Prague Focuses on Spiritual Tourism: New Website Invites Discoveries Off the Beaten Track

Prague is now inviting visitors on a spiritual journey of discovery: on the new website “Praha duchovní”, the city presents churches, monasteries, mystical sites and pilgrimage routes away from the main tourist crowds.

Prague City Tourism has launched a new landing page on the official website prague.eu under the title “Praha duchovní” (spiritual Prague). It presents Prague as a city of mystical stories, living traditions and places with a special atmosphere. With this step, the city pursues its long-term strategy to promote so-called slow tourism. The aim is to offer visitors a deeper connection with the city while also encouraging a more sustainable form of tourism. At the same time, it seeks to reduce visitor pressure on the heavily frequented historic Old Town and direct interest towards less-visited districts. The new page can be accessed at prague.eu/prahaduchovni (ENG).

“Prague’s spiritual heritage is diverse: it ranges from Christian and Jewish sites to mystical locations and local legends,” explains the Deputy Chair of Prague City Tourism, Jana Adamcová. “Our new website provides comprehensive information, including themed walks, service overviews and tips for places with a special spiritual atmosphere. Symbolically, we launched the service on Ash Wednesday.” She adds: “The project appeals both to visitors who specifically want to experience certain sites or traditions – such as the Prague Infant Jesus, cathedrals, monasteries or Jewish heritage – and to those seeking peace and a deeper experience of the city away from the usual tourist spots.”

Foto: Old New Synagogue | Prague City Tourism

The website offers an overview of Prague’s spiritual history. Visitors interested in Christian sites can find stories of saints and holy figures, lists of churches and monasteries, as well as information on pilgrimage routes. A separate section is dedicated to Jewish landmarks and mystical sites. Additionally, current guided tours and themed walks with guides are presented.

Prague City Tourism is deliberately developing offerings for spiritually interested visitors – people who seek a deeper connection with the city’s culture. Studies show that this target group generally stays longer in the city. The project also builds on a memorandum with the association Svatá Ludmila, from which the platform prague.eu/poutni-cesty (ENG) emerged. This provides a unique overview of pilgrimage routes through Prague.

At the tourist information centres in the Old Town Hall and Prague Castle, pilgrims can acquire the Credencial Ultreia or a pilgrim’s passport from the Svatá Ludmila association and collect stamps. Prague City Tourism also supports the St John’s Festival (Svatojánské slavnosti NAVALIS), held annually on the Vltava below Charles Bridge.

Foto: Svatojánské slavnosti NAVALIS

Pilgrimage tourism traditionally attracts visitors from countries with a strong spiritual tradition, including Poland, Israel, Spain and Germany.

“Pilgrimage tourism is not exclusively a matter of faith. Increasingly, people seek personal growth, reflection and a deeper sense of purpose on pilgrimages. Prague offers exceptional opportunities for this. At the same time, pilgrimage tourism proves to be a sustainable form of travel, preserving its spiritual and cultural value even in a changing world,” says Jana Adamcová.

All information on Prague’s spiritual sites and offerings can be found at prague.eu/prahaduchovni (ENG).