Looking for unusual things to see in Prague? Here are 15 fun and quirky things to see in the Czech capital.
Prague is known for its cultural monuments and gorgeous Old Town, but it’s also home to some interesting sights and unusual art.
Beyond the well-known landmarks and historical sights, the city also boasts some unconventional art installations, quirky sculptures and surprising structures that are sure to make sightseeing even more interesting.
From Star Wars-themed surprises to rotating sculptures and giant babies crawling on the ground, here are 15 unusual things to see in Prague.
15 Unusual Things to See in Prague
Whether you’re interested in unique art, quirky things to see or just hidden gems in Prague, here are the most unusual things to see in Prague to add to your sightseeing itinerary.
1. Giant Babies
Throughout Prague, you’ll see some unusual public art installations, many of which were created by Czech sculptor David Černý.
One of his most well-known sculptures is the “Babies”, or Miminka in Czech. Three of these oversized babies can be found crawling on the ground just outside Museum Kampa on Kampa Island.
While giant crawling babies are unusual enough, to add to the uniqueness, the babies’ faces are replaced with barcode stamps, creating an even odder spectacle.
At 3.5 metres (11.4 feet) long and 2.6 meters (8.5 feet) tall, they’re hard to miss and one of the most unusual things to see in Prague.
It’s common to see tourists posing for a photo with these giant babies, and you’ll see plenty of kids trying to climb up on their backs. While kids might not get the irony of the statues, it’s a fun spot when you’re visiting Prague with kids.
2. Penguin Bridge
Near the Giant Babies is another unusual sight in Prague.
Just off the shore from Kampa Island are 34 yellow penguins. These penguins, lined up in a single line along a small bridge, are made from recycled plastic bottles rescued from landfill sites.
And while they look cute, they send a message about the dangers of climate change and the need to reduce the use of plastics.
They’re an interesting sight to see during the day, but also one of the most unusual things to see in Prague at night when they create a bright yellow glow that can be seen from the Charles Bridge.
3. Dancing House
One of the most unique buildings in Prague, the Dancing House stands along the Vltava River by the Jirásek bridge.
It’s sometimes referred to as the “Fred and Ginger House” for its interesting design that resembles a dancing couple. This unique building, which took four years to build, was originally intended to be a cultural centre but is now an office building.
While the interior is off-limits to the public, you can visit the lobby or head up to the restaurant on the 7th floor, which has great views over the city and an outdoor rooftop patio for taking photos.
It’s a great spot to watch the sunset, when the view over the city is incredible. But whether you go up to the top for the view or just take a photo of the unique architecture from the street, the Dancing House is worth a visit.
4. Rotating Head
Another of Černý’s cultures, this is definitely one of the most unique things to see in Prague!
Actually called the Head of Franz Kafka, this sculpture pays tribute to Prague’s famous writer, Franz Kafka.
Found just outside the Quadrio Shopping Centre, this statue is worth taking the time to find. It’s 11 metres tall and has 42 layers that individually rotate.
Every hour, the statue begins to move, and each of the layers individually rotate, creating new looks for the unique statue. The rotations pause for a moment, before resuming their show. After 15 minutes, the rotations stop and the entire head of Franz Kafka has turned to face a new direction.
Pro Tip: If you’re visiting Prague in December, several vendors are selling mulled wine and other hot drinks to sip while you watch the show.
5. Upside Down Horse
Another interesting art creation by David Černý can be found in the courtyard of Lucerna Palace, near Wenceslas Square.
Here you’ll find a statue of Saint Wenceslas riding an upside-down horse, which is tied up by its hooves and has its tongue hanging out of its mouth.
There are several interpretations of this statue, but regardless of what the original meaning is, it’s definitely one of the quirky things to see in Prague.
We had a bit of a hard time finding this until we realized it was INSIDE, but we’ve marked it on the map above to make it easier for you to find.
6. Infinity Book Tower
As a daughter of a librarian and a book lover myself, this was such an awesome find, and one of the highlights of our visit to Prague. (It was also a good chance to warm up inside from the December weather, and they have a great children’s section, which is great if you’re visiting Prague with kids).
This tower goes by quite a few nicknames. It’s actually called “Idiom”, but also goes by the Infinity Book Tower, Column of Knowledge, or just “the Prague Book Tower”.
Located inside the front doors of the Prague Municipal Library, this unique art installation is made of hundreds of books, all stacked to form a tower.
Each of the books was either donated or rescued before being thrown away.
There’s an opening that allows you to look inside, but mirrors on both the top and bottom give an illusion of infinity. Take a peek inside and see what it looks like!
7. Man Hanging Out
Another of the unusual things to see in Prague is also a work of Černý. This statue you’ll miss if you’re not looking up though!
High above the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, a 2-metre (7-foot) statue of Sigmund Freud hangs from the top of a building by one hand.
On a closer look, you’ll see he’s holding on with one hand, while the other is casually in his pocket – just as if he’s hanging out. Literally.
8. John Lennon Wall
Created just after Lennon’s death, this graffiti covered wall is one of few places where you’re actually allowed to write on a wall.
Kids might not get the significance of the wall, but it’s a good start for a conversation on peace, or to just observe the brightly coloured wall.
