Prague, the largest city in the Czech Republic, is a city of two halves divided by the Vltava River.
The historical capital of Bohemia is home to over 1.3 million people and a cultural, political, and once the economic center of Europe and one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe.
It offers a multitude of tourist attractions ranging from the famous Charles Bridge to Prague Castle, Old Town Square, and the atmospheric Jewish Quarter.
That’s not all. Prague boasts lush scenic parks, observation towers offering amazing city views, a multitude of museums and galleries, and delicious food and drink!
Check out our list of things to do in Prague below so you don’t waste a single moment of your trip to the Czech Republic!
Top Things To Do In Prague
Stroll across the Charles Bridge
You may recognize Charles Bridge from various Hollywood movies (think Mission: Impossible and Kafka), and it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Prague.
Construction of the bridge began in 1357 and took until the early 15th century to complete.
It provided the only means of crossing Vltava River from Prague Castle to the Old Town, and after it was finished, the city became part of an important trade route between eastern and western Europe.
The bridge itself, made from Bohemian sandstone, is decorated with an avenue of 30 baroque-style statues depicting saints and patrons of the city, although these are replicas.
The original statues are displayed in Prague’s National Museum.
Visit Prague’s Museums
National Museum is comprised of 10 different museums dotted throughout Prague.
Specializing in natural science and history, the collections showcase over 14 million artifacts.
If you’re into art, Museum Kampa on Kampa Island’s eastern shore features works from European artists, and the Czech Museum of Music set inside an old Baroque church, and police barracks showcases a multitude of instruments and a piano once played by Mozart during a visit to Prague!
Also in the city, stands an interesting Jewish Museum displaying valuable artifacts confiscated during the Second World War and a Museum of Communism, which highlights life in the Czech Republic during this era.
Visit Prague Castle
Dating from the 9th century, Prague Castle was once a seat of Bohemian Kings and Roman Emperors.
Today, it stands close to the river, an official residence of the President of the Czech Republic.
During the reign of the House of Habsburg, the venue became a vibrant location for meetings, assemblies, and coronations.
It was later enriched with a Royal Palace, landscaped gardens, summer retreats, and accommodations, the latter of which counted astronomer Johannes Kepler as a guest.
Today visitors can walk through the Castle and its grounds or take a guided tour to learn more about its storied history.
The Powder Tower
The powder tower, a 65m tall tower which is also known as the powder gate, is one of the original gates into Prague, these days, it separates the old part of town and the new part of the city. The construction of the tower started in 1475.
The tower was used to store gun powder until the 17th century, hence the name Power Tower.
Step Back in Time at Golden Lane
Close to Prague Castle is Golden Lane. This charming street, adorned with pastel-coloured houses, dates to the 15th century when it was home to alchemists, craftspeople, and goldsmiths.
Novelist and story writer Franz Kafka also spent time living in house number 22.
Most houses have been transformed into souvenirs and bookstores; however, the essence of the lane remains, and visitors can pop into specific houses to see how citizens used to live.
Explore Prague’s Old Town Square
There are many highlights to Prague’s Old Town Square. The first is a medieval Orloj or colorful Astronomical Clock built in the early 1400s.
It shows the current position of zodiac signs and selected celestial objects, and back in the day, it was considered high-tech and state-of-the-art.
If you arrive just before the clock strikes on the hour, you’ll also be able to see 12 wooden apostles appearing in the windows. If you have more time, climb the steps at the Old Town Hall tower.
The view from the top is simply spectacular with vistas of Tyn Church gothic spires and towards picture-postcard houses in the square. It’s a must for photographers.
Discover the Historical Jewish Quarter
Josefov, also known as Prague’s Jewish Quarter, is located between Old Town Square and the river.
During the 13th century, the Jewish people were banned from living anywhere else in the city, except for in this one area.
Throughout centuries, emperors came and went, each commanding structural changes and remodeling, which forced the people to flee on more than one occasion.
Today, the quarter is home to several synagogues, museums and an Old Jewish cemetery said to be one of the most impressive in the world.
There are many stories attached to the district, therefore, it’s preferable to visit with a guide to gain a full understanding of what occurred here, particularly during WWII.
Admire St Vitus Cathedral
King John of Bohemia laid the first foundations for the Gothic-style cathedral in 1344. When completed, the cathedral became a place of worship, a space for coronations, and a burial chamber for saints and sovereigns.
Today, St Vitus Cathedral appeals to historians, lovers of architecture, and those interested in religion.
The interior is a veritable feast of stained glass, mosaics, and artwork – the most impressive being Rose Window which shows the creation of the world according to the bible.
This, coupled with artwork, crown jewels, and photo opportunities from the Great South Tower, should inspire you to add this historic gem to your Prague itinerary.
Photograph the Lennon Wall
Tucked away in a small square near the French Embassy, Lennon Wall has changed a lot over the years. During the 1980s, it was decorated with graffiti – lyrics written by John Lennon and curated pictures of The Beatles.
However, over the decades, the wall has been defaced and painted over many times. In 2019, it was reconstructed, and the area designated an open-air gallery for 30 Czech and foreign artists.
They were allowed to paint new subject matter on the wall, with one caveat, the messages could only contain images and written work relating to freedom, love, and positivity.
Browse the local Farmer’s Market
One of Prague’s most popular markets is Naplavka Farmer’s Market on a Saturday. Arrive early to browse and sample a cornucopia of Czech produce ranging from fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables to cheeses, bread, beer, and wine.
