PRAGUE.

Millennium-old architecture, awe-inspiring sights, one-of-a-kind atmosphere and the best beer in Europe … Welcome to Prague! This amazing city can rival the most popular destinations with the beauty of its architecture alone, but when you add the hospitality of the locals, the relaxed drinking culture and the ubiquitous art, for many it’s a clear winner. Be it as it may, Prague is simply beautiful, and its popularity is confirmed by the thousands of tourists trying to get past Charles Bridge, especially in the peak season. Iconic monuments of Czech history, like Veletržní Palác and the Old Town Square, are never empty, no matter the month. For many, it is not the architecture that’s the most awe-inspiring in Prague, but the beer – and that’s totally understandable, as no beer comes even close to the one served in Prague. Just don’t stop at the internationally famous Czech brands of bear, but instead, try some of the locally-brewed ales. After you get your fair share of beer, it’s time to do some exploration, and there is plenty to explore in Prague – the charming cobbled lanes, hidden courtyards and narrow alleyways form a real maze, filled with cosy cafes, ancient chapels, small gardens and more. As long as you put enough effort into it, Prague knows how to reward its explorers with one-of-a-kind secrets and treasures.

Prague Money Saving Tips

Money Saving Tips

Best Period to Visit Prague

Best Period to Visit Prague

Accomodation Tips for Prague

Accomodation Tips

Getting Around Prague

Getting Around Prague

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Prague

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Prague

Other Things to See and Do

Other Things to See and Do

Money Saving Tips

Pick a cheap airline

There are many ways to get to Prague, be it a train or a bus, but if you're traveling from afar, you will probably be arriving by plane. Make sure to pick a direct flight to Prague, which will cost you less than an indirect one, and check online on Vaclav Havel's Airport site, which lists a variety of cheap airlines.

Think about your airport transfer

The cheapest way to get into the city from the airport in Prague is to take a bus. Make sure you exchange your country’s currency to Czech crowns, as you could have problems when buying a ticket. It is also cheaper to buy the ticket at the terminal rather than from the bus driver, and it costs around two dollars.

Take a train if you're coming from Europe

If you live in a country located in Europe or are on vacation, where Prague is only one of the stops, make sure to travel to Prague by train. Trains are generally much cheaper than planes, and are not much slower, especially on small distances. Some good hubs for taking a train are Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Budapest, and Warsaw.

Use the public transport

If you own your own car and plan to use it to move around Prague – resist the temptation. Prague is known for its narrows streets, which often get crowded and are generally difficult to traverse if you’re inexperienced. Buses, metro, and trams are very cost-efficient and provide the fastest way of moving around.

Avoid hiring taxis

As is the case with big, tourist-oriented towns in Europe and everywhere else, taxis ten to overcharge their customers, especially tourists. Try to stay to the public transport or walking on foot, but if you absolutely have to take a taxi, make sure to ask for a receipt which they are obliged to provide.

Search for a cheap apartment online

Cheap accommodation is very easy to find in Prague, as a plethora of different hostels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and pensions are available all throughout the city. Most hostels in Prague also offer free breakfasts, which is a nice touch. Make sure to search around for discounts on rooms, which are really easy to find.

Stay away from currency exchange

If you are in need of getting some of your domestic currency changed into Czech crowns, make sure to do so at a bank or at an ATM. Avoid private currency exchange services, which offer bad exchange rates to get a profit. Some places try to scam tourists by offering attractive rates, while the charge you high commission fees.

Count your change

It is very important to count your change when shopping or attending attractions in Prague, as there have been numerous cases of short-changing the tourists by locals. Stay alert during every purchase in Prague, as it is better to spend some additional time counting than unnecessarily lose money.

Avoid popular diners

When searching for a place to eat your dinner, avoid the most popular restaurants. The general rule is that if a restaurant provides prices in euros, you are better to stay away from it. Search for small-time, local diners and restaurants which provide prices only in crowns, as those are often much, much cheaper.

