Prague’s Nostalgic Tram Line 23
A Ride Through Time
If you like exploring cities slowly - and with style - tram line 23 is one of Prague’s best-kept secrets. This nostalgic line glides past some of the city’s most iconic sights, from Prague Castle to the National Theatre and St. Nicholas Church.
And here’s the best part: no special ticket, no tourist surcharge. Your regular public transport ticket is all you need. Take that, hop-on hop-off buses.
Practical info (before you hop on)
Tram 23 runs daily from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, every 30 minutes. On weekends, the trams come a bit more frequently - because even nostalgia likes flexibility.
Mariánské Hradby, located near Prague Castle,
is one of the top spots for capturing stunning photos.
From forgotten tracks to a cult classic
The route begins or ends at Královka in Prague 6 and at U Zvonařky in the Vinohrady district, depending on your direction of travel.
For years, the short, dead-end track here looked like nothing more than a forgotten remnant of Prague’s vast tram network.
The start of tram 23 at U Zvonařky
In fact, tram line 23 has a long and slightly dramatic history. First introduced in December 1929, it ran as a normal city line, was rerouted countless times, temporarily removed, and eventually disappeared altogether in 2008.
End of story… or so everyone thought.
In 2017, the line returned with a clever double purpose:
- to ease pressure on overcrowded tourist routes (especially the legendary line 22), and
- to become a tourist attraction in its own right - thanks to its scenic route and vintage rolling stock.
The route partly mirrors tram 22, long famous for connecting Prague’s major landmarks. Same views, fewer crowds, more character.
The star of the show: the T3 tram
What truly makes tram line 23 special isn’t just the nostalgic route - it’s the tram itself. The vehicle really seals the deal.
Line 23 is operated by a classic T3 tram, a true icon of Central European public transport. The model was first unveiled in 1960 at the international trade fair in Brno, where it immediately attracted attention. That positive response encouraged the design team at Tatra Smíchov, a Prague-based manufacturer, to continue developing the tram through extensive test runs -initially without passengers - on the tracks of Prague.
The T3 is more than 60 years old
After more than two years of fine-tuning and small improvements to the prototype, the T3 entered mass production. And it didn’t disappoint. On 22 November 1962, the first T3 trams went into regular service on Prague’s lines 4 and 27. They quickly proved themselves to be reliable, robust, and perfectly suited to the city, becoming a familiar sight on Prague’s streets. Production continued until 1976, a clear sign of the model’s success.
The public officially said goodbye to the T3 in 2011, during an open day at the Hostivař depot. But as tram line 23 demonstrates, the T3 never truly disappeared - it simply swapped daily routine for a well-earned nostalgic comeback.
One final detail that makes the ride even more special: only one T3 tram operates on the entire line. Spotting it in service feels a bit like winning a small Prague lottery.
The route: 32 minutes of Prague at its best
Staying on board for the full 8-kilometre route takes about 32 minutes. And honestly? You’ll wish it were longer.
This is why I always say: skip the taxi or the hop-on hop-off bus. Tram 23 is cheaper, more fun and authentic, and stops exactly where you want to be.
Highlights along the way
You can hop on or off wherever you like on the route, but these are some of the gems you’ll pass. Almost any tramstop is worth getting out...
The name of the tramstop is in Czech.
Nový Svět, the New World in the snow
- Královka – start/end stop
-
Pohořelec - close to Strahov Monastery
- Brusnice – gateway to Nový Svět, a little village within the city of Prague
St. Vitus Cathedral within the Prague Castle
- Pražský hrad - Prague Castle, incl. St. Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane
- Královský letohrádek - Queen Anne’s Summer Palace, Royal Gardens and the Singing Fountain
Malostranske namesti
- Malostranská – steps to the castle & Wallenstein Gardens
- Malostranské náměstí – beautiful square with St. Nicolas Church close to Charles Bridge
National Theatre
- Újezd – funicular to Petřín Hill & the Memorial to the Victims of Communism
- Národní divadlo – river views near Most Legií and the National Theatre
Karlovo namesti
- Národní třída – home of Head of Franz Kafka by David Cerny
- Karlovo náměstí – large park with churches, history, and plenty of space
Náměstí Míru
- I. P. Pavlova - close to Namesti miru, the centre of Vinohrady (Art Nouveau area)
- Zvonařka – end/start stop near Havlíčkovy sady and the Nusle Bridge
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