Prague, Czechia is likely one of the most-visited cities in all of Europe – and it isn’t arduous to know why. This Central European capital metropolis is understood for its stunning historic middle with gorgeous structure, its excellent (and really reasonably priced) beer, and its location on the Vltava River.
Add to this the truth that Prague is a reasonably compact metropolis which you could simply discover in only a few days, and it is no marvel why it is such a well-liked place to go to.
I first visited Prague in 2013, throughout a backpacking trip around Europe (learn: I used to be very broke and did zero planning). I discovered Prague very fairly on that journey, however did not fairly fall in love with it. A second, longer go to to Prague in 2023 did the trick, although; on this journey I did a greater job planning forward and actually diving into Prague’s historical past, meals, and structure. And now Prague is a metropolis I think about to be a must-visit in Europe!
In the event you’re fascinated with visiting Prague for your self, this is a 3-day Prague itinerary that may assist make sure that you, too, fall in love with Prague somewhat than simply liking it.
When to go to Prague
Prague is a good metropolis to go to year-round, however there are positively some occasions which can be higher than others to go. Summer time, for instance, is excessive season in Prague – however it’s additionally when the climate is the most well liked and the costs are the very best. Winter is off-season in Prague, however so long as you bundle up you’ll be able to take pleasure in dustings of snow and a beautiful Christmas market in December.
Spring (April-Could) and early fall (September-October) are most likely the *finest* occasions to go to Prague when it comes to the nicest climate and fewer crowds.
My journey to Prague that I did not essentially love was in August (excessive, sizzling season), whereas the journey I loved way more was in Could.
What number of days do you want in Prague?
Prague is in style inside Europe for metropolis breaks as a result of it is a very manageable metropolis for an extended weekend journey. You possibly can simply see the highlights of Prague in 3 days with out dashing, which is why I’ll share a 3-day Prague itinerary with you!
Are you able to see Prague in 2 days, or fill every week in Prague? Sure, for certain! However I feel 3 days is the candy spot for a visit to Prague, particularly in case you’re combining it with another plans in Czechia or elsewhere in Europe.
3 days in Prague itinerary
Observe: This itinerary is predicated alone (a number of) journeys to Prague, and is written with the first-time customer in thoughts!
The simplest solution to construction a go to to Prague is to focus in the future on every of the three primary elements of Prague: the Previous City (Stare Město), the Lesser City (Malá Strana, the place you may discover Prague Fortress), and the New City (Nové Město). This manner you may actually get a style of all of it!
Day 1: Prague’s Previous City
We’ll begin by devoting immediately to the Previous City, or Stare Město, probably the most well-known, fairy-tale a part of Prague full of Gothic church spires, terracotta rooftops, and colourful buildings. That is additionally probably the most touristy and crowded a part of Prague, so the sooner you may get began immediately, the higher!
Morning: Charles Bridge + Previous City Bridge Tower
Begin your morning on the well-known Charles Bridge, which spans the Vltava River connecting the Previous City to the Lesser City (Malá Strana). Development on the present Charles Bridge was begun in 1357 below King Charles IV (whom it was later named for). It changed a fair older bridge on the identical spot, the Judith Bridge, constructed within the 1100s that was broken by a 1342 flood.
The Charles Bridge immediately is likely one of the high vacationer spots in Prague. The bridge is lined with statues, and sometimes full of distributors and road musicians. In the event you go to early within the morning, you could possibly beat the worst of the crowds. (Although the bridge is 1,693 ft lengthy and 33 ft broad, so you’ll be able to positively discover area even when it is busy.)
You will get very good views in the direction of Prague Fortress from the Charles Bridge, however for even BETTER views, climb the 138 steps up the Previous City Bridge Tower, which sits on the Previous City finish of the Charles Bridge.
There is a payment to climb to the highest (190 CZK, or about $8 USD, which you’ll pay on the tower earlier than you climb), however it’s value it for the 360 diploma views! You will see the Charles Bridge and Vltava River from above, and likewise get wonderful views into the Previous City and over in the direction of the Lesser City and Prague Fortress.
