Prague travel guide: bridges, the castle and a pub evening
Prague is a compact city of bridges, a hilltop castle, old squares and beer halls, and it is easy to cover on foot and by tram. Three days fit the castle, the Old Town, the Jewish Quarter and a long evening in a pub. The one thing to know is crowds: the Charles Bridge and Old Town Square are best early in the morning.
The short answer
- First trip
- Stay in the Old Town or Malá Strana, see the castle first thing, and cross the Charles Bridge before 8am.
- Where to stay
- The Old Town for sights, Malá Strana for quiet, Vinohrady for a local base.
- How many days
- Three days for the main sights. Add a fourth for a day trip.
- Best time to go
- April to June and September. December for the Christmas markets.
- Book ahead
- Prague Castle circuits, concert tickets and dinner at popular restaurants.
- From the airport
- Václav Havel airport is about 17 km west of the center. The airport bus to the metro at Nádraží Veleslavín takes around 20 minutes.
Where to stay in Prague, in brief
Staré Město (Old Town)
sights and first-timers
The medieval center, with the Old Town Square, the astronomical clock and the Charles Bridge a short walk away. Everything is close. It is busy and loud late at night.
Malá Strana
quiet streets under the castle
The district below Prague Castle, with baroque palaces, gardens and quiet lanes. Good for couples and early starts. Streets are cobbled and some are steep.
Nové Město (New Town)
transport and value
A wide district around Wenceslas Square with good tram and metro links. Hotels cost less than in the Old Town. Parts near the square are commercial and less pretty.
Vinohrady
a local base with cafes and bars
A residential district east of the center, with tree-lined streets, wine bars and restaurants. About 15 minutes by tram or metro from the Old Town. Quieter at night than the center.
Things to do in Prague
Prague Castle
A large castle complex above the river, with St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane. Allow half a day.
a few days ahead in summer
Charles Bridge
The 14th-century stone bridge between the Old Town and Malá Strana. Cross it at sunrise, before the crowds.
Old Town Square and the astronomical clock
The main square of the Old Town, with the Gothic Týn Church and the medieval clock that performs on the hour.
Josefov and the Jewish Museum
The former Jewish Quarter, with six synagogues and the old cemetery. Buy one combined ticket.
Petřín Hill
A park hill with a lookout tower and views over the roofs. Take the funicular up and walk down through the orchards.
Vyšehrad
A quieter fortress on a cliff above the river, with a church, a cemetery and good views back to the castle.
Wenceslas Square
A long boulevard at the head of the New Town, with the National Museum at the top. Worth a look, not a long stop.
A concert or opera
Prague has a long musical tradition, with performances at the Estates Theatre and the State Opera. Book a proper venue.
a week or more ahead
A Czech beer hall
Pilsner-style lager is cheap and very good, poured fresh in pubs across the city. Try a few on your second evening.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Prague can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Prague, and which to pick- Prague Castle ticketsa few days ahead in summer
Queues at the ticket office can be long, and a pre-booked circuit saves time.
- Concert or opera ticketsa week or more ahead
Popular performances sell out, and the official venues are better than street sellers.
What to skip in Prague
- Eating on Old Town Square
Menus are priced for tourists and the food is average. Walk ten minutes to a pub on a side street.
- Exchange offices with no posted rate
Many in the center take a heavy cut. Use a bank cash machine and pay by card where you can.
Best time to visit Prague
April to June and September are best, with mild weather and long evenings. December has Christmas markets in the Old Town Square and on Wenceslas Square.
July and August are hot and crowded. January and February are cold and quiet, and the pubs are warm.
- From Prague airportThe airport bus runs to the metro at Nádraží Veleslavín in about 20 minutes. A taxi to the center takes around 30 minutes.
- Metro, trams and busesA cheap and reliable network that covers the whole city. Trams are the best way to see the streets.
- On footThe Old Town, Malá Strana and Josefov are all within about 25 minutes of each other on foot.
Prague in three days
- Day 1
Prague Castle in the morning, Malá Strana for lunch, the Charles Bridge at dusk.
- Day 2
The Old Town Square, Josefov and the Jewish Museum, then dinner at a pub.
- Day 3
Vyšehrad or Petřín Hill, then a coffee house and an evening concert.
Day trips from Prague
- Kutná HoraA medieval silver town with a Gothic cathedral and the Sedlec Ossuary, about an hour by train.
- Karlštejn CastleA Gothic castle on a hill, about 40 minutes by train from the city.
- Český KrumlovA small riverside town with a large castle, about three hours by train or bus. Better as an overnight stay.
Prague: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Prague?
Three days cover the main sights. Four lets you add a day trip or a slower pace.
Where should I stay in Prague?
The Old Town for sights, Malá Strana for quiet, and Vinohrady for a local base.
Is Prague expensive?
It is cheaper than most Western European capitals, though the tourist center costs more. Beer and public transport are inexpensive.
What is the best time to visit Prague?
April to June and September. December for the Christmas markets.
Is Prague easy to get around?
Yes. The center is compact, and the tram and metro network is quick and cheap.
Can you use euros in Prague?
Czechia uses the koruna. Pay by card where you can, and use a bank cash machine for cash.