9 Must-Visit Prague Instagram Spots for Stunning Photos in 2024

Are you ready to visit Prague and embark on a visual journey through one of Europe’s most picturesque cities? As a travel photographer who calls Prague home, I’m thrilled to share my insider knowledge of the best Prague Instagram spots with you.

Get ready to level up your Instagram game and create memories that’ll last a lifetime!

What are the best Instagram spots in Prague?

Charles Bridge: A Czech Timeless Icon

This place is a photographer’s dream, but it can be a nightmare if you don’t know what you’re doing and arrive late. Trust me, I’ve been there!

First things first, timing is everything. Don’t just show up at noon expecting to get great photos. The bridge is packed with tourists, and harsh light won’t do you any favors.

Now, I swear by the early morning blue hour, followed by that magical time after sunrise. Once the sun gets above the buildings, the bridge comes alive with warm, soft light that makes everything look stunning. Plus, you’ll beat the crowds. I’m talking 4:15 am in summer for the blue hour. Yeah, it’s brutal but so worth it!

Want unique shots? Get creative with angles. Sometimes, the nicest angles are not on the bridge itself but instead having the bridge in the background. Learn about any angle possible in my guide to the best photo spots in Prague.

Don’t forget about the Vltava River! Once you shoot off the bridge, you don’t have to worry about the crowds too much. You can get killer reflection shots, especially once the lights illuminate the arches during the evening blue hour.

If you want to capture Prague’s two major landmarks in one frame, position yourself so you can see the castle peeking out above the bridge. This stunning spot, next to the Bedřich Smetana statue in front of the Bedřich Smetana Museum, showcases the city’s incredible skyline.

Fun fact: It’s NOT the oldest stone bridge in the Czech Republic. A stone bridge in Písek was built in the 13th century, about 150 years before the Charles Bridge.

Now, set that alarm and prepare for an unforgettable morning at one of Prague’s most iconic landmarks!

Or, hire me as your expert photography guide in Prague. You won’t have to worry about anything; I’ll take care of everything.

Old Town Square: Heart of Historic Prague

Alright, let’s dive into capturing the essence of Old Town Square, the most significant square in Prague! This place is like a time machine. Its history dates back to the 10th century, when it served as a marketplace.

Every time I’m there, I feel like I’ve stepped back a few centuries – except for all the tourists with selfie sticks and on e-scooters.

First, let’s talk about that famous Astronomical Clock. It’s tricky to photograph, I’ll give you that. There are two approaches: With people and without people, zooming in on the clock itself.

If you like people in your photos, timing is everything. You want to be there just before the hour strikes when the little apostle figures do their dance. Ignore the clock and focus on the crowd’s reactions. Some of my favorite shots have been of wide-eyed kids watching the clock in awe. It adds this human element that brings the photo to life.

If you prefer to keep crowds of people out of your frame, focus on the details of the clock itself.

The Gothic Church of Our Lady Before Týn is a different ball game. Those twin spires are iconic but can be a pain to frame correctly. Photographing it from higher ground, such as the Old Town Hall Tower observation deck, works wonders.

…Or get down low and use the cobblestones as a foreground interest.

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, see if you can access the Terasa U Prince (on the street level, look for Hotel U Prince), the best rooftop restaurant, for a bird’ s-eye view. Reservations may be required.

I always tell people that for wider angles of Old Town Square, come early in the morning, and you’ll experience it very differently from the mid-day vibes.

And here’s a pro tip: look for reflections in puddles after rain. You can get some cool shots of the square’s architecture reflected in the cobblestones.

Prague Castle: A Fairytale Come to Life

Photographing Prague Castle is like trying to capture a fairytale on camera. It’s massive, gorgeous, and has more angles than a geometry textbook. But don’t worry—I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve to help you snag those perfect shots.

First, let’s discuss distant viewpoints. Everyone knows about the view next to the Old Town Bridge Tower at Charles Bridge, but that’s just scratching the surface.

For real panoramic magic, head to the top of the Old Town Bridge Tower. I nearly dropped my camera when I saw the view for the first time. Charles Bridge works as a leading line to the castle complex, with the Vltava River calmly flowing in the foreground. It’s incredibly stunning after sunset when the castle lights up like a golden crown.

Beware, capturing this from the tower is only possible for a few weeks a year because of the tower’s closing hours! The best time is at the end of summer when the blue hour is earlier than the tower’s closing time.

The interior of the St. Vitus Cathedral is a whole different beast. Don’t bother with the exterior shots from the castle courtyard (unless you go for Gothic architecture details). It’s usually full of people, but mostly, you’re too close, and the cathedral is too tall. It doesn’t fit.

Sure, you can try a panorama, but it’s too much of a hassle with people moving around. Besides, I think it just looks better from afar.

However, the cathedral’s interior is jaw-dropping! Here’s a pro tip: bring a fast wide-angle lens if you have one. And don’t forget to look up! Some of the most intricate details are above eye level. I particularly love the stained-glass windows.

If you have a telephoto, you can play with ICM (intentional camera movement) and get some exciting abstracts.

