Forget the Tours - Sightsee by Tram

While the walking tours can provide excellent insights and information about the various buildings and sights of the city, touring by tram offers one a different view and often provides vistas and venues that most tourists don´t get a chance to see.

Below are listed some of my favorite tram journeys, in no particular order of “the best”, as that is left to the viewer!

Note: My advice to visitors is to buy a multi-day transport pass, which keeps you from constantly fumbling for change and checking on the expiration time of your pass. Tickets are good for tram, metro and bus within the city limits of Prague. Also, buy the yellow map that all the currency exchanges sell as it shows all the tram routes in red with each line numbered!

Barrandov to Vystaviste, via tram –  Start your journey at Andel (you can get there by any number of trams or by Metro B/Yellow) exit  Metro and turn right, where you will see a tram stop on the same side of the street, where you can catch the 12, 14 or 20 trams. This ride will take you up the hill to Barrandov, home to Barrandov Film Studio, one of the largest in Central Europe, and the neighborhood is Prague´s version of the Hollywood Hills. Many of the homes date back to the 1920´s and the early days of film.

Take the tram to Geologicka, exit, enjoy the view, then catch a tram going back the way you just came. Here is the point in which you can choose THE TRIP.

Trams 12, 14 and 20 all take the same route back into town, offering a wonderful vista of Prague. Try to sit on the left side of tram, and you will be treated to an ancient bridge and the home of the Folklore Dinner in Hloubcepy, as you are coming down the hill. Upon arriving at Andel, the trams take their separate routes, each worth exploring.

Tram 12 will take you through Mala Strana and along the river and up into Letna and to your final stop at Vystaviste. Tram 14 takes you over the river and through the city, crossing Wencelas Square and winding through Nove Mesto, across the river again and to Vystaviste. Tram 20, which runs less frequently, will take you through Mala Strana, Dejvicka and finally to Divoka Sarka.

Hradcany and Brevovsky Klaster – catch Tram 18 at Narodni Trida on the side nearest Tesco and get a nice ride along the river and over Manesuv Most, past the Rudolfinum and into the edge of Mala Strana. This trip takes you near the castle and through the beautiful homes of Hradcany. Hop off at Hradcanska and catch Tram 15, heading in the same direction to Brevovsky Klaster. Exit here, cross the street towards the large grassy area, where you will be rewarded with a Romanseque Benedictine monastery. One could spend several hours on the grounds and then enjoy and excellent, old-fashioned meal in the wonderfully rustic restaurant run by the monks.

Riverview via Tram 17 – This is one of my favorite views of the river, and proves to be a nice relaxing break from walking sightseeing. Start at Strossmeyerovo Nameste and board Tram 17 headed towards Modrany. Once aboard, you will run parallel to the river offers wonderful views of the castle and Ostrove Stvanice. A quick cut through Old Town and past the Rudolfium and then it all along the river for the rest of the ride. When you first get on the tram, try to sit on the left side (as you are facing the front of the tram), but if possible switch to right side while or before you get to Old Town. This will give you the best vantage, as the river will be on the right of the tram.

Take the tram to Dvorce, where you will have your choice of two Middle-Eastern restaurants and in warm weather, the beach at Zlute Lazne.

Your choice to return back to town are the 3, 16 and 17 trams. With the 17 returning you to Old Town for more sightseeing, the 3 taking you through the center of town and across Wencelas Square. And the 16 taking you to IP Pavlova or Nameste Miru.