Prague sits in the heart of central Europe. It’s the capital of the Czech Republic and is full of sights, activities, and good food to keep visitors busy for days. However, some people don’t have days to spend, so this article is going to focus on the top five things I think all visitors to Prague should do. If you’re visiting Prague for multiple days, you’ll have no problem doing everything on this list (and will have to look for even more to do). But if you only have one day in Prague, you’ll still be able to do everything on this list.
The Best of Prague
Obviously this is not an exhaustive list of things to do in Prague. Rather, it’s a focused list of just the highlights, making it perfect for people who only have one day in Prague.
Prague Castle (Pražsky Hrad)
The Prague Castle is the most popular tourist spot in Prague, so expect to share your visit with a lot of other tourists. Still, make it a point to come up to the castle. Even if you don’t pay to go into its many sights, you’ll have beautiful views of the entire city of Prague.
For those who wish to enter the castle, you’ll have a lot to explore. Beyond the castle, you’ll find a cathedral, numerous other historic buildings, and Golden Lane (a picturesque alley within the complex). This complex is the largest castle complex in the world, at almost 70,000 square meters.
Highlights include:
Old Royal Palace: This is the actual castle that you’ll likely be expecting when you picture Prague Castle. A visit here includes the famous halls with their beautiful architecture and design.
St. George’s Basilica: The famous, bright red brick facade stands out in the square. The interior of the basilica is massive and holds the tomb of Vratislav I (father of St. Wenceslas).
Golden Lane: This picturesque alley feature small, colorful cottages and is a favorite in the complex.
St. Vitus Cathedral: I could have made this its own entry on a list of things to see and do in Prague. This beautiful cathedral is stunning and absolutely worth a visit.
The Story of Prague Castle: This museum contains artifacts from the castle itself. You’ll follow Prague Castle through 1000 years of history.
Prague Castle Picture Gallery: Here you’ll find art from the 16th through the 18th centuries.
Tickets for the Prague Castle
Tickets are broken into two sections.
The Prague Castle Basic Circuit includes the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, Golden Lane, and St. Vitus Cathedral.
The Prague Castle – Permanent Exhibitions ticket includes The Story of Prague Castle and the Prague Castle Picture Gallery.
Each ticket costs 250 czk. Learn more at the official website.
Charles Bridge
Along with the castle, one of the most famous sights in Prague is the Charles Bridge, which connects the city across the Vltava River. From the bridge, you will have a great view of the Prague Castle, along with the Vltava River and other parts of the city.
By late morning, the bridge is packed with tourists and artists. So for a more peaceful experience, visit early in the morning.
Take a Walking Tour
I believe that one of the best ways to learn a city’s history is to take a walking tour. In the Old Town Square, you’ll find loads of tour guides waiting for tourists. Join one of those walking tours or utilize a self guided tour (which is my preference). There’s so much history in Prague and one of the best things you can do is to try to learn some of it while you’re here.
Eat Some Czech Food
I don’t typically add food to these kinds of lists, but I’m making an exception here. You’ll have to eat at some point, so why not have some good food. Personally, I recommend finding a place to get some bread dumplings. These are typically prepared with some meat, like roast pork, and the entire plate is delicious.
Astronomical Clock
I couldn’t write a list of things to do in Prague without mentioning the astronomical clock. Tourists seem to go crazy for the clock. Every hour, on the hour, the clock spins and puts on a show.
Honestly, since the clock was first installed in 1410, the show isn’t super impressive by today’s standards. But that doesn’t stop the tourists for packing together around the clock to stare up and watch it.
The clock is cool, don’t get me wrong, but I think the show it does is a tad overrated. Catch a glimpse of the show, but keep an eye on your things. Tourists distracted by a centuries old clock is the perfect opportunity for pick pockets.
If you visit the clock, not right on the hour when it’s doing its show, you’ll have a much calmer experience.
Bonus
If you have more than one day in Prague and are looking for a few more things to do, here’s a few ideas.
Mucha Museum
Here you’ll find works from the Czech painter Alfons Mucha. Notably though, you won’t find Mucha’s crowning masterpiece, the Slav Epic (a series of 20 massive paintings detailing the story of the Slavic People). If you wish to see the Slav Epic, you’ll need to visit the Savarin Palace.
Vysehrad
Prague has two castles and Vysehrad is the lesser visited of the two. To get away from the crowds at Prague Castle, consider a stop here.
Petrin Tower
There’s no shortage of great views in this city, but the Petrin Tower is another place you can check out for more awesome views of the city.
Church of St. Nicholas
I’ve already mentioned visiting St. Vitus Cathedral at the Prague Castle, but this is another church I visited that I really enjoyed. There were significantly fewer visitors, but the church was still beautiful. For the best experience, try to visit when it is hosting a chamber concert.
Take a Day Trip
While I could keep going about things to do in Prague, my last suggestion is to leave the city. There is more to see in the Czech Republic than just Prague, so take one day to explore. The most popular day trips include Cesky Krumlov, Kutná Hora, and Karlovy Vary.
How Long Do You Need in Prague
If you only have one day in Prague, you can do the main items on this list. It will be a busy day, but it is possible. With two days, you can explore at a more relaxed pace, and even hit some of the bonus items on this list. With three days, I’d spend two days in Prague and then take a day trip on the third day.
When Should You Go to Prague
Prague is a great destination all year round. Summer will be warm and have the highest tourist crowds. Winter has fewer crowds, but colder temperatures. Spring and fall have a great balance of good temperatures and more manageable tourist crowds.
Final Thoughts
Prague is a picturesque city, but it’s popularity just seems to keep growing. That’s fine, but you need to be aware that the tourist crowds can be insane. While a lot of the the major sights are worth your time, don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path. Even two blocks away from a major sight will give a nice reprieve from the crowds of tourists.
That all said, if you can look past all of the tourists, you can still find a beautiful city with plenty to explore. Whether you have one day in Prague or five, you’ll be sure to be have a great trip.
Continue Your Adventure
Czech Republic: There’s more to than this country than just Prague, so get out and explore. Kutná Hora is an easy day trip filled with UNESCO sites.
More in Europe: For more great cities with lots to explore. Consider a visit to London, Paris, or Amsterdam.