City break Prague

After London, Paris, Istanbul and Rome, Prague is the fifth most visited city in Europe. The capital of Czech Republic has a long and rich history including the era of Bohemian kingdom, Habsburg Monarchy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire when Prague played an important role. The historic centre of Prague is included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.  

Prague is also the ideal destination for those interested in art. The city is home to many galleries, museums, theatres and historical exhibits, as well as to the oldest university in Central Europe, the Charles University.

Day 1

For your first day in Prague, you should visit the Hradčany castle, located on a hill above the old town. There you will also have the best view of the city. Inside the old castle walls, you will reach the square with St. Vitus cathedral, the famous landmark of Prague.

Near the castle you will see a lot of small caffés where you can have a coffee and enjoy the view.

On your way down to the city center, pass through the charming narrow streets with souvenir shops offering arts and crafts. Typical Prague souvenir is bohemian crystal and different kinds of witches made from cloth, wood, plastic and all kinds of materials. Witches are a symbol of Prague and every year on the 30th of April Czechs gather around the fire and celebrate the first day of spring by organising the Witches’ festival and burning the witches.

Before you reach Charles bridge, you should go down the Lazenska street to see John Lennon Wall. It is covered in graffiti dedicated to Lennon and his songs, and the signatures of people visiting the wall.    

Crossing the river Čertovka, in Hroznova street, you will find John Lennon Pub.

Take the Na Kampe street to come back up to Charles bridge and cross Vltava river to reach the Old Town. Charles bridge is the most famous landmark of Prague, with 30 baroque statues of religious figures as well as the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, the patron saint of the Czech Republic. It is the oldest statue at the bridge and represents the saint’s death, located at the exact place where he was thrown into Vltava.

In the old town you can find a lot of restaurants, bars and pubs for your late lunch. You should definitely try famous Czech beers (draught dark local beer is a must!).  

Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock are the next must-visit locations in the historical center. Good thing about Prague is that all tourist attractions are close.

Day 2

Enjoy the artsy neighbourhoods of Prague and visit some of the most famous galleries and museums, like e.g. National Museum, Museum of Decorative Arts, Prague City Museum, Mucha Museum, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Kinsky Palace Gallery, etc. Various exhibitions are also popular, so you might find something interesting depending on the exact dates of your visit.

Take the funicular up to the top of Petrin Hill and enjoy the view while walking around the beautiful rose garden and parks.  

One of the biggest squares in Prague, Wenceslas Square (Vaclavske Namesti), is the traditional location of public gatherings, demonstrations and celebrations. But here you can also try the famous Prague hot dogs at one of the many stalls around the square.   

In the evening, you should visit the oldest brewery in Prague, U Fleku. It was founded in 1499 and is still offering their best dark lager beer, known as “The Flek Thirteen”, available only in Flek pub. You can also grab something to eat, because apart from being a brewery, Flek is also a restaurant. Inside the pub, you will see a small wooden plaque commemorating the founding of Croatian football club Hajduk Split, that took place in Flek brewery in 1908.

Day 3

You could go on a day trip from Prague to Carlsbad (Karlovy Vary) by bus. It’s a 2-hour drive and you can book the ticket online to save time. Carlsbad is a popular resort offering various spa facilities and hot water springs. The town is also famous for the museum dedicated to the production of Becherovka herbal liqueur.

Carlsbad is a charming town whose center is surrounded by the rivers Ohre, Tepla and Rolava. The promenade along the river bank hosts luxurious shops like Escada, Gucci, Chanel, etc. You will also find a number of caffés and bars to relax and enjoy your daily dose of caffeine.

An interesting fact about Carlsbad is that the 2006 James Bond movie Casino Royale was filmed there, but staged as Montenegro. Walking around the town you might spot some familiar sights, and one of them is certainly the famous Grandhotel Pupp.

Check our post about Prague public transport if you will be needing it during your visit.

If you would like to visit Prague, check getbybus.com to find the best travel options, or see some of the most popular routes like Berlin to Prague, Budapest to Prague, Bratislava to Prague, London to Prague.

If you will be flying to Prague, check our post about reaching Prague city center from the airport.