Prague Photography Guide: 12 Stunning Locations for Instagram-Worthy Shots

Everyone photographs Charles Bridge—but few do it justice. The key isn't just arriving early (though that's essential); it's understanding how light interacts with the 30 baroque statues and the flowing Vltava beneath.

I've found the optimal shooting time is 30 minutes before official sunrise, when the sky begins its gradient transformation and the bridge lamps still illuminate the statues. Position yourself at the eastern end (Old Town side) looking west toward Prague Castle for the classic composition, but don't stop there.

My favorite perspective actually comes from descending to Kampa Island and shooting upward from water level, capturing the bridge arches with reflections when the water is calm. For this shot, a wide-angle lens is indispensable—I rely on my wide-angle lens to capture the bridge's sweeping curve while maintaining the architectural integrity of the arches.

Another overlooked vantage point is from the Old Town Bridge Tower itself. The modest entrance fee (about 100 CZK) grants you access to a perspective few tourists capture: looking down onto the bridge as it fills with morning light and the parade of statues leads your eye toward the castle. Just be prepared to navigate a narrow spiral staircase with your gear.

Prague Castle isn't just Europe's largest ancient castle complex; it's a photographer's playground of perspective, scale, and architectural detail. However, its popularity means working around crowds requires strategy.

My technical approach here involves two distinct phases: exterior shots during blue hour and interior detail work mid-morning. For the classic panoramic view, bypass the overcrowded spots at Letná Park and instead head to Petřín Hill's northern slope. The walking path halfway up offers an elevated perspective that captures the castle complex with St. Vitus Cathedral rising dramatically against the city backdrop.

For interior photography, St. Vitus Cathedral presents challenging lighting conditions. The stunning stained glass windows create dramatic light shafts but also extreme dynamic range. This is where having a solid travel tripod makes all the difference. Its compact form has saved me countless times when navigating Prague's crowded spaces while still providing the stability needed for longer exposures. I typically shoot 3-5 exposure brackets here to later blend in post-processing.

Don't miss the often-overlooked Golden Lane within the castle complex. These tiny, colorful medieval houses require close attention to composition—I find shooting from a low angle with a medium aperture (f/8-f/11) helps convey their diminutive charm while maintaining context within the castle walls.

As someone who's documented monasteries across continents, trust me when I say Strahov's Theological and Philosophical Halls represent some of the most breathtaking (and challenging) interior spaces you'll ever photograph.

The standard tourist experience keeps you at the doorway, shooting through plexiglass with reflections and limited angles. However, there's a photographer's access ticket available for 800 CZK (approximately $35) that allows tripod use and entry into the halls themselves during specific morning hours, typically 9:00-10:00am before general opening. This must be arranged at least 48 hours in advance through their website or by email.

The lighting conditions inside are complex—subdued natural light from windows competes with warm incandescent spotlights highlighting the ornate ceiling frescoes. I've found success using my 24-70mm lens which offers the versatility needed to capture both the grand spatial context and the intricate book spine details that make these libraries so special.

When shooting the Philosophical Hall, position yourself slightly off-center to capture the dramatic central globe installation while still showing the sweeping symmetry of the bookshelves. The barrel-vaulted ceiling requires careful vertical alignment—I typically use the electronic level in my camera to ensure I'm not introducing keystoning that will need correction later.

Don't rush out after photographing the famous halls. The Strahov complex includes a stunning basilica and a cabinet of curiosities that offers fascinating macro photography opportunities with natural history specimens displayed in antique cases.

While tourists crowd the Castle district, I often escape to Vyšehrad—Prague's other castle hill—for what might be the city's most underrated photography location. This historic fortress offers sweeping river views, the neo-Gothic Saints Peter and Paul Basilica, and atmospheric cemetery grounds where Czech luminaries like Dvořák and Mucha rest beneath sculptural masterpieces.

The basilica's twin spires create a striking silhouette at sunset, particularly when viewed from the adjacent park. Position yourself near the eastern fortress walls about 30 minutes before sunset to capture the spires backlit with golden hour light. The dramatic shadows and highlighted edges transform the Gothic details into something truly magical.

