Prague is one of the most popular cities to visit in Europe, and a few days is just enough time to see it all. Here is a comprehensive Prague itinerary for things to in Prague for three days!
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic (also known as Czechia). It’s home to 1.3 million people and has a temperate climate with warm summers and chilly winters making Prague a great year-round destination. There’s a reason why Prague is one of the most popular places to visit in Europe, and the weather isn’t the only one.
Things to do in Prague, Czech Republic
This Prague guide was originally written by Theresa Ladner, it has been completely updated with tours, accommodation, and information for 2022.
The Historic center of Praque is one big UNESCO World Heritage Site that is made up of Old Town, the Lesser Town and New Town. Built between the 11th and 14th centuries, it is chock full of monumental architecture spanning either side of the Vltava River. The historic Charles Bridge connects the two sides with the Old Town and New Town on one side and Prague Castle district and Mala Strana on the other. It is a very walkable city and it is easy to get around on the transportation system.
Before you visit Prague, pick up the Prague Card.
The Prague Card covers 2, 3, or 4 Days in Prague offering free entrance to more than 60 attractions. Plus discounts on tours. It includes a cruise on the Vlatava River, and bus tour. Free entry to famous Prague attractions such as Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, Royal Palace, Golden Lane, and St. George’s Basilica Free entry to the Jewish Museum including the synagogues and Old Jewish Cemetery Free entry to the National Gallery (7 sites) Free entry to the National Museum (9 sites) Free entry to Petrín View Tower and Petrín Mirror Maze And moreGet more details here
Where to Stay in Prague
When choosing a place to stay in Prague, you are going to want to stay near the top Prague attractions These are located in the district, Prague 1. Prague 1 is where you’ll find Old Town (Staré M?sto), New Town (Nove Mesto), Lesser Town (Malá Strana), and Prague Castle.
Hotel Wenceslas Square in New Town – Located in Wenceslas Square across from the National Museum and city park. Close to Muzeum underground station and tram station is 150. There’s a rooftop bar and terrace, free WiFi and breakfast. Address: Mezibranska 13, Prague 110 00 Czech Republic. View Rates and Availability on TripAdvisor / Booking.com
Hotel Grandium – Located just around the corner from Wenceslas Square in the heart of the city center of Prague. Close to all top attractions. It includes a great breakfast with modern rooms and free WiFi. Address: Politickych VEznu 913/12, Prague 110 00 Czech Republic. View Rates and Availability on TripAdvisor / Booking.com
MOODS Charles Bridge – This new design hotel is located 300 meters from the Charles Bridge and walking distance to Square with the Astronomical Clock and less than half an hour walk from Prague Castle. Continental breakfast and free WiFi. Address: 6 Naprstkova, Prague 110 00 Czech Republic View Rates and Availability on TripAdvisor / Booking.com
1. Prague Castle
No trip to Prague would be complete without taking a tour of Prague Castle and its surroundings. After a quick security check, we were through to the castle. The Prague Castle stands proud above the city overlooking the river and the historic neighborhood of Malistrana.
Prague Castle is not a castle in the sense of it being a single building with turrets and towers. It is a huge (7 hectares or 18 acres) conglomeration of palaces, St. Vitus Cathedral, churches, the President’s state offices and apartments, a monastery, museums, and art galleries gathered around three main courtyards. Highlights of the castle include visiting St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, and the Golden Lane.
Address: 119 08 Prague 1, Czech Republic
2. Changing of the Guard
While visiting Prague Castle, try to be there for noon for the Changing of the guard. It takes place in the first courtyard of the Prague Castle and has all the fanfare one could want from a changing of the guard. The guards serve the president of the Czech Republic at stand guard at the gates of the medieval castle from 7 am – 8pm
This tour takes has you meet your local guide where you’ll skip the line and take a small group or private tour to explore the Old Palace, Vladislav Hall, see St. Vitus’ stained glass, tombs and chapel.
3. St. Vitus Cathedral
We entered St. Vitus Cathedral and were impressed with the Gothic architecture. Construction began in 1344 and it took close to 600 years to complete. We enjoyed the gorgeous stained glass windows, the soaring arches, and the imposing entrance with its rose window, high towers, and gargoyles.
We then went for a strudel and coffee at the Lobkowicz Palace Cafe which has a superb view of the city from the balcony.
Once we exited the castle from the east gate we made our way down through the castle vineyards and gardens to the Malá Strana (Little Town) and then across to the Charles Bridge. The next stop on our list of things to do in Prague, Czech Republic.
Address: III. nádvo?í 48/2, 119 01 Praha 1-Hrad?any, Czech Republic – Directions here
4. Charles Bridge
The Charles Bridge is a pedestrian-only bridge that crosses the Vltava River. King Charles IV had it built in 1357 and it was the only means of crossing the river until 1841. Today it is full of vendors, artists, and 30 baroque statues. The Charles Bridge is one of the most recognizable bridges in all of Europe and it is probably the most popular of all things to do in Prague.
