Why go to Prague
Prague came through the twentieth century with its centre largely intact, and you feel it the minute you climb out of the metro. Gothic spires, baroque domes and Art Nouveau facades are packed into a few square kilometres you can cross on foot. It is still cheaper than Vienna or Paris, the beer is excellent, and flights from across Europe drop to bargain prices often enough that a long weekend is an easy sell. The catch is the crowds around the Old Town, which are manageable if you time things well.
What to see in Prague
- Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí): The Gothic Týn Church and the Astronomical Clock are the draw. The hourly show lasts under a minute and underwhelms half the crowd, so treat it as an excuse to sit down with a coffee and look at the facades.
- Charles Bridge: Walk it at 7am, before the tour groups and portrait painters arrive. By ten it is a slow-moving crush. The early alarm buys you the best view of the Castle.
- Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral: The grounds are free to wander. The cathedral is the reason to buy a ticket, especially the stained glass, including the window by Alfons Mucha. Arrive at opening time.
- Malá Strana: The baroque quarter below the Castle, with steep cobbled lanes and the huge dome of St Nicholas Church. Nearby, the Lennon Wall is a photo stop, and Kampa island is a calm riverside stroll.
- Josefov: The old Jewish Quarter has the Old-New Synagogue, among the oldest active synagogues in Europe, and the Old Jewish Cemetery, where graves are piled in layers. It is moving and far more interesting than the luxury shops on Pařížská street.
- Strahov Monastery: The library's baroque halls are beautiful, though you look in from the doorway. The monastery brewery serves a decent lunch, and the terrace has a wide view over the rooftops.
- Petřín Hill: Take the funicular up (the 24- and 72-hour passes cover it) or walk through the orchards. The little lookout tower resembles the Eiffel Tower and is worth the climb near sunset.
- Vyšehrad: A fortress on a rock south of the centre, with the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul and a cemetery where Dvořák and Smetana are buried. Few visitors, good river views.
- Letná Park: A hilltop park north of the river with a beer garden and a view over the bridges. Locals come here at sunset, so you will have company that isn't holding a selfie stick.
Things to do in Prague
Some of the best hours here involve very little sightseeing.
- Catch a classical concert at the Municipal House (Obecní dům) or the Rudolfinum. Smetana in an Art Nouveau hall beats most tourist shows.
- Rent a pedal boat on the Vltava near Slovanský ostrov and see the Castle from the water.
- Ride tram 22, which climbs past Malá Strana towards the Castle and costs a normal transport ticket.
- Head to Žižkov for pubs and the TV Tower, where David Černý's giant crawling babies climb the shaft.
- Take a day trip to Kutná Hora, about an hour by train, to see the Sedlec Ossuary, decorated with human bones.
How many days and a suggested route
Three days is the sweet spot. Two works if you skip the extras, and four lets you add a day trip.
Day 1: Old Town Square, then Josefov, then a slow afternoon in the lanes towards the river. Cross Charles Bridge in the evening, when the light is softer and the early-morning magic is gone anyway.
Day 2: Castle first thing, then Strahov for lunch, then walk down through Petřín to Malá Strana and Kampa. Finish with dinner in a Malá Strana side street, not on the main drag.
Day 3: Vyšehrad in the morning, a stroll along the Náplavka riverbank, then Letná or Vinohrady for the evening. If you have a fourth day, spend it in Kutná Hora.
When to go
April, May, September and early October are the best months: mild days, long light and manageable queues. Summer is hot (often 25 to 30°C), crowded and a little sticky on the cobbles, though the beer gardens are at their best. Winter is cold, with temperatures around freezing and short, grey days. The Christmas markets, from late November to early January, make up for it, and the crowds thin out after the New Year. Rain can turn up in any season, so pack a light waterproof.
Where to stay in Prague
- Staré Město (Old Town): Everything is on your doorstep, but it is noisy at night and pricey for what you get. Fine for a short stay.
- Malá Strana: Quiet and beautiful, with higher prices and limited nightlife. A good pick for couples.
- Vinohrady: Leafy, residential and full of wine bars, cafés and restaurants, with easy metro access. My favourite base for mid-range travellers.
- Žižkov: Cheaper, scruffier and packed with pubs. Good for budget stays and a local feel.
- Karlín: Modern, with good coffee, restaurants and quick tram links. A solid mid-range choice.
Hostel beds start around 15 to 25 euros, decent mid-range hotels 70 to 130, and upscale places in Malá Strana or the Old Town go well beyond that.
What to eat and where
Czech food is hearty, built around meat, sauce and dumplings. Try svíčková (beef sirloin in a creamy root-vegetable sauce with bread dumplings), guláš with dumplings, and smažený sýr, fried cheese in breadcrumbs with tartare sauce. Do not feel obliged to eat trdelník, the sweet rolled pastry sold everywhere. It is a tourist product, not a traditional Czech dessert. For a light bite, look for chlebíčky, small open sandwiches, in a deli.
For beer, order a Pilsner Urquell, a Kozel or a Budvar in a proper hospoda. The Lokál pub chain does reliable Czech classics with fresh tank beer. U Fleků is a famous old brewery, but it is more of a tourist stop. Lunchtime fixed menus (denní menu) are the best deal in town. Manifesto Market is handy if your group cannot agree on food. A half-litre in a local pub runs around 50 to 70 CZK, and in the centre expect to pay more.
Getting from the airport and around
Václav Havel Airport (PRG) is about 17 km west of the centre. The cheapest option is bus 119 to Nádraží Veleslavín, where you hop on metro line A. The whole trip takes around 35 to 45 minutes. The Airport Express (AE) bus runs to the main station, Hlavní nádraží, for a little more. A taxi or ride-hailing app is quick, but agree the price first or use an app.
Once in town, the metro (lines A, B and C), trams and buses share one ticket system. A 30-minute ticket costs roughly 30 CZK, a 90-minute one around 40 CZK, and a 24-hour pass around 120 CZK. Validate paper tickets or use the official app. The centre is very walkable, though the Castle hill and cobbles will test your shoes. Use Czech koruna and avoid street exchange booths, which have some of the worst rates in Europe. A card works almost everywhere.
Rough daily budget
A budget traveller can manage on about 50 to 70 euros a day with a hostel, lunch menus, a pub dinner and transport passes. Mid-range travellers should plan on 100 to 150 euros, with a comfortable hotel, restaurant dinners and a few paid sights. If you want upscale hotels and fine dining, 200 euros and up is realistic. These are only rough figures, and prices in the Old Town are always higher than elsewhere.
Prague FAQs
Is Prague expensive?
Not compared with most Western European capitals. Food and beer are good value away from the main squares, but tourist areas charge a premium.
Is three days enough?
Yes, for the main sights at a relaxed pace. Add a fourth day if you want a trip to Kutná Hora or a slower schedule.
Do I need Czech koruna or can I pay in euros?
Pay in koruna, ideally by card. Some places accept euros, but the exchange rate is usually poor.
Is Prague safe for tourists?
Generally yes. Pickpocketing is the main issue on trams, in the metro and around Charles Bridge and the Old Town, so keep your bag zipped.
What is the best way to avoid the crowds?
Visit the big sights early in the morning or in the evening, stay a few streets away from the main tourist routes, and travel outside July and August.
Photo: A.Savin · FAL · Wikimedia Commons · Guide updated 21 Oct 2026