Prague has seen a healthy increase in tourism in the last few years, and that’s largely due to an influx of stag and does, hen parties, and “lads’ holidays”. However, despite the uptick in the numbers of these... adventurous tourists, Prague has also seen a dramatic increase in the number of solo travellers and families coming to see what the fuss is about in the Czech capital!
This beautiful city is home to a plethora of stunning pieces of architecture, remarkable historic sites and some of Europe’s best culinary and drinking experiences.
Spanning almost 500km², Prague has so many wonders to explore. From the world’s largest ancient castle complex, to the renowned Charles Bridge and Old Town Square, Prague truly is one of the best city breaks you can take in Europe.
With so many amazing things to see and do, as well as some of the best dishes to enjoy in Eastern Europe, Prague can be a little overwhelming. Where to start?
In this ultimate guide to visiting Prague, we'll outline all the must-sees and dos, as well as some of the most popular dishes you have to try!
Country: Czech Republic
Language: Czech
Currency: Czech koruna
Population: 1.3 million
Size: 496 km²
How to get there
Prague is a remarkably easy place to get to, especially if you’re traveling within Europe. The Czech Republic sits in the middle of Eastern Europe, bordering Germany, Poland, Austria, and Slovakia.
Since it's such a central place in Europe, it’s easy to hop on a train, coach, bus, or in a car in order to get to Prague. If you’re travelling from further afield (such as the UK), you can also enjoy ease of access when it comes to getting to the Czech capital city.
Flights from Manchester and London Airports to Prague are incredibly regular and will cost you from as little as £50 for a return flight.
When you actually arrive in Prague, the transport system is incredibly easy and convenient to use. You can get around by using the tram, train, underground or bus, which is all incredibly affordable, especially for such a thriving city in Europe!
What to see
Whether you plan on visiting Prague for just a couple of days, or you’re planning a slightly longer stay, the city has something to suit everyone. Here’s the ultimate guide on everything there is to see and do in Prague!
Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Prague, and regardless of the time of day (or year) that you visit, you’re sure to find it teeming with tourists.
It’s definitely worth battling your way through the masses of crowds, however, in order to see the stunning views over the Vltava river, as well as the bridge itself. Lined with statues, over 10 metres wide, and 621 metres in length, Charles Bridge is an ideal place to capture unique shots of the city.
Unsplash Charles Bridge.
Old Town Square
The Old Town Square in Prague is yet another spot that's incredibly popular with tourists but it’s also one of the most beautiful squares in the whole of Czech Republic (and possibly even in Europe).
In the square, you’ll find a plethora of stunning buildings such as ancient cathedrals, churches and castles, as well as some of the best street food vendors in the city.
The square is also home to the world-renowned Astronomical Clock, which dates all the way back to 1410. The Clock is comprised of three main components; the astronomical dial, statues of Catholic saints, and a calendar dial that represents each month of the year.
Hundreds of tourists gather around the clock each hour, on the hour, to see the clock chime and put on a mini performance.
The building that houses the clock is the Old Town Hall; you can climb all the way to the top in order to take panoramic views of the city below. The viewing platform can get quite busy with plenty of visitors all desperate to win the perfect view of Prague, but it’s worth fighting your way through!
Prague Castle
As previously mentioned, Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the entire world. It covers an area of over 70,000m² and includes an abundance of ancient buildings, structures, and statues.
The complex is free to wander around, but you can also pay to actually go inside some of the churches that sit on top of the hill on the grounds.
If you have the chance, you should also pay a visit to the castle in order to see the remarkable procession of the Changing of the Guard, which happens right next door. From the top of the complex, you’ll also get spectacular views that make for a truly incredible Instagram snap!
Letna Park (Letenske Sady)
The park is perched on top of Letna Hill, overlooking the Vltava River. It also offers unparalleled views of Prague Castle and the Old Town Square.
The park itself is home to serene forests, as well as a huge skate park where children and adults can be found year round. It’s been frequented by famous artists and performers (including Michael Jackson) who have used it as their stage to perform for thousands of people.
Watch a football match
Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a football fan, it’s still a definite must-do while in Prague to watch a football match.
If you have the chance, try and see the Prague derby, which is a match between long-standing rivals, Sparta and Slavia. The atmosphere at these football matches is electric, with diehard fans of both teams bringing flares and fireworks into the stadium!
It’s all regulated and safe, but it makes for an event that you’ll certainly never forget!
Wenceslas Square
Wenceslas Square is actually more of a rectangle than a square, and covers an area of 45,000m²! This enormous space is home to a wide range of bars, restaurants, shops, malls, and street food vendors.
At the top of the square, the Prague National Museum sits proudly, watching over the people, shops, and bars.
The square looks equally beautiful both during the day and at night and is a great place to enjoy a leisurely walk or to grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants.
John Lennon Wall
This once plain and simple wall is now covered in a smattering of art, mural,s and graffiti all dedicated to the late Beatles singer, John Lennon.
Lennon’s untimely death was commemorated by people in Prague -- and fans from all over the world -- who show their respect and admiration for the singer at the Lennon Wall by penning decorative Beatles’ lyrics, images, and loving notes.
Dancing House
The Dancing House is actually one of the most recent additions to Prague’s architectural scene. It’s also commonly known as ‘Fred and Ginger’, after the popular dancing duo.
The house is positioned on the corner of a crossroads so it can sometimes prove to be a little tricky to capture the perfect picture of it without a handful of cars whizzing by.
However, it’s worth persevering, as the house has become truly synonymous with the architecture of Prague in recent years.
Franz Kafka Head
This impressive outdoor structure is made of 42 rotating panels that all come together to form an incredibly unique depiction of German writer Franz Kafka’s head.
