Looking at the visitor rankings, I don’t just see numbers and upward arrows. I see real emotions: goosebumps in a castle courtyard, wind in your hair on Petřín Hill, kids shouting “one more time!” on the waterslides, quiet awe in front of the gorilla enclosure, and that proud “wow” when standing in a transformed steel city.
2024 was a breakthrough year for travel within Czechia – not only did we bounce back from the pandemic slowdown, but we hit the accelerator hard. The top five most-visited attractions tell the story without sugarcoating.
For the impatient: first is Prague Castle (2.2M), then the Petřín funicular (1.9M), Prague Zoo (almost 1.4M), Aquapalace Prague (1.1M), and the non-Prague phenomenon of Lower Vítkovice with Landek Park (991K). Each has its own character – together they paint a picture of today’s Czech tourism.
Top 5 at a glance
| Rank | Attraction | Visitors 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Prague Castle | 2.2 million |
| 2. | Petřín Funicular (Prague) | 1.9 million |
| 3. | Prague Zoo | ~1.4 million |
| 4. | Aquapalace Prague (Čestlice) | 1.1 million |
| 5. | Lower Vítkovice & Landek Park (Ostrava) | 991,000 |
1) Prague Castle – where history doesn’t just sit in display cases, it breathes down your neck
2.2 million visitors speak for themselves. But every time I step into the Castle, the first thing I notice is how much it transcends the “landmark” label. It’s a living chronicle – from a 9th-century fort to Charles IV’s Gothic glory, to the 20th-century presidential chapter.
What makes the Castle unique
- Scale and context: The largest coherent castle complex in the world (nearly 70,000 m²) and a UNESCO site. Not just a badge of honor, but a responsibility – and it shows.
- Architectural “textbook”: Romanesque simplicity, Gothic grandeur, Renaissance elegance, Baroque flourish, and modern touches. All within a few steps.
Must-see stops
St. Vitus Cathedral. Built over nearly 600 years, it still hits hard. The stained glass by Mucha and Švabinský are standouts. Then there’s the chilling legend of the Zikmund bell – if its heart breaks, disaster follows. 2002 proved eerily fitting.
Old Royal Palace. Vladislav Hall is one of those spaces where you instinctively whisper. The “Story of Prague Castle” exhibition is perfect for connecting the dots.
Golden Lane & Daliborka Tower. Slow down here. Kafka’s tiny house No. 22 reminds you that great literature can come from small spaces. Daliborka, at the end, is history told without fluff.
Other gems: Basilica of St. George (pure Romanesque charm), Mihulka Powder Tower with its alchemy hints, and the Royal Garden – home to Europe’s first tulips.
How to plan your visit Prague Castle
The Castle is cleverly organized into routes:
- Basic Circuit: Cathedral → Palace → Basilica → Golden Lane + Daliborka.
- Permanent Exhibitions: Story of Prague Castle, Picture Gallery, Rožmberk Palace, Castle Guard exhibition.
- Separate tickets: Cathedral tower, Picture Gallery.
My tip: go early morning or late evening. In the quiet, without crowds, it’s a whole different world. Families will love the “Castle Game” – a guarantee your kids won’t be begging for ice cream after ten minutes.
2) Petřín – three eras, one short ride, and timeless panoramas
It’s “just” a funicular. And yet 1.9 million rides a year. The secret? A short, striking experience + a perfect link to one of Prague’s most beloved hills.
Three lives of the funicular
- 1891–1916: Launched for the Jubilee Exhibition. Technical gem: water-balance power. Water in the top car’s tank pulled the lighter bottom car up.
- 1932–1965: Electrification, extended to 511 m, standard gauge 1435 mm, and the unique Pohlig safety braking system.
- 1985–now: After a landslide closed it in the ’60s, it reopened, now part of Prague’s public transport. New Studénka cars, keeping the 1930s mechanics alive.
(A new generation of Doppelmayr/Garaventa cars is on the way to meet demand.)
Why people ride up and down “just because”
The ride is short, but passes through the Hunger Wall with the city unfolding beneath you. At the top – Petřín: tower, mirror maze, observatory, gardens, lawns, romance, and family play. The funicular is a gateway – its success proves how a small transport thrill can power a whole destination.