Professional tip: Climb the Previous City Bridge Tower inside the first hour it is open (it opens at both 9 a.m. or 10 a.m., relying on the time of yr), and save 50% off the ticket worth!
Proper subsequent to the tower, you may also pop into the St. Francis Of Assisi Church rapidly.
Late morning/early afternoon: Previous City exploration
After the Charles Bridge and tower climb, head into the Previous City itself. The cobbled, winding, pedestrian-only Karlova Road is the best solution to go, although notice that it may be very crowded! This road is lined with sweet retailers (they’re obsessive about pirate-themed and mining-themed sweet retailers right here), chimney cake stalls, jewellery retailers, gelato cafes, and extra.
In the event you observe this lengthy sufficient by some twists and turns, you may attain Previous City Sq.. That is probably the most well-known sq. in Prague, surrounded by Gothic buildings and towers.
That is additionally the place you may discover the well-known Astronomical Clock, the medieval clock that chimes and has shifting figures each hour. To be trustworthy, I do not get the hype round this one (past the truth that it is actually cool that it nonetheless features). So do not feel too unhealthy in case you do not see it proper on the hour. (And in case you do, be ready to face in an enormous crowd of individuals.)
From right here, I like to recommend exploring the Previous City. It is compact and simple to navigate on foot, and there is a lot to see.
A number of strategies of issues you are able to do embody:
- Go to the Basilica of St. James – This Baroque church has a reasonably inside with one creepy ornament: a mummified arm and hand dangling from a series – purportedly from a thief.
- Discover the Jewish Quarter – Josefov, Prague’s authentic Jewish ghetto, is properly value an in-depth go to. You possibly can go to synagogues just like the Spanish Synagogue and the Previous-New Synagogue (the oldest in Europe), in addition to the unimaginable Previous Jewish Cemetery. Tickets are required for entry, and one ticket covers all the primary websites. Buy at Klaus Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, or Spanish Synagogue.
- Take a look at the Beer Museum – Be taught concerning the historical past of Czech beer on a self-guided tour, after which do a fast beer tasting.
If you wish to discover a few of this with a information, try this Old Town and Jewish Quarter Guided Walking Tour.
For lunch, there are many choices across the Previous City. For one thing pretty fast however nonetheless good, FAT CAT Beerhouse & Restaurant does excellent burgers and ginormous gourmand sizzling canines. And you may by no means go fallacious by visiting a department of Lokál (Lokál Dlouhááá is the Previous City location), which serves up actually good conventional Czech meals and beer.
I additionally personally cannot go a day in Prague with out consuming a chimney cake, that are referred to as Trdelník right here. Trdelník means “hollowed out log,” and these pastries are cooked on a spit and typically full of whipped cream and fruit, and even ice cream. They’re truly a Hungarian dessert, however have develop into very fashionable in Prague.
Late afternoon: Get one other view
In case your legs aren’t too drained but, I like to recommend getting one other view of the Previous City from above this afternoon. It is actually solely from up excessive which you could perceive why Prague was as soon as romantically nicknamed the “Metropolis of 100 Spires.”
There are two completely different choices that I would suggest:
1. Climb the Previous City Corridor Tower
To not be confused with the Previous City Bridge Tower that you just climbed this morning, the Previous City Corridor Tower is the tower that the Astronomical Clock is hooked up to. The tower provides up wonderful views of Previous City Sq., and admission right here contains not simply the commentary deck, but additionally different elements of the Tower like a chapel and underground space.
Tickets to go to this tower price 300 CZK ($13 USD), plus an extra 100 CZK if you wish to take an elevator to the highest of the tower. (Due to the elevator, this tower is wheelchair-accessible!) You should buy tickets on the tower, or choose to purchase ahead.
2. Tour Klementinum
One other tower you’ll be able to go to is the tower at Klementinum / Clementinum. This huge complicated in Prague’s Previous City was initially a Dominican monastery throughout the medieval interval, after which served as a Jesuit school. Right now, it is principally utilized by the Nationwide Library of the Czech Republic.
