Prague is the perfect city break: a castle on the hill, a stone bridge lined with saints, a medieval square with an astronomical clock and a Baroque quarter in between, all close enough to walk in a long weekend. This guide has four self-guided walking routes, the places worth your time with links to book, the best free things to do, Prague's Christmas markets, and where to eat, drink and stay at every budget, with each venue's website and Instagram so you can see it first.
Prague map: sights, restaurants, bars and walks
Turn the layers on and off, or pick a walk to draw its route with numbered stops. Tap any pin for links.
Four Prague walking routes
Prague is a walking city, but it is hilly on the castle side and the cobbles are hard on the feet: wear proper shoes, take the tram up to the castle and walk down, and save the bridge for early morning when it is quiet. Distances are approximate and the times include short stops; add more if you go inside the sights.
Walk 1Old Town and the Royal Way
About 2.2 km · 1 hour walking, half a day with stops
The coronation route of the Bohemian kings, from the Powder Tower along Celetná to Old Town Square and the astronomical clock, then down Karlova past the Klementinum and over Charles Bridge to Kampa.
- Powder Tower
- Municipal House
- Celetná
- Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock
- Karlova
- Klementinum
- Old Town Bridge Tower
- Charles Bridge
- Kampa Island
Walk 2Prague Castle and Hradčany, downhill
About 2.8 km · 1.5 hours walking, a full day with the castle
Start at the top by Strahov Monastery and walk downhill past the Loreta and Hradčany Square into Prague Castle, through St Vitus and Golden Lane, then down the Old Castle Steps to Malá Strana.
- Strahov Monastery
- Loreta
- Hradčany Square
- St Vitus Cathedral
- Golden Lane
- Old Castle Steps
- Wallenstein Garden
- St Nicholas Church, Malá Strana
Walk 3Josefov to Letná
About 3.4 km · 1.5 hours walking, longer with the synagogues
Through the old Jewish Quarter past the Spanish and Old-New synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery, along the river to the Rudolfinum, then over Čech Bridge and up to the Metronome and Letná's view of the bridges.
- Old Town Square
- Spanish Synagogue
- Pařížská
- Old-New Synagogue
- Old Jewish Cemetery
- Rudolfinum
- Čech Bridge
- Hanavský Pavilion viewpoint
- Letná Park
Walk 4New Town to Vyšehrad
About 3.9 km · 1.5 hours walking, half a day with Vyšehrad
From the National Museum down Wenceslas Square to Charles Square, then to the Dancing House and along the Rašín embankment to the fortress of Vyšehrad, finishing at the basilica and the national cemetery.
- National Museum
- Wenceslas Square
- Charles Square
- Dancing House
- Rašín Embankment
- Brick Gate, Vyšehrad
- Basilica of Sts Peter and Paul
- Vyšehrad Cemetery
Places to visit in Prague
The 19 sights we would plan a first trip around, with the official site for opening times and tickets.
Prague Castle
The largest ancient castle complex in the world by the Guinness count: a thousand years of palaces, churches and courtyards on the hill above Malá Strana, still the seat of the Czech president.
Tip: The courtyards and the Bastion garden are free to walk through; the historic buildings need a circuit ticket from the castle's information centres (the Main circuit can also be bought online through the castle's own link to GetYourGuide). In winter (November to March) the historic buildings open 9:00-16:00. Expect a security check at the gates, and come at opening time to beat the tour groups.
Time needed: 3-4 hours
St Vitus Cathedral
The Gothic heart of the castle, begun in 1344 and only finished in 1929, with the tombs of Bohemian kings, the gilded St Wenceslas Chapel and an Art Nouveau window by Alfons Mucha.
Tip: Part of the cathedral is free to look into from the back; the full visit is on the castle circuit ticket. It opens at 12:00 on Sundays for services and can close at short notice for ceremonies, so check the castle's closures page the day before.
Time needed: 1 hour
Charles Bridge
The 14th-century stone bridge built for Charles IV, lined with 30 Baroque statues and guarded by Gothic towers at each end; the walk across, with the castle ahead, is the classic Prague moment.