Get a Prague Card

Most tourist-oriented cities in Europe have their own passes or cards, which provide discounted fees at various attractions, free entrances and cheaper public transport. The Prague Card works similarly, because you can visit many monuments and landmarks without having to wait in line like the others.

Best Period to Visit Prague

Tourism

To avoid crowds, be able to enjoy good weather and not have to pay a fortune for accommodation, visit Prague in the spring or early fall. Prague is known for not being the warmest, and that's why tourists swarm the city during the hot summer - and that's also when the prices surge. If you're not afraid of the cold, Prague is just gorgeous around the Christmas season.

Weather

The warmest months in Prague are June, July, and August, with around 23°C highs. Winter lasts from November to February, when the temperatures can hit around -4°C lows.

Money

Excluding the festive Christmas season, winter is when you can look for the biggest discounts in Prague, be it on accommodation, food or attractions. Summer, which is the peak season, is generally the most expensive, with the shoulder months being what can be called normal.

Events

Prague Winter Festival (January)
International Festival of Wind Orchestras (February)
Bohemian Carnevale (February)
Prague Marathon (May)
Czech Beer Festival (May)
Prague Food Festival (May)
Prague International Music Festival (May-June)
Anniversary of Kafka's Death (June)
United Islands (June)
Prague Proms (June-July)
Venetian Nights (July-August)
Dvorak's Prague Festival (September)
Birell Prague Grand Prix (September)
Prague Christmas Market (November-December)

Accomodation Tips

Apartments

If you do not like the hotel atmosphere or are traveling with a big family or a group of friends, short-term apartment rental might be an alternative when it comes to gaining accommodation in Prague. Rates vary depending on the size of the apartment, its location, and comfort.

Budget (1-2 star) hotels

Prague offers a wide choice of budget hotels, catering to all pocket sizes. Those of you interested in some amazing savings can book hotels in Prague for as low as around €10 per night.

Standard (3-4 star) hotels

If you're ready to pay a little more for that extra bit of comfort, then standard, 3- and 4-star hotels in Prague are what you need. In addition to the higher degree of service, these hotels offer better location, close to the tourist attractions.

Luxury hotels in Prague

Luxury hotels in Prague are known for impeccable service and high room standard. Even the most demanding guests will be delighted by their accommodation in Four Seasons Hotel Prague or Mandarin Oriental Prague. Of course, prices for this kind of accommodation are a bit higher, starting around €200 per night.

Getting Around Prague

Metro

Prague has a very efficient metro system, making it a viable method of transportation in the city. There are many information desks on the premises of the Vaclav Havel airport, which are sure to provide you with enough to get around easily. Most of the metro stations themselves also have these kinds of desks.
The metro is open each day, from Monday to Sunday, from 5 a.m. to midnight.
The metro has three different lines, which will surely take you wherever you need to be. The first line, line A, has a green color and connects the airport with the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, and Vinohrady. The second, yellow line with a letter B on it rides across the river from Smichov and Florenc. The last line, line C, has a red color and will allow you to move from the Florenc bus station to Vyšehrad.

Taxi

Taxi service is actually quite affordable and relatively high-quality in Prague, which makes it an easy way to get around the city. Most of the taxis have official rates which are always the same – 40Kc for flag fall and 28Kc per kilometer. This makes most trips cost around 200Kc, with some longer ones costing at most 600Kc.
Make sure to stay away from unlicensed cabs and only use the services of the ones with a yellow roof lamp, stickers on the sides and a distinctive license plate. There are many scammers who try to exploit the tourists, so keep an eye out. Even some of the drivers from professional taxi companies try to take more money than they are supposed to from tourists, so remember to have the official fare rate in mind.

Car

It is generally a really, really bad idea to drive around the centre of Prague with your own car. Not only is the centre mostly restricted from car traffic, but most of the small streets of Prague are also one-way streets, which can be really frustrating for people without knowledge of the city. You still might get around the outskirts of the city with your own vehicle, but you will still be stuck in traffic jams for most of the time, so try your luck with something else.
If you absolutely must use your own car, there are a couple of things to remember. The market price for gas is really low in the Czech Republic so you won’t be spending that much money on fuel. Also, you can use your own driving license from a foreign country for up to ninety days, counting from the day you crossed the border. This is generally enough time for most tourists, but if you’re planning to stay longer, you will need to renew it.
There are also a couple of small-time companies which offer better prices for rental cars, but once again – try to avoid driving your own vehicle.

