Things to see and do on your trip to Prague?

Built on the banks of the Vltava River, Prague is one of Europe’s most impressive cities, with its elegant bourgeois houses and monumental Gothic buildings earning it the title of World Heritage Site. There’s plenty to see in Prague, such as the Charles Bridge and the neighbourhoods that make up the city centre: the Old Town, the New Town and the Jewish Quarter, which is probably the area with the most history to tell.

In this post we tell you everything you need to know to prepare for your trip, the sights to see, the best time to travel, where to stay, the best restaurants to eat and other tips that will make your trip even more rewarding. Get your blog notes ready as we tell you what to do in Prague and how to make the most of your trip. Let’s get started!

What are the best places to see in Prague?

1. The Jewish Quarter

Situated in the heart of the old town, the Jewish Quarter is one of the most historic places to see in Prague. Here you’ll find the Jewish Cemetery and six synagogues that are not to be missed. The most beautiful are the Spanish Synagogue, in Moorish style, and the Old-New Synagogue, the oldest. Most of the synagogues and points of interest within this quarter are run by the Prague Jewish Museum, which tells the story of the history of the Jews who lived in the city. The museum is open daily from 9am-5pm except Saturdays and admission is €15.

2. Old Town Square, a must-see in Prague.

Old Town Square is the first stop on your trip to Prague. It is one of the most spectacular squares in Europe because of the pastel-coloured bourgeois houses that surround it and other important buildings such as the Church of Our Lady of Týn, the Goltz-Kinskych Palace, the Stone Bell House, the Church of St. Nicholas and the Old Town Hall.

We recommend going early in the morning before it gets crowded with people and tourists, or at night, when it is lit up and the atmosphere changes completely. In addition to appreciating the beautiful facades of the buildings, we recommend entering the Church of Our Lady of Týn, which is free of charge and open every weekday from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 17:00.

3. Old Town Hall, the best thing to see in Prague

If there’s one thing to do in Prague, it’s to see the spectacle of the Town Hall clock on Old Town Square. The clock, which dates back to the 15th century, offers a spectacle with wooden figurines walking around the façade as the bells chime every hour on the hour between 9am and 9pm every day.

After watching the show you can climb to the top of the tower from where the views of the city are spectacular. The tower can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 10pm and Monday from 11am to 10pm and the entrance fee is €9.50 for adults and €5.55 for children.

4. Charles Bridge

The Charles Bridge is probably the most iconic landmark to see in Prague. It dates back to the 15th century and its medieval design is complemented by the 30 sculptures that decorate the stone railing, among which we can recognize figures such as St. John of Nepomuk. The bridge connects the Old Town with the New Town, so it’s not unusual for it to be full of tourists. If you want to take the perfect photo, we recommend getting up early. The bridge is also lined with street performers and street vendors selling handicrafts. Crossing the bridge is a must-do in Prague because of its privileged location, and also because of the views of the river.

5. Gunpowder Tower

Another must-see in Prague is a visit to the Powder Tower, one of the ancient entrances to the Old Town, which was built in 1475. The most characteristic feature of the tower is the blackish colour that its walls have acquired over time and the fact that it was used for storing gunpowder in the 12th century.

The tower is 65 metres high and is worth the climb for the magnificent views of the city centre. The tower is open from 10am to 10pm during the summer and from 10am to 6pm during the winter. The entrance fee is €4.10 and reduced admission for children and students is €2.9.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What things to do around Prague?

1. Karlovy Vary, the most famous spa town

Karlovy Vary is the most famous spa town in the Czech Republic and a popular day trip from Prague. Hundreds of tourists pass through its colourful streets every year, lined with flowers and ornate decorations, including fountains with flowing thermal springs. In the city, don’t miss the Teplá River Houses, the Park Colonnade and the Peter and Paul Church, built in the 19th century and now a symbol of the city because of the contrasting colours of its golden domes and blue façade.

Karlovy Vary is easy to reach from Prague. The town is about 120 km from the Czech Republic’s capital and although the quickest option is by car (2h), it can also be reached by bus and train in 3h. Buses are the cheapest option and leave Prague daily and frequently. If you decide to go by car, you should know that parking is available, but there is a fee. If you want to know more about the city, here is this post: Things to see and do on your trip to Karlovy Vary?

2. Karlstejn Castle

This castle was commissioned by Emperor Charles IV to protect the crown jewels in the 14th century, until they were moved to St Vitus Cathedral. It later served as a residence for many monarchs, and today it is one of the most important tourist attractions to see near Prague. Inside you will see interesting corners such as the Chapel of the Holy Cross and its Great Tower, 60 metres high.

The castle is a 1.5-hour train ride from Prague, although the final stretch is a 20-minute walk from Prague. Admission costs around €10 and guided tours are also available. Opening hours are from 9:30am to 6pm during the summer, shortening as winter sets in.