Tip: Come at dawn, before about 8am, when you can have the statues and the view almost to yourself; by mid-morning it is shoulder to shoulder. Climb the Old Town Bridge Tower for the best view of the bridge itself (open 10:00-18:00 in October and November, until 19:30 in December).
Time needed: 30 minutes to cross, longer with the tower
Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock
The great medieval square of the Old Town, ringed by the Týn Church's twin spires, Baroque palaces and the Old Town Hall, whose astronomical clock (orloj) has been telling time since 1410.
Tip: The twelve apostles appear in the clock's windows every hour between 8am and 11pm; stand to the side rather than right in front for a better view. Inside, the Old Town Hall tour covers the tower (with a lift), the chapel, state rooms and the Romanesque underground; it opens 9:00-20:00 from April to December and 10:00-19:00 from January to March, and tickets bought in the first hour are half price.
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Jewish Museum in Prague (Josefov)
One ticket covers the Old-New Synagogue, the oldest working synagogue in Europe, the Old Jewish Cemetery with its tilted layers of headstones, and the Pinkas, Maisel, Klausen and richly painted Spanish synagogues.
Tip: The museum is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. From 18 October to 31 December 2026 the museum's sites open 9:00-16:30 (until 14:00 on 24 December); the Old-New Synagogue opens 9:00-17:00 but usually closes about an hour before Shabbat on Fridays. Buy tickets on the museum's own e-shop.
Time needed: 2-3 hours
Vyšehrad
Prague's other castle: a fortress on a rock above the Vltava with the twin-spired Basilica of Sts Peter and Paul, the national cemetery where Dvořák and Mucha lie, ramparts with river views and the Gorlice casemates.
Tip: The grounds and ramparts are open all year and free; the casemates and exhibitions open 10:00-18:00. Take metro C to Vyšehrad and walk through the Táborská and Leopold gates, then leave by the steps down to the river for the walk back along the embankment.
Time needed: 2 hours
Petřín Hill and Lookout Tower
A wooded hill of orchards and gardens above Malá Strana, topped by a 58-metre lookout tower built in 1891 as a small copy of the Eiffel Tower, with a mirror maze beside it.
Tip: The funicular from Újezd is back after two years: it reopened on 22 September 2026 with new cars. The tower opens 10:00-18:00 in November and December (it was closed 7-14 November 2026 for maintenance), and has 299 steps or a lift. Walking down through the orchards to Malá Strana is half the fun.
Time needed: 2 hours
Letná Park
A big park on the plateau north of the river, with the best view of Prague's bridges marching down the Vltava, the giant Metronome where the Stalin statue once stood, and a much-loved beer garden.
Tip: Come for sunset: walk up the steps from Čech Bridge to the Metronome, then along the edge of the park to the beer garden by Letenský zámeček. Trams also stop at Letenské náměstí on the far side of the park.
Time needed: 1-2 hours
St Nicholas Church, Malá Strana
The finest High Baroque church in Prague, its green dome and bell tower dominating Malá Strana, with a vast ceiling fresco, gilded saints and an organ that Mozart played in 1787.
Tip: Open daily (9:00-17:00 on the days we checked); evening concerts are held in the nave most weeks. The separate bell tower, run by the city, gives a close view of the dome and over the rooftops.
Time needed: 45 minutes
Wallenstein Garden
A formal early-Baroque garden laid out in the 1620s for General Albrecht von Wallenstein, with a grand sala terrena loggia, bronze statues, a pond and a strange dripstone wall; the palace is now the Czech Senate.
Tip: Free, and open April to October only (Monday to Friday 7:00-19:00, weekends 9:00-19:00), so it is closed during a winter city break. In summer it hosts free concerts and theatre.
Time needed: 30-45 minutes
Strahov Monastery and Library
A Premonstratensian monastery founded in 1143 at the top of the hill, whose Theological and Philosophical halls are among the most beautiful libraries in Europe, painted ceilings and all.