Top-of-the-line stops on this tour is at a Baroque library corridor. You possibly can’t go into the library any longer, however it’s nonetheless so stunning to see.
A go to to Klementinum principally focuses on climbing the outdated Astronomical Tower of the school, which has been recording each day climate situations in Prague since 1775 – and nonetheless does immediately! You will climb stairs to the highest of the tower, making a number of stops alongside the best way to study concerning the tower’s historical past and primary astronomy.
And naturally the views on the high of the tower are nice!
This tower can also be 300 CZK ($13 USD) to go to, and you could ebook a timed tour for this one.
Professional tip: Observe that excursions are supplied in both English or Czech, so take note of which one you are reserving. You additionally must ebook on-line upfront both here (GetYourGuide) or here (official site).
Might you technically go up the Previous City Corridor Tower AND go to Klementinum this afternoon? Sure, for certain. However I do not actually suppose that you must do each! (Elliot and I opted for Klementinum.)
Night: Dinner
If you wish to keep in Previous City for dinner, listed here are a couple of choices to contemplate:
- V Zátiší – This tremendous eating restaurant blends fashionable Czech and Indian dishes, and is a Michelin Information-listed restaurant. (Reservations advisable.)
- Restaurace Červený Jelen (Purple Stag) – This steakhouse is one other good choice in case you’re in search of one thing slightly upscale for dinner. (Reservations advisable.)
- U modré kachničky II – Conventional Czech meals at a barely extra reasonably priced pricepoint.
- Lokál Dlouhááá – This native chain for Czech meals and beer makes dinner spot, too. If it is busy, it’s possible you’ll share a desk with others.
Later tonight, you would possibly need to try a pub for some Czech beer, or maybe an absinthe bar, that are very fashionable right here.
Day 2: Prague’s Lesser City
Right now we’ll be heading throughout the Vltava River to the Lesser City, or Malá Strana, which is full of Baroque buildings and quiet alleyways main as much as Prague Fortress and the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. This can be a stunning a part of Prague, although be ready for extra hills and steps right here!
Relying on the place you are staying, you would possibly need to begin out by strolling all the best way throughout the Charles Bridge this morning into the Lesser City. In your means in the direction of the fortress, you’ll be able to cease to see the Čertovka canal (additionally referred to as the “Satan’s Channel”), in addition to the graffiti-covered Lennon Wall, which started within the Eighties with John Lennon–impressed road artwork.
The streets of the Malá Strana get steep main as much as the fortress, so in case you do not need to stroll, know which you could get on Tram 22 and experience it to the Pražský hrad (Prague Fortress) cease.
Late morning: Prague Fortress + St. Vitus Cathedral
Prague Fortress is definitely a complete fortress complicated – the most important of its form on the earth, in actual fact! The oldest elements of the fortress date again to the ninth century, and have seen a number of historical past: the fortress has been the seat of energy for the kings of Bohemia, Holy Roman emperors, and now the present President of the Czech Republic.
A ticket to Prague Fortress contains entry to a number of inside elements of the fortress complicated, in addition to entry into St. Vitus Cathedral. Because the fortress is so big, although, I do suggest taking a guided tour! Tours like this one embody skip-the-line entry and guided visits to the Previous Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica, and extra – you may even go to a room the place the Defenestration of Prague occurred!
In the event you time your go to proper, you may additionally be capable to see the Altering of the Guard ceremony, which takes place within the fortress’s first courtyard day by day at midday.
Alongside along with your go to to Prague Fortress (or as a part of your tour), you must also go to Golden Lane (a slender lane with fairly cottages that when housed goldsmiths’ workshops), and a number of the fortress gardens that encompass the complete construction. There’s even a winery up right here!
Afternoon: Malá Strana
It is time for lunch subsequent! If you may make it in earlier than 2 p.m., go for lunch at Kantýna in Malá Strana, which serves up nice Czech meat dishes. In any other case, there is a Lokál right here (Lokál U Bílé kuželky), too, which is nice for Czech meals and beer.
After lunch, it is time to see a bit extra of Malá Strana. In the event you missed the canal or Lennon Wall this morning, verify these out this afternoon.
