Mala Strana Walk (Self Guided), Prague

The area of Mala Strana is a pure visual delight with its old churches, palaces and beautiful gardens. It spreads out from the foot of Prague's Castle Hill and is also home to a number of embassies. Wind your way down cobblestone side streets and admire the decorated façades of some of the buildings.

Fans of architecture will relish a visit to the Church of St Nicholas (Sv. Mikulase). The 18th-century Baroque church stands on the site of a previous 13th-century Gothic church. Marvel at the massive dome and venture inside to study the sculptures and frescoes. There are frequent concerts and recitals here featuring the music of Mozart and Vivaldi.

Nearby is the heart of Mala Strana, the Baroque Lesser Town Square (Malostranské náměstí). Browse its shops for typical tourist souvenirs such as t-shirts and bottles of absinthe. You will also find shops selling antiques and vintage merchandise during your tour of Mala Strana.

Stay a while at the town square to enjoy a delicious meal in one of the traditional Czech pubs or restaurants. Some of these establishments have views over the Vltava River. There are plenty of good dining options throughout the district, including fine dining, traditional meals and ethnic cuisine.