Places to Visit in Europe
Prague, Czech Republic skyline

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague sits in the middle of the Czech Republic on the Vltava River, the country's largest and most beautiful city, and one of the few European capitals where the medieval centre has survived almost intact. Walking across the Charles Bridge in the early morning, looking up at Prague Castle on the hill, then descending into the Old Town with its Gothic spires and baroque domes is one of those experiences that justifies a long-haul flight on its own.

The city's history runs deep. Prague became a seat of the Holy Roman Empire under Charles IV in the 14th century, who turned it into one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in medieval Europe. The Charles Bridge, Charles University (founded 1348, the oldest in central Europe), and the New Town all date from his reign. A second golden age came under Rudolf II at the turn of the 17th century, when Prague was again an imperial capital and a centre of art, science, and astronomy. The 18th and 19th centuries added the baroque palaces, the classical concert halls, and the Czech National Revival that gave the city its modern identity. Prague then spent most of the 20th century under communism, which — paradoxically — protected much of the old town from the modern development that flattened other central European cities, leaving it today with one of the best-preserved historical centres in Europe.

For travellers, Prague offers something genuinely rare: a major European capital that is still relatively affordable, walkable end to end, and dense with sights. You can see the major sites in two days, spend a third day in the neighbourhoods beyond the centre, and use the city as a base for day trips to Kutná Hora, the Bohemian Switzerland national park, and the wine country of Moravia. This guide covers the essential sights, the best places to stay in each neighbourhood, where to eat, a three-day itinerary, the events worth planning around, and the practical details for visiting in 2026.

Best Places to Stay

Prague's accommodation clusters in and around the historical centre. Staré Město (Old Town) and Malá Strana (Lesser Town) are the most beautiful and the most expensive. Nové Město (New Town) and Vinohrady are the more local, more affordable options with the best restaurants. Where you stay will shape your Prague: staying in Malá Strana means walking across the Charles Bridge to reach the Old Town, while staying in Vinohrady means a tram ride and a more authentic neighbourhood.

Old Town (Staré Město): The medieval heart of the city, packed with Gothic, baroque, and Renaissance buildings, and within a few minutes' walk of the Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock, the Jewish Quarter, and the Charles Bridge. Four Seasons Hotel Prague (Veleslavínova 2a) is the city's most luxurious grand hotel, on the river with views of the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, and the kind of elegant service that justifies the price. Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Letenská 12/33, Malá Strana — technically a few minutes from the Old Town) is in a beautifully restored 13th-century monastery next to the Wallenstein Palace, with a beautiful courtyard and a literary-themed bar. Hotel Kings Court (U Obecního domu 3) is a contemporary five-star in a historic building next to the Municipal House, with a large spa and pool. Ventana Hotel Prague (Celetná 7) is a smaller boutique option in a 14th-century building on the main Old Town shopping street.

Lesser Town (Malá Strana): The baroque quarter on the hill below Prague Castle, full of noble palaces, gardens, and the kind of quiet cobblestone streets that the Old Town no longer has. The Mozart Prague (Karolíny Světlé 34) is named for the composer (who lived in the building) and is the most romantic luxury option in the city, with classical concerts held in the same building. Hotel U Zlatého studna (Zlatá ulička / Golden Lane 14) is a small four-star in a 16th-century building on the actual Golden Lane below the castle, with castle views from the upper rooms. Aria Hotel Prague (Tržiště 9) is a music-themed boutique hotel with a beautiful glass-walled courtyard and a rooftop terrace overlooking the city.

New Town (Nové Město) and Vinohrady: The local Prague. Nové Město surrounds Wenceslas Square and is full of art-nouveau apartment buildings, restaurants, and the city's main shopping streets. Vinohrady, a tram ride east, is the leafy residential neighbourhood that younger Czechs and expats actually live in. Mosaic House Design Hotel (Odborů 4) is a stylish mid-range option in a restored art-nouveau building a few minutes from the river, with both hotel rooms and hostel-style dorms. Hotel Golden Angel (Na Příkopě 6) is a solid mid-range option right on the main shopping street, a few minutes' walk from the Old Town Square. The Emblem Hotel (Platnéřská 19) is a boutique design hotel in the Old Town with a great rooftop bar. Mamaison Hotel Riverside Prague (Janáčkovo nábřeží 15) is a four-star on the riverbank south of the centre, with views of Prague Castle across the water and easy tram access. Hotel Paříž Prague (U Obecního domu 1) is an art-nouveau landmark from 1904 with a beautiful wrought-iron staircase, right next to the Municipal House.