You can even go to the Kafka Museum, a small museum on the banks of the Vltava River devoted to Prague-born writer Franz Kafka. The museum explores the lifetime of Kafka, and shows first editions of lots of his works.
Close to the museum, you may also need to cease to see the Čůrající postavy (peeing males) sculptures by native artist David Černý. That is the primary of a number of Černý works I’ll suggest you try in Prague!
Night: Select your individual journey!
This night, there are a number of issues you might do, relying in your pursuits. A number of issues I like to recommend contemplating embody:
- Head slightly additional south on this facet of the Vltava to the Smíchov/Anděl neighborhood (reachable by tram from Malá Strana). Right here, you’ll be able to have dinner on the vigorous Manifesto Market Anděl, which is principally a meals market with all types of fascinating eateries to select from.
- Guide your self a sightseeing dinner cruise like this one on a glass-topped boat, and benefit from the sights of Prague after darkish.
- Take a nighttime walking tour of the Old Town for some ghost tales and legends! (This particular tour is admittedly good.)
Day 3: Prague’s New City
Right now we’ll dedicate to exploring the New City, or Nové Město – which, regardless of its title, continues to be fairly outdated and historic, courting again to the 1300s. This a part of Prague is understood for its stunning Baroque structure, and there are many issues value seeing right here!
Morning: New City exploration
Begin with a stroll by the New City to see a few of its most well-known websites. A number of stuff you will not need to miss embody:
- Charles Sq. (Karlovo náměstí) – A big medieval sq. and park the place you may discover the 14th century New City Corridor.
- Dancing Home (Tančící dům) – A cool workplace block designed by architect Frank Gehry that is stated to be impressed by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. There is a restaurant on the highest stage.
- Head of Franz Kafka – One other David Černý creation, this massive metallic sculpture of Kafka’s head rotates periodically.
- Statue of King Wenceslas Using an Upside-Down Lifeless Horse – Yup, that is this sculpture’s full title. The statue (additionally by David Černý) is inside Palace Lucerna, which immediately is residence to a movie show.
- Wenceslas Sq. (Václavské náměstí) – This half-mile-long “sq.” leads as much as the Národní Muzeum, and accommodates the right-side-up statue of King Wenceslas on a horse.
Late morning / early afternoon: Meals tour or museum go to
You’ve got bought choices once more immediately relying on what sounds finest to you. You possibly can both take a food-focused tour, or try an excellent museum.
There are two meals/drink excursions value doing in Prague:
- Prague Foodie Tour – This food tour truly begins within the Previous City, visits Prague’s hip Karlin neighborhood, after which ends within the New City. It is 4 hours lengthy, and is obtainable a pair occasions per day (go for the midday tour for this itinerary!). It is tremendous extremely rated and definitely worth the cash. (Book this food tour here.)
- Pubs of Prague Historic Tour – Not right into a full-on meals tour? Then how about one which focuses on historic pubs and Czech beer? This afternoon pub tour begins within the New City, traverses by most of Prague, and ends within the Lesser City. (Book this pub tour here.)
OR, you might spend this afternoon on the Národní Muzeum (Nationwide Museum) within the New City. This museum was based in 1818 and its primary constructing is big and palace-like (however was purpose-built for this museum). The museum has displays protecting pure sciences, historical past, arts, and extra.
Late afternoon: Beer spa
One other must-do in Prague is going to a beer spa, the place you soak in a sizzling tub partially full of beer and beer substances whereas consuming as a lot Czech beer as you need. Soaking in beer substances – like hops and barley and brewers yeast – is meant to be nice in your pores and skin (and maybe even your general well being).
And, although I do not drink beer (and do not usually even just like the odor of it), I LOVED my very own beer spa expertise in Prague! It is enjoyable and stress-free – even in case you do not drink the beer.
RELATED: Going to a Beer Spa in Prague: What It’s Really Like
There are 4 completely different beer spa chains to select from in Prague, all of which supply a really comparable beer spa expertise. Most of them have choices within the New City, too (Elliot and I booked with the Authentic Beer Spa within the New City).
