Petřín Hill
Petřín
A green hill 327 metres above the Lesser Town, with a funicular up to the “Little Eiffel Tower” observation tower, a rose garden, a mirror maze and the Hunger Wall. It offers the city's best panorama.
Petřín Hill is a wooded park hill on the west bank of the Vltava, rising 327 metres above the Lesser Town. In the Middle Ages it was a quarry and vineyard; today it is where Praguers come to stroll, picnic and go on dates. A local tradition has couples kissing in front of the Mácha statue on the hill on 1 May. The Petřín Lookout Tower was built for the 1891 Prague Jubilee Exhibition. At 63.5 metres, it is a one-fifth scale replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and because it stands on the hill, its summit is actually higher above sea level than the Eiffel Tower. Climb the 299 steps (or take the lift) to the viewing platform for a 360° view over the castle, the Old Town, the river and, on clear days, the Bohemian mountains. It is Prague's most complete panorama (about 260 CZK). Beside the tower are a Mirror Maze (funhouse mirrors and a hall of mirrors, about 140 CZK, suitable for children) and the Hunger Wall, built by Charles IV in the 14th century as relief work for the hungry. Halfway up the slope are the Štefánik Observatory, the free Rose Garden (in bloom in June), orchards and several woodland trails. The easiest way up is the funicular (Lanová dráha, opened in 1891; public transport tickets are valid, and you can stop at the Nebozízek restaurant station en route). It is about 5 minutes to the top, boarding from Újezd Street in the Lesser Town. You can also walk up the gentle path from Strahov Monastery, or climb the stone steps in 20–30 minutes. From the summit, it is a 15-minute walk north to Strahov Monastery and its Baroque library; to the west lies Kinský Garden. The view of the castle and Old Town lit up in the evening is especially beautiful. Getting there: take tram 9, 12, 15, 20 or 22 to Újezd stop and change to the funicular (suspended for maintenance; take buses instead).
Opening hours
Park open all day; observation tower 10:00–22:00 (until 18:00 November–February, until 20:00 March and October); funicular 09:00–23:30
Nearby sights
- Strahov Monastery & Library
- Prague Castle
- Loreta
- Memorial to the Victims of Communism
- Lennon Wall
- Wallenstein Palace and Garden
- Malá Strana & Kampa Island
- Charles Bridge