Tip: The library and picture gallery open 9:00-17:00; you view the two great halls from the doorway, not inside. Combine it with lunch at the monastery brewery next door and the walk downhill to the castle.
Time needed: 1 hour
Loreta
A Baroque pilgrimage site built around a copy of the Holy House of Loreto, with cloisters, a church, a carillon of 27 bells that plays on the hour and a treasury famous for its diamond monstrance.
Tip: It is a 5-minute walk from Strahov on the way down to the castle; buy tickets on its own website or at the door, and listen for the carillon at the top of the hour.
Time needed: 1 hour
Klementinum
The former Jesuit college beside Charles Bridge, where a guided tour takes you to the Baroque Library Hall, the Meridian Hall and up the Astronomical Tower for a view across the Old Town rooftops.
Tip: Visits are by guided tour only (about 45 minutes), daily 8:00-21:00; you look into the Baroque library from the doorway. Enter from Mariánské náměstí 5 or Karlova 1.
Time needed: 45 minutes
Municipal House
Prague's Art Nouveau showpiece of 1912, with Mucha's Mayor's Hall, the Smetana concert hall and a glittering café and restaurant on the ground floor, next to the Gothic Powder Tower.
Tip: The interiors are shown on guided tours, but the easiest way in is a concert in the Smetana Hall or coffee in the café. The adjoining Powder Tower can be climbed for a view down Celetná.
Time needed: 1 hour
Wenceslas Square and the National Museum
The long boulevard of the New Town, where crowds gathered in 1968 and 1989, rising to the statue of St Wenceslas and the National Museum's grand neo-Renaissance building.
Tip: The square is free to walk and hosts a Christmas market; the museum's historic building, at the top, holds the national collections and a domed pantheon. Check the National Museum site for current exhibitions and hours.
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Dancing House
Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunić's 1996 'Fred and Ginger' building on the riverbank, a swaying glass and concrete pair that is still Prague's best-known modern landmark.
Tip: It is a hotel and offices, but the Glass Bar on the roof terrace and the gallery on the ground floor are open to visitors, with a view up the river to the castle.
Time needed: 30 minutes
Kampa Island and Museum Kampa
A quiet island under Charles Bridge, cut off by the Čertovka millrace, with a riverside park and Museum Kampa, a converted mill showing Central European modern art from Kupka to Kolář.
Tip: Walk down the steps from Charles Bridge to the island, then cross the little bridge over the Čertovka to the John Lennon Wall a minute away. Check the museum site for current exhibitions and hours.
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Mucha Museum
A small museum in the Kaunický Palace devoted to Alfons Mucha, the Czech master of Art Nouveau, with his Paris posters, paintings and drawings, all originals.
Tip: Open daily 10:00-18:00. It takes about an hour, so it fits well into a rainy afternoon near Wenceslas Square or the Municipal House.
Time needed: 1 hour
Vltava river cruise
A boat trip on the Vltava past Charles Bridge, Kampa, the National Theatre and the castle skyline, run by the historic Prague Steamboat Company, with short sightseeing cruises and dinner trips.
Tip: Short daytime cruises are the best value for time; in December the sunset sailings give the best light on the castle. Book on the operator's site and check the departure pier.
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Free things to do in Prague
Charles Bridge, the castle courtyards, the astronomical clock’s hourly show and the parks on Petřín, Letná and Vyšehrad are all free, and so are the Christmas markets. Some free gardens open only from April to October, so check each entry before you go.
Charles Bridge
Staré Město and Malá StranaFree: Always free, open day and night.
The statue-lined medieval bridge between the Old Town and Malá Strana.
Tip: Cross at dawn for an empty bridge and soft light on the castle.
Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock
Staré MěstoFree: Always free to watch: the apostles appear every hour from 8am to 11pm.
The medieval square and its 600-year-old clock, with the parade of apostles on the hour.
Tip: Arrive five minutes early and stand off to the side; the show lasts under a minute.
