Prague is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The various architectural styles and highlights of the Czech capital have earned its entire historical center a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Explore the city from within and admire the stunning views from one of its many viewpoints. Blend history with modernity, and you’ll understand why Prague is a popular destination for city breaks. Curious about Prague’s sights and what there is to do? Here are my tips for an awesome city trip to ‘The Golden City’.

Transportation in Prague

Prague’s compact city center is perfect for exploring on foot. If you want to see a lot in a short time, renting a bike or booking a bike tour with Baja Bikes can be a great option. This way, you can visit the most beautiful places and learn about Prague’s history from an expert guide. Since the pandemic, Prague has invested more in bike paths. Unfortunately, Google Maps still doesn’t have all bike routes, and there are few bike lanes in the old center. However, cars are considerate of cyclists, and it’s quite manageable. Keep in mind that many roads in Prague are paved with cobblestones, which can be unexpectedly slippery in bad weather. If you need to cover longer distances, you can also opt for the tram, which has a good network throughout the city.

What to do in Prague?

There’s a lot to see and do in this fairytale city. From historical highlights to trendy hotspots, below are the coolest things to do in Prague. 

Stroll through Prague’s historic center

The best way to soak up the atmosphere of Prague is to explore the city on foot. As the entire historical center is designated a monument, you literally walk through an open-air museum filled with stunning architectural masterpieces. Wherever you walk, you’ll see impressive, stately buildings with intricate details in various architectural styles. From Gothic and Baroque to Art Nouveau and even some modern outliers like the ‘Dancing House’. You encounter a variety of styles during a walk through Prague’s historic center. 

Visit Prague Castle 

Prague Castle is Prague’s most famous attraction. This palace complex on the hill dates back to the year 880 and is one of the largest castles in the world. Over the centuries, various architectural styles have been added, resulting in a mix of styles. The St. Vitus Cathedral, with its Gothic style, is the real showstopper. The popular ‘Golden Lane’ offers a glimpse into former laborers’ houses, including goldsmiths, after whom the street is named. You can walk through the area for free, but if you want to enter any buildings, you’ll need a ticket. With your ticket, you can visit the Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica, and the Golden Lane.

Tip: This is the city’s main attraction, so it’s busy here all day. Visit Prague Castle early in the morning to avoid the crowds and order your tickets online in advance to skip the lines at the ticket gates. If you’re interested in history, consider this tour; admission is included.

Walk across Charles Bridge and climb the Old Town Bridge Tower

Prague has several beautiful bridges, with Charles Bridge being the most famous. It was named after Charles IV, who commissioned its construction in 1357. On both sides of the bridge, you’ll find characteristic gatehouses that you can climb for a beautiful 360-degree view of the city. Climb the Old Town Bridge Tower to view the Vltava River and Charles Bridge from above. Walking to the other side at the top of the tower, you’ll understand why Prague is also called ‘the city of a hundred spires’. 

Tip: Check the tower’s closing time, which varies depending on sunset. They stop allowing visitors up half an hour before, so arrive early if you want to catch the sunset.

Old Town Square with Town Hall and Astronomical Clock

Old Town Square is the central square of the old town. In the past, large markets were held here and even death sentences were carried out. Today, you’ll find beautiful historical architecture and the square is filled with cozy terraces. The most extraordinary sight on the square is the Astronomical Clock housed in the Old Town Hall. This ingenious clock not only shows the time but also the position of the sun and moon. Every hour, the square fills up with people wanting to see Jesus with his apostles appear from the hatches above the clock. Honestly, it’s less impressive than the crowd suggests, so you don’t need to wait specifically for this. You can visit the Old Town Hall and climb up the tower for a beautiful view of the city center. From this vantage point, you’ll see many of the red roofs that are characteristic of Prague.

Tip: From the rooftop bar of the U Prince Hotel across the square, you have a beautiful ‘Instagram-worthy’ view of the square.

