Discover the magic of Prague – from winding cobblestone streets and Gothic cathedrals to vibrant food, historic landmarks, and hidden gems.
Whether you’re here for a weekend break, or a longer stay, this guide takes you through the best things to do in Prague, including must-see attractions and travel tips to help you make the most of your trip.
Contents
- Introduction to Prague
- 🏨 Accommodation in Prague
- Prague Travel Tips: Getting Around
- Prague’s Historical Landmarks
- Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock: Heart of Prague
- 🌉 Charles Bridge: Iconic View at Sunrise & Sunset
- 🏰 Prague Castle & St Vitus Cathedral: The City’s Crown Jewel
- Jewish Quarter (Josefov): Prague’s Historic Jewish Heritage
- Wenceslas Square &Czech Beer Culture
- 🌳 Letná Park & Petřín Hill: Best Views Over Prague
- Guided Tours of Prague
- Prague’s Lesser-Known Attractions & Hidden Gems
- 🍲 Where to Eat in Prague: Traditional Czech Dishes to Try
- ❓ Prague FAQ
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Introduction to Prague
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic or Czechia. Looking down from Prague Castle, you see light coloured buildings with terracotta roof tiles, ornate historical landmarks and the picturesque river Vltava.
Prague is exceptionally beautiful and is well known for its fairy tale appearance. People call it ‘the city of a thousand spires’.
Prague is a wonderful city to visit. Learn about its fascinating history, gaze at the beautiful architecture and enjoy Czech cuisine and beer.
It also has a party culture and diverse night life with a great range of clubs to suit all music tastes.
👉For more information about Prague’s clubbing scene, see: bestclubsprague.com
Prague used to be a very cheap place to visit, although prices are no longer jaw droppingly low. They have risen a lot over the years, but it is still reasonably priced compared to other European capital cities.
We have visited Prague a few times. As youngsters we mainly enjoyed the nightlife and cheap beer. Now we are older and hopefully, a little wiser 😉, we appreciate the history and beautiful architecture. It really is one of the prettiest cities I have been to.
🏨 Accommodation in Prague
Prague has accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes from hostels to 5*hotels.
My daughters recently stayed in a hostel called Plus Prague, which cost only £85 pp for 5 nights.
👉 See availability at Plus Prague
We stayed in the Grand Mark Hotel. Originally a 17th century residential palace, I would highly recommend this luxurious hotel, close to all the attractions.
You can read my review here: Grand Mark Review
👉 See availability at Grand Mark Hotel Prague
Prague Travel Tips: Getting Around
- 🚇 Public Transport is cheap and reliable – get the 24-hour pass.
- 🚶 The Centre of Prague is easy to explore by foot and the best way to see the city’s charm.
- Cash or Card? – Cards are widely accepted, but some small cafes prefer cash (Czech Koruna).
- Best Time to Visit – spring and autumn for mild weather, December for Christmas markets.
🌟 Tip: For public transport – purchase your ticket from the machine before getting on. Be sure to stamp your ticket when you board so as not to incur any fines.
👉 See more details on the link: www.prague.eu/transport
Prague’s Historical Landmarks
Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock: Heart of Prague
The beating heart of the city, Old Town Square is surrounded by pastel-coloured buildings, Gothic churches, and lively cafés. Don’t miss the Astronomical Clock, which puts on a quirky mechanical show every hour.
Old Town Square
The Old Town Square is the bustling heart of Prague. You will find many shops and restaurants with outdoor seating.
Here you will see the most iconic fairy tale structures – St Nicholas Church with its baroque architecture and the Church of Our Lady before Tyn. The contrast between them of light and dark is striking. The historical buildings date back to the 14th century.
🎄 During December there is a Christmas market here and during Easter too. It is lovely to hang out in the square and enjoy a beer or bite to eat but you will find that prices are more expensive than in other locations.
Astronomical Clock
Located in the Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock is always surrounded by tourists waiting for their photo opportunity of the hourly bell chime.
