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The Guide to Petrin Hill in Prague
| Accessible to public transportation? Yes | Level of challenge: Low |
| Duration of excursion: Approximately 1.5 hours | Type of outing: Attractions, hiking |
| Ease of access: Yes (Except at the funicular’s entrance and exit, which include stairs) | Expense: See below |
| Open in winter? Yes | Location: Prague 1 |
Petrin Hill in Prague is a beautiful, green park in the city center. It’s the perfect place for a relaxing nature walk. This hill is home to several attractions that make it a must-visit spot. One of the most famous landmarks here is the iconic Petrin Tower. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower, Petrin Tower offers breathtaking views of the city from its top. Besides the tower, you can also explore the Mirrors Maze and the historic Hunger Wall.
To reach the top of Petrin Hill, you can take the Funicular, a fun and scenic ride. You’ll enjoy stunning panoramic views of Prague from the top of the hill and the tower. Downhill is equally enjoyable, providing more picturesque city views.
The Guide to Petrin Hill.
Psst: Planning a trip to Prague? Here are some other posts:
The Ultimate Prague Itinerary (3, 4 or 5 Days)
The Guide to Petrin Hill
Best Parks in Prague
Pruhonice Park: A Magical Day Trip from Prague
- Where Exactly is it Located?
- How to Get to Petřín Hill?
- Who Is It For?
- Visit Duration:
- What is the Best Way to Include Petrin Hill in the Trip?
- What Season to Arrive?
- The Best Time to Visit
- What to Find There?
- Route 1: the light and fast route
- Route 2: The intermediate route
- Long route: Kinsky Garden
- Facilities
- Some History
- Interesting Facts
Where Exactly is it Located?
Petrin Hill is centrally located in Prague, between Mala Strana and Strahov. If you want to take the Funicular to the top, you can start your journey from Újezd Street (map). This central location makes it easily accessible and a great starting point for your adventure in Prague.
How to Get to Petřín Hill?
To reach Petrin Hill, you can take tram number 12, 22, or 23 to the Újezd station. From there, head towards the hill where you’ll find the entrance to the Funicular. The Funicular has two stops, so you must get off at the second and final stop to reach the top.
How to Buy a Funicular Ticket?
The Funicular ride is included as part of the public transport system in Prague. If you already have a public transport ticket, you do not need to pay anything extra to use the Funicular. If you don’t have a ticket, you can purchase one at the machine at the entrance to the Funicular. In some cases, no physical ticket booth is available, so you’ll likely need to use a credit card at the machine.
Who Rides the Funicular for Free?
The following people can ride the Funicular for free, upon presenting a passport or ID in English or Czech: Children up to 15 years old, adults over 65 years old, parents with strollers, and babies
People aged 60-65 pay a reduced fare.
Accessibility
While the Funicular itself has space for strollers and wheelchairs, the entrance is via stairs and is not very accessible. If you have a stroller, be prepared to carry it up and down the stairs. Aside from this, Petrin Hill itself is quite accessible and recommended for strollers, with well-maintained paths and plenty of space to move around.
Who Is It For?
Petrin Hill is perfect for families, nature lovers, and anyone looking to enjoy beautiful views of Prague. Children will love the playgrounds and the mirror maze, while adults can appreciate the scenic walks and historical landmarks.
Visit Duration:
You can visit the hill for a short time or spend longer if you stroll down the mountain, watch the view of the city, and see blossoms depending on the season.
What is the Best Way to Include Petrin Hill in the Trip?
Petrin Hill is in the center of the tourist centers of Prague and can be included as part of the itinerary in the Mala Strana neighborhood.
READ MORE: The Ultimate Prague Itinerary (3, 4 or 5 Days)
What Season to Arrive?
You can reach it in any season. Every season the appearance of the hill looks different.
My favorite season is spring because you can see the hill in its peak bloom (from mid-March to the end of April) and it is one of the most beautiful spots to see blossoms in April in Prague.
In winter it is indeed cold and the trees are bare, but this is only an advantage because you can see the panoramic view of the city in its full power, without trees that hide it.
READ MORE: The Best Places to See Spring Blossoms in Prague
The Best Time to Visit
In low seasons, every hour is relevant.
In the spring, the recommendation is to come as early as possible to experience the blossom in full force, during the day, the sunlight hides behind the hill.
In the high season, it’s worth coming very early or late to avoid long queues. Furthermore, you should buy tickets early for the tower and the Mirror Maze.
Buy your ticket here.
It is best to arrive at Petrin Hill in the early hours or afternoon, to avoid queues at the top for the funicular and the tower. In addition, you should ensure a suitable weather forecast for a trip to the park; if it is too hot, arrive very early and try to avoid rainy hours.
Do you want to sleep in the Petrin Hill area?
Search for hotels in the Malá Strana neighborhood here.
What to Find There?
FUNICULAR
The funicular offers a scenic ride to the top of Petrin Hill every 10 minutes. It’s part of Prague’s public transportation system, so your regular ticket covers the cost. (See above)
Hours of Operation: Daily from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
PETRIN TOWER (Petřínská rozhledna)
A prominent Prague landmark, Petřín Tower was inspired by the Eiffel Tower and built for the Jubilee Exhibition in 1891. It stands 58.7 meters tall with 299 steps to the top. You can either take the stairs or the elevator or a combination of both.
Hours of Operation: Daily –
January – March: 10:00-18:00
April – May: 9:00-19:30
June – September: 9:00-20:30
October – November: 10:00-18:00
December: 10:00-19:30
Cost: Adults (220 CZK), Children (150 CZK), Family (440 CZK)
PLAYGROUND
There are two playgrounds on the hill, one on each side. They are perfect for children and are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Entry is free.