Budget: Prague is one of the best-value capitals in Europe, and the budget options are genuinely good. Czech Inn (Francouzská 76, Vršovice) is a reliable design hostel with both dorms and private rooms in a quiet residential neighbourhood. Hostel One Prague (Hybernská 36) is a small, well-run social hostel near the Old Town. Sir Toby's Hostel (Dělnická 24, Holešovice) is in a converted factory in the up-and-coming Holešovice district, with a large common area and good tram access. Mosaic House Design Hotel also has budget rooms. Hotel Pod Věží (Mostecká 20, Malá Strana) is a small, atmospheric two-star right on the Charles Bridge approach.

Best Places to Eat

Czech food is hearty, meat-and-dumpling cuisine built around pork, beef, game, and potatoes, with strong regional traditions in soups, sausages, dumplings, and desserts. The city has also developed a serious modern food scene in the last decade, with chefs reinventing traditional Czech ingredients in creative ways. Beer is the national drink — the Czech Republic has the highest per-capita beer consumption in the world, and Prague has more than 70 breweries operating in the city and surrounding region.

Traditional Czech: The classic Czech hospoda (pub) is one of the best ways to eat in Prague: a small neighbourhood restaurant with a long bar, hearty portions, and unpasteurised Pilsner Urquell on tap. Lokál Dlouhááá (Dlouhá 33, Old Town) is the most famous of the modern Czech pubs, part of a small chain that has helped revive the country's traditional beer-hall culture. The tank Pilsner Urquell is the cleanest pint in the city, and the kitchen does a proper svíčková (marinated beef sirloin with cream sauce and bread dumplings), guláš, and pečená kachna (roast duck). U Modré Kachničky (Nebovidská 6, Malá Strana) is the best-known traditional restaurant in Malá Strana, famous for its roast duck and game, with a wood-panelled dining room that has not changed in decades. U Fleků (Křemencová 11, New Town) is a tourist-magnet but worth a visit: a 12th-century brewery that has been pouring its own dark lager since 1499, with a large beer hall, a small museum, and a band playing Czech songs in the evenings. Restaurace Mlejnice (Koenská 14, Old Town) is a reliable Old Town option for traditional Czech food at honest prices, with a good svíčková and guláš. Na Přístavě (Přístavní 21, Holešovice) is a small riverside restaurant serving proper Czech food to a mostly local crowd, with a small terrace overlooking the Vltava.

Fine Dining: Prague's fine-dining scene is much more developed than its reputation suggests, with a handful of restaurants on the World's 50 Best lists. La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise (Haštalská 18, Old Town) is the city's best-known fine-dining restaurant, with a Michelin star and a tasting menu that reinterprets historical Czech recipes. Field (U Milosrdných 12, Old Town) is a small Michelin-starred restaurant from chef Richard Štefán, with a tasting menu that draws on modern Czech cuisine. Alkohol (Dlouhá 12, Old Town) is a one-Michelin-star neo-bistro with a short but inventive menu. U Zeleného kocoura (náměstí Míru 8, Vinohrady) is a small restaurant serving modern Czech food in a quiet residential square.

Beer and Beer Halls: Prague is a beer city. The tradition is to drink unfiltered, unpasteurised Pilsner Urquell (or Gambrinus, Staropramen, Budvar, or one of the dozens of small craft breweries that have opened in the last decade), usually with a snack or a full meal. Pivnice U Swan (V Kolkovně 3, Old Town) is one of the best of the modern Czech pubs, with great tank beer and reliable food. Pivovarský klub (Křemencová 17, New Town) is the city's best craft-beer pub, with more than 200 Czech and international beers on tap and bottle. Lokál (multiple locations, including Dlouhá 33, Karmelitská 13, and the Národní třída branch) is the most reliable chain for honest Czech food and good beer. Novoměstský pivovar (Vodičkova 20, New Town) is a working brewery in the centre with a large restaurant and a range of unfiltered beers brewed on the premises.

