Petřín Tower & Petřín Hill

Petřín Tower is 58.70m high, which doesn't seem particularly tall until you consider that it sits atop Petřín Hill, which rises 324m above sea level.

Visitors can climb the 299 steps to the top, where you will be rewarded with breathtaking views over Prague. On a clear day, it’s even possible to see Sněžka, the highest peak in Czechia, 150km away.

Also worth seeing is the free exhibition beneath Petřín Tower, which chronicles its construction and features historical photographs of its earliest visitors.

Petřín Hill & Gardens (Petřínské sady) is a scenic area of park and woodland that rises from the Lesser Town up to Petřín Tower. For visitors to Prague, Petřín makes for an excellent half-day excursion away from the historical city centre.

If you're wondering where Petřín is located: from Charles Bridge and the river, look toward Prague Castle - Petřín Hill lies just to the left.

At the summit of Petřín Hill, surrounding Petřín Tower, are several other visitor attractions set in beautifully landscaped gardens, including a stunning rose garden. It is a peaceful and engaging oasis to stroll around, whether in the summer sunshine or the deep snows of winter.

The only weather to avoid is rain or fog, as the area is quite exposed, and quite frankly, nature and the views are everything at Petřín, so you need to be able to see.

Even without climbing the tower, the views over Prague from Petřín Hill are spectacular.

Other Visitor Attractions at the Summit

-Štefánik Observatory (Štefánikova hvězdárna): Visitors can see inside two domes and observe the Sun during the day, and the Moon, planets, and stars after dark through a large telescope.

A small space exhibition explains the basics of astronomy, astrophysics, and astronautics. There's also a meteorite museum featuring specimens from the Moon and Mars.

-Mirror Maze (Bludiště).

-Church of St. Lawrence.

-Children's playground.

-Carousel (open in the summer months).

-Magical Cavern, which is a small mystical building.

-Cafés, refreshment stands, and 'A La Petite Eiffel' bar and restaurant.

It is free to walk around Petřín Hill. Minor entrance fees apply for the visitor attractions, but there is no need to pre-book any of them.

Petřín Hillside & Restaurants

The mighty Hunger Wall (Hladová zed) runs down one side of Petřín Hill. Commissioned by Emperor Charles IV in 1360-1362, it forms part of the city's medieval fortifications. The name derives from the reason the wall was built: to provide employment for Prague residents during hard times.

The stone to construct many of the historical buildings in Prague was quarried out of Petřín. All evidence of this mining activity is hidden beneath the park and woodland covering the hill.

To return to the historical centre after you visit to the summit, either take public transport or walk down Petřín hill via a series of pathways leading through the trees.

Half way down, set on the side of Petřín Hill, are Nebozizek Restaurant and Petřínské Terasy Café. Both have large terraces and are ideal spots to take refreshments and enjoy the view.

The restaurants are also accessible via the Petřín Funicular, which makes a stop nearby in both directions.

At the bottom of Petřín Hill is a well-equipped children's playground, near the funicular terminal.

From the terminal, it is a 10-minute walk to Charles Bridge. Or you can take a tram to other parts of Prague.

For locals, Petřín is somewhere to go for a walk in nature and to take in beautiful views over Prague.

For visitors in Prague for a few days, once you have explored the main sights (Prague Castle, Old Town Square, etc.), Petřín Hill could be your next move.

How to Reach Petřín Tower & Hill

Travel options from the historical centre of Prague:

1. A ride on the Petřín Funicular is the easiest, most pleasurable way to reach the summit of Petřín. It departs from Ujezd in the Lesser Town, which is 5 minutes walk from Ujezd tram stop. Unfortunately, the funicular is closed for renovation until 2026.

2. Metro to metro stop Malostranská (line A). Then, tram to tram stop Pohorelec (tram 22,23). Then, walk 10 minutes via Strahovska street.

3. Walk up Petřín Hill. The climb takes 30 minutes and is steep, but the walk is pleasant, passing through park and woodland;

4. Taxi.

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE

A Prague Tourist Information Centre is sited at the base of Petřín Tower. It provides details of Prague sights, tourist attractions and museums, and upcoming events. It also stocks maps and offers Prague public transport information.