Smetanovo nábřeží, Riverfront promenade in Old Town, Prague, Czech Republic.
Smetanovo nábřeží is a riverfront promenade along the right bank of the Vltava River in Old Town, stretching between the Legion Bridge and Charles Bridge. The waterfront offers views of Prague Castle and connects multiple cultural venues, with resting places positioned throughout.
The area began as a sandy space with fishermen's lodges in the early 1800s and was later developed into Prague's first stone-reinforced riverbank. This transformation created a lasting waterfront that could support regular foot traffic and public use.
The waterfront takes its name from Czech composer Bedřich Smetana, whose symphonic poem celebrates the river flowing through Prague. Walking here, you can sense the connection between the composer's music and the landscape that inspired it.
The path is level and easy to walk, with numerous benches scattered along its length for resting. It is best visited during daylight hours when the surrounding area is more populated and the architecture and castle views are clearly visible.
SmetanaQ Gallery, which opened in 2021, sits along this waterfront and displays contemporary Czech art exhibitions across three halls. The gallery's panoramic views of the castle make it a surprising arts venue positioned right at the river's edge.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