Street Food and Markets: The classic Czech street food is trdelník (a sweet pastry rolled around a stick, roasted, and topped with sugar and walnuts — now sold in dozens of stalls around the Old Town Square despite being originally Slovak), klobása (grilled sausage), smažený sýr (fried cheese in breadcrumbs, served with tartar sauce and bread), and bramboráky (potato pancakes). Sisters (náměstí Míru 4, Vinohrady) is the city's most popular brunch spot, with a long menu of modern Czech food. Manifesto Market (Šafář̌kovo nábřeží, Smíchov) is a permanent street-food market on the river with a rotating lineup of local chefs, and one of the best places to sample a range of modern Czech food in a casual setting. Náplavka Farmers' Market (Rašínovo nábřeží, New Town) is the Saturday-morning riverside farmers' market, with local cheeses, meats, breads, pastries, and produce.

Sweet Things: Prague has a strong café and pastry tradition. Café Imperial (Na Poříčí 15, New Town) is a stunning art-nouveau café with original mosaics, marble columns, and a cake trolley. Café Louvre (Národní třída 22, New Town) is a grand 1902 café where Kafka, Einstein, and a young Tomáš Masaryk used to sit; the cakes and the Viennese-style coffee are both excellent. Mlejn (Holečkova 4, Smíchov) is a small bakery and café with the best bread in the city. IF Café (Opatovická 16, New Town) is a tiny Italian-style espresso bar with excellent coffee and pastries.

Best Sites to Visit

Prague Castle (Pražský hrad): The largest ancient castle complex in the world at 70,000 square metres, perched on a hill above the Vltava and dominating the city skyline. The castle has been the seat of Czech power for more than 1,100 years, and the current complex is a layer cake of styles — Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, baroque, and 20th-century restorations. The main sights are the St. Vitus Cathedral (the Gothic cathedral at the heart of the complex, with the tomb of St. Wenceslas, the crown jewels, the stained-glass window by Alfons Mucha, and the great south tower), the Old Royal Palace (the seat of Czech kings until the 17th century, with the vast Vladislav Hall), the Basilica of St. George (a Romanesque church with a baroque facade and the tombs of the Přemyslid princes), and the Golden Lane (a narrow street of small brightly painted houses that once housed the castle's marksmen, and where Kafka wrote for a while in his aunt's house, no. 22). Plan at least three hours. The complex is open daily; the cathedral is free to enter, but the rest of the sights require a ticket (around CZK 450 for the full circuit, CZK 350 reduced). The Changing of the Guard at noon is the famous one.

Charles Bridge (Karlův most): The 14th-century stone bridge that crosses the Vltava between the Old Town and Malá Strana, with 30 baroque statues lining both sides. The bridge was commissioned by Charles IV in 1357 and has been the city's most famous sight ever since. The views in both directions — back to the Old Town, up to Prague Castle — are the iconic Prague shot. The bridge is at its most beautiful at sunrise, when there are no tourists, and at sunset, when the statues and the skyline turn gold. The bridge is also packed all day with street artists, musicians, and vendors; if you want it (almost) empty, be there at 6am.

Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí): The 12th-century square that has been the heart of Prague for almost a thousand years, ringed by Gothic, baroque, and Renaissance buildings. The Astronomical Clock (Orloj) on the Old Town Hall is the most famous sight — a 15th-century mechanical clock that shows the positions of the sun and moon, the signs of the zodiac, and a procession of apostles that marches through two small windows every hour. The crowds at the top of the hour are large; the show is short (about 45 seconds). The square also contains the Church of Our Lady before Týn (the twin Gothic spires that define the Old Town skyline), the Church of St. Nicholas (a baroque masterpiece by Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer), the Old Town Hall (with a tower that you can climb for the best view in the centre), and the Jan Hus Memorial (the 1915 monument to the religious reformer).

Jewish Quarter (Josefov): The small neighbourhood just north of the Old Town Square that was Prague's Jewish ghetto from the 13th century until the 19th. The Jewish Museum in Prague is a complex of five synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery — one of the most visited Jewish heritage sites in Europe. The Spanish Synagogue, the Maisel Synagogue, the Pinkas Synagogue (with its heartbreaking list of 77,297 Czech Jews murdered in the Holocaust inscribed on the walls), and the Klausen Synagogue are all included in the museum ticket (around CZK 500). The Old Jewish Cemetery, with its layer-upon-layer of graves (12,000 visible stones in a space that was used for 300 years), is the most moving part.