For a unique city panorama, follow the fortress walls to the southeastern corner where you'll find an unobstructed view of Prague's skyline with the Vltava River creating a natural leading line. This perspective captures the city's famous hundred spires without the typical foreground elements seen in postcard shots.

The cemetery beside the basilica offers intimate photography opportunities focusing on the ornate tombstones and sculptures. This location particularly shines on misty mornings when shafts of light penetrate the trees. I've captured some of my most evocative Prague images here using my 50mm prime lens which provides beautiful bokeh when isolating sculptural details against the soft background of weathered stone and foliage.

Make time to explore the brick fortifications themselves—the textures and geometric patterns of the ancient walls create compelling abstract compositions, especially during the late afternoon when side lighting emphasizes their texture.

Old Town Square presents the classic photographer's dilemma: an undeniably stunning location perpetually filled with tourists. After numerous visits at different times and seasons, I've developed strategies to capture this iconic space without the visual chaos of crowds dominating your frame.

First and most obvious: arrive early. But how early? In summer, I set my alarm for 4:30am to arrive by 5:00am—a full hour before sunrise. This isn't just about beating tourists; it's about capturing that magical blue hour light on the Astronomical Clock and Týn Church when their illumination creates perfect balance against the deep blue sky.

For the Astronomical Clock, position yourself at a slight angle rather than straight-on. This perspective shows the dimensional qualities of the clock and avoids the flat, postcard-like result of front-facing shots. A 24mm or 35mm focal length provides ideal framing from the appropriate distance.

The twin spires of Týn Church create one of Prague's most distinctive silhouettes, but photographing them from the square presents challenges due to the buildings that partially obscure the facade. My solution is to use the narrow passage of Týnská ulička (alley) that runs alongside the church. Halfway down this passage, a small courtyard opens up providing a dramatic upward view of the spires that emphasizes their Gothic character.

During daytime hours when crowds are unavoidable, embrace selective framing. Use a longer focal length to isolate architectural details above eye level—the ornate windows, statuary, and rooflines that remain uncrowded regardless of tourist numbers below. The telephoto zoom lens has been my workhorse for this approach, allowing me to extract intimate architectural portraits from the broader chaos.

Tucked away behind an unassuming entrance in Malá Strana lies one of my absolute favorite photography locations in Prague—the terraced Baroque masterpiece of Vrtba Garden. This UNESCO-protected site offers a perfect synthesis of architectural elements, sculptural details, and carefully framed views of Prague's skyline.

The garden's terraced design creates natural compositional layers that guide the eye through the frame. I recommend starting at the lower level and working your way up, photographing both the broad garden vistas and the intimate details of the statuary and architectural elements. The central staircase with its ornamental balustrade makes for a particularly compelling leading line when shot from the bottom looking up.

Timing matters significantly here. Mid-morning (around 10am) provides directional light that accentuates the sculptural details without harsh shadows, while late afternoon brings a golden glow to the sandstone elements. The garden closes at 6pm in summer months, so unfortunately true golden hour shooting isn't possible.

The uppermost terrace offers what might be Prague's most perfectly framed view of St. Nicholas Church dome with Prague Castle rising behind it. This composition works beautifully with a 50mm focal length, which provides natural perspective while isolating the key architectural elements against the sky.

The entrance fee (around 100 CZK) and limited opening hours keep crowds manageable even in high season. Still, I recommend visiting on weekday mornings when you'll often have entire sections of the garden to yourself—perfect for setting up thoughtful compositions without feeling rushed.

Beyond the famous vistas, Prague offers several lesser-known viewpoints that deliver spectacular cityscape photography without the crowds. After years of exploration, these have become my go-to locations for capturing Prague's famous skyline from fresh perspectives.

Letná Beer Garden offers more than refreshments—walk past the outdoor seating to the retaining wall for a sweeping panorama of Prague's bridges spanning the Vltava. This location works beautifully at sunset when the western light illuminates the Old Town buildings across the river. The row of bridges creates natural leading lines that draw the eye through the frame.

For a truly local experience, take tram #9 to Svatoplukova stop and walk up to Parukářka Park in the Žižkov district. This hilltop green space offers an eastward view of Prague that captures the TV Tower (with its famous crawling baby sculptures by David Černý) juxtaposed against the historic spires of the city center. The contrast of communist-era architecture with baroque and gothic elements creates a composition that tells Prague's complex historical narrative in a single frame.