Standing an impressive 11 metres tall, the installation resides next to the Quadrio shopping centre. Make sure to pay Kafka a visit after a couple of hours shopping!
Wallenstein Garden
I’m sure it’s no surprise after reading this post that Prague is home to many beautiful sights, both naturally occurring and man-made.
Yet another unmissable destination is the Wallenstein Garden. The gardens include patterned hedges, a number of ornamental pools, as well as spectacular structures and sculptures.
If you visit Prague during the summer, you may be lucky enough to catch one of the many shows and performances that are put on in the Wallenstein Garden every year.
PublicDomainPictures Wallenstein Garden.
Where/what to eat
Many cities in Europe are well known for offering vast varieties of delicious dishes and decadent desserts. You’ll be delighted to know that Prague is no different, and you'll have a chance to sample some of the best cuisine in Europe.
Take a look at the list below to find out where/what you should eat while in the Czech capital!
Výtopna
Arguably one of the most unique (and best) places to eat in Prague is the remarkable restaurant of Výtopna.
What makes Výtopna stand out from the crowd isn’t necessarily the food -- although that’s pretty impressive too. But more impressive is the atmosphere and service by which you receive your order.
Výtopna is a table service restaurant, whereby your drink gets delivered to your table via railway train set. Eating and drinking at Výtopna is definitely something you need to experience while in Prague; you’re sure to have never seen anything like it in your life!
Proti Proudu
For some of the best breakfast and brunch options in the city, make sure to pay a visit to Proti Proudu. Here, you’ll find a great selection of morning foods: eggs, bacon, toast, oatmeal, and cakes.
Proti Proudu really does have something for everyone, so whether you’re a vegan, meat-eater, gluten free, or looking for something incredibly rich, indulgent, and chocolatey, Proti Proudu are sure to cater to your needs
Serial Burgers
Contrary to the restaurant above, Serial Burgers doesn’t actually cater to many different types of dietary requirements.
However, if you are a meat-eater, you’re sure to positively adore the menu at Serial Burgers. There are so many options to choose from including rabbit, duck, pulled pork, lamb and the classics such as beef, steak, and chicken burgers.
You’ll truly be spoiled for choice when ordering from Serial Burgers, especially when it comes to choosing your own fries that can be served either with chilli, garlic or rosemary garnish to accompany your decadent, meaty burger!
Trdelník
The Trdelník isn't a restaurant, but a dish -- and one of the most popular in Prague. It’s a type of ‘spit cake’ that’s been grilled and then coated in plenty of sugar and served with a topping or filling of your choice.
Some of the most popular variations of a Trdelník include melted chocolate, ice cream, or fruit and nuts.
There are so many places to purchase a Trdelník in Prague, and each one will taste as unique as the last. It’s a definite must while to try at least one Trdelník. You won’t regret it!
Hotel U Prince
This establishment isn’t just a hotel; it’s also a rooftop bar and restaurant. Located in the central location of the Old Town Square, Hotel U Prince offers guests a charming and romantic setting to sample some of the finest food and drink in Prague.
The food at Hotel U Prince is unique and delicious, with an abundance of amazing meals to try. The atmosphere on the rooftop bar and restaurant is romantic and ever so lovely. It’s sure to provide a treasured memory of Prague.
Take in the spectacular views over the Old Town Square while you savor a refreshing glass of champagne, and enjoy watching the chefs cook your food right in front of your eyes in the outdoor rooftop kitchen!
Whether you pay a visit to Hotel U Prince during the day for sunlit views over the square or you decide to make the most out of the romantic setting in the evening, you can rest assured that your time there will be very well spent.
Richard Mortel/Wikimedia The Old Town Square.
Travel tips
When it comes to visiting anywhere in the world, it’s always a good idea to be well-equipped with some of the most important and necessary travel tips before you go so that you can ensure your trip will be a true success.
Take a look at the travel tips below on how to ensure your Prague trip will be as enjoyable as possible.
Ride the tram
While you may prefer to get a taxi when you’re in another country, it’s actually a much better idea to hop on the tram in Prague. Not only will you be saving yourself a small fortune on transport costs, but you also get to experience the city like a true local.
There are a number of tram routes in Prague that are specifically intended to get you around in the most efficient way, while still showing you everything the city has to offer.
Have spare change for public bathrooms
This is often the case for many large European cities, and Prague is no exception when it comes to public bathrooms.
You can guarantee that you’ll need a small bit of change in order to access most public bathrooms. Even many hotels and bars charge a restroom fee for those who are not actually clients.
Many bathrooms will accept both Euros and Czech Koruna so it’s ideal to have a bit of both on you at all times in case of a bathroom emergency!
Try to avoid the crowds
This point may seem fairly ridiculous and obvious to make, as you probably always want to avoid masses of crowds wherever possible. But it’s particularly important to do so in Prague, especially since it's become so popular in recent years.
One way to avoid the crowds is to visit famous sights and landmarks such as Charles Bridge and Prague Castle as early in the morning as possible.
While there may still be a few people out who have had the same idea, chances are that you’ll have the area pretty much to yourself. This will give you much better chance to see all the beauty that Prague has to offer, as well as to capture stunning pictures of everything.
Prague is rapidly becoming one of the most visited and beloved cities in Europe -- rightly so. Considering the breath-taking architecture, the stunning sights of the cathedrals and churches, as well as the abundance of delicious foods to try, it’s no wonder that Prague is making its way onto everyone’s European bucket list!
A city break in Prague is sure to be an experience that you won’t forget anytime soon, and you’ll likely come away with fantastic stories to tell and stunning pictures to show.
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