Prague off the Beaten Track

Just a short walk from the center of Prague rises Vítkov Hill—a quiet, unassuming ridge that separates the districts of Žižkov and Karlín. Though technically part of Žižkov, it’s visible from much of the city and offers some of the best panoramic views of Prague. Still, it remains surprisingly uncrowded, a perfect candidate for those seeking a different kind of city experience.

Unlike most episodes of Prague Off the Beaten Track, this one doesn’t take you to just one place. Instead, it takes a step back to look at the bigger picture—because before we head out to places like Libeň, Karlín, or Jižní Město, it helps to understand how Prague became what it is today.

Soaring high above Prague’s rooftops, the Žižkov Television Tower is impossible to miss—and just as impossible to categorize. A product of late-communist engineering, this peculiar structure has been called everything from an eyesore to a masterpiece of high-tech design. But what many visitors don’t realize is that inside one of its iconic pods, perched 70 meters above ground, lies one of the city’s most exclusive places to spend the night.

Tucked away just a short walk from the well-trodden tourist paths of Hradčany lies a quiet green space that preserves a little-known chapter of Prague’s military past. Park Max van der Stoel may seem like an ordinary public park, but along its edge are massive stone and brick ramparts—remnants of the Baroque-era fortifications that once encircled Prague.

Vyšehrad, Prague's legendary hilltop fortress, offers visitors far more than stunning views and ancient monuments. Beneath its walls lies a lesser-known historical marvel—the Vyšehrad Casemates, an underground complex from the 17th century, once built to safeguard soldiers from enemy fire and now open for exploration.

Vyšehrad, perched on a rocky hill above the Vltava River, is one of Prague’s most historically and culturally significant sites. Often overshadowed by Prague Castle, this ancient fortress has long been steeped in myths and legends. But beyond its medieval walls and scenic parkland lies Vyšehrad Cemetery—Czechia’s national pantheon, where some of the country’s most remarkable figures rest.

Strahov Stadium is an imposing relic of the past. Once the largest stadium in the world by area, it has seen a remarkable evolution—from a stage for nationalistic gymnastics festivals to a propaganda tool of communist mass exercises, from a rock concert venue to its current uncertain fate. Despite numerous proposals to repurpose it, Strahov remains an enigmatic and largely forgotten part of the city.

Tucked away in the southwestern part of Prague, Prokopské údolí, or Prokop Valley, is a remarkable blend of history, geology, and nature. This protected landscape, part of the Czech Karst, offers visitors a chance to step away from the city’s busy streets and immerse themselves in a peaceful, rugged environment shaped over millions of years.

Just a few steps away from Prague Castle and the grand palaces of Hradčany, Nový Svět (The New World) feels like a secret passage into a quieter, almost forgotten part of the city. With its winding cobbled streets, historic houses, and an atmosphere steeped in mystery, this charming quarter has long been a refuge for artists, writers, and dreamers — an off-the-beaten-path gem waiting to be discovered.

Nestled beneath the Vyšehrad Rock on the banks of the Vltava River, Podskalí is a lesser-known but historically rich area of Prague. Once a bustling port village and a vital part of the city’s economy, Podskalí has transformed over the centuries into a charming destination that seamlessly blends history, culture, and leisure.