Stroll along the cozy banks of the Vltava River 

Characteristic of Prague is the Vltava River that flows through the city. With swans gracefully floating everywhere, Prague becomes a fairytale scene. Along the riverbanks, especially on the lively Naplavka embankment, you can relax. The spaces in the walls of these embankments used to be ice storage but have now been converted into modern shops, bars, and restaurants where you can enjoy a meal or drink both on the embankment and on various boats. These banks also host regular (flea) markets and various events. 

Tip: Especially the farmers market held on Saturdays on the Naplavka embankment is very enjoyable to visit. Go early for the best experience.

Relax on an island in the Vltava River

The Vltava River has several islands. If you descend halfway across the Legion Bridge via stairs, you can escape the hustle and bustle of Prague for a moment. Grab a coffee at Cocovan, which has a nice terrace in Ibiza style. Or take a walk around the island, sit on a bench, and spot the wildlife of the Vltava, such as swans, ducks, geese, and even nutria. There’s also an open-air stage where you can enjoy live music from the afternoon onwards.

Enjoy a ‘Pivo’ in one of Prague’s cozy beer gardens

‘Pivo’ is the Czech word for beer. You’ll encounter this word quite often because Prague is one of the biggest beer capitals in Europe. Besides ordering them in half-liter glasses on a terrace, you can also visit a brewery for an extensive beer tasting or literally immerse yourself in a Beer Spa. However, the most enjoyable way to enjoy your Pivo is in one of the many cozy beer gardens the city has to offer. Biergarten Letna-Schlösschen is the most well-known, located on the hill in Letná Park where, besides your beer, you can enjoy the beautiful view over Prague. Another well-known beer garden, and also the largest in Prague, is Riegrovy Sady. This beer garden has a number of food trucks, and DJs and bands often perform here.

Have a drink at Manifesto Market Andėl

The concept of Manifesto Market is to combine food and drinks with cultural activities. They transform project-specific parts of the city, such as abandoned parking lots, into cozy meeting places. This open-air food concept has had several cool locations and has opened its doors in Andėl since late 2021. You’ll find various street food stalls with cuisine from all over the world in a modern setting that’s open every day of the week. The location also has an events calendar and regularly hosts stand-up comedy nights, beer festivals, or jazz & wine events.

Tip: Manifesto Market is a cash-free concept, so don’t forget your debit card.

Food hotspot Karlín

If you love good and tasty food, you shouldn’t miss a visit to the trendy Karlín district. Because there aren’t really any architectural highlights, this neighborhood isn’t visited much by tourists. Karlín is an old industrial district that was severely affected by the floods in 2002. Through reconstruction, this small neighborhood has been transformed into a trendy area with many hip restaurants and homes. Outside the main street, you’ll find excellent restaurants. Spojka Karlín is a trendy flexitarian restaurant with a ceiling full of hanging plants. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or a meat lover, everyone can enjoy a delicious meal at the same table here. At Eska restaurant & bakery, you’ll notice a passion for food. They have their own open kitchen & bakery, and everything is homemade with local products. They even recently received a Michelin star for the best value for money.

Tip: Make sure to visit the Illusion Art Museum for an hour of illusions on a rainy day in Prague.

Visit the photogenic Vnitroblock

A bit outside the Karlín district lies the uber-hip Vnitroblock. You wouldn’t say it from the outside, but this hidden hipster hub ticks all the boxes you can think of: brick walls, industrial elements, lots of plants, vintage furniture, pop-up stores, creative entrepreneurs, and art. Many people work with their laptops here, but in the main area, people also enjoy food and drinks together. With good weather, there are also corners and seating areas outside where you can relax.

Explore Petřín Park in Prague

When you cross the Legion Bridge, you’ll immediately come across Petřín Hill. This is the highest of Prague’s 7 hills and has several parks with many walking paths. You can take your time walking to the top, but if you want to get there faster, you can also take the cable car up. At the top of the hill stands a remarkable sight, often referred to as the little brother of the Eiffel Tower. The observation tower has 299 steps and is 60 meters (196 ft) high, allowing you to enjoy a spectacular view of Prague from the top.

Tip: After visiting the observation tower, take a short walk to the maze. This old-fashioned hall of mirrors isn’t particularly challenging, but it’s fun to walk through and ends with a set of laughing mirrors.

