🏛️ Attraction · bridge
Charles Bridge
The stone bridge that joined the Old Town to Malá Strana for more than four centuries on its own, and the most famous walk in Prague.
Charles IV had its foundation stone laid in 1357 — by tradition on 9 July at 5:31 a.m., a palindrome of numbers chosen by astrologers — after a flood destroyed the older Judith Bridge. Peter Parler, the architect of St. Vitus Cathedral, designed it. It is roughly half a kilometre long, rests on sixteen arches and was simply called the Stone Bridge until the nineteenth century.
The thirty Baroque statues were added from the late seventeenth century. The oldest is the bronze of St. John of Nepomuk, thrown from the bridge in 1393; touching the plaque below it is said to bring you back to Prague. Most statues on the bridge today are copies, with the originals kept in the Lapidarium and the Vyšehrad casemates.
The bridge is pedestrian only and free, and by late morning it is crowded with painters, musicians and visitors. For the real experience, cross it at sunrise, when it is almost empty. The Old Town Bridge Tower at the eastern end has a viewing gallery over the river.
Where to stay nearby
Live prices and availability on a map centred on this exact spot — hotels, apartments and hostels, so you can judge the walk from here rather than guess from an address.
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Frequently asked
What are the opening hours at Charles Bridge?
The hours published on Google are: Monday: 00:00–23:59; Tuesday: 00:00–23:59; Wednesday: 00:00–23:59; Thursday: 00:00–23:59; Friday: 00:00–23:59; Saturday: 00:00–23:59; Sunday: 00:00–23:59. Check the venue's own site before a special trip — holiday and seasonal hours often differ.
Where is Charles Bridge?
The address is Karlův most, 110 00 Praha 1, in Old Town (District Praha 1).
Is there an entry fee at Charles Bridge?
No — entry is free. Temporary exhibitions or specific areas may still be charged separately.
Is Charles Bridge worth visiting?
It holds 4.8 out of 5 from 199,681 Google reviews — a strong score for a attraction in Prague. Treat the rating as a starting point, not a verdict, and read a few recent reviews too.
