Prague is one of the best-preserved cities in Europe, and it knows it. The Old Town, the castle and the bridge are all as beautiful as the photographs suggest, and all busy at the hours when visitors tend to arrive. The trick to enjoying Prague is not to avoid the famous sights but to see them at the right time, and then to spend the rest of your days away from the main route.
KapitelSee the headline sights early
Charles Bridge is a very different experience at seven in the morning, when its statues stand against a quiet river, than at noon. The Old Town Square, with the Astronomical Clock and the twin spires of the Týn Church, is similar. If you want to see the clock strike the hour, expect a crowd, and consider it a short spectacle rather than a reason to stay.
Sehenswürdigkeiten & Touren · Charles Bridge, Prague
Sehenswürdigkeiten & Touren · Prague Astronomical Clock, Prague
Prague Castle, the vast complex above the river, deserves a half-day. St. Vitus Cathedral is the main draw, and the Golden Lane, a row of tiny colorful houses, and the old royal palace add interest. Arrive near opening time, check which ticket circuit suits you and leave time to walk the grounds and enjoy the view over the city.
Sehenswürdigkeiten & Touren · Prague Castle, Prague
KapitelCross to the Lesser Town and climb the hill
Malá Strana, the Lesser Town, sits below the castle and has cobbled streets, baroque palaces and quiet gardens. From there, a walk up Petřín Hill takes you through orchards and parkland to a small lookout tower modeled on the Eiffel Tower, and a rose garden. You can take the funicular up if you prefer. The Strahov Monastery, nearby, has a library whose grand halls are worth seeing.
KapitelNeighborhoods beyond the center
Vinohrady, a leafy residential district east of the center, has cafés, wine bars and a very local feel. Letná Park, across the river, has a beer garden with a sweeping view of the bridges, and is a favorite sunset spot. Vyšehrad, the second castle on a rock above the river, is calm, with a cemetery where many Czech cultural figures are buried and a lovely walk along its walls. Žižkov and Karlín offer a more raw, creative city.
KapitelWhat and where to eat
Czech beer is one of the country's great pleasures, and beer in Prague is excellent and cheap relative to many European cities. Look for a traditional pub, a pivnice or hospoda, where you sit, order a beer and food will follow. Svíčková, beef in a creamy vegetable sauce with bread dumplings, and goulash are the classic dishes. Trdelník, the chimney cake sold to tourists on every corner, is a popular treat but is not a traditional Czech pastry.
KapitelPractical advice
Prague's metro, trams and buses are efficient, and the center is walkable. Pickpockets operate in crowded areas, so keep your valuables secure. Avoid exchanging money at street booths with poor rates, and compare options or use a bank card.
KapitelDay trips
Kutná Hora, with its cathedral and the Sedlec Ossuary decorated with human bones, is an easy day by train. Karlštejn Castle is a classic half-day, and Terezín offers a sobering historical visit. Český Krumlov is a magnificent small town but a long day trip, so consider an overnight stay.
KapitelWhen to go
Spring and early autumn bring pleasant weather and fewer people than summer. December brings Christmas markets, with the Old Town Square at its busiest. Winter can be cold, but the city has a special beauty under frost or light snow.
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