Prague Castle
HradčanyFree: The castle courtyards and the Garden on the Bastion are free (the Bastion garden opens 6:00-22:00 all year).
Walk through the castle's courtyards, past St Vitus Cathedral's west front and the guards at the main gate.
Tip: The views over the city from the ramp by the castle's eastern gate are free too.
Vyšehrad
VyšehradFree: Always free: the grounds, ramparts and cemetery are open all year.
The fortress on the rock above the river, with its basilica, ramparts and the national cemetery.
Tip: Walk the ramparts on the river side for the view north to the castle.
Petřín Hill and Lookout Tower
Malá StranaFree: The gardens and orchards are always free (the tower and funicular are paid).
Walk up through the orchards and rose garden of Petřín for views over Malá Strana and the castle.
Tip: Walk up from Újezd and take the funicular down, or the other way round.
Letná Park
LetnáFree: Always free.
Prague's best view of its bridges, from the Metronome and the Hanavský Pavilion terrace.
Tip: Sunset is the time; then a beer at the Letná beer garden.
Wallenstein Garden
Malá StranaFree: Free, April to October: Monday to Friday 7:00-19:00, weekends 9:00-19:00.
The early-Baroque garden of the Czech Senate, with a loggia, bronze statues and a pond.
Tip: Closed from November to March; in summer look out for free concerts.
Kampa Island and Museum Kampa
Malá StranaFree: The island park, the Čertovka and the John Lennon Wall nearby are always free (the museum is paid).
A riverside park under Charles Bridge, with the Čertovka millrace and the graffiti of the John Lennon Wall a minute away.
Tip: Come in the early morning when the island is almost empty.
Wenceslas Square and the National Museum
Nové MěstoFree: The square is always free.
The New Town's great boulevard, scene of the Velvet Revolution in 1989, rising to the National Museum.
Tip: Look for the memorial to Jan Palach and Jan Zajíc in front of the museum.
Christmas markets on Old Town and Wenceslas squares
Staré Město and Nové MěstoFree: Free to wander, 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027 (Wenceslas Square 10:00-22:00 daily).
Wooden huts selling Czech crafts, glass and straw decorations, mulled wine and trdelník, with a giant tree on Old Town Square and a daily stage programme.
Tip: Visit on a weekday afternoon in early December, and stay for the lights after dark.
St Vitus Cathedral
HradčanyFree: The area at the back of the nave is free to enter during opening hours.
Step inside the west door for a look down the Gothic nave and Mucha's stained-glass window.
Tip: Sunday mornings are for services; it opens to visitors from 12:00.
Free times checked on the official sites on 13 November 2026. They change, so check the link before you go.
Where to stay in Prague
For a first city break, stay in the Old Town, Josefov or Malá Strana: the walks above all start within a short walk. The New Town, around Wenceslas Square and the Municipal House, has bigger hotels and the best transport links, and Vinohrady is quieter, local and the heart of the gay scene.
Staré Město (Old Town)
The medieval heart of Prague around Old Town Square, a maze of lanes, passages and squares between the Powder Tower and Charles Bridge, packed with churches, cafés and beer halls.
Best for: First-timers who want everything on foot, and evenings out
Josefov (Jewish Quarter)
The old Jewish Town north of Old Town Square, rebuilt around 1900 with grand Art Nouveau blocks on Pařížská, around six historic synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery.
Best for: Luxury hotels, shopping on Pařížská and quiet evenings by the river
Malá Strana (Lesser Town)
The Baroque quarter below the castle across Charles Bridge, all palaces, gardens, embassies and cobbled streets, with Kampa island and Petřín Hill on its doorstep.
Best for: Romantic stays, couples and walking up to the castle
Hradčany (Castle District)
The quiet hilltop district around Prague Castle, Strahov and the Loreta, with palaces and a handful of small hotels; magical in the evening when the tour groups leave.
Best for: Views, peace and early starts at the castle
Nové Město (New Town)
The 'new' town founded by Charles IV in 1348, around Wenceslas Square, Charles Square and the National Theatre, with bigger hotels, shops and the best transport links.
