Prague is always worth a trip! We visit the Czech capital at least two or three times each year and always discover new places and sights. In this article I will not only tell you the best things to do in Prague but also share with you great insider tips and my favorite photo spots in Prague as well as useful information for your trip! At the end of the post you will find a map of Prague with all mentioned places in this post.

The best things to do in Prague with map and insider tips

When is the best time to visit Prague?

Prague has a very special charm in every season. However, especially during the winter and Christmas season, the medieval old town of Prague is transformed into a fairytale backdrop. But even in the warm seasons, Prague has a lot to offer. Its many beer gardens and restaurants along the Vltava make Prague a destination worth visiting all year round.

How many days should you visit Prague for?

Two to three days are enough to get a first good impression of the city and the best things to do, making Prague ideal for a weekend destination. However, if you would like to discover the city with more peace and time and maybe visit one or the other museum, then I would recommend four days.

How to reach Prague the easiest way?

Prague is very easy to reach by car from Germany, as there has been a continuous motorway from Dresden to Prague for a few years now and the Czech capital can be reached in just two hours. Long-distance buses also offer good connections to Prague from many German cities. The train is an uncomplicated alternative as well.

Flying into Prague is also an easy and comfortable alternative. The international airport PRG is only 25 minutes by car from the old town center.

What are the best hotels in Prague?

We have two favorite hotels in Prague, which are absolutely recommendable and have a top location for sightseeing tours:

→ Our favorite hotel in Prague is the MGallery Hotel Century Old Town Prague, which, as the name suggests, is located in the middle of the old town. The Charles Bridge can be reached in just a few minutes on foot. The hotel is located in a baroque building where the writer Franz Kafka worked for several years. The interior of the 4 star hotel was recently renovated, with great rooms that are all reminiscent of Kafka.

→ The Four Seasons Hotel Prague offers what is probably the most beautiful view of the Vltava River and Prague Castle. Many rooms as well as the roof terrace and restaurants in the hotel offer a great panoramic view.

What are the best things to do in Prague you can’t miss? 

Let’s now come to my favorite sights and insider tips in Prague, which you definitely shouldn’t miss. You will also find my favorite photo spots as well as bars and restaurants of this most beautiful city and a map with all exact locations at the very end.

Prague Old Town

For me, Prague has one of the most beautiful historical old towns in Europe. The first traders settled here as early as the 12th and 13th centuries. The facades of the houses are a mixture of baroque and gothic styles and are still very well preserved, since fortunately Prague was spared bomb attacks during the Second World War.

Famous highlights of the Old Town Square, the oldest central square in the city, are the well-known Church of our Lady before Tyn, the St. Nicholas Cathedral and the Old Town Hall with the astronomical clock from 1410, which performs a small spectacle every full hour. For this reason, a crowd of people gathers in front of the clock 10-15 minutes before each hour to watch the figures make their rounds.

The Gothic tower of the town hall can be visited, where you can enjoy a great view over the square and the city.

Prague Insider Tip: The roof terrace with the most beautiful view in Prague – Terasa U Prince

Right next to the town hall you will find the rooftop bar Teresa U Prince with probably the most beautiful and photogenic view in Prague. After entering the hotel, you walk through the lobby to the glass elevator, which takes you up to the top floor. Here you have to climb a few more steps to reach the small bar. You can either order food or just drinks (even in winter!), but the highlight is without a doubt the unique view.

I would recommend making a reservation at the weekend, but you can usually stop by spontaneously on weekdays.

Extra tip: In the basement of the Hotel U Prince you will find a completely different bar, which, in my opinion, is one of the best in the city: In the Back Angels you can enjoy unique cocktails in a wonderful 1930s ambience. The bar has already received several awards and is an absolute insider tip in Prague.

The Charles Bridge

Probably the best-known and most famous thing to do in Prague is a walk over the medieval Charles Bridge, which has been connecting the Old Town (Staré Mesto) and the Lesser Town (Malá Strana) since 1402. The bridge is one of the oldest stone bridges in Europe. Open to pedestrians only, it is lined with 30 sculptures. On the bridge itself you will meet many artists and craft vendors during the day. A walk through the distinctive Old Town Bridge Tower and across the bridge therefore feels like a journey into the past.