And the changing of the guard ceremony? That’s prime photo-op material right there. But here’s the thing—everyone focuses on the guards. For a fun shot, try capturing the reactions of the crowd instead. I once saw this great shot of a wide-eyed kid saluting back at the guards, which added this whole emotional layer to the scene.

If you decide to photograph the Golden Lane, equip yourself with a TON of patience. It’s insanely busy during the day, so your best chance is to be among the first visitors to enter in the morning.

Suppose you happen to be there mid-day, my sympathies. Grab a coffee and recharge in the hidden cafe opposite Golden Lane (from the Golden Lane entrance, turn left to the cafe or right to Golden Lane).

Fun fact: Did you know that it’s the largest castle complex in the world? Well, now you do!

To summarize, focus on distant views of Prague Castle, ideally during the evening blue hour, and don’t miss the interior of St. Vitus Cathedral.

John Lennon Wall: A Colorful Canvas

Here’s the deal with shooting street art – it’s all about the details and a speck of human element. Sure, you can snap a wide shot of the whole wall, but where’s the fun in that? Get up close and personal with those spray-painted masterpieces (in the upper half of the wall).

I once spent half an hour focusing on different sections, playing with depth of field to make certain elements pop. It was like a treasure hunt, finding hidden gems among the chaos of color.

My favorite pastime is trying to capture people passing by. This is where patience pays off. I like to find a spot, set up my shot, and wait. You’d be amazed at the moments you can catch—couples stealing a kiss or street musicians using the wall as a backdrop. It’s like the wall brings out everyone’s inner free spirit.

Timing-wise, early morning is your best bet. I’m talking before your breakfast. You’ll have the wall practically to yourself. Plus, there’s something quite magical about watching the city wake up around you.

Remember, the Lennon Wall is constantly changing. What you see one day might be gone the next, replaced by something new. So don’t stress too much about getting the “perfect” shot. Just have fun with it, and let your creativity flow.

Vrtba Garden: A Hidden Baroque Gem

This place is like stumbling into a secret garden party where Mother Nature and some fancy 18th-century architect decided to show off. If you don’t know about it, you walk right past it. A true hidden gem!

Start at the terrace on the very top. You get this killer shot of the St. Nicholas Church dome peeking out over the rooftops with the terraces in the lower section of the frame.

It’s an afternoon shot. If you wait too long, the lower parts of the garden will become shadowy, but you’ll get softer and warmer light hitting the church, so it comes down to your preferences.

Remember, Vrtba Garden isn’t just about nailing the perfect Instagram shot – it’s about soaking in the atmosphere. So remember to put the camera down every now and then and enjoy the view.

Dancing House: Modern Architecture Meets Instagram

This quirky building is like the rebel child of Prague’s architecture—it stands out and is fun to photograph!

First things first, you won’t get a clean shot. Why? Tram electric lines.

While Instagrammers like to pretend that they kick in the building, causing it to “dance,” I’m not a fan of it. People who try to do this have stomped over the grass in the park to take a photo thousands have already taken. Meh! Be original, for god sake!

Instead, wait for the blue hour when the building gets illuminated, bring a tripod, and use the light trails to add another element of interest to the photo. And boy, when you capture a tram or a bus in a perfect position, that’ll make you feel perfect. You’ll be more original than many others.

Here’s another pro tip that not many people know about, but you can get a nice shot from across the river, too. Use a telephoto to show the odd-looking masterpiece along the Vltava River.

My last piece of advice is to look up and take photos of details. The windows make for a perfect subject!

Letná Park: Sunset Spectacle

It’s THE place to visit for arguably the best view of Prague. A golden hour before the sun dips behind Prague Castle is the ideal time to visit. The light gets warm and illuminates the city underneath you.

I like two spots: Hanavský pavilion and Letná viewpoint, which are about a 2-minute walk apart.

This park is like a magnet for locals just hanging out, and that’s your golden ticket to some killer candid shots.

Here’s a little secret: stick around after the sun goes down. The blue hour here is incredible!

Remember actually to enjoy the view yourself. I know it’s tempting to spend the whole time behind the camera but trust me, some moments are best experienced with your own eyes. Grab a beer, find a comfy spot, and soak it all in.

Malá Strana: Charming Lesser Town

First off, those quaint streets and colorful baroque buildings? They’re begging to be photographed. I remember getting lost in the winding alleys (which used to happen more often than I’d like to admit) and stumbling upon the most picture-perfect scenes, especially if you’re into street photography.

Now, let’s talk about St. Nicholas Church. This beauty is tricky to capture because it’s so darn big, and the streets are so narrow.

But here’s a little secret I discovered: head to Vrtba Garden (the one mentioned earlier). There’s this spot on the upper terrace where you can see the church dome peeking over the rooftops. Just be prepared for some stairs.

Another lovely spot is close to the Lesser Town Bridge Tower, where the St. Nicholas church peaks from behind the tower. It looks great in the early morning when the sun starts to illuminate the towers; it has a different feel in the evening when it’s artificially illuminated, but you must deal with the crowds. Using a long exposure can help as long as people move along and don’t stop.

Remember to look for those charming details, too. Malá Strana is full of quirky door knockers, ornate window frames, and hidden courtyards.