Best for: Good-value hotels, shopping and metro access
Vinohrady
A leafy residential district of Art Nouveau apartment blocks east of the centre, with cafés, wine bars, Riegrovy sady park and Prague's gay quarter around Náměstí Míru.
Best for: Longer stays, local life and the gay scene
Hotels for every budget. Each button opens our live search with that hotel at the top, so you can change the dates and nights.
Luxury hotels
Grand hotels on the river and in Malá Strana palaces, several with castle views and spas.
Four Seasons Hotel Prague
A group of historic buildings on the Vltava a few steps from Charles Bridge, with views across the river to the castle from the river-facing rooms.
Mandarin Oriental, Prague
A five-star set in a historic monastery in a quiet corner of Malá Strana, a calm retreat a short walk from Charles Bridge, with a spa.
Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague
A five-star in a group of historic buildings beside the Augustinian monastery of St Thomas in Malá Strana, a few minutes from the castle steps, with a spa.
Fairmont Golden Prague
A five-star landmark where Pařížská meets the Vltava, reborn after a major renovation, with castle views from the river rooms and a rooftop restaurant.
The Grand Mark Prague
A Baroque palace by the Municipal House turned into a five-star of spacious rooms and suites, with one of the largest private gardens in the centre.
Almanac X Alcron Prague
A legendary 1930s Art Deco hotel a minute from Wenceslas Square, restored with polished Art Deco details and a historic restaurant.
Golden Well Hotel
A small five-star on the castle slope, with rooms looking over the Royal Gardens or the rooftops, and the Terasa U Zlaté studně restaurant on its top floor.
Boutique and mid-range hotels
Boutique and design hotels in the Old Town and New Town, all walkable to the sights.
The Emblem Prague Hotel
A sleek boutique five-star three minutes from Old Town Square, with a rooftop terrace and hot tub, a spa and a steakhouse.
BoHo Prague Hotel
An intimate boutique hotel near the Powder Tower, part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, with calm modern rooms and a small spa.
Buddha-Bar Hotel Prague
A dramatic boutique hotel in deep red and black next to St James's Basilica, with the Buddha-Bar restaurant and lounge downstairs.
Hilton Prague Old Town
A reliable five-star by Republic Square and the Municipal House, with an executive lounge and fitness centre, ten minutes on foot from Old Town Square.
Aria Hotel Prague
A music-themed boutique five-star in Malá Strana with floors named for musical styles, a music library and a private cinema; sister hotel of the Golden Well.
Good-value hotels
Comfortable, well-placed four-star hotels near the Old Town, for when the room is just a base.
Century Old Town Prague – MGallery
A four-star in the building where Franz Kafka worked as an insurance official, with stylish rooms and the Old Town on the doorstep.
Hotel Josef
A minimalist design hotel by the architect Eva Jiřičná, with her spiral staircase and a garden, near the Jewish Quarter and five minutes from Old Town Square.
Grand Hotel Bohemia
A classic hotel on a quiet street behind the Municipal House, with the neo-Baroque Boccaccio ballroom, a short walk from Old Town Square.
Search every hotel in Prague
Live prices for hundreds of Prague hotels. Pick your dates and nights, or switch to Holidays to add flights from the UK.
Best restaurants in Prague
From two Michelin-starred tasting menus to beer halls serving Czech classics with tank Pilsner. Lunch is the main meal for many Czechs, and the popular places fill up in the evening, so book ahead for dinner.
Field
Modern Czech tasting menuStaré Město (Milosrdných)
Radek Kašpárek's Michelin-starred restaurant near the Convent of St Agnes, cooking seasonal Czech produce in playful, foraged-feeling tasting menus under a painted ceiling.
La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise
Czech tasting menuStaré Město (Haštalská)
Ambiente's Michelin-starred tasting room, reworking 19th-century Bohemian recipes into a long, precise menu with Czech wines; book well ahead.
