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Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic. The city is charming, buzzing with life, and a bucket-list destination. There’s something for everyone between pub crawls, museums, castles, and more! Whether you’re interrailing through Europe or looking for a budget-friendly getaway, Prague is the place to be. This guide shares how to reach Prague, accommodation recommendations, and bucket-list ideas! 

14 things to add to your Prague Bucket List

1. Charles Bridge

• The Charles Bridge is charming and one of the most iconic bridges in Europe. The bridge crosses over the Vltava River with a cobblestone footbridge that connects the Old Town to the Mala Strana (aka Lesser Side). Charles Bridge has stunning architecture and gives picture perfect views of Prague. During the day, you can find local artists selling art along the way.

2. Explore the Old Town

• The Old Town is simply charming. Here are a few sights you’ll want to see: Prague Astronomical Clock, Prague Astronomical Tower, Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, and grab a famous Chimney Cake or Trdelnik from a local bakery. 

3. Walk the Mall Strana

• Mala Strana is on the west side of Charles Bridge filled with charm, enchanting buildings, and shops to explore. After exploring Mala Strana, walk a little further and walk down the notable street Parizska. The best thing to do is just walk around and poke your head in shops, ancient churches, and cafes!

4. Visit the John Lennon Wall

• While exploring Mala Strana you should check out the John Lennon wall. It’s located right under Charles Bridge and is a symbolic wall of freedom and love. 

5. Walk Along the Vltava River

• Walking along the Vltava River is a perfect way to spend your afternoon. Start your walk by crossing the Legii Bridge to get a side view of Charles Bridge. There is a walking path along the river and cafes to stop for a beer or coffee! 

6. Kampa Island

• Kampa Island is located in the Mala Strana on the Vltava River where you can find swans and views of the city. There are quite a few things to do on the island like Museum Kampa, the Devil Canal, and take in the views of the Charles Bridge. 

7. Check out the Prague Castle & Golden Alley

• The Prague Castle is one of the largest castles in the Czech Republic. The Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, Golden lane, The Picture Gallery at Prague Castle, VIII St. Vitus Cathedral, and Great South Tower of the Cathedral are all located in the grounds. The Golden Alley is a cobblestone alleyway with medieval houses and a sight to see. The Prague Castle Complex itself hours are 6am – 10p.m.. While the grounds are open from 9am to 5pm Although hours change based on the season, so check before going. The different ticket packages to choose from cost between 10 and 15 euros. 

8. Hang out at Gardens Below Prague Castle 

• Gardens Below Prague Castle is a quiet, blooming oasis in the center of Prague. It’s located on the hill below Prague Castle surrounded by captivating architecture, stunning flowers, and stunning pathways to explore. Not to mention, the views of the city are amazing. The entrance fee is 5 euros and totally worth it! The gardens are open from 10am-6pm.  

9. Grab a treat at the Chocolate Factory 

• Are you a chocolate lover? Or maybe want to take a break from sightseeing? Then head to Ellory Cafe! The Cafe has plenty of chocolate to try and serves different types of hot chocolate! It’s a fun little place to pop into! 

10. Petrin Hill Park  

• Petrin Hill Park is one of Prague’s best lookouts. The park has great walking paths, beautiful gardens, and a nice cafe at the top. I recommend grabbing a book or journal and finding a spot to read. The cheapest way to reach the park is by walking. If your budget is flexible, you can grab the cable train from Ujezd, up to Petrin Tower for about 60 CZK. Either option is beautiful and will give stunning views of the city. 

11. St. Nicholas Church 

• If you want to see real Baroque architecture, head to St, Nicholas Church. As you walk across St. Charles Bridge, you will spot the stunning church. The church isn’t free but worth paying the 100 CZK to see. 

12. Night Out / Pub Crawl

• Prague is famous for their nightlife. Whether you’re looking for a pub crawl, fancy cocktail bar, or club Prague has it all… and the best part is that it’s relatively cheap! Another great thing about the nightlife is that many bars or hostels organize pub crawls so you don’t have to plan where to go, how to get there or worry about making friends. 

