According to the official World Travel Market Figures, in 2016 Prague became the fifth most visited city in Europe. It is more visited than Vienna, Barcelona and Amsterdam! So what are the attractions that draw people to the city? Tourist giants, like Paris and London, have easily recognisable icons like the Eiffel tower or Big Ben so what landmark represents Prague? The majesty of the Charles Bridge, dating back to medieval times, is probably Prague’s most photographed site. With its bustling activity of street sellers, sketch artists and musicians to provide a fuller gamut of culture beyond its history, Charles Bridge reminds visitors of both the historical Prague whilst showing you the vitality of the modern city.

A city with such a rich blend of old a new will often suffer from being reduced down to the same attractions by every guidebook. This list tries to highlight some of the smaller attractions and reveal some of Prague’s best-kept secrets…

Lucerna Palace

Built in 1920, this triumph of the Art Nouveau style is not a palace but actually a shopping mall. Filled with antique shops, restaurants and bars, Lucerna Palace also boasts a small cinema and the Lucerne Music Bar (where you can find jazz and pop nights). The mall also houses a famed statue of Wenceslas riding an upside-down horse.

Church of St Francis of Assisi

This church was built on the site of a church of the same name destroyed by the Siege of Prague in 1648. The most spectacular aspect is the painted cupola. Adorned with Reiner’s depiction of The Last Judgement, it is truly stunning and should not be missed by lovers of the Baroque period.

Marionettes

One of the most enchanting cultural features of Prague is marionettes and puppet theatre. At one time puppet theatre was the only theatre available to less advantaged citizens. It began in the seventeenth century and became a mainstay in Bohemian theatre and performance. This history of puppet theatre can still be seen today in the national Marionette Theatre in Old Town or in shops like Hracˇky u Zlatého Iva.

Zizkov Televison Tower

The Zizkov television tower could hardly be called a secret as you can see it from so far a field! However, the fact it can be seen from so far is what makes it a great spot for site seeing. With its restaurant and viewing platform you can get some of the greatest panoramic views in all of Prague.

Statue of Franz Kafka

There are multiple sculptures of Kafka in Prague but this one is not in every guide. This statute, depicting Kafka in a childlike fashion on the shoulders of an empty suit, reflects the absurdity of the writers work but has caused disagreement about what it means. Is it Kafka on his father’s shoulders, representing their fraught relationship or in more direct reference to his first book Amerika where a political candidate is carried through the streets on the shoulders of a giant…

Basilca of St James

The present church, decorated in the Baroque style, replaced the original, which was destroyed in the great fire of 1689 that decimated the city. It is full of beautiful sculptures and stunning frescoes. Second only to St Vitus Cathedral in size, this basilica – with its 20 altars – is probably the most ornate of all the Baroque churches in Prague.

Apple Museum

There are many small museums celebrating unusual things in Prague but one you might not expect is this one dedicated to Apple computers. This museum, documenting the highs and lows of Apple’s history, is filled with pretty much every iteration of Apples long history of products. It also looks at the people behind the company and what lead to Apple becoming what it is today.

U Supa Brewery

Beer has a long and beautiful history in Prague. To explore this history we recommend U Supa Brewery, the oldest continuous brewery in Prague. You can sample their wide range of beers and indulge in gastronomic delights in their restaurant. You can also see the brewing process on special tours.

John Lennon Pub

Not far from one of Prague’s most photographed spots, the John Lennon Wall, is a pub that also bears his name. Unsurprisingly they play a lot of Beatles music and have a lot of British and Beatles specifc merobilia. If you are a fan of Lennon or the Beatles then it’s a must but if your not its still worth a visit for its rather odd mix of British and Czech culture.

Paradise Garden

The oldest garden of the now incorporated South Gardens, it was originally the private garden of King Ferdinand I and Rudoph II. A narrow strip of land along the southern ramparts of the castle, its current layout dates back to the 1920s and looks out over Prague’s Lesser Town area.

This post is based off extracts from our book Best Kept Secrets of Prague (ISBN: 9781786647894). This title is part of our Best Kept Secrets series, which is packed with tonnes of expert advice and hidden locations. You can order it from our website here or on Amazon here.