This is a good place to pass between Jindřišská Tower and the Main Railway Station.

Bonus: Main Railway Station and Art Nouveau Hall

Praha hlavní nádraží does not have to be just an arrival point.

The historic part of the station recalls times when train travel had a much more representative character.

It is worth paying attention to the Art Nouveau architecture of the old station building.

This is a particularly good starting point for a walk:

Station → Wenceslas Square → arcades → Old Town

The full route is described in the article Prague Upon Arrival by Train – First Route from Main Railway Station.

Ready-made route through New Town – first time

The most logical walk leads from the top toward the river.

Route

National Museum → Wenceslas Square → Lucerna → arcades → Franciscan Garden → Kafka’s Head → Národní → National Theatre → Dancing House

Time

About 5–7 hours with a break.

Length

Approximately 5–7 kilometers, depending on the number of detours.

For whom?

This is the best option for a first visit.

It combines:

history;
architecture;
contemporary art;
arcades;
garden;
river.

Historical Route – New Town of Charles IV and the 20th Century

For those interested in history, a second variant is better.

National Museum → Wenceslas Square → Národní → Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius → Charles Square → New Town Hall → Emauzy

This is a route leading from national history of the 19th and 20th centuries to Hussitism and the medieval city plan.

Route for Rain

New Town is one of the best districts in Prague for rainy days.

Plan

National Museum → Lucerna → Světozor → arcades → Kafka’s Head → Café Louvre

During short breaks in the rain, you can add:

Franciscan Garden;
Národní;
National Theatre.

Full guide: Prague in the Rain.

Route with Children

You don’t need to lead a child through all the churches and monuments.

A good variant:

National Museum.
Lucerna and the upside-down horse.
Franciscan Garden.
Kafka’s Head.
Walk to the Vltava.

Franciscan Garden also has a playground.

You can find more proposals in the article Prague with Children – 21 Attractions and Ready Plan.

Route for Seniors

It is best to limit the number of large facilities.

A good variant:

National Museum → Wenceslas Square → arcades → Franciscan Garden → Národní → tram

You don’t need to reach Charles Square and Vyšehrad on the same day.

More practical advice can be found in the article Prague for Seniors – Sightseeing Without Haste.

New Town in the Evening

After dark, the district does not fall asleep.

At that time, the following look good:

Wenceslas Square;
arcades;
Národní;
National Theatre;
riverbank;
Dancing House.

A good evening plan:

Wenceslas Square → Lucerna → Národní → National Theatre → riverbank

This is a completely different atmosphere than a night walk through Old Town.

More ideas: Prague After Dark.

Where to take a break?

New Town is excellent in this regard.

Wenceslas Square

It is best to go down into one of the arcades instead of sitting at the busiest part of the square.

Franciscan Garden

The best free green break in this part of the center.

Národní

A good place for a historic café.

Charles Square

The park allows you to rest before continuing the route.

Náplavka

The best for the evening in good weather.

Where to eat in New Town?

The choice is huge.

You don’t have to limit yourself to the main axis of Wenceslas Square.

A good solution is to choose restaurants based on the section of the route.

For classic Czech cuisine, it is worth checking the ranking TOP 10 Czech Restaurants in Prague.

In this part of the city, you will find, among others:

U Pinkasů;
Kantýna;
Čestr;
Café Imperial in the further part of the district.

For coffee, Café Louvre is a good choice.

What to see for free?

A large part of New Town does not require tickets.

Free are, among others:

Wenceslas Square;
arcades;
Lucerna;
Kafka’s Head;
Franciscan Garden;
Charles Square;
Národní;
riverbank;
architecture of the National Theatre and Dancing House from the outside.

This allows you to build practically an entire day without buying many tickets.

What to choose with one hour?

With very little time:

Wenceslas Square → Lucerna → Franciscan Garden → Kafka’s Head

This is the best short summary of the character of the district.

What to choose with three hours?

Add:

National Museum only from the outside;
arcades;
Národní;
National Theatre.

What to choose with a whole day?

Combine:

National Museum → Wenceslas Square → arcades → Franciscan Garden → Kafka’s Head → Národní → Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius → Dancing House → Náplavka

This is already a full day without going to Old Town.

Most Common Mistakes

Treating New Town only as a road to the Square

This is the biggest mistake.

The district has enough attractions for a whole day.

Looking only at Wenceslas Square

The most interesting places are often behind the facades.

Skipping the arcades

Without them, it is hard to understand contemporary New Town.

Kafka’s Head as a separate trip

It is worth seeing, but best as part of a walk through Národní and the arcades.

National Museum and five more museums in one day

The complex alone can take several hours.

Skipping the southern part of the district

Charles Square, Anthropoid, Emauzy, and Ztracenka are just as important as Wenceslas Square.

Photographing the Dancing House only from the entrance

Step further back to see the building’s relationship with the riverbank.

Lack of a break

New Town is extensive.

Franciscan Garden exists, among other things, to stop walking for a moment.

Most Common Questions

Is New Town in Prague really new?

No.

It was founded by Charles IV in 1348.

What is worth seeing in New Town?

For a first time, primarily Wenceslas Square, National Museum, arcades, Lucerna, Franciscan Garden, Kafka’s Head, Národní, National Theatre, and Dancing House.

How much time is needed for New Town?

At least 3–4 hours.

For leisurely sightseeing, it is best to spend a whole day.

Does Wenceslas Square lie in New Town?

Yes.

It is one of the main axes of the district.

Does Dancing House lie in New Town?

Yes, on Rašínovo nábřeží.

Who designed Dancing House?

The authors of the project are Vlado Milunić and Frank O. Gehry.

Where is Kafka’s Head located?

Near the Quadrio center, above the Národní třída metro station.

Does Kafka’s Head move?

Yes.

The sculpture consists of movable segments.

Is Franciscan Garden free?

Yes.

However, it has specific opening hours.

Is it worth visiting National Museum?

Yes, especially on a first visit, during rain, or if interested in history and nature.

Where is the place associated with Operation Anthropoid?

In the crypt of the Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius on Resslova Street, there is a memorial place associated with seven Czechoslovak paratroopers.

Where to see the New Town panorama?

A good choice is Jindřišská Tower or the tower of New Town Hall.

Is New Town suitable for rain?

Very well.

National Museum, arcades, cafés, and galleries allow spending a large part of the day under the roof.

Related Guides

Summary

New Town is easy to overlook precisely because it looks like part of a modern center.

Trams run through wide streets.

On Wenceslas Square, shop windows shine.

People come out of the metro.

A cinema operates in the arcades.

A moving Head of Kafka stands on Národní.

And a few streets away is a town hall remembering the beginning of the Hussite Revolution.

This is precisely what is most interesting.

New Town does not give one Prague.

It gives several at once.

Medieval — in the plan of Charles IV.

National — in the National Museum and Theatre.

Modernist — in the arcades.

Tragic — at the crypt of the heroes of Operation Anthropoid.

Contemporary — at the Dancing House and Kafka’s Head.

And daily — on Náplavka, in the tram, in the café, and in Franciscan Garden.

That is why it is worth not treating this district as a space between Main Railway Station and Old Town.

It is good to walk through it consciously.

Start high at the National Museum.

Look under the roof of an arcade.

Sit in the garden.

Walk through Národní.

Reach the river.

And only then see how much Prague fits into the district named “New” nearly seven hundred years ago.

Sources and Current Information

Before visiting, it is worth checking current hours, exhibitions, and entry rules:

Hours for museums, towers, gardens, exhibitions, and memorial sites may change. Before visiting, check current information on official websites.