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, however, are taken from the same places, at the same time and often only a few metres from each other. This guide was created to go beyond the expected views and offer a different, quieter and more focused look at the city.
It is based on long-term observation of the light, weather and atmosphere of Prague. Each location was selected not only for its visual potential, but mainly for the short and fleeting moments that appear there only rarely — early morning, fog, silence or a natural balance in the scene.
Instead of a classic list of viewpoints, I focus on how to photograph each place, when the conditions are best and what works best in different situations. You will find practical information about light, timing, equipment, lenses and people, all written from the point of view of a photographer who regularly comes back to these places. This is not a checklist, but a working guide for photographers looking for atmosphere, patience and a 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 photo was taken in Malá Strana, directly under Charles Bridge, on the left side when looking towards the Old Town. The lower camera position shows the bridge at a different scale than from the upper level — like a series of silhouettes of statues and arches slowly disappearing into the space. It is a less obvious place, but in the right conditions it can look very strong and peaceful.
The best conditions come very early in the morning, especially during the colder months. The best days are when fog stays around the river and the morning sun starts to break through. Usually these are mornings with temperatures around 2 degrees, low clouds and a clearer sky above the city. At these moments the upper part of Charles Bridge is full of photographers, while the lower part stays almost empty — quiet and without distracting elements.
From a composition point of view, it is good to focus on a specific section of the bridge. A wider lens can also work, but in this case I used a longer focal length to reduce the amount of detail and bring more attention to the silhouettes of the statues. One soft point of light in the background helps separate the towers from each other and gives the image more depth. Less detail in the scene often means a stronger result, especially in foggy conditions.
The place allows you to work comfortably with a tripod. You can move freely along the fence from left to right, and when you move towards the playground on the right, more composition possibilities appear. You can shoot both horizontal and vertical, with the vertical format often working better for the layers of silhouettes and the atmosphere of the morning light.
BEST TIME
Sunrise · Fog
LENS
Wide · Telephoto
ACCESS
Public walkway
DAILY CROWD
Medium
02 - HRADCANY
Street below the Castle toward the monastery
This series of photographs was taken from one place — from Mánes Bridge looking towards Charles Bridge. It is a classic view that almost every tourist visiting Prague knows. Very few people walking along the Vltava skip this view. But what I like about this place is that it can look completely different depending on the light and weather.
You can photograph the Vltava with a long exposure, but when the water is calm and there is no wind, you can also get beautiful natural reflections. This works especially well in the evening. Fog can create another very interesting atmosphere, with soft layers and lines between the bridges. I am still waiting for the right moment here myself.
You can use different lenses depending on what you want to show. A wide-angle lens works well for the whole scene, while a longer focal length is useful for details and for compressing the layers when there is fog. You also need to watch the people moving on both sides of the bridge and make sure your equipment is stable.
As a safe choice, it is worth coming here during blue hour. You will almost always get pleasant light from the street lamps and the windows of the historic buildings. A lot depends, however, on which windows are lit and whether the weather adds something extra — for example fog or some moisture in the air. It is not about one correct time, but about returning to the same place during the year and waiting for the moment when the light, weather and city come together.
This viewpoint is not only about this direction. Most people come here mainly for the castle and the main viewpoint, which defines the whole place — from there you get a view over the historic centre of Prague from above, from Petřín through Malá Strana, Charles Bridge and all the way to the Žižkov TV 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 Google Maps locations • 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.