You may feel underwhelmed by the clock – but not once you learn about its mystery and gruesome legends surrounding it. The story goes that the clock’s designer had his eyes gouged out so he wouldn’t be able to replicate the clock elsewhere!
It is the oldest working clock of its kind in the world and was extremely technologically advanced for its time.
🌟 Tip: Climb the Old Town Hall Tower for the best view over the square.
🌉 Charles Bridge: Iconic View at Sunrise & Sunset
Linking the Old Town and Lesser Town, the Charles Bridge is Prague’s most photographed landmark. Stroll across the cobblestones lined with Baroque statues, stop to watch street musicians, and snap the best photos at sunrise or sunset.
🌟 Tip: Visit at dawn for peaceful views without the crowds.
Take your time to walk over the medieval Charles Bridge and study the stone craftmanship. Emperor Charles IV founded the bridge, and it is the oldest bridge in Prague.
The bridge has beautiful cobblestones, is very romantic, and the views over the river are picturesque.
🏰 Prague Castle & St Vitus Cathedral: The City’s Crown Jewel
Sitting high above the Vltava River, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle complex in the world. Wander through courtyards, gardens, and palaces before stepping inside St. Vitus Cathedral, famous for its stained glass windows and towering Gothic architecture.
👉 Tip: Buy a combination ticket online to skip the queues, and visit early in the morning for quieter moments.
Prague Castle
Take the tram to Prague Castle (see website link below for directions). Prague Castle and the Old Royal Palace are part of a complex of buildings.
The Castle is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is the official residence of the president of Czechia. Learn about Prague’s turbulent history, admire the buildings and explore its wonderful gardens that overlook the city.
👉 See directions, opening times and buy tickets.
St Vitus Cathedral
An awe inspiring cathedral where Czech Kings were coronated. You will see colourful stain glass windows, and elegant and imposing architecture.
Jewish Quarter (Josefov): Prague’s Historic Jewish Heritage
The Jewish Quarter is one of the most moving areas of Prague, home to several synagogues and the haunting Old Jewish Cemetery. A single ticket gives entry to most sites and helps you understand the city’s rich Jewish history.
🌟 Tip: The Pinkas Synagogue, with names of Holocaust victims inscribed on its walls, is particularly powerful.
Between the Old Town Square and the Vltava river is the Jewish Quarter. Also a UNESCO world heritage site. You can see the beautiful renaissance Jewish Town Hall, the Jewish Museum and the Old-New Synagogue. The synagogue is Europe’s oldest active synagogue.
👉 For information about the Jewish Museum and Jewish cemetery, see the link: Tourist information / Jewish Quarter
Wenceslas Square &Czech Beer Culture
Located in the New Town, Wenceslas Square is one of the main city squares. It is more of a boulevard than a square. You will find large shops, banks, a cinema, restaurants, hotels and the National Museum. It is where the biggest demonstrations took place during the Velvet revolution.
🌟Tip: Try a local pub for authentic dishes like goulash or svickova, washed down with a pint of Pilsner.
🌳 Letná Park & Petřín Hill: Best Views Over Prague
Escape the busy streets and head to Letná Park or Petřín Hill for panoramic views of the Old Town’s spires and bridges. These green spaces are perfect for picnics, relaxing walks, or a quiet sunset moment.
👉 Tip: Petřín Hill has a funicular railway – a fun ride with kids!
Guided Tours of Prague
Walking Tours
🚶 The best way by far to learn about and explore Prague is by foot on a walking tour.
👉 You can choose walking tours on Get Your Guide or choose a free walking tour at GuruWalk.
🔗 See our review in my previous blog Exploring Prague
Vltava River Cruise
Another enjoyable activity is to see Prague from the river. There are many river cruises to choose from dinner cruises to party boats.
