Why Visit Prague?
Prague enchants as one of Europe's most romantic capitals where Gothic spires pierce skylines, the 600-year-old Charles Bridge hosts street musicians and artists beneath baroque statues, and centuries-old beer halls pour pilsner at prices that make Western Europeans weep with joy. The 'City of a Hundred Spires' (1.3 million, 2.7 million metro) survived both World Wars relatively intact, preserving medieval Old Town's astronomical clock that draws crowds every hour, Prague Castle's sprawling complex overlooking red rooftops, and Jewish Quarter's haunting synagogues telling stories of survival. The Vltava River snakes through the city—take river cruises past Kampa Island, rent paddleboats, or simply stroll the embankments at golden hour when castle lights illuminate Gothic silhouettes.
Old Town Square's Easter and Christmas markets transform the medieval heart into fairytale scenes, while the Astronomical Clock's hourly show (dating to 1410) mesmerizes tourists despite locals rolling their eyes. Charles Bridge connects Old Town with Lesser Town (Malá Strana)—cross at dawn for photos without crowds, browse artisan stalls, and climb both bridge towers for panoramic views. Prague Castle complex requires half a day: St.
Vitus Cathedral's stained glass, Golden Lane's colorful cottages where Kafka wrote, and changing of guards ceremony. Yet venture beyond tourist center: Letná Park's beer garden overlooks the city, Vyšehrad fortress offers quieter castle views, and Žižkov district's hipster bars contrast Old Town's tourist traps. Czech beer culture defines Prague—traditional pubs (hospoda) serve half-liters for $2–$3 beer gardens fill parks in summer, and Pilsner Urquell, Budvar, and Staropramen flow cheaper than water.
Food evolved beyond heavy dumplings: modern Czech cuisine lightens traditional svíčková and goulash, while international restaurants reflect cosmopolitan growth. Day trips reach Kutná Hora's bone church (1 hour), Karlštejn Castle (45 min), or Český Krumlov's fairy-tale town (2.5 hours). The metro, trams, and walking make cars unnecessary, English is widely spoken among younger generations, and central location enables weekend trips across Central Europe.
With affordable prices (by Western standards), walkable historic center, vibrant nightlife mixing beer halls with techno clubs, and architectural beauty rivaling Paris or Vienna, Prague delivers Central European charm without breaking budgets.
What to Do
Prague Icons
Charles Bridge
Visit before 7am or after 9pm to experience the bridge without tour groups—sunrise is especially magical as the city wakes up. The statues are free to admire; touching the bronze plaque of St John of Nepomuk on the left side mid-bridge is said to bring good luck. Skip overpriced portrait artists and souvenir stands right on the bridge.
Prague Castle Complex
Buy the Main Circuit ticket (around 450 CZK) for access to St Vitus Cathedral's interior, the Old Royal Palace, St George's Basilica and Golden Lane. Enter via the back gate from tram 22 (Prašský hrad stop) to avoid the steep hill and busiest security queues. Go close to opening or late afternoon. Courtyards and gardens are free, and after the houses close you can walk Golden Lane itself for free, but interiors remain ticketed.
Astronomical Clock & Old Town Square
The clock show runs every hour on the hour and lasts under a minute—crowds gather five minutes before. The real star is the surrounding Old Town Square with its Gothic and Baroque facades. For views, climb the Old Town Hall Tower (ticket roughly 350–450 CZK depending on type) instead of paying silly prices at nearby rooftop bars.
Hidden Prague
Vyšehrad Fortress
A quieter alternative to Prague Castle with sweeping Vltava views and strong local vibes. The grounds are free 24/7; a few interiors charge small fees. Visit the cemetery where famous Czechs like Dvořák and Mucha are buried, then walk back along the river to the center (about 30 minutes). Beer gardens and pubs here feel authentic and are noticeably cheaper than in Old Town.
Letná Park & Beer Garden
Letná offers some of the best sunset views over Prague's bridges and spires. The main beer garden near Letenský zámeček is where locals go on warm evenings: expect shared tables, simple taps and half-litres for normal Prague prices. The giant metronome area above is fun for views but gets more touristy—head a little deeper into the park for quieter spots.
Petřín Hill & Observation Tower
Take the funicular up from Újezd—24/72-hour public transport tickets and passes are valid, otherwise buy a special funicular ticket at the station. The Petřín Lookout Tower (about 250 CZK adult) is a mini Eiffel Tower with 360° views that often feels less crowded than the castle. Wander back down through orchards and gardens for a surprisingly peaceful walk right next to the city center.
Kampa Island
A leafy island just below Charles Bridge with calmer riverside paths and views back to the Old Town. The John Lennon Wall is free to visit—bring your own marker if you want to add to it. Kampa Museum's sculpture park along the water is a chilled place to sit, and nearby ice cream spots like Angelato are local favorites. Cross the little bridges over Čertovka (Devil's Channel) for postcard-worthy scenes.