Your choices are:
- Beer Spa Beerland – With areas everywhere in the Czech Republic, this was the primary beer spa to open in Prague. They now have two areas in Prague with completely different therapy room choices, and serve each a darkish and light-weight Czech Krušovice beer on-tap in every room. (Book here or here)
- Authentic Beer Spa – This beer spa chain has three completely different areas round Prague (two within the New City, and one within the Previous City). They’ve a pair completely different spa room choices, and likewise serve each a darkish and light-weight Czech Krušovice beer on-tap to friends. (Book here)
- Bernard Beer Spa – They’ve a number of areas round central Prague, and serve Bernard Beer, a standard unpasteurized Czech beer. Together with beer spa choices, you may also ebook massages right here. (Book here)
- Lázně Pramen – They’ve two completely different spas, with Lázně Pramen Letná being the latest and largest. They not solely provide beer spas serving Kynšperský Zajíc beer, but additionally wine spa experiences (full with wine to drink as a substitute of beer), and the possibility to loosen up in a salt cave after your soak. (Book here)
Most beer spa experiences final about an hour, so it is an excellent exercise to ebook this afternoon/night. And you may read more about the beer spa experience here.
Night: Dinner at U Fleků
In the event you did not refill an excessive amount of in your meals tour and at your beer spa, then I extremely suggest going to U Fleků within the New City for dinner. U Fleků is a really historic restaurant and brewery courting all the best way again to 1499 (it calls itself the oldest brewery in Prague!).
The place is big, with 8 separate eating halls and a internal courtyard beer backyard. It serves up conventional dishes and house-brewed beer as you sit at lengthy communal tables, and it is positively value it!
Afterwards, you might go for a stroll alongside the river to spherical out your 3 days in Prague.
The place to remain in Prague
The beauty of Prague is that each one the primary websites and issues to do are comparatively shut collectively. Which means that wherever you keep goes to be handy!
Having stated that, the preferred locations to remain are within the Previous City (Stare Město) and the Lesser City (Malá Strana) – however do not low cost staying within the New City (Nové Město), as yow will discover nice offers right here, too!
Listed here are some lodge choices to contemplate in numerous elements of Prague:
Prague Previous City motels
- Hotel Residence Agnes – High-rated Prague lodge on TripAdvisor, situated on the northern finish of the Previous City.
- BoHo Prague Hotel – This contemporary Previous City lodge provides spacious rooms and an on-site restaurant.
- Four Seasons Hotel Prague – For these in search of luxurious in Prague, you’ll be able to’t go fallacious with a keep at a 4 Seasons. This one has rooms with views of the Vltava River and Charles Bridge.
Prague Lesser City (Mala Strana) motels
- Hotel Pod Veží – A boutique lodge with generously-sized rooms proper subsequent to the Charles Bridge within the Lesser City.
- Alchymist Prague Castle Suites – In the event you’re in search of a singular luxurious keep in Prague, that is it! Guide certainly one of 8 luxurious suites inside this Fifteenth-century mansion.
Prague New City motels
Learn how to get to Prague
Prague has a world airport, Václav Havel Airport (PRG), that is situated roughly 25 minutes by automotive or 40 minutes by public transport from town middle. Many worldwide and European finances airways serve Prague, so you may get right here simply from any massive metropolis in Europe. From the US, there’s additionally one each day nonstop flight to Prague from JFK (New York).
Czechia can also be situated pretty centrally in Europe, and is well-connected by prepare. You possibly can attain Prague in 6 hours from Frankfurt or Munich, 4 hours from Berlin, and seven hours from Budapest by prepare. There are additionally bus connections (by way of Flixbus) from different main cities like Vienna. Seek for the perfect Prague transport options at Omio.
Learn how to get round in Prague
Like I discussed earlier than, central Prague is a reasonably manageable measurement, and is straightforward to get round! The principle methods to navigate embody:
- On foot – You possibly can positively stroll out of your lodge to most locations on this itinerary. From the Dancing Home (New City) to Previous City Sq., for instance, it is a 25 minute stroll; from Previous City Sq. to Prague Fortress (in case you walked the entire means), it might take you about 20 minutes.
