Wenceslas Square New Town District

Wenceslas Square New Town District – Prague One

The only other time you’ll have heard the name “Wenceslas” is probably from a Christmas Carol. Well in Prague you cannot fail to notice King Wenceslas sitting on one of the largest bronze horses on one of the largest squares in the country named after him. But it wasn’t always this way. Once upon a time this used to be a horse market accessed via a secure gate in the New Town Wall that ran across the top of the square. If you are up at the top of the square you’ll find main roads and large buildings which are built on what used to be that wall. Even at the top of Wenceslas Square you are still less than a 10 minute walk from the Old Town.

prague wenceslas square after dark — Wenceslas Square After Dark with the National Museum at the top

Accommodation In the Wenceslas Square New Town District

There are several excellent hotels right on the Square and others close to it to suit all budgets and styles. You can read about my recommendations on the Wenceslas Square Hotels with a Bit Extra page.

What’s to See?

Nowadays, Wenceslas Square itself has a reputation for two things namely Stag Parties and Shopping although people interested in all kinds of late 19th and 20th Century architecture will find Cubism, Art Nouveau and Rokoko styles here some of which are covered on the Prague Architecture Walking Tour. Although you won’t find many bars on the Square itself, the roads running left and right away from the square have many options for smart bars and smaller restaurants. Bars include Nebe and Duplex, Irish Bars like Rocky O’Reillys and American bars like Jama. Restaurants like Modry Zub (Thai), Kobe (Steak and Sushi), Kogo (Italian) and a range of classic Czech food pubs are within a couple of minutes walk. Stag parties will largely be visiting “Ve Smeckach” which is part of the Red Light District.

Wenceslas Square with different architecture including buildings in the late baroque and rococo styles — Wenceslas Square has many different architectural styles

people looking at boards on prague wenceslas square showing the history of the area — Wenceslas Square is often used as a site for outdoor exhibitions

the pedestrianised bottom of prague wenceslas square with black and white cobbles. a mix of modern and old style buildings — The lower half of Wenceslas Square is pedestrianised

bottom part of prague wenceslas square in the morning with sun reflecting from windows onto cobbles — Prague Wenceslas Square same area as the previous picture

falun gong members in yellow t-shirts protest and exercise at the top of prague wenceslas square. they are standing on black and white cobbles forming concentric squares — Wenceslas Square has historically seen many types of protests and demonstrations

a man with a white flat cap operating a manual thredding machine at the bottom of wenceslas square. Far in the distance is the national museum — Several times a year you’ll find events, bands, arts/craft and the regular Christmas market on Prague Wenceslas Square

prague wenceslas square looking down the square with roads on both sides and in the centre stretching away are shaped privet hedges forming curves and circles — And at the right time of day Wenceslas Square just looks nice……

For shopping you have a pretty good choice of popular chain department stores on both sides of Wenceslas Square and don’t forget that many smaller independent shops and businesses exist in the small passages and centres that sit just behind the main shops.

Wenceslas Square is one of the locations for a Christmas Market which normally starts at the bottom end and extends almost up to the top. Either on the Square or just a few steps from it you’ll find the National Museum (beautifully lit at night), the State Opera, the Franciscan Garden, Lucerna Passage and the Main Railway Station. Since 2015 the bottom half of Wenceslas Square is largely pedestrianised and the open part at the bottom also provides a location for hosting food, music and sport festivals.

Transport and Access

Wenceslas Square has metro stations on all three lines. Mustek (Green and Yellow) and Muzeum (red). It also has a tram line running through it, the two closest stops are Vaclavske Namesti and Jindrisska. Here’s a guide on How to Use a Touch-Screen Ticket Machine.