The Petřín hill (formerly one of King Charles’ vineyards) offers beautiful views of Prague and several attractions for adults and children. The hill is easily recognizable by the TV tower that is a miniature of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. You can climb it for views and enjoy some other activities while up at Petřín.
Getting to Petřín
Getting there on foot
To get to the top of the hill, you can either walk or take the funicular. If you decide to walk, expect to get some exercise as it’s a bit of a steep hike along a wooded path. You can stop by the statue of Karel Hynek Mácha, the great Czech romantic poet and author of the love poem Máj (May). The statue is now a meeting place of lovers on May 1st, the unofficial “day of love” in Czechia.
Getting there on the funicular
The funicular that goes to the top of Petřín starts on Újezd Street, which is serviced by trams (the stop is called Újezd). The funicular operates daily from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (April – October) or 9 a.m. to 10:20 p.m. (November – March) and runs every 10 to 20 minutes depending on the season and time of day. You will need a public transportation ticket, which you can buy at a ticket vending machine before boarding. Coming from Újezd, the top of Petřín is the second stop. The first stop is called Nebozízek and is halfway up the hill (you can get off there and walk the rest of the way if you’d like).
Note: The funicular to Petřín is closed for regular maintenance every year in March and in October.
What to Do on Petřín Hill
Petřín Tower (Rozhledna)
You can climg the Petřín tower for beautiful views of Prague. Don’t be mislead by its height. It only takes four minutes to climb the stairs to the observation point.
Mirror Maze (Bludiště)
The mirror maze is a fun diversion for children and adults alike thanks to the hall with distorting mirrors. It can be crowded during high season.
Štefánik Observatory
The Štefánik Observatory on Petřín was founded in 1928. It is open to the public daily from June through September and Tuesday – Sunday for the rest of the year. Its main draw are daytime and nighttime viewings of the sky through large telescopes. Check opening times, admission, and other information at www.planetum.cz.
Rose Garden
Strolling through the fragrant rose garden near the observatory is a nice treat when the flowers are in bloom.
Leaving Petřín
When you’re done visiting the Petřín area, you can take the funicular back or follow one of the trails that lead to the Prague Castle or the Strahov Monastery (flat or downhill).