Lokál Dlouhááá
Czech pub foodStaré Město (Dlouhá)
A long, bright beer hall serving tank Pilsner Urquell and honest Czech classics (svíčková, schnitzel, fried cheese) at shared tables; the best place to start with Czech food.
Lokál U Bílé kuželky
Czech pub foodMalá Strana (Míšeňská)
The Malá Strana branch of Lokál, in a vaulted house a minute from Charles Bridge, with the same tank beer and Czech classics; handy after the castle.
Kantýna
Butcher and meat restaurantNové Město (Politických vězňů)
A former bank hall turned butcher's counter and canteen near Wenceslas Square: choose your cut, have it cooked, and eat standing or at the bar.
Café Savoy
Viennese-style café and brasserieSmíchov, by Malá Strana (Vítězná)
A grand café of 1893 with a restored neo-Renaissance ceiling, good for long breakfasts, cakes from its own patisserie and Czech-French brasserie dishes.
Café Imperial
Czech classics in an Art Deco caféNové Město (Na Poříčí)
Zdeněk Pohlreich's Czech restaurant in a 1914 café lined floor to ceiling with ceramic tiles, serving hearty Czech dishes done properly.
U Modré kachničky
Bohemian game and duckMalá Strana (Nebovidská)
The 'Blue Duckling', a cosy warren of painted rooms in a Baroque house in Malá Strana, known since 1993 for roast duck and Bohemian game dishes.
Mlýnec
Modern Czech and internationalStaré Město (Novotného lávka)
A smart restaurant on the river beside Charles Bridge, with window tables and a summer terrace looking straight at the bridge and the castle.
Kampa Park
Seafood and modern EuropeanMalá Strana (Kampa)
A long-standing special-occasion restaurant at the water's edge on Kampa, right under Charles Bridge, with a river terrace and a serious wine list.
Terasa U Zlaté studně
Fine dining with a viewMalá Strana (below Prague Castle)
The rooftop restaurant of the Golden Well hotel, high on the castle slope, with one of the finest views over the red roofs of Malá Strana to the Old Town.
Eska
Modern Czech and bakeryKarlín (Pernerova)
A converted factory in Karlín with an open bakery and a kitchen that ferments, smokes and bakes Czech ingredients into inventive small plates; a good reason to see Karlín.
Best bars and pubs in Prague
Historic beer halls and monastery breweries, the Letná beer garden, world-class cocktail bars and a jazz club on the river.
U Zlatého tygra
Traditional pubStaré Město (Husova)
A no-frills Old Town pub famous for its Pilsner Urquell and as the writer Bohumil Hrabal's local; regulars hold many tables, so come early or share.
U Fleků
Historic brewery pubNové Město (Křemencova)
A brewery pub that has made its own dark lager since 1499, with beer halls, a garden and accordion music; touristy, but the beer is the real thing.
U Medvídků
Brewery and beer hallStaré Město (Na Perštýně)
A beer hall since the 15th century with its own small brewery, serving Budvar alongside house brews in a warren of panelled rooms.
Klášterní pivovar Strahov
Monastery breweryHradčany (Strahov Monastery)
The Strahov Monastery's own brewery, revived in the courtyard, with St Norbert amber and dark beers; the obvious stop before or after the castle.
Letná beer garden (Letenský zámeček)
Open-air beer gardenLetná (Letenské sady)
Prague's favourite beer garden, under chestnut trees on the Letná plateau with a view over the river and the Old Town; it is an outdoor, fair-weather place, so check before going in winter.
Hemingway Bar
Cocktail barStaré Město (Karolíny Světlé)
A small, dark cocktail bar near the river, one of Prague's best known, with a long list of rums and absinthe and classic cocktails; book ahead.
Black Angel's Bar
Cocktail barStaré Město (Old Town Square)
A cocktail bar in candlelit Gothic vaults beneath Old Town Square, mixing classic and pre-war style recipes.
AnonymouS Bar
Theatrical cocktail barStaré Město (Michalská)
A playful, theatrical cocktail bar off Michalská in the Old Town, where drinks arrive with a bit of a show; fun for a night out.
