Travel guide · Czechia
Prague travel guide
Gothic spires, a hilltop castle and Europe's great beer halls
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Moyan Brenn from Italy, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Prague's historic centre survived the 20th century largely intact, so Gothic, baroque and Art Nouveau buildings line both banks of the Vltava. Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral crown the hill on the west bank above the baroque palaces of Malá Strana; Charles Bridge crosses to the Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock and the Jewish Quarter. The centre is compact and walkable, trams reach everything else, and Czech beer and hearty food remain good value outside the most touristy streets. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are May–June and September.
Key facts
- Country
- Czechia
- Best time to visit
- May–June and September
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- PRG
- Mid-range daily budget
- $120–$220 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Astronomical Clock and Czech beer
Why visit Prague
- Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square form one of the best-preserved historic centres in Europe.
- The Jewish Quarter's synagogues and Old Jewish Cemetery are among the most important Jewish heritage sites in Central Europe.
- Czech pubs pour some of the world's best lager, from tank Pilsner Urquell to small-brewery beers, at modest prices.
- Hills such as Petřín, Letná and Vyšehrad give free views over the river, bridges and red roofs.
- Kutná Hora, Karlštejn and Český Krumlov are within reach for day trips.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 20 things to do.
Castle · Hradčany
Prague Castle
Founded in the 9th century and listed by Guinness World Records as the largest ancient castle complex, Prague Castle is a walled hilltop city of courtyards, palaces and churches.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Architecture
- Kids
Religious site · Hradčany
St Vitus Cathedral
Begun in 1344 and not completed until 1929, the Gothic cathedral inside the castle walls holds the tombs of Bohemian kings, the gem-encrusted St Wenceslas Chapel, a silver tomb for St John of Nepomuk and a stained-glass window designed by Alphonse Mucha.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Architecture
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Landmark · Old Town
Charles Bridge
Begun under Charles IV in 1357, this 500-metre stone bridge links the Old Town with Malá Strana and is lined with 30 baroque statues of saints, most now replaced by copies.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes–1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Couples
- After dark
- Photo spot
Landmark · Old Town
Old Town Square
Prague's medieval market square is ringed by the twin Gothic spires of the Týn Church, the baroque St Nicholas Church, the pink-and-white Kinský Palace and the Old Town Hall.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- After dark
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Historic site · Old Town
Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock
Installed in 1410, the Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Hall is the oldest of its kind still working.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Kids
Historic site · Josefov
Jewish Quarter (Josefov)
The Jewish Museum in Prague cares for a group of synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery, where around 12,000 gravestones are crowded on top of each other.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Where to stay
Old Town is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, culture and families
Old Town
Gothic spires, the Astronomical Clock and lanes leading to Charles Bridge
$$$$ · Best for couples, first-timers, luxury and culture
Malá Strana
Baroque palaces, embassies and gardens below Prague Castle
$$$ · Best for quiet stays, couples and culture
Hradčany
The castle district, Strahov Monastery and the hidden lanes of Nový Svět
$$ · Best for budget, shopping, first-timers and nightlife
New Town
Wenceslas Square, 19th-century boulevards and practical hotels
What to eat
- Svíčková — Marinated beef sirloin in a creamy sauce of puréed root vegetables, served with bread dumplings, a spoon of cranberries and whipped cream.
- Roast pork, dumplings and sauerkraut — Roast pork with bread or potato dumplings and braised sauerkraut, the definitive Czech pub meal.
- Czech goulash — A thick beef stew with paprika, onion and caraway, served with bread dumplings.
- Fried cheese — A thick slice of Edam breaded and deep-fried, served with tartar sauce and chips or boiled potatoes.
- Open sandwiches — Small open sandwiches on slices of white bread topped with potato salad, ham, egg, cheese, salami or fish spreads, beautifully decorated.
- Pickled cheese — A soft, Camembert-style Czech cheese marinated in oil with garlic, onion, chilli and peppers, served with dark bread as a beer snack.
When to go
The best times to visit Prague are May, June and September, when days are mild, beer gardens are open and crowds are lighter than in July and August. December is popular for the Christmas markets despite the cold, while January to March is the quietest and lowest-priced season.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Cold in March, warming quickly with blossom on Petřín in April and May; the Prague Spring music festival begins in May. |
| Summer | June–August | Warm days, long evenings and beer gardens, but the heaviest crowds and highest prices, with occasional thunderstorms. |
| Autumn | September–November | Mild, often sunny September, golden October and cold, grey November with far fewer visitors. |
| Winter | December–February | Freezing temperatures and short days, but Christmas markets in December and the lowest prices in January and February. |
Getting there and around
Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) is about 17 km west of the centre and has no rail link. Bus 119 runs to Nádraží Veleslavín on metro line A in about 15–20 minutes on a standard PID ticket, while the Airport Express bus to the main railway station has its own fare. Taxis and ride-hailing cars take about 25–40 minutes to the centre.
Prague's historic centre is compact and best seen on foot, though cobbles and hills make it tiring. Three metro lines and a dense tram network, run under one integrated ticket system (PID), reach everything else.
Plan your days
Two days covers the castle, Charles Bridge, the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter at a fast pace. Four days allows Vyšehrad, Petřín, a neighbourhood such as Vinohrady and a day trip to Kutná Hora or Karlštejn.
Practical information
- Currency
- CZK
- Language
- Czech
- Plugs
- Type E sockets (Type C plugs also fit), 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Tipping
- Round up or add about 10% for good service, but tell the waiter the total you want to pay as you hand over money rather than leaving cash on the table.
Prague is generally safe, but pickpockets work crowds at the Astronomical Clock, on Charles Bridge and on trams. Avoid street money changers and unofficial taxis, and check restaurant bills carefully in tourist areas.
Flights to Prague
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Prague?
Two days covers the castle, Charles Bridge, the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter at a fast pace. Four days allows Vyšehrad, Petřín, a neighbourhood such as Vinohrady and a day trip to Kutná Hora or Karlštejn. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Prague?
The best times to visit Prague are May, June and September, when days are mild, beer gardens are open and crowds are lighter than in July and August. December is popular for the Christmas markets despite the cold, while January to March is the quietest and lowest-priced season.
+What is Prague known for?
Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Astronomical Clock, Czech beer, Gothic and baroque architecture, Christmas markets and Classical music. Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square form one of the best-preserved historic centres in Europe.
+Is Prague expensive?
Prague is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $120–$220 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Prague?
No. Driving and parking in central Prague are difficult, and public transport and trains cover the main day trips. A car is useful only for touring rural Bohemia.