Bicycle

While there is a couple of bike lanes, the streets of Prague are generally made out of cobblestone, which is not really comfortable for riding. There are also plenty of pedestrians, which make it even harder to move around, as you have to maneuver along them.
Make sure to wear a helmet whenever you ride, as this is not only a really good idea, but also enforced by law.
You can transport a bike for free with the metro, but there are a couple of things you need to remember while doing so. Make sure to get in through the rear door, and if there are two or more bikes already on the train, you may be asked to leave.
Also, make sure to secure your bike whenever you are about to leave it. Bike thieves are very common in the city of Prague, so make sure to use a lock and don't leave the bicycle for longer than it is absolutely necessary.

Tickets & Passes

• Day passes – if you’re about to stay in Prague for a couple of days and will be using public transport, make sure to get a day pass for up to three days. The one-day ones cost 110Kc, and the three-day passes are 310Kc. The three-day ones also do not allow for children or seniors discounts.

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Prague

Prague Beer and Tapas Walking Tour

This specialised guided tour offers you a trip across some of the best establishments in Prague, renowned for their quality beer and tasty tapas snacks. A guide will take you along the bar district of Prague, stopping at four different pubs for beer and four tapas bars, as well as a single microbrewery.

Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland National Park Day Trip

Not far from Prague lies the beautiful Bohemian Switzerland National Park, which boasts some of the best scenery and landscapes in all of Europe. This day trip will take you on a day-long journey with an air-conditioned minivan along with a small group of other travelers, allowing the guide to give you a lot of attention.

Prague Folklore Party Dinner

Get a lesson in the folklore and history of the Czech Republic while having a tasty traditional dinner. The attraction also provides drinks and refreshments, as well as dancing contests and performances by professionals. Included in the ticket are unlimited beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Český Krumlov Day Trip

Starting from the middle of Prague, this trip allows you to hop on an air-conditioned bus which will take you to the picturesque town of Český Krumlov. The tour includes admission to the castle located in the town, as well as a lunch and plenty of time to explore the marvelous place independently from the guide.

Terezín Concentration Camp

A unique historic trip to the Terezín Concentration Camp, which is sure to provide you with an extensive lesson on the World War Two history, as seen by the victims of the Nazis. A narrated audio guide allows you to explore the camp at your own pace, where you can navigate through barracks, cemeteries, and dormitories.

Original Medieval Dinner Show

This three-hour-long medieval show will show you how luxurious meals looked in the days of yore. The show includes a three-course dinner at a 14th-century pub, just next to the Prague Castle. The staff which works at the pub wears historical costumes and provides entertainment with swordplay, juggling and dance shows.

Czech Beer Tasting in Prague

Enjoy a first-person experience of the famous beers of the Czech Republic, which are a national pride of the country. Learn about the history of brewing from an experienced guide and taste seven of the most famous Czech beers, all taking place in one of Prague’s liveliest bars with a private table guaranteed.

Vltava River Dinner Cruise

Marvel at the beautiful cityscape of Prague from a boat cruise on the river of Vltava, taking place on a luxurious ship with a dedicated balcony which allows an unobstructed view of the city in all its glory. The cruise takes about three hours and has buffet dinner with a complimentary drink included in the fee.

Lobkowicz Palace Concert

This tour is a must-see for music enthusiasts coming to Prague on vacation. The attraction is one among the most-attended tours in Prague and allows you to enjoy classical music inside of the gorgeous Lobkowicz Palace, where you can listen to an orchestral performance of Bach, Beethoven, and Dvořák.