Petřín Hill and the Lookout Tower: A large wooded hill in the middle of the city, just west of Malá Strana, with the Petřín Lookout Tower (a 63.5-metre iron tower built in 1891 and modelled on the Eiffel Tower, with views over the city), a small mirror maze, a rose garden, the Memorial to the Victims of Communism (a row of bronze statues slowly disappearing into the ground), and the Strahov Monastery on the eastern slope, with the beautiful Strahov Library and the Monastery Brewery, one of the oldest continuously operating breweries in the country. The funicular railway from Újezd in Malá Strana is the easiest way up.

Vyšehrad: The 10th-century fort on a hill above the river south of the centre, founded (legend has it) by the Přemyslid prince Krok, and the original seat of the Czech ruling dynasty before Prague Castle. The fort is a 19th-century romanticised reconstruction with stretches of the original walls, the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul (a neo-Gothic church with a beautiful interior and an adjoining cemetery), the Vyšehrad Cemetery (the resting place of Dvořák, Smetana, Mucha, and many of the leading figures of Czech art and music), and a small park with stunning views back over the Vltava to Prague Castle. Entry is free.

Dvořák Hall and the Rudolfinum: The Rudolfinum (Alšovo nábřeží 12) is a 19th-century neo-Renaissance concert hall on the Old Town side of the river, home to the Czech Philharmonic and one of the most beautiful concert halls in Europe. The Dvořák Hall is the main performance space, and a concert here — usually a symphony or a chamber programme — is one of the best evening activities in Prague.

Municipal House (Obecní dům): A grand art-nouveau building on náměstí Republiky, the cultural centre of Czech independence (the Czechoslovak Republic was proclaimed here in 1918), and now a concert venue, restaurant, and café. The interior is a riot of art-nouveau mosaic, stained glass, and allegorical paintings by Mucha, Špillar, and other leading Czech artists of the early 20th century. The Restaurant Municipal House is a beautiful art-nouveau dining room, and the American Bar on the ground floor is the most elegant place for a cocktail in the city.

Sample 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: The Castle and Malá Strana. Start with the funicular up to Petřín Hill for the morning views, then descend to the Prague Castle complex for the full circuit (allow at least three hours). Lunch in Malá Strana at U Modré Kachničky or a quick bite at one of the cafés in the neighbourhood. Cross the Charles Bridge slowly in the early afternoon, stopping at the statues, then spend the rest of the afternoon in the Old Town Square (climb the Old Town Hall tower, visit the astronomical clock, walk into the Church of Our Lady before Týn). Dinner at Lokál Dlouhááá for the modern Czech pub experience, then a concert at the Dvořák Hall in the Rudolfinum (or a performance at the Estates Theatre, where Mozart premiered Don Giovanni in 1787).

Day 2: The Jewish Quarter, the New Town, and Modern Czech Food. Morning in the Jewish Quarter for the full museum complex and the Old Jewish Cemetery (allow 2-3 hours), then a walk through the Old Town to the Municipal House for the art-nouveau interior and a coffee in the American Bar. Lunch at Sisters in Vinohrady (tram 22 from the centre), then spend the afternoon exploring Vinohrady and the surrounding residential neighbourhoods — the parks, the farmers' market at Náplavka (Saturday morning), the architecture. Evening at La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise or a modern Czech restaurant in the Old Town, followed by a drink at one of the cocktail bars in Dlouhá or Karolíny Světlé.

Day 3: Vyšehrad, the Parks, and the Beer Scene. Morning at Vyšehrad for the fort, the Basilica, the cemetery, and the river views. Walk along the Vltava to the National Theatre, then cross the river to the Petřín Hill area for a walk through the parks. Lunch at Manifesto Market on the river, or at Lokál Národní for the New Town branch. Afternoon in the New Town for the art-nouveau architecture along the main avenues, the Wenceslas Square, the Mucha Museum, and the National Museum. End the day with a tour and tasting at Pivovarský klub (or at one of the working breweries like Novoměstský pivovar or Lobkowicz in the suburb of Stodůlky), and a final pint at one of the traditional beer halls in the centre.

