Top Things To Do in Prague Lesser Town (Mala Strana)
View of the lesser Town from the Gardens Below the Prague Castle
What is Prague Lesser Town?
Malá Strana aka the Lesser Town is one of the original historical Prague districts, situated between Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, with the Hunger Wall separating it from Prague 5 area on its southern border.
Mala Strana means “Little Side”, but its first name was Nova Civitas or New Town. This name had to be changed later when Charles IV established another New Town (Nove Mesto) on the south of the Old Town. Lesser Town was so small and secluded, that it started to be called Kleinseite (Smaller Town) by its dwellers, who spoke a dialect of German called Lesser Town German.
What is the difference between Prague Lesser Town on Old Town?
These two neighboring districts are located on the opposite sides of the Charles Bridge. Historically, Old Town was established by merchants who settled around the Big Market Square (Old Town Square), while the Lesser Town dwellers had a smaller settlement at the foot of the Prague Castle. Eventually, the duke ordered to protect the Old Town from the Mongol threat, and the defense system was built in around 1230. The Lesser Town had acquired its walls a bit later, in 1250s.
Even though Malá Strana is sitting right between Prague Castle and the Old Town, people rarely visit it. But you shouldn’t miss out on all the cool places this quaint neighborhood has to offer. Here are the Top 7 Things you Should See in Malá Strana.
1. Leave a message on the John Lennon Wall
During the era of Communism, this wall, known as the Wall of Cries, served as a gathering point for dissenters of the regime. Following the death of John Lennon, fans of the Beatles' lead singer and songwriter erected a symbolic tombstone near the wall. Despite attempts by the Communist Party to deter visitors, the wall gained cultural and political significance after the Velvet Revolution, emerging as an iconic symbol of resistance against the regime. People began visiting the wall to leave messages through writings and graffiti, as it provided a platform for unrestricted expression. Regrettably, by the 2010s, the wall had become inundated with obscenities and curse words. In 2019, following a prolonged battle against vandalism, the city of Prague opted to alter the John Lennon Wall. Presently, messages can only be left in designated areas, and the use of spray paint and the creation of large artworks require special permission. We've made a video about this intriguing monument!
2. Explore the Petřín Hill
Petřín Park offers a much-needed rest from the bustling Czech capital. The territory is so vast that it used to be the hunting grounds for Bohemian kings living in the nearby Prague Castle. This park is a favorite place for all Praguers to go for a walk, have a picnic, or sit down to eat ice cream. You might have also heard that every year on May 1st, dozens of couples of all ages flock to Petřín to kiss under the blooming cherry trees. This cute tradition comes from a Czech poem; we talked about it in one of our videos. You can also climb the Petřín Tower, known as the Miniature Eiffel Tower of Prague, but there are many free viewpoints all over the hill as well. If climbing Petřín Hill isn’t your cup of tea, but you still want to enjoy amazing views, take a ride on the famous funicular from Ujezd station.
3. Visit the magnificent St Nicholas Church
This is one of the biggest and most beautiful Baroque churches in Prague that can rival even those in Rome. Created on the site of a much older Gothic structure, the Church of St. Nicholas was constructed by the powerful Jesuit order. The Jesuits fell out of luck and were expelled from Bohemia in the 18th century, but they couldn’t take this beautiful Baroque structure with them, of course (even though they would love to, I’m sure). Inside, you will find the largest ceiling fresco in Prague and even the pipe organ that W.A. Mozart played on! Thanks to its 79-meter height, the church’s dome and tower can be seen from almost everywhere in the Lesser Town. Bear in mind, that you will need two separate tickets to visit the interiors and the tower viewpoint of the church. If you like classical music, we also recommend going to a concert inside St. Nicholas Church.
Waldstein Garden
4. Peek into the Waldstein (Wallenstein) Garden aka Senate garden
Waldstein Garden is part of the large building complex that used to be a residence of an influential and wealthy nobleman, Albrecht von Wallenstein, the second richest man after the Holy Roman Emperor. This will be very obvious when you visit the gardens: an enormous Baroque palace with a view of Prague Castle, fountains, and sculptures of Roman Gods were placed among the topiary plants and magnolia trees. This garden is rich in flora and fauna. You will find koi fish in a pond, peacocks roaming around, and other birds of prey in the enclosure near Grotto Wall at the far back of the garden. On rare occasions, you can also go for a tour of the beautiful interiors of Waldstein palace.