Visit the Illusion Art Museum

If you enjoy visiting museums or have a rainy day in Prague, you can also visit the Illusion Art Museum. This museum is full of optical illusions and is fun to stroll through for an hour. In addition to paintings and videos, you’ll find installations and artworks where you can become part of the illusion yourself. Make sure to use your phone or camera, as some illusions are best seen through a lens.

Tip: Across from this museum, you’ll also find the Banksy Museum, where you can admire a collection of artwork by this controversial street artist.

Get a souvenir at the local market

Havelské tržiště is a permanent market in Prague’s Old Town. You’ll find all kinds of souvenirs there, but the delicious fruit cups attract a lot of attention from people. It’s nice to walk around and buy a tasty snack or souvenir.

Saving tip: Although the Czech Republic has been part of the European Union since 2004, they still use the Crown (Koruna) as their currency. You can also pay with Euros in some places, but it’s usually more expensive. Fortunately, you can pay almost everywhere with your debit card, but it’s also handy to have some Crowns in your pocket for certainty. The best way to withdraw Crowns is at a bank ATM. There are Euronet ATMs everywhere with large letters saying ATM above them, but here you pay extremely high commissions up to 13% for cash withdrawals.

Taste the Czech Trdelnik

You’ll find them everywhere in Prague; shops and stalls where they make the distinctive Trdelnik. Originally, this sweet treat originated in Slovakia, but it has become a popular snack in the Czech Republic. By wrapping dough around a tube and then baking it, it gets its characteristic hollow, round shape. The basic version is rolled in sugar or cinnamon, but usually, it’s filled with ice cream, making it a delicious Czech dessert.

Tips for Food and Drinks in Prague

Prague boasts many excellent restaurants and coffee shops. You might have already read about some above, but below are some other hotspots worth visiting.

Venue – For the best all-day brunch and lunch, you must visit Venue. There’s often a line at the door, so try to avoid peak times.
Café Café – Here you can taste the best pastries in the city, and in the evening, trendy Czechs gather here for a cozy drink.
Super Tramp Coffee – In Prague, you can find plenty of great coffee shops, but for a unique spot, you can order a coffee with something tasty at the hidden Super Tramp Coffee.
U Fleku – If you’re in the mood for truly traditional Czech cuisine, this is the place to go.
AnonymouS Shrink’s Office – For a unique cocktail experience, I highly recommend visiting AnonymouS Shrink’s Office. With the push of a button, the secret door of this underground cocktail bar opens, and you’ll receive a menu from which you can intuitively choose. I won’t reveal more. It’s important to make a reservation here because it’s very small and fills up quickly.

Where to Stay in Prague?

There are several nice neighborhoods to choose from when staying in Prague. The Staré Mesto district, also known as the ‘Old Town,’ is a great choice. The centerpiece of Staré Mesto is the famous Old Town Square, and the district is largely car-free. Nové Město is also a pleasant base for exploring Prague. Despite its name meaning ‘new town,’ it was built in the 14th century. The center of Nové Město is formed by the large and famous Wenceslas Square. Malá Strana is located on the other side of the river opposite the Old Town. It’s a bit quieter here but certainly not less enjoyable. Below, we recommend our favorite hotels in these neighborhoods.

Our Favorite Spots in Prague

Golden Angel Suites is located in the heart of Prague’s Old Town. The Old Town Square is just a two-minute walk away, so the location couldn’t be better. You’ll stay in a spacious apartment with a private kitchenette, a comfortable bed, and a nice rain shower. Another nice hotel to stay in Prague is Miss Sophie’s Downtown. You’ll stay in a comfortable room equipped with all the conveniences. If you want to use public transportation, the tram stop is right outside and Prague’s train station is just around the corner. If you have a bit more budget and are looking for a unique hotel, book a room at MOOo by the Castle and step right into a fairy tale. This castle was built in the 16th century and has everything you need for a fantastic stay.

Golden Angel Suites More information

Miss Sophie’s Downtown More information

MOOo by the Castle More information