If you’re like most people, the many famous bridges in Prague are probably one of the first things that come to mind when you think of the city. After all, they’re pretty darn impressive!
Prague is a city that is renowned for its Baroque architecture and impressive bridges– with over 15 bridges spanning the Vltava River, it’s no wonder Prague is often called “The City of a Hundred Spires.” Each one has its own story and distinct personality, making them a popular tourist attraction.
From ancient structures that have been around for centuries to modern marvels that offer amazing views of the city, these 16 famous bridges in Prague are definitely worth checking out!
1. Charles Bridge – Most well-known of famous bridges in Prague
The most famous bridges in Prague is Charles Bridge. The oldest bridge in Prague, Charles Bridge is a gothic bridge that was built in the 14th century and spans the Vltava river, connecting the Old Town and Lesser Town (Mala Strana). Charles Bridge was actually called the Stone Bridge during its first several centuries.
Construction of the Charles Bridge started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and it was completed in the early 15th century. Charles bridge is over 500 meters long and is lined with 30 baroque style statues of saints, that were added in the 17th century.
Charles Bridge is also equipped with large, gothic style towers at each end of the bridge. On the Old Town side of Charles Bridge lies Old Town Bridge Tower, a Gothic tower built in 1373 and an iconic monument near Old Town Square. This famous historic bridge tower is flanked by original statues of St Vitus and Charles IV.
It’s a pedestrian bridge, so cars are not allowed on it, which makes it a great place to walk or take in the views of Prague Castle, Old Town Prague and St. Vitus Cathedral. Charles Bridge has become an iconic symbol of Prague and is a great place to get stunning views of the city!
2. Mánes Bridge
Mánes Bridge is the first bridge north of Charles Bridge, which means it connects the area around Prague Castle with the historical Old Town of the city. The bridge carries vehicles, pedestrians, and trams, which makes it one of the busiest bridges in the heart of the city.
Manes Bridge was named in honor of Czech painter Josef Mánes (1820-1871) and was completed in the year 1916. It was only named as such in 1920, though, as its original name was the “Archduke Bridge” in honor of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria (1863-1914), the man whose assassination ignited World War I.
Mánes Bridge is another famous Prague bridge and is a popular spot for tourists to snap photos, as it offers a stunning view of Prague Castle and Charles Bridge. If you’re in the city, be sure to check it out!
3. Svatopluk Čech Bridge
The Svatopluk Čech Bridge, often referred to simply as the Čech Bridge, is a historic stone and arch bridge crossing the main river in Prague. Construction of the bridge ran between 1905 and 1908, and it connects the central city district of Holešovice with the Old Town in the heart of the city. The Svatopluk Čech Bridge is an important landmark in Prague, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.
The Svatopluk Čech Bridge is named after Svatopluk Čech, a famous Czech writer, journalist, and politician. Čech was an important figure in the Czech National Revival movement of the 19th century, and he is considered to be one of the most important Czech writers of all time. The Svatopluk Čech Bridge was designed by Jan Morávek, a prominent Czech architect who also designed many other landmarks in Prague.
The Svatopluk Čech Bridge is decorated with a number of Art Nouveaux sculptures, which are some of the most notable features of the bridge. The most famous of these sculptures is “The Kiss” by Bohuslav Kafka, which is a replica of the famous painting by the same name. The bridge is also decorated with a number of other sculptures, including “The Four Seasons” by Václav Zamosil.
If you’re interested in Czech history or Art Nouveau architecture, the Svatopluk Čech Bridge is a must-see when you’re in Prague!
4. Legion Bridge
The Legion Bridge is the second bridge north of Charles Bridge, and it connects the Old Town with the Lesser Quarter (Malá Strana). The bridge was completed in 1908 and spans the river Vltava.
The Legion Bridge gets its name from the Czechoslovak Legions, who were based in the city during World War I. The legions were made up of Czech and Slovak soldiers who fought against the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The bridge was originally named the “Legionnaires’ Bridge” in honor of these soldiers.
The Legion Bridge is a popular spot for tourists to take photos, as it offers stunning views of Prague Castle and Charles Bridge. If you’re in the city, be sure to check it out!
5. Barrandov Bridge
The Barrandov Bridge is the third bridge north of Charles Bridge, and it connects the Old Town with the district of Smíchov. The bridge was completed in 1932 and spans the Vltava river. It is a vehicular bridge, so cars are allowed on it.
The Barrandov Bridge gets its name from the Barrandov Studios, which are located in the district of Smíchov. The studios are the largest film studio complex in the Czech Republic, and they have been used to film many famous movies, including Mission: Impossible, Casino Royale, and Blade Runner 2049.
