3 days in Prague

Day by day

1. Day 1: Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral

   Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral and Strahov Monastery and Library, then Charles Bridge in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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.

   2. Late morning

      St Vitus Cathedral

      The entrance area just inside the door is free to view; buy a circuit ticket to walk the full nave and see the chapels up close.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Svíčková

      Traditional pubs and restaurants across the city; often on weekday lunch menus.

   4. Afternoon

      Strahov Monastery and Library

      Founded in 1143, this Premonstratensian monastery holds one of Europe's most beautiful historic libraries: the frescoed Theological and Philosophical Halls, viewed from their doorways, plus a cabinet of curiosities.

   5. Evening

      Charles Bridge

      Cross at sunrise for an almost empty bridge, then return after dark to see the castle lit up.

2. Day 2: Old Town Square and Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock

   Old Town Square, Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock and Municipal House, then Žižkov in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Old Town Square

      Step into the side streets for coffee; the terraces on the square charge a premium.

   2. Late morning

      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.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Roast pork, dumplings and sauerkraut

      Old-style pubs in Žižkov, Vinohrady and the New Town, where it is cheaper than in the Old Town.

   4. Afternoon

      Municipal House

      If you skip the tour, have coffee in the ground-floor café to see the interior, then walk under the Powder Tower next door.

   5. Evening

      Žižkov

      A dense mix of cheap, smoky old pubs and craft-beer bars favoured by students and locals.

3. Day 3: Jewish Quarter (Josefov) and Petřín Hill and Lookout Tower

   Jewish Quarter (Josefov), Petřín Hill and Lookout Tower and Vyšehrad, then Vinohrady in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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.

   2. Late morning

      Petřín Hill and Lookout Tower

      Walk up through the orchards from Malá Strana or from Strahov Monastery, which is almost level with the top.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Czech goulash

      Pubs throughout the city; the version served in a bread bowl is mostly for visitors.

   4. Afternoon

      Vyšehrad

      Legend places Prague's founding on this fortified rock above the Vltava.

   5. Evening

      Vinohrady

      Wine bars, cocktail bars, cafés and the centre of LGBTQ+ nightlife around Náměstí Míru and Riegrovy sady.

Before you go

• Prague Castle: Buying the circuit ticket online saves queuing at the ticket offices; security checks at the gates can still be slow in summer.

If it rains

• Swap in Wenceslas Square and the National Museum (New Town): Look for the small memorial to Jan Palach and Jan Zajíc in front of the museum.
• Swap in St Nicholas Church, Malá Strana (Malá Strana): Evening classical concerts here are a good way to hear the acoustics; buy tickets at the church rather than from street sellers.
• Swap in Klementinum (Old Town): Visits are by guided tour only; book ahead in summer.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Old Town keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Malá Strana ($$$$) suits couples, first-timers, luxury and culture. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 15–18 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.1 hours in December to 16.4 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Prague
• 2 days in Prague
• 4 days in Prague
• 5 days in Prague
• 7 days in Prague

Questions travellers ask