I know when we visited the city, walking across Charles Bridge was the first thing on our list. The views of River Vltava are superb and make sure to take your time to peruse the statues and the old Gothic gates. This pedestrian bridge can be very busy, so the best time to visit is early in the morning, or in the evening.
Address: Karl?v most, 110 00 Praha 1, Czechia
5. Saint John of Nepomuk
Of the 30 baroque statues, one of the foremost is of Saint John of Nepomuk, who was thrown from the bridge in 1393 because he reportedly refused to divulge the secrets of the Queen’s confessions to her husband, King Wenceslas IV. He was subsequently canonized as a martyr.
6. Old Town Tower Bridge
Go to the top of the old town tower for the best views of Prague. Located at the gateway to Old Town from Charles Bridge, the Old Town Bridge Tower has 138 steps that lead up to the viewing gallery over the Old Town Square. It along with the Charles Bridge was constructed under the rule of Emperor Charles IV. The Gothic Tower was built in 1383 and offers beautiful views of the Vltava River and Old Town.
7. A trdelník is a Czech treat
Beside the bridge, I was able to watch one of the many trdelník vendors doing what they do best. A trdelník is a Czech treat made from dough, wrapped around a stick, grilled over coals, and then rolled in sugar or some other tasty topping. Make sure to buy one from one of the vendors when you visit Prague. It’s delicious.
8. Prague Segway Tour
We took a segway tour of Prague and it was an amazing way to see a lot of the city in a short amount of time. The 2-hour tour begins with a quick lesson on the electric Segway before heading off from Central Prague to explore medieval Prague Old Town including the picturebook Old Town Square and Small Town Square, see the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and more. Find out more details here.
9. Old Town Square
The Old Town Square is the heart of Prague and a meeting place filled with shops, restaurants, and pubs. It’s packed with tourists taking in the scenery. Old Town Square is the oldest square in Prague and is often voted as one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. During the month of December, you’ll find the famous Prague Christmas Market and at Easter, it is abuzz with activity. Staying close to the square was the best option as we could visit first thing in the morning before the crowds appeared.
Location: Starom?stské nám., 110 00 Praha 1-Staré M?sto, Czechia
10. Astronomical Clock at Old Town Hall
We made our way through the Old Town to the Old Town Square which features the world’s oldest working Astronomical Clock. It was installed in 1410 and has three main components: the astronomical dial, displaying the sun, moon, and other astronomical details; the “Walk of the Apostles”, hourly moving sculptures; and a calendar dial.
Every hour, the clock puts on a show and the crowds are huge. We watched it from our Segways standing heads above the crowds and it was a great way to see the 12 apostles doing their Walk of the Apostles along with other figurines. It’s cool to see this little slice of history.
Here’s a fun fact, The Astronomical Clock in Prague is third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest clock still in operation
11. Wenceslas Square – New Town
Wenceslas Square is technically a 60 by 750-metre boulevard lined by hotels, shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. It was originally Prague’s horse market and has been used by the residents for hundreds of years for everything from celebrations to anti-communist uprisings. At the top of the square sits the National Museum and at the bottom end of the square, you enter the Old Town of Prague. The square was named after Good King Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia, and his statue stands proud in front of the National Museum.
Address: Václavské nám., 110 00 Praha-Praha 1, Czech Republic Directions here
12. Prague Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter also known as Josefov, dates back to the 13th century and is located in Old Town Prague. It is one of the largest Jewish ghettos in Europe. In the 13th century, the Jews of Prague were ordered to move to this small quarter. They were forced to live here until the mid-1800s. There are 4 Synagogues (Maisel, Pinkas, Spanish, and Klausen synagogues) that are still intact and a Jewish Cemetery. It is one of the oldest Jewish burial grounds in the world where some 12,000 tombstones are crammed together dating back to 1439.
Book this tour – It takes you into the Jewish Quarter to learn of Jewish heritage. It offers entrance into the four synagogues: Pinkas Synagogue, Klausen Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue, and Maisel Synagogue. Plus you will see the Jewish Cemetery as you learn about the history of the Josefov Jewish Quarter
13. Petrin Hill
Getting around Prague by transit is quite easy, so make your way to Petrín Park located on the left bank of the Vitava River. We took the funicular up the Petrín Hill (318 meters) to the Petrín Lookout Tower. If you buy a day pass transit ticket, the funicular fare is included. You can also hike to the top of the hill and it takes about 30 minutes. This is a great place to visit in Prague as it offers fantastic views of the city.
Directions – 118 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic
14. The Petrín Tower
The Petrín Lookout Tower was built in 1891 as a mini version of the Eiffel Tower. It stands 60 metres tall and you can climb the 299 steps or take the lift. We took the lift.
The views from the top are incredible; you can see much of the city from this vantage point. We walked halfway back down the hill and stopped at another gorgeous viewing spot at the Restaurant Nebozízek and felt obligated to sample a local beer.
