I may be biased but Prague also known as Praha, Czech Republic is one of the best cities in Europe! As the capital of Czech Republic, there’s honestly so much to do in the city. I recommend spending at least 3 days in Prague. You’ll be able to explore most of Prague in 3 days however, if you would like to explore any surrounding cities, I recommend adding a 4th day onto your itinerary.
One of the best things about the city is the number of vantage points scattered throughout town offering incredible panoramic views of the city! Be sure to check them out throughout your stay. Prague is known for Charles Bridge which is a pedestrian only bridge, filled with street performers as well as people selling paintings and other cool trinkets!
While the city is relatively small and extremely walkable, mapping out your itinerary ahead of time can save you a lot of time! Below I’ll go through a complete Prague itinerary including the best things to do in Prague and what to do with extra time.
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WHEN TO VISIT
I’ve been to the city of Prague 3 times now, I’m a little obsessed! My favorite time to visit is during the Christmas Season. The Christmas Markets are sure to get you into the spirit as the markets are top notch! The Prague weather is cold but bearable. Aside from the Christmas Season, the best time to visit Prague is during the shoulder season. The city will be perfect for walking around and less busy than the summer months.
PRAGUE HOTELS
As I mentioned I’ve been to Prague a few times now; I’ve utilized both airbnb and hotels in the city. I’ve had a great experience with both hotels and airbnb! I suggest booking your hotels in Prague in advance especially during summer months. I’ve noticed accommodation books up pretty quickly. Ideally, you want to be staying near the Old Town, Charles Bridge, or the Castle District. If you’re in these areas you’ll be able to walk everywhere. With that said, Prague is extremely walkable so even if you’re further outside town it won’t be a hard walk! There is also a great public transportation system but I’ll get to that in a minute.
Out Stay: Out of the places I’ve stayed at in Prague Libusa Apartments was my favorite! Located near the Dancing House, it’s a quick 20 minute walk to town.
GETTING THERE/ AROUND
There are a few ways to reach Prague. For starters, the international airport is roughly 30 minutes from the Old Town. Since Prague is a popular destination in Central Europe, many travelers arrive from surrounding cities by train or bus. While the train is generally quicker, it’s oftentimes more expensive. As far as buses go, I’ve found FlixBus and RegioJet to be reliable throughout my European travels.
You can visit Prague on a trip to the Czech Republic by pairing it with a few of the many adorable towns in the country. Since the Czech Republic is a pretty small country, there are a ton of small towns a quick few hours from Prague. You can also travel to Prague with cities like Munich, Vienna, and Budapest as they’re a quick trip away. Munich and Vienna are 4 hours from Prague whereas Budapest is roughly 5 hours away.
As I mentioned, Prague is extremely walkable. However, there is a pretty extensive public transportation system. You can purchase a 1 or 3 day pass which are valid on buses, trams, and the metro. If you purchase a single-use ticket, make sure to validate it before using any transportation.
DAY 1: CASTLE & CHARLES BRIDGE
This Prague travel guide starts at the Prague Castle as it’s one of the best things to do in town. Once you enter the castle, you are able to buy tickets to see St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, the exhibition “The Story of Prague Castle”, St. George’s Basilica, Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower, and Rosenberg Palace. The tickets range in price from about $5 USD to $16 USD which depends on what you want to see. Click here for more information.
Pro Tip: The Castle area is very touristy meaning it gets crowded quickly, making the line to enter very long. To beat the crowd, I recommend waking up early and heading straight to the castle.
After the castle, make your way to The Lennon Wall. Whether or not you are a huge John Lennon fan, it is a must!
Before heading to Charles Bridge, pass through Mala Strana which is also known as the Lesser Town. The steep street is filled with restaurants and shops. Grab a bite to eat in Mala Strana before making your way to Charles Bridge.
A trip to Prague is not complete without admiring Charles Bridge, take your time walking across the bridge. The views are incredible and there are a number of street vendors and performers along the way. If you enjoy good views, both the Old Town Bridge Tower and the Lesser Town Bridge Tower are worth a visit as they have incredible vantage points of the city.
Pro Tip: Both The Old Town Bridge Tower and the Lesser Town Bridge Tower are less than $5 to enter and are open from 10 am – 6 pm in the winter and until 10 pm in the summer (open from 10 am – 8 pm in March and October). Both towers require visitors to climb a number of stairs to reach the unforgettable view at the top.
DAY 2: OLD TOWN & JEWISH TOWN
Spend a day exploring the Old Town and Jewish Town. Both of these towns are on the same side of Charles Bridge making them easy to explore in the same day.