Sala terrena of Waldstein Grden where concerts are held
Is the Wallenstein Garden free?
Wallenstein Garden is free to visit during its opening hours in April-October at 7 AM to 7 PM on Monday-Friday, and 9 AM to 7 PM on Saturday and Sunday. The garden is closed in the winter period.
5. Relax at Střelecký Island
This romantic island is located on the edge of the Lesser Town, just off of the Legion Bridge and across the river from the National Theatre. Střelecký Island means Shooters’ Island in Czech as this is where they gathered for military training in the past. When the weather is nice, Střelecký Island is a perfect hang-out spot where you can grab a drink, have a picnic, or just enjoy the city view from the river. In summer, there are festivals and concerts here, so you can enjoy live music and performances in the evening as well. There is a beer garden and Cocovan cafe where you can park for a well-needed rest from walking all around Prague. The island is accessible by stairs and elevator from the Legion Bridge.
Střelecký Island’s animals - meet Prague’s nutria!
Besides ducks, swans, and other feathered creatures, Střelecký Island is also inhabited by nutrias, large semiaquatic rodents resembling beavers. Despite their adorable faces and nosy nature, you should stray away from feeding and touching nutrias, as these rodents can spread certain diseases harmful to humans. They are becoming a bit of a problem for locals
Gardens Below The Prague Castle
6. Take a walk in the Gardens Below the Prague Castle
These stunning palace gardens are located on the castle hill and offer the most breathtaking views of the Lesser Town. These gardens used to belong to different aristocratic families who tried to impress each other with beautiful architecture and flora planted on the hill. That is why you will find fountains, sculptures, sala terrena, and gloriettes.
Can you enter Prague Castle from gardens Below Prague Castle?
no. Gardens Below Prague Castle are NOT to be confused with Prague Castle’s gardens, as there is a separate admission fee and they aren’t connected with the castle complex. Many travelers make that mistake, and assume they will be able to enter the castle when they climb all the way up, but unfortunately it’s not possible.
7. Take a break in a cozy cafe
Prague locals love their coffee breaks, so make sure to stop by one of Lesser Town’s hidden courtyards for a drink and a dessert. We love Cafe Club Misenska (viz. photo) as well as L4 Cafe near the John Lennon Wall. Check out our Real Prague Guides Instagram where we frequently post our favorite cafes and restaurants!
Nerudova Street
8. Check out shops on Nerudova street
This street is the most comfortable to walk when you are leaving Prague Castle and has dozens of stores, restaurants, and cafes you can explore! From pottery workshops at Kafe & Hrnky, antique store U Zlaté číše, a cute Orel and friends souvenir store, to the ubiquitous chimney cake at Café U Kajetána, everyone will find something they like on Nerudova Street.
9. Get lost in the narrow alleys and hidden passages of the Lesser Town
Unlike new Prague districts, the historical Lesser Town was built gradually, which means sometimes its winding streets take you into unexpected places. Do not resist! Let the Lesser Town show you its hidden courtyards and charming dead ends. Interestingly, the Lesser Town has more historically preserved buildings than its neighbor, the Old Town, so you will have an infinite amount of original architecture to admire.
Mlýnská kavárna
10. Have fun at Kampa Island
It will hardly feel that you are on an island, as Kampa is only separated from the rest of the Lesser Town by a narrow Certovka stream. Kampa Island is essentially a recreational area with a park where locals walk their dogs and have picnics, a gallery, and a few cafes. We recommend checking out the legendary Mlýnská kavárna and statues of Babies by David Cerny outside the gallery.
Our Top Recommendations for Restaurants in Lesser Town, Prague
U Glaubiců - One of the oldest traditional Czech restaurants in the city.
Lokál U Bílé kuželky - a popular chain restaurant that serves traditional Czech food with a modern twist.
Malostranská beseda - A historical hotspot for locals and tourists.
U Dvou slunců - a great affordable option for traditional food near Prague Castle.
San Carlo Mala Strana - amazing Italian cuisine in the heart of Prague.
Dosa Dosa bistro - delicious vegan bistro at Ujezd stop.
If you want to see more cool places and monuments in Malá Strana or learn some history of this cute neighborhood, check out our video!
Real Prague Guides YouTube channel
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