Strahov Monastery Library: A Photogenic Baroque Marvel

I’ll never forget the first time I stepped into the Strahov Monastery Library. It was like walking into a picture perfect time capsule of knowledge. As a photographer, I was thrilled and intimidated by the challenge of capturing its essence.

You will visit because of two main halls: Philosophical and Theological halls. Let’s take a look at both of them, starting with the Philosophical Hall.

It has two stories, making the ceiling extremely tall, so fixing the verticals is challenging. The hall features jaw-dropping ceiling frescoes. I’ve found that a wide-angle lens is your best friend here. I usually aim for something in the 16-24mm range on a full-frame camera. Just take distortion into account, and don’t tilt your camera too much; consider shooting vertically.

Next up is the Theological Hall, popular for its impressive book collections and seventeenth-century globes. Here comes the bummer—as of spring 2024, they removed the globes from the hall, and you can see them in a showcase in the hallway. It no longer looks the same.

The lighting is tricky in both halls. I recommend underexposing, so you don’t clip the highlights. You can shoot from the doorway, and tripods are allowed (unless there are too many people), so you can try to bracket it if you have time. Otherwise, dial in a higher ISO.

A pro tip: Buy a ticket online before you come. They don’t happily sell them on the site.

Joining a Prague Photo Tour: Elevate Your Instagram Game

Picture this: You’re wandering the streets of Prague, camera in hand, feeling a bit lost in the sea of stunning architecture while figuring out when the best light occurs. That’s overwhelming, time-consuming, and, for some, even boring. That’s when I come in!

Consider me your friendly Prague photographer guide. I’ve been running Johnny’s Prague Photo Tours since 2014. Over this period, I’ve gained extensive experience with these cobblestone streets, historic landmarks, and sweeping views, but it goes well beyond there.

First, let’s talk about composition. I remember this client who tried to capture everything in one frame (ultimately, capturing nothing). By the end of our tour, she was framing shots like a pro, using leading lines and the rule of thirds like it was second nature. It’s all about seeing the city through a photographer’s eyes, and I’m here to help you do just that.

Now, camera settings—that’s where things get fun. I once had a guy show up with a fancy camera, but he’d never taken off auto mode. By the end of the full-day tour, he was using aperture priority and exposure compensation. Seeing that “aha” moment in my client’s eyes when “it finally clicks” is priceless!

Lastly, let’s remember the joy of exploring with fellow photography enthusiasts. Friendships form faster than you can say “cheese” on these tours. There’s something about bonding over the shared struggle of getting that perfect shot that brings people together.

And hey, don’t be afraid to ask questions! I’m here to help, not to judge. I’ve heard it all, from “What’s an f-stop?” to “Can I Photoshop out that trash can later?” (The answer is yes, but let’s try to frame it out first, shall we?)

Remember, at the end of the day, it’s not just about getting great photos – it’s about having a blast while doing it and learning tips you can use anywhere else later on.

Conclusion

There you have it, insta-folks – your ultimate guide to the most Instagrammable spots in Prague, one of the most famous cities in the world! From the iconic Charles Bridge to hidden gems like the Vrtba Garden, these locations will help you create a stunning visual story of your Prague adventure. Remember, while these spots are guaranteed to rake in the likes, the real magic happens when you explore and discover your unique perspectives.

Want to take your photos from Prague to the next level? Why not join one of my photo tours? You’ll get personalized guidance, discover lesser-known spots only locals know about, and learn pro photo tips to make your Instagram feed stand out. Plus, we’ll have a blast exploring this beautiful city together!

So, what are you waiting for? Countless photo opportunities await! Grab your camera, charge up that phone, and make some Instagram magic in Prague!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most Instagrammable places in Prague?

Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Dancing House, Lesser Quater (Malá Strana), Vrtba Garden, Strahov Monastery, and John Lennon Wall.

Where can I find swans in Prague?

White swans hung out at Cihelná Park, close to Mánes Bridge. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, they relocated elsewhere as nobody was feeding them there anymore, and if you are lucky, you will get two swans at this spot.

Unfortunately, I’m unaware of another place where you can reliably find swans.

Are there any secret Prague Instagram spots?

There are… But probably they wouldn’t be so secret if everybody would openly share them, would they? 😉

Should I go to the Municipal Library of Prague?

You probably want to see the book tunnel artwork called The Idiom. If you pass by and don’t see a long line inside, go for it. But I would not waste my time in Prague to see this. It’s a book tunnel with mirrors on the bottom and the top, creating this infinite look.

Is Terasa U Prince worth it?

It’s a nice place overlooking Old Town Square. Stop for a drink and picture there, but don’t dine; it would not be worth it. You must pay an additional fee (expect about 10-15€) to get to the “Bubble Point” viewpoint.

Do you have a list of the best photo spots in Prague?

I’m glad you asked – yes, I do! Check out my complete photography guide to the best photo spots in Prague.

Is visiting the Astronomical clock tower worth it?

Absolutely yes! It’s one of the best views in Prague.

How can I beat the crowds?

Because Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it attracts tourists (like yourself). Generally, you can beat the crowd by getting up early and visiting in the shoulder or low season.