3. Cesky Krumlov, the most charming town near Prague

This medieval town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most beautiful corners of the country and definitely worth a day trip to see. Cesky Krumlov is built around a meander of the Vltava River – in fact, the entire old town is surrounded by water, which makes the town even more charming.

This fairy-tale place is perfect for strolling around and getting lost in the streets as you discover the main sights such as the castle, the Latrán quarter, and the small churches hidden throughout the town. Cesky Krumlov is 170 kilometres south of Prague, the easiest city to reach. Public transport links are very good and Cesky Krumlov is a popular day trip destination when visiting the capital of the Czech Republic. By bus, it takes 3 hours and costs €5. In this post, we tell you much more about the town: Things to see and do on your trip to Cesky Krumlov

4. Kutna Hora, the Mountain of Mines

Kutna Hora is famous for its mineral supplies, which is why it is called the Mountain of Mines. However, it also boasts countless impressive monuments that have been declared World Heritage Sites. Most striking are the characterful, Gothic-style facades that decorate the entire city, as well as all of its religious buildings.

The must-see sights in the city are the Kutna Hora silver mines, which can be visited on organized tours, and the Sedlec Ossuary, home to numerous remains of human bones of famous historical figures. However, it is the churches and cathedrals, such as the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and St. John the Baptist, the Cathedral of St. Barbara and the Church of St. James, that attract the most tourists. The city is 1h30 by car from Prague and 2h by train. Here is this post to find out more: Things to see and do on your trip to Kutna Hora?

What to see in 1 day in Prague?

Prague’s greatest attraction lies in the Gothic facades of its bourgeois houses and incredible buildings on the city’s main squares. So if you’re thinking of travelling to Prague, you should know that one day is enough to take home a nice souvenir of the city and visit the main neighbourhoods. If you book a city tour you’ll learn about the history of the city and visit most of the interesting buildings.

Apart from that we recommend you to climb the Town Hall Tower and watch the clock tell the time, visit the most beautiful synagogues in the Jewish Quarter, cross the Charles Bridge and enjoy the local gastronomy and beer. If you have time, a visit to the castle and some of the exhibition halls in the Old Town is also recommended.

Where and what to eat in Prague

The Czech Republic is famous for its hearty stews, such as goulash, soups, and a variety of beers. The most common soups are the vegetable-based ceská bramborová, cabbage and bacon-based Zelnacka and Drstkova. Other common dishes are sausages and breaded steaks. You definitely won’t go hungry in any of the restaurants we recommend below.

• U Zlateho Hada: is one of the best value-for-money restaurants in Prague. There you can eat traditional stews and soups served in a loaf of bread and accompanied by a beer. And all for less than €16.
• Nase Maso: is a small place in Prague’s Jewish Quarter that specialises in burgers. In fact, the place is also a butcher’s shop, so you can imagine that the burgers will be of the highest quality. And at a very good price, less than €10.
• U Tri jelinku: is one of the city’s most traditional restaurants where you can try traditional dishes such as soups, duck and goulash. A meal with beer costs no more than €15.
• Vegan’s Prague: Located on touristy Nerudova Street, this restaurant offers a wide variety of delicious vegan dishes. The average price is slightly higher than in many other restaurants (€18) but it’s worth it for the quality of the dishes.

Where to stay in Prague?

There are 8 areas in Prague where you can stay if you are a tourist, but the best ones are the most central: Stare Mesto, Mala Strana, Josezov, and Hradcany. Other areas a little further away but also cheaper are Vinohrady, Zizkov or Smichov. In any case, Prague is not one of the most expensive cities to stay in Europe. Here are some very good hotels where you can stay:

• Travel&Joy backpackers: Prague is a popular destination for backpackers, so we found more than 40 hostel options. Travel&Joy backpackers is one of the best, with plenty of common areas, clean rooms and prices around €60.
• Hotel Julian is a cosy 5-star hotel in the heart of the city centre. It has room service, bar and breakfast is included in the price. It also has a terrace to relax in summer with incredible views. Room prices start from €90.
• KINGS COURT Hotel is the city’s most luxurious hotel. With five stars and a privileged location, this hotel has all kinds of amenities such as restaurant, swimming pool or fitness room. They also offer a very complete breakfast for 15€. Room rates start from €150.
• Friendly apartments in Prague: these are well-equipped flats overlooking a garden in the heart of the city. It has very good communications with the centre and is ideal for travelling with the family. The price per night is around 41€.

What should I consider before travelling to Prague?

• The best time to go to Prague is in May, June and September. In summer it’s high season and there are a lot of tourists.
• The best weather months are late spring and early summer.
• The official currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech koruna
• We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as it will be cheaper.
• As European citizens, we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just an ID card or passport is enough.
• Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured.

How to prepare what to do on your trip to Prague?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Prague.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Prague