This bridge is a must-see for travelers in Prague who are interested in the Czech film industry!
6. Trojská lávka
If you’re looking for a new and exciting way to cross the Vltava River, Trojská lávka is the bridge for you. This pedestrian-only bridge is one of the newest additions to Prague’s famous bridges, and it’s already become a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
Trojská lávka is located in the relatively green and enjoyable suburb of Troja in the northern part of the city, and it was only completed in 2020. This fascinating structure has a total length of 256 meters (839 feet) and a width of just 4 meters (13 feet). The absence of traffic makes it one of the most enjoyable ways to cross the river in this part of the city.
So if you’re looking for a new adventure, be sure to check out Trojská lávka. And with a little bit of good luck, you might even get to see the sunset from this beautiful spot! You’re sure to have the best time while sightseeing from this gorgeous landmark.
7. Palacký Bridge
The Palacký Bridge is a historic bridge that was completed in 1876, making it the third bridge to cross the Vltava River in Prague. It’s also the oldest functioning bridge in the city, after Charles Bridge.
The Palacký Bridge was once decorated with 4 statues, featuring legendary couples in the history of the city: Ctirad and Šárka, Libuše and Přemysl, Lumír and Píseň, and Záboj and Slavoj. These statues were later removed to Vyšehrad, a historic fort located just southeast of the Palacký Bridge on the east bank of the Vltava River.
Today, the Palacký Bridge is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, offering beautiful views of Prague’s skyline. It’s an important part of Prague’s history and culture, and it remains an iconic landmark in the city today.
8. Štefanik Bridge
The Štefanik Bridge is a historic bridge that was completed in 1915, making it the fourth bridge to cross the Vltava River in Prague.
The bridge was named after Milan Rastislav Štefánik, a Slovak politician, diplomat, and an important figure in the Czechoslovak National Movement. He also served as the Minister of War for Czechoslovakia during World War I.
Štefanik Bridge is the replacement of the demolished Franz Joseph Bridge, a structure that was completed in 1868 and one of the first bridges to cross the Vltava River in Prague. The original cable-stayed bridge was eventually demolished in the year 1941. The old bridge was replaced by a reinforced concrete bridge, which then became the Štefanik Bridge that still exists today.
Štefanik Bridge is therefore not only a practical structure that connects two parts of Prague, but it is also a memorial to an important figure in Slovak history. Every day, hundreds of people cross Štefanik Bridge, unaware of the significant role it plays in the city’s past!
9. Libeň Bridge
Libeň Bridge spans the Vltava River in Prague, connecting the Libeň district with Holešovice. The current bridge is a 1928 replacement for an original wooden structure destroyed during World War I.
Libeň Bridge is also notable for being the longest bridge in Prague, at a total length of 780 meters (2,559 feet). The main span of the bridge is 380 meters (1,246 feet). Libeň Bridge carries a tram line in the middle of the road, making it a busy thoroughfare. As a result, it is usually quite busy with both pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Despite its length, Libeň Bridge is only one of many bridges spanning the Vltava River in Prague. Interestingly, this makes it one of the few bridges in Europe that is longer than it is wide!
One of the most famous bridges in Prague in the film industry, The Libeň Bridge was also used as a filming location for a number of world war scenes in the 2016 film Allied – if you’re a fan of the movie, you might recognize it!
10. Jirásek Bridge
Jirásek Bridge spans the Vltava River in Prague, connecting Old Town with the Lesser Quarter. The bridge was completed in 1876 and is named after Alois Jirásek, a famous Czech author.
The Jirásek Bridge is a stone arch bridge with a total length of 97 meters (318 feet). It has five arches, each with a span of 16.4 meters (54 feet). The bridge is decorated with six sculptures of mythological creatures, which were added in 1905.
The Jirásek Bridge is one of the busiest bridges in Prague, due to its central location. It’s used by pedestrians, cyclists, and cars alike, and it’s also a popular spot for tourists to take photos. If you’re in the area, be sure to check it out!
11. Vyšehrad Bridge
Vyšehrad Railway Bridge is another one of the most famous bridges in Prague, Czech Republic. It was built in 1872 and rebuilt in 1901, linking the Nusle Valley with Smíchov.
The Vyšehrad bridge is a railway bridge that spans the Vltava river. It is one of the most important bridges in Prague and is a major tourist attraction. The Vyšehrad bridge has two levels, the lower level for trains and the upper level for pedestrians. Visitors in Prague can walk across the bridge to get a panoramic view of Prague Castle and the Vltava River.
The Vyšehrad bridge is a beautiful sight and it is well worth a visit when you are in Prague!
