Viewpoint · Malá Strana, Prague 1

Petřín Hill

Wooded hill above Malá Strana with gardens, a funicular and a lookout tower inspired by the Eiffel Tower

Photo: Kseniia Poroshkova (@ksulazypie) / Unsplash

Discover Petřín Hill

Petřín is Prague's favourite escape from the crowds of the Old Town: a broad, wooded hill on the left bank of the Vltava where orchards and gardens tumble down towards the rooftops of Malá Strana. Paths wind between fruit trees, benches and viewpoints, and in spring the slopes are clouded with blossom.

At the summit stands the Petřín Lookout Tower, a steel lattice structure built in 1891 as a loose, one-fifth-scale copy of the Eiffel Tower. Climb its 299 steps for a panorama that takes in Prague Castle, the bridges of the Vltava and the spires of the Old Town. You can walk up through the gardens or ride the funicular from Újezd.

Don’t miss

01Petřín Lookout Tower, 63.5 m high with 299 steps to the top
02The funicular from Újezd via Nebozízek to the summit
03The Hunger Wall, an old fortification wall crossing the hill
04Rose garden and orchards on the summit plateau
05The Mirror Maze near the lookout tower

History & culture

The story of Petřín Hill

Near the summit the funicular passes the Hunger Wall, an old fortification that still crosses the hill. The modern hilltop owes much to the Jubilee Exhibition of 1891: members of the Club of Czech Tourists, inspired by the Eiffel Tower at the 1889 Paris exposition, built the Petřín Lookout Tower, and the funicular opened the same year.

The funicular was originally water-powered, was electrified in 1932, and after a landslide in 1965 remained closed for two decades before returning in 1985. Since 2013 the lookout tower has been managed by the City of Prague Museum.

Local life & traditions

Petřín is where many Praguers go simply to breathe: joggers, dog walkers, families and couples use the paths year round, and on warm evenings the slopes fill with people enjoying the view over the city. It is an everyday green space for residents of the left bank as much as a sightseeing stop.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Ride the funicular up and walk down, taking in the orchards and the view over Malá Strana as you descend. At the top, climb the lookout tower, explore the rose garden and, with children, try the Mirror Maze next door.

In spring the cherry and apple trees make Petřín one of the most photogenic places in the city, and on summer evenings locals bring picnics to the slopes. Footpaths link the summit with the Strahov area, so you can continue on foot towards Prague Castle.

When to go

April and May bring blossom and fresh greenery, and the rose garden flowers in early summer. Autumn colours are lovely in October. Clear days give the best views from the tower; in winter the hill is quiet and occasionally snowy, but views can be hazy.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Funicular route: Újezd – Nebozízek – Petřín, connecting with trams 9, 12, 15, 20 and 22 at Újezd Source: prague.eu ↗
Funicular tickets: Prague public transport 24-hour and 72-hour tickets, the Lítačka card and the Prague Visitor Pass are valid Source: prague.eu ↗
Accessibility: The funicular is not wheelchair accessible Source: prague.eu ↗
Lookout tower: Built 1891; 63.5 m high with 299 steps to the top Source: praguecitytourism.cz ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Take the funicular up and walk down to save your legs for the tower stairs.
Choose a clear day for the tower; the view is the main reward.
The upper paths are steep in places; wear comfortable shoes.
Pack water and a snack for a picnic on the slopes, a favourite local pastime in summer.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Petřín Hill: food, markets & places to stay

The lower station of the funicular is at Újezd in Malá Strana, a short walk from Kampa island and Charles Bridge. From the summit, paths lead to the Strahov area and on towards Prague Castle. Malá Strana's streets below the hill have plenty of cafés and restaurants.

Petřín Hill & what’s nearby

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Green dome and bell tower of St Nicholas Church above the red roofs of Malá Strana under a cloudy sky

Heritage

Malá Strana, Prague 1 · 0.8 km away

Petřín Hill in pictures

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Sources & verification

This guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 27 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image.

Petřín Funicular — Prague City Tourism (prague.eu)
Visit our towers — Prague City Tourism
Petřín Lookout Tower — Wikipedia

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