Golden Lane, Prague

One of the most fascinating corners within Prague Castle, Golden Lane is a narrow street lined with brightly colored, pint-sized cottages that feel plucked from a fairy tale. Walking along the cobblestones, past vivid facades and tiny windows, you’re stepping into the last surviving example of the Castle’s more humble, small-scale architecture.

The lane dates back to the 16th century, originally built to house castle guards. It later took its name from the goldsmiths who moved in a hundred years later. By the 1800s, it had evolved into a sort of artistic enclave, drawing in poets and craftsmen. Franz Kafka spent time here in 1916, writing in a small cottage during long winter evenings, and Jaroslav Seifert, a future Nobel Prize laureate, also called the lane home.

Although people lived in these tiny houses up until World War II, they’ve since been carefully restored, keeping their original charm intact. Inside, you’ll find exhibits of medieval armor and weapons, alongside displays of period textiles—and yes, a few cozy souvenir shops and snack bars. The lane ends at Daliborka Tower, once a prison, where you can view historical torture devices—a darker but compelling window into the past.

Tip: If you have a castle ticket, entry is included. But if you’re looking to stroll through just for the atmosphere, come after 5 p.m. when the path is freely open—though most interiors will be closed by then.