Due to the popularity of the Charles Bridge, it gets very busy during the day. My advice is that, for great photos you have to wake up very early, but it’s worth it: the sun rises directly behind the Old Town Bridge Tower. If the weather is good, you still won’t be alone, but likely meet some photographers.

If you cross Charles Bridge, you must not miss the following Secret tip in Prague:

Prague Insider Tip: Little Venice of Prague

The small Vltava island Kampa is also known as Prague’s “Little Venice” which is a truly fitting name. A small side canal of the Vltava leads past historical buildings and there are many small shops and restaurants to discover. In one particular small restaurant you can even sit directly on small balconies over the water. You’ll find it right next to the bridge at the “old water wheel“. It is easy to find and of course I marked it in the Prague map below.

It’s also the place where you’ll find the famous John Lennon wall. A huge wall full of art pieces and quotes inspired by John Lennon, The Beatles and travelers from all around the world.

You can reach Kampa by walking down the small staircase that starts at the edge of the Charles Bridge (if you are coming from the direction of the Old Town, the steps are on the left hand side, just before the end of the bridge).

Photo Spot in Prague: The Swan river bank at the Vltava

You can find one of my favorite photo spots in Prague just a few minutes away from the Charles Bridge. On the Lesser Town side (Malá Strana) you’ll find a shallow river bank at the Vltava river where you can find swans (and sometimes even beavers) all year around! With the Charles bridge and the rooftops of the old town in the background, they make a beautiful photo motive. I marked the exact location on my Prague map below.

Malá Strana – Lesser Town of Prague

Malá Strana, also known as Prague’s Lesser Town, is located on the other side of the Vltava and is by no means “lesser” but just as worth a visit as the old town. Here you will find lots of good restaurants with a great ambience and small winding streets with cute shops to browse through.

Well-known sights of Prague’s Lesser Town are the John Lennon Wall and of course the Prague Castle on the hill.

The Prague Castle

The huge Prague Castle from the 9th century is the symbol of the Czech Republic and the largest closed castle complex in the world! A visit belongs without any doubt to the best things to do in Prague! In the complex you will find several museums, palaces, churches, parks and more, which is why it is one of the most famous sights in Prague. Particularly impressive and well-known is the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral with its 99 meter high main tower, which can also be visited.

Insider tip: The “Golden Lane” is part of the Prague Castle. The street takes its visitors back in time, with cute houses where goldsmiths and alchemists worked after the 16th century. The well-known writer Franz Kafka even lived here in the house with the number 22.

Incidentally, an entrance fee only has to be paid until 6 p.m. to visit the Golden Lane. After that, entry is free as all buildings are closed. However, if you just want to admire the ambiance and architecture of the famous little street, then this is the ideal time.

Prague’s Restaurant & Bar insider tips

Culinary Prague is primarily known for its good Bohemian cuisine, but the big city has a lot more to offer than just goulash and boiled dumplings. Below I have listed some of my favorite bars and restaurants in Prague, including some insider tips you shouldn’t miss:

Restaurants

• ZEM – my favorite dinner plane in Prague! It has an open kitchen, good atmosphere and excellent food while the prices are not expensive! The kitchen is a fusion of Japanese and Czech – it sounds strange but is incredible good and authentic. The Restaurant also has a great bar!
• Sia – Hip asian restaurant with a great atmosphere
• Grosetto Marina – Italian restaurant on a ship on the Vltava River
• James Dean – 1960’s style American diner and bar
• Cotto Crudo – Restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel with a great view of the illuminated castle in the evening
• Gambero Rosso – authentic Italian with probably the best pizza in town
• U Pivrnce – Good Bohemian cuisine and local beer in a casual setting with good prices. The restaurant is particularly suitable as a lunch stop during your sightseeing tour

Bars

• Black Angels – great 1930’s style bar with special cocktails
• Terasa U Prince – the most beautiful roof top bar in Prague, especially worth a visit during the day
• Anonymous Bar – special atmosphere with great drinks

Prague surprises me with its magic during everyone of my visits and there is always something new to discover. I hope this article and the above Prague map with the best things to do in the Czech capital will help you planning your own trip and inspire you to let Prague enchant you, just like myself.

Map of Prague with the best things to so:

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