Walk into the Old Town Square and spend your morning exploring Old Town and enjoying all its charm! The Astronomical Clock is one of the main attractions in this area so I highly recommend checking it out. You can go to the top of the tower for a view of the Old Town Square. Unfortunately, the tower was under construction when visiting in the Spring of 2017 however, as of September 2018 the renovation has been completed! There are two main churches in the square to explore; Tyn which is open in the morning and late afternoon and St. Nicholas, which is open all day.
Jewish Town is about a five-minute walk from Old Town, which is why I recommend doing them on the same day. In WWII Adolf Hilter kept the Jewish Quarter in Prague as a “Museum of an Extinct Race”. Visiting Jewish Town is a really sad experience but it is honestly a great way to learn more about WWII and the history of Prague.
Once you arrive to Jewish Town, there are a number of tickets you can purchase depending on what you want to see. Tickets vary in price and everything is within walking distance. There are a total of 6 synagogues, a Jewish Town Hall, and a cemetery to see. Jewish Town generally opens at 9 am and closes between 4:30 and 6 depending on the time of year. You can either explore Jewish Town on your own or go on a group tour.
Pro Tip: Jewish Town is closed on Saturdays as well as Jewish Holidays. Be aware of any Jewish Holidays going on throughout your time in Prague so you can plan accordingly.
DAY 3: DAY TRIP
If you’re spending 4 days in Prague, add a day trip onto your itinerary. The Czech Republic is filled with so many quaint little towns that are worth a visit! There is nothing like exploring the lesser known towns.
There are a number of day trips from Prague you can take for a reasonable price. You can either take a tour to surrounding small towns or travel by public transportation. Traveling within the Czech Republic tends to be pretty inexpensive since buses are the main mode of transportation. The bus system is relatively quick and efficient!
The most popular day trip is visiting Cesky Krumlov from Prague which is approximately 2.5 hours from by car/ bus. The town is an absolute fairytale! While in Cesky Krumlov be sure to walk to the castle for the most magical view of the town. While this itinerary allows one day in the Cesky Krumlov, I recommend staying the night if you have a chance.
- Read more: Cesky Krumlov Travel Guide
- Tour Option: Day Trip to Cesky Krumlov
Karlovy Vary is another easy day trip from Prague. It is less than two hours away and buses run to and from Karlovy Vary consistently throughout the day. The town is considered a spa town in the Western Bohemia region of the Czech Republic.
- Read more: Day Trip to Karlovy Vary
- Tour Option: Karlovy Vary Day Trip
My recommendation: If you only have time for one day trip while in The Czech Republic my recommendation is Cesky Krumlov! I loved both cities but Cesky Krumlov is just such a special place.
DAY 4: FREE DAY
Since there are so many things to do in Prague, I recommend keeping your last day relatively free so you have some flexibility. It’s such an amazing city it’s nice to keep one day open so you can go at a slower pace and enjoy the city!
LAST DAY IDEAS
The Dancing House is a popular spot as the building is so unique and the view from the top is absolutely incredible! In order to go on the patio for the view you have to purchase something from the cafe.
There are a number of tours you can go on the Vltava River as well! There are lunch and dinner river cruises as well as kayaking tours on the river.
It’s no secret Prague is known for their beer. If you like beer, there are a ton of beer tours or tastings you can do around the city!
PetrÃn Park is one of the largest parks in town most well known for its stunning view of the city. You can either walk up a hill to get to PetrÃn Park or take a funicular to the top. There is a lookout tour at the park that you are able to go to the top of for a panoramic view of the city.
MUST TRY FOODS IN PRAGUE
TRDELNIK
My favorite sweet treat in Prague is TrdelnÃk. You will see this pastry absolutely everywhere and it’s delicious! There are a ton of different flavors and personally my favorite was the chocolate. Be sure to try a TrdelnÃk as you will not be disappointed – especially if they are warm from the Christmas Market!
GULAS
While Guláš is traditionally a Hungarian dish, it has become a well known dish in the Czech Republic. Guláš is stewed meat (generally chicken or pork) served with bread dumplings. Since the meal comes with bread dumplings it is slightly differently than the traditional Hungarian dish which is more of a stew.
Obviously, I absolutely love Prague Czech Republic. I’ve been to the city several times now and am already planning my next trip! I hope you this article helps you decide what to do in Prague so you can enjoy the city as much as I do. If you have any questions please let me know in the comments below.
Headed to the Czech Republic? Here are a few more articles to help you plan your trip!
Safe Travels,
Sarah :)
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Loved Prague. You brought back great memories.
Thank you! It sounds like you had a great time in Prague as well ?
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