Note: Buy a Prague Cool Pass (€69 for 2 days, €89 for 3 days) if you are planning to visit multiple major sights — it covers entry to more than 70 attractions and includes the airport transfer. The Prague public transport (DPP) day pass (CZK 120) covers the metro, trams, and buses. Wear comfortable shoes for cobblestone streets, drink the local Pilsner, and don't try to do the castle on a Monday — the Changing of the Guard and many of the interiors are closed.

Upcoming Events 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need for Prague? 3 full days is the minimum to cover the castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town, and Jewish Quarter. 4 days allows for a day trip to Kutna Hora or Bohemian Switzerland. A week lets you add Cesky Krumlov, Brno, and the Moravian wine country.

What is the best area to stay? For first-time visitors, the Old Town (Stare Mesto) or Malá Strana is the most central. For a more local, more affordable experience, stay in Vinohrady or Nové Město (New Town), a short tram ride from the centre. For the best views of the castle, stay on the Malá Strana side of the river.

Is Prague expensive? Prague is mid-range for central Europe and one of the better-value capitals. Hotel prices are higher in the centre but reasonable compared to Paris, London, or Vienna. Czech food and beer are inexpensive, and the many free sights (Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Petrin Hill, Vysehrad) keep costs down. Plan on around 60 to 100 EUR per day for a mid-range traveller.

Is Prague safe at night? The Old Town, Mala Strana, and the central neighbourhoods are safe at night. The same common-sense precautions as any major European city apply - watch for pickpockets in the most crowded areas around the Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge. Avoid the main train station (Hlavni nadrazi) area late at night.

Do I need a visa for the Czech Republic? EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can enter without a visa. UK citizens can enter freely. Visitors from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most other countries can enter for up to 90 days without a visa under the Schengen rules. The Czech Republic uses the Schengen visa system - check the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the latest entry requirements.

Is the tap water safe in Prague? Yes, the tap water is excellent and safe to drink. Prague draws its water from the Vltava and the protected natural reservoirs in the Bohemian Forest, and the water quality is among the best in Europe. You can refill a bottle from any tap.

Travel Tips

When to Visit: The best months are May, June, and September, when the weather is warm, the crowds are smaller than in July and August, and the gardens are at their best. December is magical for the Christmas markets. July and August are the busiest, with long queues at the major sights and higher hotel prices. January and February are quiet but cold (often below freezing).

Currency: The Czech koruna (CZK). Most places accept cards, but small cafés, market stalls, and some shops still prefer cash. ATMs are widely available. Tipping is the same 10% as elsewhere in central Europe — round up the bill or leave small change.

Language: Czech. English is widely spoken in the centre, less so in the residential neighbourhoods. A few Czech phrases go a long way: dobry den (hello), dekuji (thank you), prosim (please), na zdraví (cheers).

Free Things: Walking across the Charles Bridge, the Old Town Square, and the Petřín Hill are all free. The Prague Castle complex is partially free — the cathedral is free, but the palace, the basilica, and the Golden Lane require a ticket. The Jewish Museum is paid, but you can walk through the Old Jewish Cemetery for free from the outside. The Vyšehrad fort, the parks, and the Vltava riverfront are all free.

Tipping and Beer: Tipping 10% in restaurants. In pubs, the practice is to tip the server 20-50 CZK or order an extra half-pint for them. Beer is sold by 0.5L (velké pivo) and 0.3L (malé pivo) — half-litres are the standard.

Day Trips: Kutná Hora (an hour by train) is the most popular day trip from Prague — a former silver-mining town with the spectacular Sedlec Ossuary (the "bone church"), the Gothic St. Barbara's Church, and a beautifully preserved old town. Bohemian Switzerland National Park (1.5 hours) has the famous Pravčická brána, the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe. Karlštejn Castle (45 minutes) is a 14th-century Gothic castle built by Charles IV to hold the crown jewels, in the wooded hills south of Prague. Český Krumlov is a 2.5-hour bus ride, too far for a day trip but worth an overnight.

Nearby destinations

Vienna Austria · 4h by train Budapest Hungary · 7h by train Berlin Germany · 4.5h by train Munich Germany · 5h by train Krakow Poland · 6h by train