Prague is our most favourite European city. It has everything. The old narrow streets, charming architecture of many styles, historical bridges over the river, parks and gardens for endless walks, but also modern charm of the Czech capital city make it a popular destination for tourists from the whole world.
This itinerary is inspired by our two different visits to Prague. The first day was the day Vicente visited me for the first time in the Czech Republic in February 2019, before we started dating, to accompany me to a concert. For that day, I prepared a one-day itinerary to show him the best of Prague before going to the concert later. The second day we are describing here, is inspired by our visit in June 2022.
In case you only have one day and it's your first time visiting Prague, we recommend to do the Day 1 from this itinerary, as we filled it with the most important places and muss-sees. The second day is rather to chill and enjoy some more views, out of the historical centre.
You can visit all the below mentioned places in any season, as Prague is always beautiful! However, in the end of the article we will give you some additional tips on activities and places and some of those are only possible during a particular time of the year.
1. Day
The very first day, we will focus on the historical city centre. Our starting point is the Wenceslas Square. This is a famous meeting point of the locals - we say "meet you under the tail", meaning the tail of the horse statue in the middle of the square. The man sitting on the horse is the saint patron, St. Wenceslas, and the first king of Czechia.
The best way to get there, is with metro line A or C - the station is called Muzeum, because that's where the National Museum is. It was recently renovated and the building is quite impressive. You can also get here by walk from the Main train station, which takes only 10 minutes.
If you like fun and games, let's awake your inner child on our first stop - Hamleys, located on Na Příkopě Street which is a popular shopping area in the city centre. Hamleys is a world-famous toy store, which you might know from London. We say a toy store, but do not underestimate it. It is so much more than that! They open every day with a short ceremony and as soon as you step inside, you'll feel like in a movie or Santa's factory. There are interactive displays and shows, planes flying over your head, you can test drive RC cars, challenge yourself in IQ puzzles, take a slide from the second floor instead of the stairs and so much more.. In the bottom floors you will even find VR games, laser game or a butterfly house and a mirror maze. What we love the most, is the top floor which is full of arcades! It is so much fun, we could always spend the whole day here. It's a good place to go when it's raining, but expect it to be even more crowded.
When you're done with playing, it's time to start the proper tour of the historical centre of Prague! From the Hamleys' exit, turn right and walk through the street until you reach the Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky).
On your left, you should see the iconic symbol of Prague, the Powder Tower (or Powder Gate) - Prašná brána. It is a sandstone gothic tower and one of the original city gates which separates the Old Town from the New Town. By comparing the architecture styles, you can probably already say which side is which. The tower got its name because it used to store gunpowder in the 17th century. Visitors can climb to its top to admire panoramic views of Prague from the observation deck.
Watching the tower, behind you is a huge modern building, the Czech National bank.The building you see on the right side of the Powder Gate is the Municipal house in Art Nouveau architecture style, with many golden details and a mosaic on the main arch. It serves mainly for representational purposes and cultural events. It also houses a restaurant and a cafe. In the moment there is an exhibition of Alfons Mucha, who decorated the Mayor Hall, one of the most prestigious spaces in the building. You can buy a ticket to the exhibition below:
Once you pass through the Powder Gate, you'll enter the Celetná Street (Zeltnergasse), which is connecting the Old Town Square with the Powder Gate. It is one of the oldest streets in Prague and is part of the Royal Route, which was one of the traditional and important routes leading to the Prague Castle. Nowadays, it is known for its charming shops, boutiques, museums and cafes.
On the other end of the street you'll find yourself at the Old Town's Square, which is the main square in the historic Old Town of Prague. It features buildings belonging to various architectural styles, including the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn, which has been the main church of this part of the city since the 14th century and with its characteristic twin spires makes a dominant feature of the square. On the other side of the square, there is the Baroque St. Nicholas Church and The Old Town Hall with its famous astronomical clock (Prague Orloj). In the center of the square, you'll see a monument honoring the Czech religious reformer Jan Hus. The Square is famous for many events throughout the year, including the popular Christmas markets.
The clock of Prague Orloj was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still in operation. The tower of the Old Town Hall is open to the public and offers panoramic views of the Old Town.