- Through public transport – Prague has a wonderful tram system, together with 3 underground metro traces that join all the assorted neighborhoods. It’s extremely simple to buy a 72-hour ticket (which prices 330 CZK, or about $15 USD), which is then good on all Prague trams, metro traces, and buses. In any other case, short-term transit tickets begin at 30 CZK every. More info here (and sure, there’s an app you’ll be able to obtain; get the PID Lítačka app to purchase tickets in your cellphone).
- Utilizing experience shares – In the event you’re going an extended distance (or maybe want to maneuver baggage), then you definately would possibly simply need to name a cab or rideshare. Uber works in Prague, although Bolt (a really comparable rideshare service) is much more in style. Each are very reasonably priced. Be cautious of taxis on the airport or primary prepare station, as they usually attempt to overcharge vacationers.
Professional tip: If you are going to buy a paper ticket for public transport, make sure you validate your ticket earlier than you employ it for the primary time! There are little validation machines to make use of earlier than or proper while you board.
Issues to know earlier than visiting Prague
Right here are some things to find out about touring to Prague:
- Prague will be very reasonably priced – Sure, it is true that Prague could be a very reasonably priced journey vacation spot while you examine it to different European capitals like Paris or London. However issues like meals and lodging have positively gotten slightly costlier in recent times. (You possibly can nonetheless buy beers which can be cheaper than bottled water, although.)
- Beware the stag do – Due to its status as a budget-friendly metropolis with low cost beer, Prague is a very fashionable vacation spot for bachelor events (AKA stag dos). In the event you go to Prague on a weekend, you completely will encounter inebriated teams of males – typically in costumes – stumbling across the Previous City particularly.
- You do not want a lot (if any) money – Earlier than my latest journey to Prague, I had learn some ideas that advised I would wish money within the metropolis. So I frolicked once I bought there looking for an area ATM so I may take out Czech koruna (Czech crowns). After which I by no means used any of it! Many companies have gone contactless/credit-card-only, and I purchased all my public transport tickets by way of the PID app.
- Watch your stuff – As in any massive metropolis, you need to be vigilant about pickpockets in probably the most touristy areas of Prague. It is actually the one crime that you must fear about right here. I like to recommend utilizing a theft-proof bag (I like this purse and this backpack), not carrying more money/playing cards than you want, and simply being conscious of your environment, particularly in crowds and on public transit.
- No, you need not communicate Czech – Concern not, my fellow English-only-speaking vacationers. You will get by simply tremendous in Prague with English. (Although it is at all times good to study a couple of phrases within the native language; begin with Whats up, which is Ahoj in Czech, pronounced “Ahoy!”)
Extra time in Prague?
In case you have greater than 3 days in Prague, there are some wonderful day journeys from Prague you’ll be able to take. Czechia is residence to so many historic and delightful cities and cities, and most are reachable inside a pair hours at most from Prague.
My high 3 day journeys from Prague are:
- Day journey to Kutná Hora – Just a bit over an hour from Prague by prepare, Kutná Hora is a gorgeous city recognized for its church buildings. You possibly can go to the Gothic Cathedral of St. Barbara, in addition to the Sedlec Ossuary, which is adorned with human bones. (Or book a guided day tour here.)
- Day journey to Karlovy Fluctuate – You possibly can attain Karlovy Fluctuate in about 2 hours by bus (going by bus is way sooner than by prepare!) from Prague. Karlovy Fluctuate is a well-liked spa city (and has been for a whole bunch of years), with thermal springs and really fairly structure. (Or book a day tour here.)
- Day journey to Český Krumlov – This historic city on the Vltava River is extremely charming and fewer than 3 hours from Prague by prepare. In Český Krumlov, you’ll be able to go to the Thirteenth-century fortress, absorb the views of orange rooftops, and revel in a drink at one of many many riverside terraces. (Or book a day tour here.)
Who’s able to ebook a visit to Prague now? What would you most prefer to see/do there?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her residence base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares ideas based mostly on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!