OBSERVATORY
Near the funicular exit, the observatory has been open since 1928 and features three domes for star-gazing and an astronomy exhibition. Check the dynamic opening hours before visiting.
Hours of Operation: Vary; check before visiting.
Cost: Adults (90 CZK), Children (70 CZK), Family (220 CZK)
ROSE GARDEN
Located at the funicular exit, the rose garden is in full bloom from May through the summer. It’s open all the time and is free to visit.
KINSKY GARDEN
One of Prague’s most beautiful gardens, Kinský Garden is always open and free to enter. It’s also a scenic route to the top of Petřín Hill.
HUNGER WALL
Originally a defensive wall, the Hunger Wall has significant historical importance and is worth visiting as part of your trip to Petřín Hill. It’s always open and free to explore.
MIRROR MAZE
This small cabin with mirrors creates fun and fascinating illusions (nice for kids and the young at heart). It’s open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and costs 120 CZK to enter.
Route 1: the light and fast route
45 min
Getting on the Funicular:
Go up to Petřín Hill with the funicular and get off at its second and last stop.
The Rose Garden and the Observatory (for those who are interested only):
Upon exiting the funicular you will go straight to the rose garden which blooms at its peak in the summer months. Through it, you can reach the observatory. Enthusiasts of the field will enjoy this complex, the entry of which is a separate fee. You can also turn right when exiting the train and go directly to Petrin Tower.
Ascent to Petrin Tower:
Those who were in Paris were quite disappointed to see this tower. People who have not prepared for a visit to Petrin Park and believe it is the park’s main attraction will be disappointed. However, the true beauty of the park is revealed when climbing the tower and descending from the park on foot.
You can go up or down the tower by elevator or on foot. Try to arrive before rush hour and buy a ticket in advance if you plan to do the mirror maze.
Route 2: The intermediate route
90 min
After you’ve done the short route, continue here-
The Hunger Tower and Passed Over the Funicular:
Going down towards the mirrors maze will lead you to a road inside the park itself that passes over the funicular, you can cross the bridge and see the funicular traveling below you. Continue straight towards the Hunger Wall, where you will notice an archaeological wall rich in history. On the side of the wall, you can see a view of Prague Castle and on the other side a view of the city itself.
Walk down the park and reach the starting station:
After you visit the wall, go back and continue down the hill. You can choose to get on the funicular back down or continue to walk down another 10 minutes to the bottom. In this part of the hill, the spring blossoms are at their peak and in the summer the strawberries are popping up in the bushes.
Long route: Kinsky Garden
150 min
For those who have extra time or are in Prague for the second time, you can continue forward after visiting the Hunger Wall and reaching Kinsky Garden. It is a beautiful and peaceful garden. After wandering through the garden, you can choose one of the many routes in the area.
Recommendation: Finish all routes by visiting the memorial to the victims of communism, located at the bottom of Petrin Hill, about 50 meters from the entrance to the funicular.
Facilities
Restaurants: There are several cafes at the top of the hill where you can enjoy a light snack and drink.
Toilets: Available near the tower at the top of the hill.
Some History
In 1889, members of the Czech Tourist Club visited the World Exhibition in Paris and were inspired by the Eiffel Tower. They decided to create a similar structure in Prague. Construction began in 1891, and by August 20th of the same year, Petřín Tower was opened to the public. The tower stands 58.7 meters tall and offers stunning views of Prague. Over the years, it has seen several changes, including the installation of a television transmitter in 1953 and major renovations in the 1990s. The tower remains a beloved landmark and a must-visit spot in Prague.
Interesting Facts
Petřín Tower Construction: The tower was built in just a few months in 1891 and opened in August of the same year. It was modeled after the Eiffel Tower in Paris but is only one-fifth the size.
Hunger Wall: The Hunger Wall was built in the 14th century by Emperor Charles IV. It was intended as a defensive structure but also served to provide work and food for the poor during the famine.
Funicular History: The funicular railway was originally built in 1891 but has undergone several reconstructions. It is now a popular and scenic way to reach the top of Petřín Hill.
Rose Garden: The Rose Garden is home to thousands of roses and is a spectacular sight when in full bloom during the summer months.
Recommended Hotels:
The Art Nouveau Palace Hotel: A luxurious hotel located close to the Powder Tower at the entrance to the Old City. This hotel is situated right in the heart of Prague, making it convenient for visiting many attractions and tourist centers.
Hilton Prague Old Town Hotel: A well-regarded hotel next to the Powder Tower, placing you close to numerous tourist spots. Known for its excellent service and amenities, it provides a comfortable stay in a prime location.
Hotel Leon D’Oro: The hotel is conveniently located between Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square. Almost all tourist attractions are within walking distance, making it an ideal base for exploring Prague.
Hotel Golden Crown: An excellent budget-friendly option with a central location. This hotel provides good quality accommodations and is close to public transportation and parks, ensuring easy access to various parts of the city.
Click here to book your hotel.
Checklist Before the Flight:
- Air Ticket or Train Ticket to Prague: Ensure you have your travel tickets booked and ready. Find your next flight by Kiwi or Agoda.
- Book your accommodation in advance, preferably in Prague 1.
- Consider purchasing an eSIM card for easy internet access, using the Airalo app.
- Download Applications for Easy Mobility: BOLT for taxis and the PID public transport card application.
- Buy tickets to Popular Attractions in advance to avoid queues at major attractions.
- If you plan to explore out of Prague, consider renting a car for easy mobility.
What questions can I answer? Let me know below!
