Fall in love with Prague again: Why a guided tour is worth it for locals

On a bright but freezing January morning, a dozen of us gathered outside Old Town Hall, just steps from the Astronomical Clock. Despite the cold, we were eager to rediscover Prague through fresh eyes.

After a short introduction, our small group set off, defying both the harsh elements of nature and the tendency of many long-term expats in Prague to become complacent about the city, particularly its tourist-packed Old Town.

Under Petra’s expert guidance, even a longtime Prague resident like myself discovered new perspectives. Streets, alcoves, and passageways revealed their secrets as Petra, a 20-year veteran tour guide, seamlessly shared the people and history associated with these places.

The visit we chose this morning is a tour of the Old Town and Jewish quarter – one of the more popular walks organized by Prague City Tourism, among a plethora of offers not catering only to short-term tourists but also to those looking to appreciate the city from a new perspective.

The tours allow visitors to discover lesser-known neighborhoods and explore Prague through a common theme. Tours can also be customized to suit specific interests and preferences.

Beginning at the Astronomical Clock, where the eternal struggle between life and death unfolds unnoticed by most observers, we then proceed to Old Town Square. This often-crowded area serves as the pulsing heart of the city and has witnessed the grandeur and tragedies of Bohemian and Czech history.

Its stories range from the violent reign of the Přemyslid dynasty to the remnants of Nazi brutality - ghosts from the past that can be glimpsed in the statues and facade of the Old Town Hall, both the segments still standing today and those that were destroyed.

Petra’s experience and love for the city were evident as we passed the Old Town Hall and ventured deeper into Prague’s heart. “Prague always surprises me,” she said. Even as a guide for 20 years, I discover something new almost every time I walk these streets. The history here never gets old.”

We learn from Petra that Bertha von Suttner – the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize more than 100 years ago – was born in the Kinský palace. We also discover why one of the towers of the Church of Our Lady Týn is slimmer than the other, with its facade a reflection of Bohemia’s Hussite and Catholic past for those who know where to look.

Over on Celetná Street, today populated by shops and eateries and home to the famed Cubist House of the Black Madonna, we can also easily picture a trotting and sockless 32-year-old Einstein, who held a brief teaching stint in Prague in the early 1910s—just another of the many gems that the tour uncovers from the depths of Prague’s storied past.

Most Prague City Tourism tours last about 1.5-2 hours – not too short, not too long – a length that also allows us to explore the Jewish Quarter.

Unbothered by the tourist crowds or the shining vitrines of luxury brands lining up Pařížská street, we learn of the small signs telling the tragic story of Prague and Bohemian Jews—from Terezín memorial plaques to where we can still find one of the city’s last remaining mezuzahs.

Many locals and long-term expats may not immediately think of guided tours as a way to spend two hours of their free time. For me, our tour brought back dear memories from when I first unpacked my suitcase many years ago. A reminder of what attracted me to the city in the first place and of the ghosts and mysteries that live on its streets regardless of how often we tread on them.

Tours are organized with local and certified guides only and are available in a wide range of languages, including English, German, Spanish, French, and Italian. The size of the groups is also kept in check to maximize everyone’s enjoyment. You can arrange tours online or at the Guides&Tours office located on the recently renovated ground floor of the Old Town Hall.