My absolute favorite hidden viewpoint requires a bit more effort but rewards you with perhaps the most dramatic perspective of Charles Bridge. From Kampa Island, descend to the small beach area near the Grand Priory Mill water wheel (look for Čertovka channel). This low angle with the water in the foreground dramatizes the bridge arches while framing Prague Castle perfectly above. Early morning provides glassy reflections on the water surface.

Finally, for night photography enthusiasts, the rooftop terrace at T-Anker restaurant above the Kotva department store offers spectacular evening cityscapes. Order a drink and set up your compact travel camera on their railing (a small flexible tripod works perfectly here). The combination of blue hour light with the illuminated architecture creates the perfect balance of exposure values across the scene.

The Baroque Library Hall within the Klementinum complex represents one of Prague's most visually stunning interiors—and one of its most challenging photography locations due to strict access regulations. Having visited multiple times over the years, I've gathered crucial insights on how to capture this magnificent space.

First, understand that standard tours prohibit photography entirely in the library hall. However, the Klementinum offers special photography permits for an additional fee (approximately 300 CZK beyond the regular ticket price). These must be arranged in advance through their website or by email to the cultural department. What's crucial to know: these permits are typically only available for the first morning tour (around 10am) or the final afternoon tour (varies seasonally).

Even with a permit, tripods remain prohibited, making handheld technique critical. The library features relatively low light levels combined with high dynamic range between the dark bookshelves and bright windows. I recommend setting your camera to aperture priority (f/4-f/5.6), ISO 800-1600, and using exposure compensation of +1/3 to prevent the ornate ceiling from being underexposed. The camera stabilizer has proven invaluable for smartphone photographers wanting steady footage in these challenging conditions.

While the Baroque Library receives most attention, don't overlook the Astronomical Tower included in the same ticket. The tower offers a 360-degree view of Prague from its observation gallery. For photographers, the north-facing view provides an exceptional perspective on the Old Town with Týn Church's spires prominently featured. The spiral staircase inside the tower also offers creative compositional opportunities with its geometrical patterns and light play.

One final insider tip: the Meridian Hall contains a fascinating camera obscura demonstration that photography enthusiasts will appreciate as an early example of optical projection—a historical precursor to modern photography itself.

Prague transforms after dark, when floodlit monuments create a theatrical backdrop against deep blue or black skies. Night photography here presents unique opportunities and challenges I've mastered through multiple visits.

Charles Bridge at night offers dramatically different images than daytime shots. The key is timing—shoot during blue hour (approximately 30-45 minutes after sunset) when the sky retains deep blue color while monument lighting reaches full intensity. This balances exposure between sky and architecture without requiring extreme dynamic range. Position yourself at either end of the bridge looking inward to capture the lanterns creating a diminishing perspective.

For the quintessential Prague night cityscape, head to Prague Castle's ramparts after dark. From the eastern walls near St. Vitus Cathedral, you'll find unobstructed views across the illuminated city. This vantage point requires a longer exposure (typically 2-8 seconds depending on your aperture), so stabilization is essential. A full-sized tripod may attract security attention, but a compact mini tripod can be positioned discreetly on the stone walls.

The Municipal House (Obecní dům) with its Art Nouveau facade creates spectacular night photography opportunities. The ornate exterior illumination highlights the architectural details and sculptural elements that might be less dramatic during daylight. Position yourself across the small square for a frontal view that captures the entire facade.

For those seeking creative night photography, the Franz Kafka rotating head sculpture (near Quadrio shopping center) provides fascinating long-exposure opportunities. As the 42 motorized layers rotate, a long exposure (4-6 seconds) transforms the sculpture into a surreal blurred portrait that perfectly captures Kafka's disorienting literary style.

Technical considerations for Prague night photography: I typically shoot in manual mode at ISO 100-400, f/8-f/11 for maximum sharpness and depth of field, with shutter speeds varying based on the scene. White balance set to 'tungsten' helps correct the strong yellow cast from Prague's predominantly sodium vapor lighting.