Vinograf
Wine barNové Město (Senovážné náměstí)
A relaxed wine bar and restaurant with a long list of Czech and Moravian wines by the glass, and staff who will steer you through them.
Jazz Dock
Jazz clubSmíchov (Janáčkovo nábřeží)
A glass-walled jazz club floating on the Vltava, with live music every night and views back across the water to the National Theatre.
Gay bars in Prague
Saints Bar
Gay barVinohrady (Polská)
A small, friendly, British-run bar at the heart of the Vinohrady gay quarter, round the corner from Termix; a good first stop to find out what's on.
Termix
Gay dance clubVinohrady (Vinohradská)
Prague's long-running gay dance club, now at Vinohradská 40, with pop and oldies nights later in the week; it gets busy after midnight.
Friends Club & Bar
Gay club and barStaré Město (Bartolomějská)
A gay club in the Old Town since 1998, with a different programme every night: drag shows, karaoke, pop and themed parties, open until late.
All venues checked as trading on 13 November 2026. Opening hours change, so check Instagram before you go.
Prague FAQ
How many days do you need in Prague?
Three days is the classic city break to Prague: one for the castle, Malá Strana and Charles Bridge, one for the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter, and one for Vyšehrad, Petřín or Letná and a river cruise. Two days covers the highlights at a brisk pace; four or five give you time for a day trip to Kutná Hora or Karlštejn.
How do I get from Prague airport to the city centre?
Flights from the UK arrive at Terminal 1 of Václav Havel Airport. The Airport Express (AE) bus runs to the main railway station (Hlavní nádraží) in about 33 minutes, every 10 to 30 minutes, with its own fare. Bus 59 runs every 3 to 10 minutes to Nádraží Veleslavín metro station (line A) in about 17 minutes, on an ordinary public transport ticket, and from there the metro takes you into the centre. A taxi takes about 30 to 40 minutes.
When are the Prague Christmas markets in 2026?
The big markets on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square run from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, according to Prague City Tourism; the Wenceslas Square market opens 10:00-22:00 daily. There are smaller markets at Náměstí Míru, Karlín and Prague Castle. Early December weekdays are the least crowded.
What is the best time to visit Prague?
May, June and September have warm days and long evenings for walking. December is magical for the Christmas markets, but cold and busy. January to March is the quietest and cheapest time, with short days and occasional snow on the castle. July and August are hot and crowded.
Is Prague safe?
Prague is a safe city for visitors. Watch for pickpockets on Charles Bridge, around the astronomical clock and on crowded trams, use licensed taxis or apps rather than street taxis, and avoid exchange booths offering 'zero commission'. For official advice, see https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/czech-republic.
Is Prague expensive?
Prague is cheaper than London, Paris or Amsterdam for food and drink, and public transport is very good value, but the central hotels and restaurants in the Old Town and on Charles Bridge charge tourist prices. Eat where the locals do, a street or two away from the main squares, and buy a day or multi-day public transport ticket.
Where should I stay in Prague?
For a first city break, stay in Staré Město (the Old Town) or Malá Strana: everything in this guide is walkable from there. Nové Město, around Wenceslas Square and the Municipal House, has larger hotels and good transport. Vinohrady is quieter, residential and the centre of the gay scene.
What currency does Prague use?
The Czech koruna (crown, CZK); the Czech Republic does not use the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere. If you take cash out, use a bank ATM and choose to be charged in koruna, not pounds.
Can you visit Prague Castle for free?
Yes, the castle courtyards, the Garden on the Bastion and the back of St Vitus Cathedral are free to walk into. The historic interiors (the full cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St George's Basilica and Golden Lane) need a circuit ticket.
Is the Jewish Museum open on Saturdays?
No. The Jewish Museum in Prague, including the Old Jewish Cemetery and the synagogues, is closed every Saturday and on Jewish holidays, and the Old-New Synagogue closes early on Friday afternoons before Shabbat. Plan your Josefov visit for Sunday to Friday.
