PHOTOGRAPHERS GUIDE 2026
The ultimate photographer’s guide to 40 carefully selected locations in Prague
40 carefully selected photography locations across Prague, illustrated with 90 curated photographs, created over 10+ years of observation and repeated visits.
Prague is one of the most photographed cities in Europe. Most photographs are taken from the same places, at the same times, often just a few meters apart. This guide was created with the intention of going beyond the expected viewpoints and offering a different, quieter, and more focused perspective on the city.
It is based on long-term observation of light conditions, weather, and the atmosphere of Prague. Each location is selected not only for its visual potential, but above all for the brief and fleeting moments that appear there only rarely — early morning hours, fog, silence, or a natural compositional balance within the space.
Instead of a classic checklist of viewpoints, I focus on how to photograph each place, when the conditions are at their best, and under what circumstances the location works most effectively. You will find practical information about light, timing, equipment, lenses, and the movement of people — written from the perspective of a photographer who regularly returns to these places. This is not a checklist, but a working guide for photographers who seek atmosphere, patience, and story.
Selected photography locations
Before exploring the individual locations, a few notes on how to approach them. Some places in this guide work only for a few minutes each day, or only under very specific conditions. Patience and timing are often more important than the exact position itself.
Most images captured here are created in softer light — early morning or during blue hour. Working with a tripod is therefore not simply a technical choice, but a natural part of the process.
For each location, I include at least one photograph and describe my observations and experience from the place. I also attach a quick overview with a pinned point to help you reach the exact spot. The guide includes a Google Map with all mentioned locations.
— Milan Chudoba, Prague
01 - CHARLES BRIDGE
Charles Bridge in Prague — view from Malá Strana beneath the bridge
This photograph was taken in Malá Strana, directly beneath Charles Bridge, from the left side when facing toward the Old Town. The lower camera position reveals the bridge on a different scale than from its upper level — as a sequence of silhouettes of statues and arches gradually fading into space. It is a less obvious spot, yet under the right conditions it can feel exceptionally strong and calm.
Ideal conditions occur very early in the morning, especially during the colder months of the year. The best results come on days when fog lingers above the river while the morning sun begins to break through. Typically, these are mornings with temperatures around 2°C, low cloud cover, and clearer skies above the city. In these moments, the upper part of Charles Bridge is often full of photographers, while the lower section remains almost empty — quiet and free of distractions.
From a compositional point of view, it is worth focusing on a specific section of the bridge. A wide-angle lens can work, but in this case I chose a longer focal length to reduce the amount of detail and emphasize the silhouettes of the statues. A single subtle light point in the background helps separate the towers and adds depth to the image. Fewer details in the frame often lead to a stronger result, especially in foggy conditions.
The location allows comfortable work with a tripod. You can move freely left to right along the railing, and by shifting toward the playground on the right side, additional compositional possibilities open up. The scene works in both horizontal and vertical formats, although vertical composition often enhances the layering of silhouettes and the atmosphere of morning light.
BEST TIME
Sunrise · Fog
LENS
Wide · Telephoto
ACCESS
Public walkway
DAILY CROWD
Medium
02 - HRADCANY
Street below the Castle toward the monastery
A well-known viewpoint, yet most people look in only one direction — toward the city. Occasionally, it is worth turning around, looking away from the Castle toward the monastery, where the space opens differently and offers a calmer composition.
This view provides many possibilities throughout the year, both in the morning and in the evening. Most of my photographs here were taken in winter, when there are noticeably fewer people than during the crowded summer months, especially on the stairs. A more empty space allows you to work with lines, light, and the rhythm of the city without distractions.
It is ideal to arrive at sunrise, when the first rays gently illuminate the building facades while the rest of the city remains in shadow. This contrast adds depth and a natural gradation of light to the photograph.
The location works equally well in the evening during blue hour, when street lamps turn on and the street gains a calm, almost cinematic atmosphere. The advantage here is the flexibility in lens choice — both wide-angle and longer focal lengths work well. The view toward the city is, of course, equally interesting — I will present that direction in another photograph.
As a safe option, it is worth coming here during blue hour. At that time, you almost always get pleasant light from street lamps and the windows of historic buildings. Much depends, however, on which windows are lit and whether the weather adds something extra — such as fog or slight moisture in the air. There is no single correct moment; it is about returning repeatedly throughout the year and waiting for the light, weather, and city to align.
This viewpoint is not only about this direction. Most people come here primarily for the Castle and the main panoramic view that defines the location — overlooking Prague’s historic center from above, from Petřín through Malá Strana and Charles Bridge all the way to the Žižkov Television Tower.
BEST TIME
Sunrise · Sunset
LENS
Wide · Medium
ACCESS
Public walkway
DAILY CROWD
Highly seasonal
03 - MANES BRIDGE
View from Mánes Bridge toward Charles Bridge
This series of photographs was taken from a single spot — from Mánes Bridge looking toward Charles Bridge. It is a classic viewpoint known to almost every tourist visiting Prague, and very few skip it while walking along the Vltava. What makes this location interesting is that under different lighting conditions, it looks completely different each time.
You can photograph the Vltava with long exposure, but on calm, windless days the river also creates natural reflections that add something special to the image — particularly in the evening. An exceptionally strong moment occurs when fog appears and forms subtle layers and lines between the bridges in the distance. Personally, I am still waiting for that perfect moment.
Another strong advantage of this location is its flexibility in equipment — both wide-angle lenses and longer focal lengths work well, especially when fog appears and allows you to isolate details.
Be aware that you are photographing from a place with constant pedestrian movement on both sides, so you need to pay attention to your equipment and stability. Boats can also become distracting elements — it is good to time your shot so they are either not in the frame or fit naturally into the composition. Personally, I prefer them captured sharply rather than blurred.
BEST TIME
Sunrise · Sunset · Fog
LENS
Wide · Telephoto
ACCESS
Public walkway
DAILY CROWD
Medium
Complete Prague Photography Guide
40 carefully selected photography locations across Prague, illustrated by 90 photographs captured over more than 10 years of exploring the city.
40 Locations on Google Maps · Best light and timing tips · 90 example photographs
ČESKÉ STREDOHOŘÍ 2026
Brník v Českom Stredohoří – svetlo a premeny krajiny v 30 fotografiach
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ⓒ 2021 Milan Chudoba. All rights reserved.