Hotels near Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge (Karluv most) was commissioned by King Charles IV in 1357 and served as the only crossing over the Vltava River until 1841. The 516-metre stone bridge is lined with 30 Baroque statues, the most famous being the bronze figure of St. John of Nepomuk - touch the plaque beneath it and local tradition says you will return to Prague. At each end, Gothic bridge towers frame the crossing: the Old Town Bridge Tower on the east bank is one of the finest Gothic structures in Europe, and its observation gallery (100 CZK / EUR 4) gives a straight-line view down the bridge toward the Castle.

During daylight hours in high season, the bridge carries a thick stream of tourists, portrait artists, and souvenir vendors. The atmosphere is livelier than peaceful, but the bridge remains a must-see for its engineering, its statues, and the river-and-castle panorama it offers. Crossing the bridge on foot takes about 10 minutes without stops.

Pro Tip: Cross the bridge at dawn - 5:30 to 6:30am in summer - for photographs without crowds. The morning mist over the Vltava with the Castle silhouette behind it is Prague's single best photo opportunity, and you may share the bridge with fewer than a dozen people.