Live music plays throughout the morning, and stalls and cafes serve hot breakfast and brunch as you enjoy the lively atmosphere and views of Vysehrad Fortress and the river.
Cruise Along Vltava River
If you’re spending a few days in Prague and want to see as many attractions as possible, you can enjoy a Prague River Cruise.
There are several tour operators offering lunch and dinner cruises on the Vltava River where you can obtain incredible views of Prague’s iconic tourist attractions, including Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, National Theatre, Vysehrad Fortress, and more.
If you’re visiting Prague with friends, you may also enjoy the Happy Hour River Cruises or New Year’s Eve cruise with a live DJ onboard.
Try Traditional Czech Snacks
If you thought Czech cuisine was all about the meat and potatoes, it is…kind of, but there’s much more to Czech food than meets the eye, and delicious dishes are hidden away in bakeries, pubs, and restaurants in the city.
A couple of treats to sample during your stay in Prague include Knedliky – delicious dumplings that can be sweet, or savory filled with fruit jam, cheese, or meat, Bramboraky potato pancakes with spices – cooked until golden and crispy and Krupicova Kashe, delicious semolina milk with mixed fruit and sugar – the ultimate in Czech comfort food! Also, don’t forget to try the artisan bread and pickled cheese!
Walk to Malá Strana
Malá Strana is one of Prague’s oldest districts. Located on the left bank of Vltava River in Lesser Town, it is part of the Castle District and accessible via Charles Bridge.
The buildings are well preserved, with palaces, pretty squares, and churches dotted around the area. Some highlights to visit include the gardens of Kampa Island, St. Nicholas Church, Vrtba Garden, and John Lennon Wall.
Gain Amazing Views of Prague from Petřín Hill
Petřín Observation Tower on Petřín Hill in Malá Strana district in Prague appears to resemble the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
It sits upon a hill rising 140 meters above sea level and can be accessed on foot or via a funicular railway.
The tower offers magnificent views across the city of Prague and its river, but even if you don’t make it as far as the tower, a stroll through the park below is just as rewarding with a mirror maze labyrinth, picnic areas, and nature walks.
Dancing House
One of the newest and most fascinating architectural expressions of Prague is the “Dancing Houses” which was only completed back in 1996.
The iconic building is home to a hotel, private residences and has a rooftop restaurant & cafe with one of the best views in all of the city.
Žižkov Television Tower
Maybe the most recognizable structure in Prague, the 216m tall Žižkov Television Tower, located high above the cities skyline, on the top of a hill is the Tv tower visible from all over Prague.
The tower which opened in 1992, is home to an observatory at 93m, a restaurant at 66m, and one of the most unique hotels in the world, the One Room hotel, just like the name says, a hotel with only one room.
The outside of the tower has ten baby climbing statues on it, one of the most bizarre art pieces in the city.
There are also eight baby statues located on the Kampa island in the central part of the old town.
Prague Zoo
While I’m not a fan of zoos, so are the Prague zoo often considered to be one of the better Zoos around the world. The park opened in 1931 and is today home to more than 5,000 animals from just 676 species, including 132 species listed as threatened.
The Zoo is the world-leading breeder of Komodo dragons in captivity.
The Zoo is a good place to go for a couple of hours with your kids when they have had enough of the old buildings in the old town.
Take a daytrip to Karlštejn Castle
One of the easiest and most popular day trips you can do from Prague is to the impressive Karlštejn Castle, a Gothic castle founded in 1348.
The impressive castle is located only 30 kilometers southwest of Prague, making it an easy and short daytrip, which is accessible with public transportation or as part of a day tour.
Getting to Prague
As Prague is pretty much located in the center of Europe, it’s easy to reach from most surrounding countries and beyond.
Prague Ruzyne Airport lies 15 kilometers from the city center and receives regular flights from European countries and from the USA, Canada, and Asia.
Most European cities operate trains to Prague with services from Vienna to Prague by train takes around 4 hours.
There’s an 8-hour traveling time from Budapest to Prague by rail, and it’s 4 hours from Bratislava to Prague.
The road infrastructure in the Czech Republic is uncomplicated too, therefore, driving to the Czech Republic is relatively easy.
However, if you do plan to drive to Prague, you may find parking spaces scarce, so ensure your hotel or accommodation has parking access.
Prague has one main bus terminal called Florenc bus terminal in the New part of town. This bus station has services to and from other towns and cities in the Czech Republic and throughout Europe.
Getting Around Prague
While staying in Prague, you can get around easily on foot. The city’s 10 districts are accessible by metro, taxi, Uber, tram, ferry, and bicycle.
Prague metro is cheap and efficient, offering a good way to cover longer distances. It services the main train and bus station and operates daily from 5 am until midnight.
*A top tip is to use the green line to access Prague’s major tourist attractions.
There are tram services that run every 5-10 minutes during peak hours, and city buses are great for serving outlying areas and the airport.
If you prefer to take a walking tour of Prague, pack comfortable shoes as you will cover a lot of kilometers, or if you plan to cycle, Prague bike rental companies offer short- or long-term bike-share schemes and pink bikes can be hired from stands throughout the city via an app.
As with most cities in the world, ordering a taxi over the phone is better than hailing one in the street to avoid any overcharging surprises.
