Petřín in bloom: Prague’s hill of secrets awaits (even without the funicular)

As the second most visited attraction in Prague after the castle, no wonder the closing of the Petřín funicular came as a shock and dismay for many, short-term visitors or long-term residents alike.

While the funicular afforded stunning views and was a fun and affordable way to the top of the hill, its closure doesn’t mean you have to forgo a visit to the capital’s most formidable natural attraction, towering 130 m above the left bank of the Vltava River.

In honor of the May 1 tradition that sees couples flock to the hill’s romantic cherry blossoms for a kiss (and these days a selfie), we’ve put together some tips for spending a day at Petřín and scenic ways to get to the top.

Initially planned for March 2025, the reconstruction of the funicular was suddenly brought forward after the damage caused by the floods of September 2024. The two cars that have operated since the mid-1980s and until then are now part of history. They were sent to be displayed at the National Technical Museum and the Museum of Public Transport.

When to expect the new look? Beginning of 2026, according to early announcements. The new set of cable cars is being created by the famous local studio Anna Marešová Designers, well-known for designing the T3 Coupe sightseeing tram inspired by the iconic Czechoslovak T3 trams.

Slick, elegant, roomier, more sustainable: the designs of the new cars were already teased by Marešová and her team, with glass ceilings allowing an all-encompassing view of the surroundings, and an ingenious little mechanism where converging carriages will wink at each other and ‘blush’, a flirtatious hint at Petřín’s romantic and sentimental soul.

The best way to reach Petřín’s hilltop and at the same time get lost in its winding slopes and sprawling flowerbeds is obviously on foot.

From the center, the journey would typically start off at the Újezd tram stop via the Seminary Garden, and it’s about a 30-40 min walk to the top, more if you decide to take small breaks here and there, or enjoy the countless views the hill offers of pretty much the entire city.

If you’re already in the castle area, reaching the top of Petřín and its observation tower is just a short walk from the Pohořelec tram stop, through the Strahov monastery complex, and you’re basically there.

Other options include coming from Koleje Strahov or Stadion Strahov. A short walk past the university dormitories leads you right into the Rose Garden, where you can then proceed to walk down the hill back to the center.

Take buses 149, 143, 176, or 191 to Stadion Strahov or visit Petřín via tram 22, 23, 25 to Pohořelec or Malovanka. The 194 minibus runs to Petřín (Nemocnice pod Petřínem) on both sides of the river (Malostranská or Staroměstská).

There’s a thousand and one reason to make it to the top of Petřín, but three attractions continue to attract the largest crowds:

One of Prague’s most prominent and visible landmarks, the Petřín tower was built as part of the 1891 Jubilee Exhibition as a loose, significantly smaller and more octagonal version of the Paris Eiffel Tower. A broadcasting antenna was added in the 1950’s and the tower was used as Prague’s main television signal provider until the opening of the Žižkov TV Tower in 1992.

A short walk away stands the Mirror Maze, a neo-Gothic building designed as an entertainment pavilion now catering to children and adults alike eager to meander through its labyrinth of twisted mirrors.

And finally, the Štefanik Observatory, named after astronomer, diplomat, pilot and founding father of Czechoslovakia Milan Rastislav Štefanik, has stood at the top of the Petřín hill since the late 1920’s. A delight for any fan of astronomy and the secrets of our universe, the observatory offers a mix of public viewings of the skies, exhibitions, experiments and tours of the observatory's equipment.

And yet, there's also so much more to Petřín than the better-known attractions. Full of history, symbolism and unique charisma, the hill holds a few secrets to discover and rediscover.

If you're in need of food or beverage sustenance before walking up (or after going down), the Újezd district is full of places where few tourists tend to venture.

Head to Luka Lu for Balkan food, Natureza Vegetarian House for a meatless meal, or NOI for Asian specialties. Angelato, right by the tram stop, is a must for ice cream lovers. Unbeknownst to many and hidden behind a tobacco shop, Dobrá Trafika is an ideal place for an afternoon coffee in their sunny garden. Eating options are also available on the hill itself, including the famed restaurant Nebozizek.

Coming down from Petřín after a hot afternoon walk? Grab a beer at the iconic Klub Újezd or the legendary Kavárna Mlýnská. If you're already up the hill, head to the Strahov monastery's brewery for some monkish lager, or to Klub Strahov 007, a concert venue with a storied underground Czechoslovak history now catering to a younger crowd of students.

Strolling through the blossoming alleys of Petřín, you'll be forgiven for feeling romantic. Go pay your respects to the statues of two of Czechia's most beloved 19th century poets, the lyrical Karel Hynek Mácha and the more realist Jan Nepomuk Neruda (whose name was adopted as a homage by the somewhat more famous Chilean writer known as Pablo Neruda).

While Petřín pretty much never feels crowded, an even more off-the-beaten-path place to unwind and stroll is the adjacent Kinský Garden. Technically located on the hill's southern slope, the garden is separated from the rest of the park by the 14th-century Hunger Wall commissioned by Charles IV, but passageways make it easy to go from one to the other all up the path.

Another well-kept secret, where young couples go to enjoy the budding promises of love or locals sit down with a book is the Zahrada Květnice, a lovely flower garden hidden just steps away from the observatory.

Ask any Petřín enthusiast and each of them will be sure to have their own favorite little spot in the park. There's a little something for everyone up there, and it’s up to each one of us to discover what's in it for us.