Directions here: Pet?ínské sady 633, Malá Strana, 118 00 Praha-Praha 1, Czech Republic
15. Lennon Wall
One of the more unique things to do in Prague is to seek out the Lennon Wall. In 1980, an image of John Lennon was painted on the wall across from the French Embassy just after his murder. Ever since it has been a place filled with Beatles-inspired Graffiti. Prague was still under communist rule at the time yet the wall was popular with its youth to air government grievances.
After several attempts to keep the wall clean and repaint the wall the authorities finally gave up. It has been used to demand action for climate change and civil unrest until it 2019 when it was finally designated a place for artists, Today, it is illegal to add graffiti to the wall and there are CCTV cameras and police patrolling. However, it is now designated as an open-air gallery so it is still worth the visit.
Get Directions here: Velkop?evorské nám?stí, 100 00 Praha 1, CzechiaInfant Jesus Of Prague
16. Communism in Prague
Learning of Communist history when visiting Prague is a must and our guide, Martina, had no qualms about telling us about life under the communist regime. She spoke of many stories about how the Soviets ruined beautiful buildings and avenues to make way for tanks and ugly “brutal Soviet architecture”.
She told us about having to smuggle money into East Germany to buy shoes and having to throw away her old shoes and scuff up the new ones so as not to be caught having brought more money than allowed across the border. And she explained how her family saved coupons to buy her a coveted pair of jeans.
Martina taught us about the Velvet Revolution in 1989 and how much the Czechs admired Vaclav Havel, the architect of much of the turnover from communism to democracy and the new Czech Republic’s first president. It was fascinating to hear this from someone who’s been there, firsthand.
This 3.5-hour communist tour starts in Namesti Republiki by the Powder Tower to learn of the Nazi occupation and liberation by the Russian Red Army in 1945. Then walk over to Wenceslas Square to learn of the Prague Spring in 1968 through the Velvet Revolution of 1989 You’ll also visit a nuclear bunker from 50s break for beer, kofola, or a snack in an authentic canteen of the working-class.
Dinner Recommendations – Afterward, we chose to have dinner at U Provaznice (which translates to “At the Rope”) between the Old Town and Wenceslas Square. The food was hearty, tasty, and very filling.
17. Take a River Cruise
Prague is located on the Vltava River and one of the best things to do in Prague at night is to go on a River Cruise. See Prague illuminated as you learn about the landmarks of the city. You’ll pass by theCharles Bridge, the Dancing House, Pet?ín Tower, and the historic fort of Vyšehrad. And the biggest castle complex in the world, Prague Castle. Book this 50 minute river cruise to see the sights.
18. Prague Bar Crawl
There’s no doubt that Prague is a place for beer. This guided pub crawl takes you to four to five of Prague’s most happening bars. You’ll start the night at the Drunken Monkey Bar, for a 2-hour open bar with unlimited beer, wine, vodka juice shooters, vodka energy shooters, absinthe, and rum shots. Wow! Get ready for a wild night as you head out to different bars and clubs with a free welcome shot at each bar. The night ends at one of Prague’s mega nightclubs.
Clubs can vary depending on the tour, our pub crawl included:
We started at Black Angels Bar in Old Town Square, a little underground place with leather chairs, stone walls and ceilings, and talented bartenders.Next was Bed, a silly conceit with beds instead of chairs.Anonymous Bar was next; hard to find, but worth it. My drink was served in an IV bag that dripped into my glass!Then we had to take a cab to Beekgeek, a great little place with many beers on tap and in bottles.We cabbed back to the town centre and came across Billiard Centrum MSK, where I proceeded to lose several games of pool. It was definitely time to call it a night after that.
19. Beer Tour Prague
Since we were on the subject of beer we decided to hop back on the tram to go to the Prague Beer Museum for the beer experience tour. It’s a small place, but very informative if you are interested in the process and history of Czech beer. After the self-guided tour, you are invited to sit in the 13th-century cellar and sample some local brews (included in the ticket price).
20. See the Infant Jesus Of Prague
An interesting place to visit in Prague is the Church of Our Lady Victorious and The Infant Jesus of Prague. This is a pilgrimage site where worshippers pay tribute to the Child of Prague. The statue of Infant Jesus dates back to the 16th century and many miracles are believed to have taken place because of the Infant Jesus and people come to pray at this ornate statue for their wishes to come true.
And this is your complete Prague guide to the city. When planning a trip to Europe, make sure to add Prague to your European city itinerary. It is one of the best places on the continent and is not to be missed. What are your favorite things to do in Prague?
Original Author Bio: Theresa Ladner runs the blog Adventures in Middle-Aged Travel. She aims to inform and entertain people of every age who love to travel or even are just armchair travellers. I love sharing information and stories about where we’ve been. Follow Theresa at AdventuresInMiddleAgedTravel / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter
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