Straddling both banks of the Vltava, Prague is one of Europe’s best-preserved historic cities, defined by Gothic towers, Baroque palaces and Art Nouveau façades. The UNESCO-listed historic centre brings together landmarks including Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge and Old Town Square, while the historic streets of Josefov and the palaces of Malá Strana offer the chance to explore the city’s different eras on foot.
Prague’s contemporary cultural scene extends well beyond the historic centre. At the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art and Trade Fair Palace in HoleÅ¡ovice, in the converted industrial spaces of KarlÃn and along the Vltava at Náplavka, contemporary art, design and gastronomy are woven into everyday city life. New-generation cultural institutions such as Kunsthalle Praha add another, more contemporary layer to the city’s established museum circuit.
From its classical music tradition and independent design scene to its celebrated beer culture and increasingly sophisticated fine-dining landscape, Prague embraces its historic identity without being confined by nostalgia. In 2026, the Matter of Art Biennale at the National Gallery Prague, followed in autumn by Designblok and Signal Festival, will bring contemporary art and design to the forefront of the city’s cultural calendar, while the Bohemian Crown Jewels on display at Prague Castle remain among the year’s notable cultural highlights. From historic arcades and contemporary galleries to the riverfront and creative neighbourhoods, Prague is a compact destination where architecture, art and gastronomy come together – and one that rewards exploration throughout the year.