Czech Beer & Food
Traditional Beer Halls
Avoid the most obvious Old Town Square traps where a half-litre can hit 120+ CZK. For classic beer halls, try U Fleků (historic brewery from 1499—touristy but atmospheric), Lokál (multiple locations with great tank Pilsner and honest Czech food), or U Zlatého Tygra (Havel's favourite, famously cash-only and very local). In a normal pub, expect to pay roughly 50–80 CZK for 0.5L of lager.
Náplavka Riverfront
The Náplavka embankment south of the center is where younger Praguers gather on warm evenings—floating bars, food trucks and live music in summer. Drinking beer by the river is common and generally allowed here, but there's a night ban from around midnight to 9am and some zones have extra restrictions, so always check local signs to avoid fines.
Karlín & Žižkov Neighborhoods
Trendy districts where a lot of actual Praguers live, eat and drink, with far fewer tourists than Old Town. Karlín has hip cafés and restaurants (think Eska, Proti Proudu) in converted industrial buildings. Žižkov is packed with classic pubs, the brutalist TV Tower (216m) with city views, and Riegrovy Sady park, whose beer garden is a summer evening institution.
Gallery
Travel Information
Getting There
- Airports: PRG
Best Time to Visit
April, May, June, September, October
Climate: Moderate
Weather by Month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°C | -1°C | 7 | Good |
| February | 9°C | 2°C | 17 | Wet |
| March | 10°C | 1°C | 8 | Good |
| April | 18°C | 4°C | 3 | Excellent (best) |
| May | 18°C | 8°C | 13 | Excellent (best) |
| June | 22°C | 14°C | 18 | Excellent (best) |
| July | 26°C | 15°C | 10 | Good |
| August | 26°C | 16°C | 11 | Good |
| September | 21°C | 11°C | 7 | Excellent (best) |
| October | 14°C | 7°C | 15 | Excellent (best) |
| November | 8°C | 2°C | 5 | Good |
| December | 5°C | 0°C | 8 | Good |
Weather data: Open-Meteo Archive (2020-2024) • Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0) • Historical avg. 2020–2024
Budget
Excludes flights
Visa Requirements
Schengen Area
💡 🌍 Traveler Tip (November 2025): Best time to visit: April, May, June, September, October.
Practical Information
Getting There
Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) is 17km west. Airport Express bus to the main station costs 100 CZK (~$4) and takes ~35 minutes. Public bus 119 to metro 40 Kč/$2 Uber/Bolt $13–$19 Taxis $22–$32 (use official ranks only). Prague is Central Europe's rail hub—direct trains from Vienna (4hr), Berlin (4.5hr), Munich (6hr), Budapest (7hr), Kraków (8hr). Buses (Flixbus, RegioJet) connect regional cities affordably.
Getting Around
Prague has excellent public transport: metro (3 lines), trams, buses. Single ticket 40 Kč/$2 (90 min), day pass 120 Kč/$5 Buy from machines or shops (not drivers). Must validate! Historic center is compact and walkable—Old Town to Castle is 25 min walk. Uber/Bolt work well. Bikes available but cobblestones challenging. Don't rent cars—parking nightmarish and unnecessary.
Money & Payments
Czech Crown (Koruna, Kč, CZK). Exchange rate: $1 ≈ 24-25 Kč, $1 ≈ 22-23 Kč. Cards widely accepted but some pubs/small shops prefer cash. ATMs everywhere. Avoid exchange offices in tourist areas (poor rates, fees). Tipping: round up or 10% in restaurants, round up taxis. Some places add service charge—check bills.
Language
Czech is official. English widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, by younger generation. Older generation may only speak Czech/German/Russian. Basic phrases appreciated: Dobrý den (hello), Děkuji (thank you), Pivo (beer—most important!). Signs often trilingual. Communication easy in tourist zones, trickier in suburbs.
Cultural Tips
Beer culture is sacred—traditional pubs serve pilsner, always say 'Na zdraví!' (cheers), waiter brings beers until you place coaster on glass to signal stop. Table service standard—wait to be seated, wave for bill. Tipping 10% or round up. Quiet hours (večerní klid) 10pm-6am in residential buildings. Czechs can seem reserved/blunt—not rude, just direct. Remove shoes when entering homes. Public transport: stand right on escalators, let people exit before boarding. Restaurant menus list prices per 100g for meat—check total bill! Tourist traps: avoid restaurants with photo menus in Old Town Square, ignore touts, check exchange rates carefully.
Perfect 3-Day Prague Itinerary
Day 1: Old Town & Jewish Quarter
Day 2: Prague Castle & Views
Day 3: Day Trip or More Prague
Where to Stay in Prague
Old Town (Staré Město)
Best for: Tourist heart, Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge access, romantic, touristy but essential
Lesser Town (Malá Strana)
Best for: Below Prague Castle, baroque palaces, quieter than Old Town, charming squares, Kampa Island
Žižkov
Best for: Hip locals' neighborhood, alternative bars, TV Tower, cheaper eats, authentic Prague, LGBTQ+ friendly
Vinohrady
Best for: Residential elegance, tree-lined streets, cafés, parks (Riegrovy Sady beer garden), expat-friendly
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