The wooded hill rising steeply behind Malá Strana is one of Prague's best escapes from the crowds. A funicular railway from Újezd climbs to near the summit, where the 60-metre Petřín Lookout Tower — a smaller replica of the Eiffel Tower — gives 360-degree views over the city and, on clear days, out to the Bohemian hills.
The hill is laced with walking paths through orchards and gardens; the Rose Garden is particularly pleasant in June. The Mirror Maze, a labyrinth installation from the 1891 Exhibition, is entertaining for a few minutes. Walking down through the terraced palace gardens to Malá Strana below is a pleasure, especially in late afternoon when the light hits the castle walls from the west.