I have been on two of these cruises. I would recommend the cruise with lunch on the open top glass boat, booked with Get Your Guide:
👉 Book Dinner Cruise with Get Your Guide
Classic Car Tour
An alternative way to explore Prague is by a classic car tour. You will see these cars all around the Old Town. I have never been but it looks great fun. See Get Your Guide for more details.
Prague’s Lesser-Known Attractions & Hidden Gems
Beyond the big landmarks, Prague is full of surprises:
- Tunnel of Books – sculpture made out of books.
- Museum of Illusions – features interactive tricks & illusion exhibits.
- Dancing House – quirky modern architecture and a rooftop bar.
- Lennon Wall – colourful street art and a symbol of peace.
🌟 Tip: These spots are less crowded and give you a different side of the city.
Tunnel of Books
At the Municipal Library, situated in Marianske Square, you can wonder at the Tunnel of Books – ‘Column of Knowledge’. This is a sculpture made out of books to give the illusion of an infinite book tunnel. It was created by a Slovak artist, Matej Kren.
🌟Tip: It is free to enter and take some photos.
Museum of Fantastic Illusions
This is a fun museum full of trick and illusion exhibits. It really is fascinating and has great photo opportunities. It is located in Vodickova Street 31 near Wenceslas Square on 1st floor of the Mysak Gallery.
👉 Buy tickets for Museum of Fantastic Illusions with Get Your Guide
John Lennon Wall
A much loved place to visit in Prague is the John Lennon Wall. This wall has a huge painted mural of the face of singer John Lennon. It has inspired graffiti since the 1980s. The wall is white washed every few years so the artwork you see changes over time.
Dancing House
A fun piece of unique modern architecture that can be seen in Prague is the Dancing House, designed by Vlado Milunic in 1992.
He designed it to represent the movement away from Czechia’s communist past, and it has become a symbol of the arrival of democracy. It certainly stands out from the crowd.
🍹 Black Angels Bar
To taste unique signature cocktails that have have been inspired by historical recipes, I highly recommend Black Angels. This bar is located in the Gothic cellar of the U Price Hotel in the Old Town. The bar is classically decorated with dark furniture, leather chairs and original brickwork and there is even an old well. www.blackangels
🍲 Where to Eat in Prague: Traditional Czech Dishes to Try
There is no shortage of restaurants and bars in Prague. Some traditional dishes are goulash, dumplings, soups and fried cheese.
Czech food is hearty and comforting. Don’t miss:
- Svíčková – beef in creamy sauce with dumplings.
- Goulash – rich meat stew, perfect with bread.
- Trdelník – sweet “chimney cake” often filled with cream or chocolate.
You will find many restaurants serving up typical Czech cuisine along with flavoursome beer.
Prague also has many fine dining and Michelin star choices. We enjoyed the Grand Mark Hotel restaurant so much, we ate there twice.
🍽️ Restaurant Recommendations
- £ – Restauace Pod Vysehradem – Good value, typical Czech cuisine
- ££ – U Kroka – Traditional Czech food and beautiful pork
- £££ – Pytloun Sky Bar & Restaurant – Panoramic views across Prague
❓ Prague FAQ
What is the best month to visit Prague?
April-June and September-October offer mild weather and fewer crowds. December is magical for the Christmas markets.
How many days do you need in Prague?
Plan at least 3 days to see the highlights. Stay 4-5 days to explore hidden gems and take day trips.
Is Prague expensive for tourists?
Prague is affordable compared to other European capitals. Food, beer, and transport are cheap, while accommodation and attractions vary in price.
What food is Prague known for?
Classic Czech dishes include goulash, svíčková, pork with dumplings, and chimney cake (trdelník) – best enjoyed with a local beer.
Final Thoughts: Why We Keep Returning to Prague
Prague is one of those cities that truly steals your heart. No matter how many times we visit, we always find ourselves drawn back – wandering the cobbled streets, watching the sun set over the Charles Bridge, and discovering little corners we somehow missed before.
For us, Prague isn’t just another city break – it’s a personal favourite we love to return to again and again.
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