The Original Bilingual Old Town

Overview

The Original Free Tour of Prague is a 2.5-hour walk listed on freetour.com, run by the Prague branch of SANDEMANs Tours. The reservation is free and payment happens at the end: guests pay the guide what they think the walk was worth. The route starts on Old Town Square at the corner of Parizska Street, across from St. Nicholas Church, and moves through the historic centre of the city on foot.

The tour's page on freetour.com describes a sweep through the Old Town and the Old Jewish Quarter, passing the Astronomical Clock, the Rudolfinum, the House of the Black Madonna, the Powder Tower, Municipal House and Wenceslas Square, with views of Charles Bridge and Prague Castle along the way. The narration covers a long stretch of history, from royal dynasties and Bohemian culture to the Nazi occupation, life behind the Iron Curtain and the Velvet Revolution.

Because it covers so much ground in one walk, the tour suits travellers early in their stay who want an orientation to the city's main sights and history. It runs in English and Spanish, and the tour page states that it is accessible, suitable for families with children and for people with reduced mobility, and pet-friendly.

Itinerary

1. Meet On Old Town SquareThe walk begins at Old Town Square, at the corner of Parizska Street, across the street from St. Nicholas Church. There is no pickup; travellers make their own way to the meeting point.
2. Old Town Square And ClockThe tour takes in Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock, along with the statue of Jan Hus and the Church of Our Lady before Týn.
3. Into The Jewish QuarterThe route continues into the Old Jewish Quarter, where the tour page on freetour.com highlights the Old New Synagogue and its Golem story.
4. Rudolfinum And Riverside ViewsThe walk passes the Rudolfinum, home of the Czech Philharmonic, and takes in a view of Charles Bridge and a view of Prague Castle.
5. Art Nouveau And CubismMunicipal House and the House of the Black Madonna, home to the Museum of Cubism, appear on the route, together with the Powder Tower.
6. Wenceslas SquareWenceslas Square is among the highlights the tour page on freetour.com lists for the walk, where the history narration runs from the occupation years through to the Velvet Revolution.

What To Expect From The Tour

The tour's own page on freetour.com answers most practical questions before booking. A few practical points for this walk.

• Wear Walking Shoes. This is a 2.5-hour walk on foot through the city centre with no vehicle transport. Comfortable shoes are the sensible choice for the full distance.
• Check The Weather. The tour page on freetour.com states that rain or shine, tours run as scheduled. Bring whatever the day calls for, since the walk does not stop for bad weather.
• Bring The Family. The tour page states the walk is suitable for families with children and accessible to all. It is also listed as suitable for people with reduced mobility.
• Pets Can Come. The tour page on freetour.com describes the walk as pet-friendly, so travellers who travel with a dog can bring it along.
• Pay At The End. Booking on freetour.com is free, and guests pay the guide what they think the walk was worth at the end. The tour page states there is no additional cost and no extra fees.
• Bring Your Camera. The route passes several photogenic stops, including views of Charles Bridge and Prague Castle and the Astronomical Clock on Old Town Square.

Common issues. There is no pickup, so travellers need to reach the Old Town Square meeting point on their own. The walk runs rain or shine, so wet weather does not cancel it.

Common Questions Before You Book