Tip: morning ride up, tower visit, gardens, snack, observatory, then stroll down through Malá Strana.
3) Prague Zoo – when a family trip becomes a real “help them survive” mission
Third place with nearly 1.4 million visitors. But this is more than a top family attraction. It’s a globally respectedconservation hub.
Why it’s world-class
- Reputation: Regularly in top rankings (TripAdvisor, Forbes). The 2002 floods led to a rebuild that set a new bar for quality and resilience.
- Concept: 58 hectares organized as a “trip around the world” – engaging for kids, meaningful for adults.
Exhibits I love
Dja Reserve (2022). Gorilla habitat with a Cameroon vibe. Education fits naturally – like the replica “Wandering Bus” used in Africa.
Indonesian Jungle. Humid, lush, orangutans, gibbons – immersive and unforgettable.
Elephant Valley. Spacious, with lakes and natural behaviors.
Darwin’s Crater (2020). Tasmanian fauna, including endangered devils, plus a walk-through kangaroo area.
Gobi Exhibit (2024). Mongolian steppe, Przewalski’s horses in context, manuls, and even the legendary olgoi-khorkhoi’s “scientific” counterpart.
Dual DNA: family fun + conservation mission
Every ticket sends CZK 8 to “We help them survive.”
Return of the Wild Horses. Prague Zoo leads the global studbook for Przewalski’s horse and organizes real-life transports back to Mongolia and Kazakhstan.
Other projects span India’s gharials, African gorillas, Mongolian saigas. Visiting means contributing.
4) Aquapalace Prague – where “just an hour at the pool” turns into a whole weekend
1.1 million visitors a year prove demand for year-round family complexes. Aquapalace in Čestlice is more than an aquapark – it’s a resort.
Why go
- Scale: largest aquapark in Central Europe (opened 2008). Water World (9,150 m²), Sauna World (1,750 m²), hotel, fitness, SPA.
- All-in-one: adrenaline, relaxation, wellness – all coexisting without clashing.
Three palaces, three moods
Adventure Palace. Eight slides, three steep rides, spacebowl, 250 m Canyon river, Crazy Tube with lights.
Treasure Palace. Family zone: pirate ship, paddling pools, wave pool, evening laser show.
Relaxation Palace. Massage benches, jacuzzis, 19 m pool, Lazy River with caves.
Extras
- VR slide (Magic Tube). Choose space or sky.
- Diving pit (8 m). Safe intro with instructor.
- Hotel link. Stroll to the pool in your robe.
5) Lower Vítkovice & Landek Park – the industrial lesson that rebranded a city
991,000 visitors and a clear message: industrial heritage can be a magnet.
Highlights
Blast Furnace No. 1 & Bolt Tower. Original furnace route + glass tower at 80 m with café and views.
Gong Hall. Concert and conference venue inside a gas holder, designed by Josef Pleskot.
Science Centers U6 & Great World of Technology. From Jules Verne-style invention history to modern science with four themed worlds.
Hlubina Mine & Coke Plant. Coal mining and coke production up close.
Why it worked
- Visionary revitalization: from national cultural monument (2002) to European heritage.
- Live events: Colours of Ostrava festival, education programs.
- Regional impact: Ostrava shifted from “black” to confident and cool.
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What this ranking says about Czech tourism
- History still pulls – but needs to be alive and engaging.
- Short, intense experiences can drive whole destinations.
- Family venues succeed with real variety and a meaningful mission.
- Industrial heritage can be a unique selling point.
The road ahead
- Sustainability & accessibility as baseline.
- Tech + experience integration.
- Regional flagships inspired by Ostrava’s model.
How to fit all five into a year (and stay sane)
- Castle + Petřín in one day – intense but rewarding.
- Zoo as a full-day trip – and plan for repeats.
- Aquapalace as a weekend – overnight for a calmer pace.
- Ostrava for 2–3 days – mix culture, views, and history.
Final thought – a mosaic worth arranging your way
These five aren’t just attractions – together they are Czechia’s current face: confident, playful, rooted in history, open to new experiences.
Whatever order you choose, I hope you get exactly that – an experience that stays with you long after you’re home.
