Na Příkopě is central Prague's flagship shopping and banking boulevard, linking Wenceslas Square with Republic Square; its name means "on the moat." The street was laid out over a medieval moat that once divided the Old Town from the New Town (founded in 1348) after the moat was filled in 1760, and by the 19th century it had become the city's most fashionable promenade. When the tram line was removed in 1985 it became a pedestrian zone, and as of 2026 it is one of Prague's most expensive streets, lined with grand bank buildings such as the Czech National Bank headquarters, luxury boutiques and large shopping centres. It makes an easy stroll that combines architecture and shopping between the two squares.
Czech National Bank (ČNB) headquarters - František Roith's granite-faced banking palace, still crowned by Antonín Popp's sculptural group 'Genius and the Lion.'
Ornate late-19th and early-20th-century facades, including former bank palaces designed by Osvald Polívka
Slovanský dům (Slavic House) - a classicist palace converted into a mixed-use complex that houses one of the city's few multiplex cinemas
Shopping passages and arcades on and around the street, such as Černá růže (Black Rose) and Myslbek
The illuminated stone remains of the bridge that once linked the Old and New Town fortifications, visible beside the lower escalators of Můstek metro station
Good to know
SafetyMůstek station, the lower end of Wenceslas Square and the metro itself are pickpocket hotspots. Wear bags in front, keep zips closed, and never carry your phone or wallet in a back pocket.
CautionPeople with clipboards asking for a 'charity signature' (e.g., for deaf children) are running a pickpocket ploy that Prague police have banned. Politely decline and keep your distance.
CautionPrivate street exchange booths in and near the Old Town give very poor rates and fees. Use ATMs (check rates/fees) or banks, and avoid unlicensed taxis.
MannersThe currency is the Czech koruna (CZK), not the euro. Even where euros are accepted the rate is usually bad, so pay in koruna; a tip of about 10% is customary in cafes and restaurants.
RulesThe street itself is a free pedestrian zone, but on the metro or trams you must validate your ticket the moment you board. Plainclothes inspectors issue on-the-spot fines (around 1,500 CZK).
SeasonWinters are cold with short daylight (Christmas markets appear nearby at Republic Square and Old Town), while summer peak season is very crowded. Dress for the season and allow extra time.
Practical info
Reach it on foot from Můstek station (metro line A green / line B yellow) at the Wenceslas Square end, or Náměstí Republiky station (line B yellow) at the Republic Square end. The pedestrian street is free to walk at any time; shop and shopping-centre opening hours and individual venue prices vary, so check the latest before you go.
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