Probably even more famous street than Celetná in Prague is Pařížská Street (Paris Street), which is Prague’s most prestigious and exclusive boulevard and home to a wide range of luxury boutiques representing the world’s most prominent fashion brands, making it a popular destination for those seeking designer clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Pařížská Street is situated behind the St. Nicholas Church in the Jewish Quarter of Prague, contributing to its rich historical context. The area is home to several synagogues and the Jewish Museum.
On our trip, we'll continue the other direction, to the left from the Old Town Hall, to the Melantrichova Street. Just a few steps from there, you'll find the Sex machines museum, dedicated to the history and evolution of sex machines and devices throughout the ages. It explores the various aspects of human sexuality, from historical artifacts to contemporary innovations. This probably isn't something you would expect in a classic itinerary, but it's actually interesting and fun experience. We can guarantee you will see things you've never seen in your life.
Next, let's move to the most popular place of Prague - the Charles Bridge! It crosses the Vltava river (Moldau), the longest river within Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of Emperor Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century. It connects the Old Town (Staré Město) with the Lesser Town (Malá Strana) and Prague Castle. The bridge replaced the earlier Judith Bridge, which was damaged by floods.
The bridge is 516 metres long and nearly 10 metres wide, and decorated with 30 statues mostly in baroque style. The most famous statues on Charles Bridge include the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, whose image is associated with good luck. Rubbing the plaque at the base of this statue is a tradition for good fortune.
According to legend, Charles Bridge is therefore the only one of all bridges in the world built not only from stone, but also from Czech eggs and Czech cottage cheese. And apparently also thanks to this recipe it has lasted six and a half centuries.
Charles Bridge is a pedestrian-only bridge, making it a popular spot for both tourists and locals to stroll, take in the scenery, and enjoy the various street performers and artists.
Next, we can stop by the John Lennon Wall. You'll find it on the left side behind the Charles Bridge. Just take the stairs down and follow the crowds. Since the 1980s this once typical wall has been filled and decorated with John Lennon-inspired graffiti, lyrics from Beatles' songs, love poems and short messages as a protest against the regime and expression of freedom during the communist era and became a symbol of peace and a tribute to John Lennon, the famous musician and peace activist.
After that, we recommend to come the same way back to the bridge again and as you went left before, go to the right now. You will like this one: Prague's narrowest street! Check the location linked here. It is so tiny that traffic lights have been installed to stop people colliding as they walk down the 50 cm wide gap!
As of next, we recommend you to follow the green line on the map below, passing by the St. Nicholas Church and climbing the stairs all the way up to the gate of the Prague Castle!
The Prague Castle is a castle complex built in the 9th century, which makes it one of the oldest castles in the world. It has served as the seat of Czech kings, emperors, and presidents over the centuries. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world, occupying an area of almost 70,000 square metres. The castle is among the most visited tourist attractions in Prague attracting over 1.8 million visitors annually. You can witness the ceremonial Changing of the Guard at the entrance to Prague Castle, which takes place daily.
St. Vitus Cathedral, a stunning Gothic cathedral within the castle complex, housing the Czech Crown Jewels and the tomb of St. Wenceslas, is the largest and most important church in the country. The Jewels are displayed to the public only once every eight years!
Golden Lane is a charming, narrow lane lined with colourful houses that once housed castle defenders in 16th century. It takes its name from the goldsmiths that lived there in the 17th century. Although the lane was temporarily called the Street of Alchemists or Alchemists' Alley, alchemists have never worked or lived there. The street originally had houses on both sides, but one side was demolished in the 19th century. It now features small shops and exhibits.
The last stop of our first day will be the Petřín Hill, one of the best viewpoints and sunset spots in Prague! Since you are already up the hill by the Prague Castle, it's not that hard anymore to walk up the Petřín Hill. If you choose to visit this place another day, there is a funicular. There are three stations, the bottom one is called Újezd, in the halfway is Nebozízek (click to see the locations) and the last one is Petřín station. What you can do is to walk up and take the funicular back down. But, if you have a nice weather, we highly recommend to walk through the park, too. Especially during May and June, as the hill blooms with pink cherry and almond trees and roses!
Despite being in the heart of the city, the hill is a peaceful green space with parks, gardens, and walking paths. It is featured in Franz Kafka's short story "Description of a Struggle". The chronicler Cosmas describes Petřín as a very rocky place, the hill is allegedly called Petřín because of the large number of rocks (Latin: petra). Since ancient times, stones were dug and were used to construct buildings in Prague.