12. Negrelli Viaduct
Negrelli Viaduct is a railway bridge in Prague that is famous for its length and history! The Negrelli Viaduct is a railway bridge that runs over the Štvanice island just north of the historical heart of Prague. The Negrelli Viaduct is 1,100 meters long, making it the longest railway bridge in the city and the third-longest in the Czech Republic.
The Negrelli Viaduct was built between 1846 and 1849, and originally had 87 pylons when it first opened up for traffic in June 1850. However, due to its age and the increasing amount of traffic on the bridge, it was decided to renovate the Negrelli Viaduct in order to increase its capacity. The renovation involved adding 24 new pylons to support a second track, as well as strengthening the deck and underpinning. The Negrelli Viaduct was reopened to traffic in December 2005.
The Negrelli Viaduct is a historic landmark and an interesting sight for tourists visiting Prague!
13. Nusle Bridge
The Nusle Bridge is a remarkable feat of engineering, not just for its incredible length, but also for the fact that it carries vehicles, pedestrians, and two tracks of the Prague subway system.
The Nusle Bridge is an engineering feat and showpiece of the Communist regime. With a length of 458 meters (1,591 feet), its the longest bridge in the Czech Republic. Nusle Bridge has a deck that reaches a maximum height of 42.5 meters (139 feet) above the valley below, so don’t cross this bridge if you’re afraid of heights!
The Nusle Bridge is a great spot for photos, especially at night when it’s lit up. However, what’s even more remarkable is that the Nusle Bridge doesn’t cross the Vltava River but another small stream in the Nusle District of the city. Nevertheless, the Nusle Bridge is an impressive sight, especially when viewed from the pedestrian walkway.
Note: Nusle Bridge is also a popular place for suicide attempts, so please be mindful and keep an eye out for anyone who looks like they might be in distress.
14. Braník Bridge
Braník Bridge, also known by the unofficial name The Bridge of the Intelligentsia (Czech for “most intelligence”), is a reinforced-concrete rail bridge with a pedestrian path in Prague, connecting Branik and Mala Chuchle districts in Prague, Czech Republic.
Branik Bridge was opened on July 9, 1932, and was named after the nearby Branik Castle which was built in the 13th century! Braník Bridge is 14 meters wide and consists of 15 bays spanning 53.5 meters each. Braník spans the Vltava river in Prague and is one of the few bridges in Prague that was not destroyed by the retreating German Army in 1945.
Braník Bridge has become an iconic symbol of Prague and its beauty has been captured in numerous pieces of art. If you’re ever in Prague, be sure to take a walk across Braník Bridge and enjoy the stunning views!
15. Troja Bridge
The Troja Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the Czech Republic and definitely one of the most famous bridges in Prague. Troja is a relatively new bridge compared to some of the other famous bridges in Prague. The Troja Bridge is a bowstring arch bridge that crosses the Vltava river. It opened to traffic in October 2014.
The bridge’s design includes an extremely slender design, which allows the arch of the bridge to be much lower than similar bridges. This makes the Troja Bridge one of the longest and deepest arch bridges in the world!
At night, the bridge is illuminated by 64 LED lights which makes it an impressive sight even after dark. If you’re ever in Prague, be sure to check out the Troja Bridge – it’s truly a sight to behold.
16. Radotín Bridge – Most underrated of famous bridges in Prague
Radotín Bridge is one of Prague’s lesser-known landmarks. It’s not located within the center of the city, but it’s still situated within the metropolitan area and is still a very important part of Prague!
The Radotín Bridge was completed between 2006 and 2010, and carries Highway R1 across a valley. It has a maximum height of 40 meters (131 feet) above the valley floor below! This colossal structure emphasizes the growth of Prague over the centuries, something that started with the construction of Charles Bridge during the Middle Ages.
Today, Radotín Bridge is an essential part of the city’s infrastructure and provides a much-needed link between the southern and northern parts of Prague. It is a major thoroughfare for commuters and a popular spot for tourists to snap photos.
Prague is a city with a rich history and culture, and its bridges are some of the most iconic and important landmarks. The architecture found around the city is astounding, and the bridges are no exception! With so many different bridges to choose from, it can be hard to decide which ones to visit first. But whether you’re interested in the history, the views, or just the sheer size of these massive structures, Prague’s bridges are sure to impress!
Be sure to check out some (or all) of these famous bridges in Prague on your trip to Czech’s capital city!
Hi, I’m Tiana – founder of and author here at Where Tiana Travels. I’m a 20-something with a love for all things travel, photography, and food. I have been living abroad for the past 5 years and solo traveling the globe in my free time. I created this blog to share my travel stories and inspire other women to go out and see the world. Read more about me here!