Malá Strana may be known as the 'Lesser Quarter', but this charming corner of Prague boasts plenty of things to see and do. Originally called the "New Town beneath Prague Castle," it was founded back in 1257 in an amalgamation of several settlements below the castle. It was later rebranded as the "Lesser Town of Prague" in 1348, after Charles IV founded the New Town of Prague on the opposite bank of the Vltava. Its proximity to the castle made it a prestigious address, and in the Middle Ages, Malá Strana flourished as a hub for aristocrats, merchants, and artisans.
After the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648), Malá Strana underwent a Baroque makeover. Many palaces and churches, like the stunning St. Nicholas Church, were built or rebuilt in this style, giving the district its signature look. Fortunately, the district was largely spared from the destructive wars and fires that ravaged other parts of Prague, allowing its medieval and Baroque architecture to remain remarkably intact. These days, while a little quieter than the Old Town across the river, Malá Strana is a lively and popular part of the city known for its artistic heritage, boutique shops, and cosy cafés.
Explore the best of Prague and its most popular highlights in just half a day, with a private guide giving you the rich and complex history for which the city is known.
On your private tour, you will:
See the heart of Prague, Old Town Square, where you will learn about the religious symbolism of the absolutely stunning medieval Astronomical Clock and its long-standing historical influences. Then, your guide will take you wandering through the Old Town, where you will be able to experience what ‘Old Prague’ must have been like 500 years ago.
Be immersed in the layers of history and cultural influences that are around every corner. Your private guide will be more than happy to field any questions you may have on the history of this great city and the changes it saw, set in motion by the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV.
Crossing over to the Lesser Quarter of Prague over the Vltava River, your guide will show you the Gothic masterpiece of the Charles Bridge, which dates back to the 14th century. It was key in creating Prague’s New Town area, as it linked the established parts of Prague with new innovation and development.
Looming above the Vltava's left bank, with its many beautiful fairytale-like spires and towers, the stunning Prague Castle is one of the most famous and imposing buildings in Europe.
Within its walls lies a fascinating collection of historic buildings, museums and galleries that are home to some of the Czech Republic's greatest artistic and cultural treasures. For those who book the morning tour, you will have the chance to see the daily changing of the guard, which happens at noon each day.
Founded in the 9th century by Prince Bořivoj, the historic Prague Castle holds the Guinness world record as the largest coherent castle complex with approximately an area of 70.000 m2. Your private tour guide will help you immerse yourself in the history of the fascinating city of Prague by learning the history of its beautiful castle.
On this half-day walking tour, you will:
Prague Castle looms above the Vltava River’s left bank and is adorned with many beautiful fairytale-like spires and towers. Within its walls lies a fascinating collection of historic buildings, museums and galleries that are home to some of the Czech Republic's greatest artistic and cultural treasures. Prague Castle is an absolute must for anyone visiting the Czech Republic.
The castle has long been the seat of Czech monarchs, as well as the official residence of the head of state. Its construction has been on a monumental scale and is famed across Europe; with Prince Bořivoj founding a fortified settlement here in the 9th century. It grew sporadically as monarchs made their own additions to the castle complex.
There have been four major reconstructions, from that of Prince Soběslav in the 12th century to a classical facelift under Empress Maria Theresa (r 1740–80).
Your expert city guide will help you to unravel the fascinating history of this enigmatic building in the heart of Prague. The Castle also provides a breathtaking, royal view over Charles Bridge, the Vltava river and the rest of Prague.
Exploring the Castle complex will help us to discover more about the fascinating life of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV, and his contributions to his Empire.
Prague is particularly well-known for its nightlife, and the so-called “Golden City” truly comes into its own once the sun goes down. Our private evening tour is a great way to get a taste of Prague at twilight, venturing beyond the Old Town to the equally charming district of Malá Strana to see a different side of the city and sample the traditional flavours and innovative modern concoctions that surprise and delight locals and visitors alike.
On this 4-hour private food tour, you will:
Tucked beneath Hradčany hill on the western bank of the Vltava River, your evening of culinary discovery in Prague’s enchanting Malá Strana begins at the National Museum of Slivovice, a fitting prologue to the night ahead. Over a glass of Czechia's beloved plum brandy, a fiery, aromatic spirit steeped in centuries of Central European tradition, you'll get your bearings: on the district, on Czech drinking culture, and on the particular pleasures that await over the next four hours.
From there, you will make your way through some of the most beautiful streets in Central Europe. Your guide knows this district intimately, not just its landmarks but its rhythms, its hidden courtyards, its family-run establishments that never quite make it onto the tourist radar. Along the way, the iconic Charles Bridge looms into view, and the stories surrounding it, mythological, historical, and occasionally macabre, are considerably more interesting than the postcards suggest.
While the exact tastings and order of things may vary depending on the evening and the season, the food is guaranteed to be generous and deeply satisfying. Czech guláš (goulash), thick and fragrant with caraway and slow-cooked beef, is the kind of dish that makes immediate sense on a cool Prague evening. Potato pancakes, golden and crisp, speak to the resourceful simplicity that defines Czech home cooking, and a bowl of sharp, warming sauerkraut soup offers a glimpse into a culinary tradition that makes humble ingredients sing. Your guide weaves the stories of these dishes into the broader narrative of the city: where they came from, how they evolved, and why Czechs remain so attached to them.
The drinking is equally thoughtful. You’ll enjoy a properly poured Czech Pilsner while your guide shares the context behind the country’s most famous export. Venturing beyond the obvious, you’ll also have the rare opportunity to try Czech wine. Produced almost entirely in the Moravian region to the south and largely unknown outside the country, it is one of central Europe's best-kept secrets.
Between tastings, you’ll step inside the Museum of Alchemists, where Prague's long and genuinely fascinating obsession with the occult, the esoteric, and the pursuit of impossible knowledge gets its due. Emperor Rudolf II turned sixteenth-century Prague into a magnet for alchemists, astronomers, and assorted mystical adventurers from across Europe, and the city has never entirely shaken that atmosphere. A suitably quirky cocktail in hand, you'll hear about the characters and legends that gave Prague its enduring reputation for the strange and the otherworldly.
Your tour comes to a close in the warmest possible fashion with homemade cake and Czech liqueur in a quaint local café that has been feeding the neighbourhood for decades. After the guide bids you farewell, you’re free to remain in Malá Strana, soaking up the magical atmosphere, or retire to your hotel with a newfound appreciation for Prague’s stories, secrets, and delectable dining options.
Please note: Start times, itinerary & tastings are subject to change due to seasonal availability, individual closings, or local holidays.
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