Charles Bridge (Karlův most) is the image of Prague: a 516-metre stone bridge over the Vltava lined with baroque statues, a Gothic tower at each end and the castle rising behind it. It is free, open all day and night, and crossed by tens of thousands of people every day. This guide covers the history, what to look at, and how to see it without the crowd.
The quick answer
Walk Charles Bridge before 8:00 or after 22:00 for the atmosphere and the photographs; between 10:00 and 19:00 in summer it is a slow-moving crowd. Climb the Old Town Bridge Tower for the classic view over the bridge to the castle. Combine the bridge with the Old Town Square on one side and the Lesser Town and Prague Castle on the other: all of it is walkable in one day.
History in five lines
- Founded by Charles IV in 1357 to replace the Judith Bridge, which a flood had destroyed in 1342. Completed in the early 15th century.
- Designed by Peter Parler, the architect of St Vitus Cathedral. 16 arches, about 10 metres wide, sandstone blocks.
- Until 1841 it was the only bridge over the Vltava in Prague, carrying every cart and coronation procession between the Old Town and the castle.
- The 30 statues were added mostly between 1683 and 1714. Most on the bridge today are copies; the originals are in the Lapidarium of the National Museum and at Vyšehrad.
- Named Charles Bridge only in 1870; before that it was simply the Stone Bridge or the Prague Bridge.
What to look for
- Old Town Bridge Tower: one of the finest Gothic towers in Europe, with the coats of arms of the lands Charles IV ruled. The climb rewards you with the best view of the bridge.
- Statue of St John of Nepomuk: the oldest statue on the bridge (1683), marking the spot where the saint was thrown into the river in 1393. Touching the brass plaque is the tourist ritual; the small cross set in the parapet nearby is the actual spot.
- Calvary with the Hebrew inscription: the gilded text was paid for as a punishment in 1696; the explanatory plaques were added in 2000.
- Lesser Town Bridge Towers: the smaller one is a remnant of the Judith Bridge, the taller one dates from 1464 and can also be climbed.
- Kampa Island and Čertovka: steps lead down from the bridge to the island and the mill channel, the quietest corner within 50 metres of the crowds.
Best time to visit
Sunrise is the classic: in summer that means 5:00 to 6:00, in winter around 7:30, and the bridge belongs to photographers and joggers. Late evening is the second best window, with the castle lit. Midday in July and August is the worst. Rain clears the bridge in minutes and the wet stone photographs beautifully.
Getting there and around
The bridge is a 5-minute walk from Old Town Square and 15 minutes downhill from Prague Castle. Cars cannot use it, so a driver drops you at either end: Křižovnické náměstí on the Old Town side or the Lesser Town Square on the other. For visitors with limited mobility or a tight schedule, an hourly car with driver covers bridge, castle and the Jewish Quarter in half a day with no walking uphill. See the Prague Castle tour guide for the other end of the walk.
Arriving by plane? A private transfer from Prague Airport to the city centre is a fixed 750 CZK for a sedan with up to 4 passengers, 20 to 40 minutes, with the driver waiting in the arrivals hall.
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