13. Jewish Quarter 

• A short walk from the Old Town lies the Jewish Quarter. This hidden gem has a Jewish Museum, Jewish Cemetery, and beautifully architectured Synagogues. This can be a free activity by just walking around and taking in the cities. Another option is to buy an entry to the Jewish Cemetery which includes access to the Pinkas Synagogue, Klassen Synagogue, Maisel Synagogue, and Jewish Cemetery which costs about 16 USD or 350 Czech Koruna. Make sure to check the hours before going! 

• TIP: If you’re craving a coffee (or a taste of the States for any American followers), Starbucks is a short walk away! While traveling, I often find myself looking out for Starbucks because it feels like home and keeps the homesickness away!

14. Day Trip to Cesky Krumlov

• Cesky Krumlov is a small historic town located in South Bohemian. It’s a UNESCO Heritage Site that’s meant to be fairytale-like. The town is about two hours from Prague and makes for a perfect day trip from Prague. You can grab a bus or train from Prague that runs daily.  

Transportation

Plane:

The closest airport to Prague is Prague Ruzyne Airport (PRG) located 9 miles from the city center. There are numerous low-budget airlines that fly into Prague if you’re coming from a European destination. There are two main forms of public transportation that run from the airport to the city center. The first is the Airport Express (AE) bus that leaves from both the International and Domestic Airport to Prague’s main train station where you can transfer to the  metro. The second option is the local bus number 100 that leaves from both terminals to the Zlicin Metro Station and from there you can transfer. If your budget is more lenient you can grab an Uber or Bolt. 

Train:

Train: There are trains that run from multiple destinations in the Czech Republic and European countries. The trains will probably arrive at the main station, Praha hlavni nadrazi. The terminal is centrally located and you can catch a bus or walk to your accommodation. You can book your train ticket through Eurail, Trainline.com, or cd.cz. 

Bus:

If you’re tight on a budget, the bus might be your way to go. The FlixBus runs from nearby countries or cities and is typically cheaper than the train. You can book directly on their website FlixBus.

Getting Around Prague:

Prague is a very walkable city and has a fairly easy transportation system. The transportation options are the metro, buses or trams. You can purchase your ticket at the orange/yellow machines that are located inside the metro or near the bus and tram station. Make sure to validate your ticket at the beginning of your journey to avoid a hefty fine. 

Where to Stay 

The closer you stay to the Old Town the better because everything will be easily walkable. There are multiple affordable hostels, hotels, and guesthouses to stay in Prague. If you’re traveling during peak season, June through August, you will need to plan ahead 3-6 days for better options!

Budget Accommodation:

• The Clock Inn
• Prague Dream Hostel
• Sir Toby’s Hostel
• Safestay Prague Charles Bridge

Mid-Range Accommodation: 

• Old Prague House
• Rezidence Rumunská
• Akcent Hotel

How Many Days?

Prague is enchanting and will make you want to stay forever. I recommend three days so you can truly experience the magic of the city., If you’re short on time you can easily see everything in two days. If you fall in love with Prague, you can easily extend your trip to five days. 

Favorite Coffee Shops

As a coffee addict, I LOVE sharing my favorite coffee shops. There are fun little coffee shops all over the city to enjoy! 

• Pekarna Prakita 
• Mama Coffee
• Dos Mundos
• I Need Coffee!
• Super Tramp Coffee

Food Recommendations

Prague is the place to have a few meals out because the prices are right! Here are some of my favorite restaurants. 

• Kolkovna V Kolkovne 
• U Medvidku 
• U Bulīnü 
• U Fleku

Tips from a Budget Backpacker 

• The Czech Republic currency is the Czech Koruna, but Euros are often expected as well. If you’re changing money, make sure you exchange from a legal establishment (ask the staff at your accommodation where to go). 

• Make sure you validate your public transportation ticket when you first board or else you risk facing a hefty fine. 

• Food is way cheaper in Prague compared to other countries, so take advantage of it! This is the place to treat yourself to a few meals out. 

• If you’re solo traveling and want a fun night out, join a pub crawl. There’s plenty of hostels and bars that hold nightly pub crawls. You pay a certain amount for entrance fees and they take care of the rest. 

Now you’re all set for your trip to Prague!

Have the best time and make sure you do one thing that makes you say “I love my life” each day! 

– G