The wall is now owned by the Knights of Malta, and adding to the graffiti is permitted.
The Lennon Wall can be found in Mala Strana, not far from Charles Bridge and the Giant Babies.
9. R2D2
While exploring Prague, keep an eye out for an unexpected Star Wars-themed surprise.
Tucked away in Folimanka Park, which is also home to one of the best playgrounds in Prague for kids, a ventilation shaft for an underground bunker has been transformed into the famous robot, R2-D2.
In addition to painting the structure, the artists also added two concrete pieces to either side of the dome, enhancing the resemblance to the robot.
This isn’t an official art installation, but the city has said it’s an improvement over the previous vent so they’ll leave it.
10. Il Commendatore
Found on the side of a street in a busy tourist area just minutes from Old Town Square is another of Prague’s unusual statues.
Just outside the Estates Theatre, often called Mozart’s Theatre, sits Il Commendatore. The statue is a depiction of the ghost from the opera, Il Commendatore, but even if you’re not familiar with the opera, it’s still a fun and interesting sight to see in Prague.
11. Proudy (Urinating Statues)
Honestly, there are quite a few unusual things to see in Prague, but this is one of the quirkiest.
This is another of Černý’s creations, named Proudy, or Piss by Černý, while the city calls it the Peeing Figures. However you choose to call it, this outdoor sculpture and fountain in front of the Kafka Museum is quite unique!
Two male figures are standing and peeing into a pool that is shaped like the map of Czechia.
Installed in 2004, it seems as if the figures are peeing continuously, but they’re actually spelling out literary quotes, almost like they’re writing their name in snow.
You can text your own message to a number on a plaque by the statue and they’ll interrupt the literary quotes to write it for you.
12. Giant Babies on Zizkov TV Tower
These giant babies were actually created before the ones on Kampa Island, as a temporary art installation for the European Capital of Culture in 2000.
While they were meant to be temporary, the public liked them so much, they were installed permanently afterwards.
Weighing around 190kg each, these giant babies really were big! However, a few years ago, the original babies were replaced with newer sculptures, each weighing 350kg.
These ten babies can be seen crawling up and down the Žižkov Television Tower, which is located just outside the Old Town and is the tallest building in Prague.
13. Memorial for the Victims of Communism
This memorial is one of the more sombre items on this list of unusual things to see in Prague.
Bronze statues of seven men are depicted walking down a set of stairs.
The first statue is whole, but each of the following is a little more broken, supposedly symbolizing the suffering under the Czech Republic’s communist rule.
It’s a moving statue, and not meant to be a fun one, but interesting and unusual nonetheless.
This memorial can be found at the bottom of Petrin Hill, near the Újezd tram stop in Mala Strana.
14. Mini Eiffel Tower
The Petrin Monument routinely makes the list of the top things to visit in Prague, but it’s also one of the most unusual things to see. Where else, other than Paris of course, can you see the Eiffel Tower?
Set on Petrin Hill overlooking the city, this mini replica of the famous French landmark was constructed in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition.
The Petrin Monument is 20% the size of the original Eiffel Tower, and you can view it from the outside or climb the 299 steps to the top of the tower. You can also take an elevator to the top for an extra fee.
Fun fact: As it’s set high on a hill, when you climb to the top of the tower, you’ll be at the same altitude as you would be at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
15. Metronome
Possibly the largest metronome in the world, the Prague Metronome is 75 feet tall and sits in Letna Park, overlooking the Vltava River and the city of Prague.
It’s a symbolic spot, as this is where a statue of Stalin originally stood until 1962.
The metronome isn’t always operating, but when it is, and beats 4 times each minute.
While it’s impressive to see, it’s also worth a visit for the fantastic views of the Old Town and the Vltava River with its impressive bridges.
Bonus: Astronomical Clock
While this is one of the top attractions in Prague, you might wonder why I’m including here, but as it’s one of the few astronomical clocks in the world, I think it counts as an unusual thing to see.
I mean, there are some other astronomical clocks, like the one we saw in Ulm, Germany, but it’s not every day that you see one of these clocks (and Prague’s is more interesting, with its hourly show).
In addition to showing the time of day, and position of the sun, moon, and other astronomical information, the clock also provides a bit of entertainment.
Each hour, on the hour, you can see the 12 apostles ‘walk’ through an open window at the top of the clock. Keep an eye out for other moving figures, like the skeleton hanging out on the side.
Where to Find These Unusual Sights in Prague
Conclusion: 15 Unusual Things to See in Prague
Prague is a city not only rich in history and architecture, but is known for its quirky and unexpected sights. From the unconventional sculptures of David Černý to the Infinity Book Tunnel or Prague landmarks, such as the Dancing House, each unusual sight adds a layer of surprise while exploring Prague.
Add these 15 unusual things to see in Prague to your itinerary the next time you visit!
For more inspiration, tips and ideas for travel in Central Europe, be sure to check out these posts:
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- Best Playgrounds in Prague
- Visiting Prague with Kids: 25 Fun Things to Do, Parks & Where to Eat
- Best Christmas Markets in Prague
- Things to Do in Vienna with Kids
- 25 Awesome Things to Do in Bratislava with Kids
- How to Spend 2 Days in Bratislava
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