The Petřín Lookout Tower is a steel-framework tower 63.5 metres tall on Petřín Hill, built in 1891. It resembles the Eiffel Tower and was used as an observation tower as well as a transmission tower. Today, the tower is a major tourist attraction, including a mirror maze.
2. Day
The second day itinerary we put together is more about nice views and places out of the historical city centre. If you skipped something in the first day, you can add it to the second day, as there will be more time and less places to visit.
You can start with the Vítkov Hill and visiting the Vítkov Monument, a massive statue and mausoleum dedicated to Czechoslovak military leader Jan Žižka. The monument houses historical exhibits and offers great views. Explore the nearby park and enjoy a leisurely walk around the area.
Then, head to the Žižkov television Tower (Žižkovská věž), an iconic landmark known for its unique and futuristic design. Take the elevator to the top for panoramic views of Prague. You will also notice ten babies climbing the tower. Somewhat scary, with barcodes on their faces. These statues were firstly installed only temporarily as a part of a project, but they decided to keep it after the positive reactions.
Another option is to consider the Žižkov Tower in the evening for a different perspective of Prague illuminated at night.
The Žižkov neighborhood is known for its bohemian atmosphere and street art. Explore local cafes, shops, and galleries. Walking through Riegrovy sady, you can reach the National Museum again, in about 25 minutes. But our next stop is a bit further. If you want to save some energy, take a metro or a tram.
You can stop by the famous Dancing house (Tančící dům), situated on the bank of the Vltava River. It's well known for its unique and dynamic design, resembling a pair of dancers in motion. The building serves as a mixed-use commercial space, housing offices, a restaurant, and a hotel. Visitors can dine at the rooftop restaurant, which offers panoramic views of Prague, including Prague Castle.
Next, take public transport or a 25-minute-walk to Vyšehrad, a historic fortress on a hill overlooking the Vltava River. Explore the complex, including the ancient fortifications, the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, and the Vyšehrad Cemetery. Enjoy the views. We recommend watching the sunset from here!
Other places and activities we recommend:
Hotel U Prince - free entrance rooftop
The world of jellyfish - listed in the Guinness World Records for the largest spherical aquarium.
Christmas markets - Charming and festive, with lots of delicious food and hot drinks. The most famous ones are at the Old Town's Square, Wenceslas Square or the Republic Square.
Paddle boats or paddle boards - The best place to rent these is at the Slovanský ostrov (island), for example here
Museum of Senses - An interactive museum to spend a funny afternoon.
The Head of Kafka - This twisting head of the famous Czech author Franz Kafka, facing the City Hall in Prague, is a kinetic sculpture made of 42 steel layers that rotate every hour during the day for about 40 minutes.
Our favourite restaurants and places to eat:
Havelská Koruna - do not underestimate the looks! Czech food does not always look so good, but is delicious. This place is one of the best to try the local cuisine, and for a good price! It is located right in the city centre close to the Wenceslas Square. If we can help you choose, try Svíčková (sirloin steak) with dumplings - Nr. 1 Czech dish.
Trdelník (a chimney cake) - anywhere on the streets you will find small stands offering these sweet cinnamon rolls. If you are trying for the first time, we recommend the original - only with cinnamon and sugar. No ice cream, nothing less, nothing more. Of course, in summer, the ice-cream and other stuff is a great option, but it's rather a modern touristy invention, haha.
Choco Café - a nice small café with a huge variety of chocolates (and hot chocolates) from all around the world. Especially nice for a little winter break.
Bageterie Boulevard - This fast food chain offering mostly baguettes is our favourite place to go especially when we do not have much time - definitely like it more than other fast food restaurants.
Restaurant U Matěje Kotrby - One of the better (more expensive) Czech restaurants. Serving typical Czech dishes, but in a nicer way, a little more fancy. We found it only by a coincidence, when searching for a place to have a New Year Eve's dinner. It is hidden in the narrow street in the centre, near to the river and the Dancing house.
Manifesto Market Anděl - A food market, where you'll find dishes from diverse cuisines of the world. We chose Mexican tacos, nachos with guacamole and a Picanha (a Brasilian steak)! There are also a few cocktails bars.
Výtopna Railway Restaurant - A unique experiential restaurant or pub where food is being served by a small model trains. Located in the very centre on Wenceslas Square is an unusual attraction. They serve mostly drinks, such as beer, of course, and burgers.
Let us know, which places you liked the most!
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