Czech Beer Museum

The Czech Beer Museum provides a self-guided tour with audio commentary telling the history of beer-brewing in the Czech Republic. You can see all of the exhibits at your own pace, exploring 13th-century beer cellars and old-fashioned pubs which were brought to life during the communist era of the Czech Republic.

Other Things to See and Do

Saint Vitus Cathedral

Make sure to visit this Gothic-style Catholic church during your visit to Prague if you are an admirer of beautiful architecture. The cathedral was completed in 1929 and is filled with gorgeous stained glass windows and sculptures of gargoyles, plus a chapel which is a house for different relics of saints.

The Church of Our Lady Before Tyn

Located in the middle of the Old Town Square, the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn is decorated with a plethora of marvelous paintings, oldest of which date to 1649. The church is also fitted with a classic pipe organ which is the oldest of its kind in Prague, so make sure to listen to its unique tunes.

Graffiti Walls

There are plenty of unusually decorated street walls in Prague, every single one dedicated to a different artist. There is a whole wall dedicated to John Lennon, with graffiti inspired by him and The Beatles. The wall has a large portrait of Lennon on it, paired with plenty of song lyrics and political quotes.

Vyšehrad

Take a trip to this picturesque fort, located on the right bank of Vltava river. The fort was built around the 10th century, but the exact date is unknown. Inside of the fort lies the Basilica of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, as well as a gorgeous cemetery, decorated with lush greenery and sculptures of its residents.

Prague Castle

This castle complex is estimated to be built during the 9th century and is the official office of the president of the Czech Republic. Across the years, the Prague Castle was the home for kings of Bohemia, the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, and even presidents of Czechoslovakia before its dissolving.

The National Gallery

The largest collection of Czech regional art is housed in the National Gallery, which has six different venues, each of which displays different styles of visual arts. The gallery offers free entrance to all visitors five times every year, and the specific dates are annually announced on their website.

Convent of Saint Agnes of Bohemia

The Convent of Saint Agnes of Bohemia is the oldest surviving Gothic building in Prague, dating as far as the 13th century. In the year 2000, the convent has been opened to the public, its premises now holding the biggest collection of medieval art in Prague, and possibly in all of the Czech Republic.

Veletržní Palace

If you would rather look at some more modern and contemporary art, take a trip to this palace, which often contains exhibitions from the 20th and 21st century. The palace is a house to both famous pieces of art, created by respected Czech artists, as well as fresh, newcomer artists who try their best at matching their masters.

Czech Museum of Music

While this unique museum almost always has an admission fee required to enter, on every first Thursday of each month you can enter it without any charge. The museum is located near a beautiful church and holds more than seven hundred thousand items, every of which has a separate description and a display.

Church of Saint Mary Magdalene

This Roman Catholic church is located in the heart of the city, amidst the Karlovy Vary area, which is near the hot springs of Prague. The church is built in a Baroque style and is one of the most important monuments of its era in the Czech Republic, decorated with a Gothic Madonna and ornamental Eucharistic sculptures.

Charles Bridge

If you’re willing to take an evening stroll along the streets of Prague, take a walk across the Charles Bridge, which was constructed in the 14th century. Nowadays, the bridge is used by various local artists and musicians to display their art to the general public, and you can almost always take part in some event there.

Petřín Hill

Getting on top of the Petřín Hill might take some effort, as it is a thirty-minute hike through rough, elevated terrain, but it is absolutely worth it. You won’t find a better view of the city than from the top of the Petřín Hill, and along the way to the top, you can spot many statues, including one of the poets Karel Hynek Mácha.

The Day of Love

If you’re planning to visit Prague in April or at the beginning of May, make sure to stay on the 1st of May for the Day of Love. Taking place on the gardens around the Petřín Hill, the Day of Love is a day when lovers show their love to the world, with plenty of events and exhibitions placed around the garden.

Divoká Šárka Park

Take a trip along the natural pathways of this nature reserve, located at the northwestern part of Prague’s suburbs. The park is home to a huge gorge, which is surrounded by a forest of tall trees. Follow the trails of the park, but watch out for the wildlife, which runs freely amidst the trees.

Džbán Lake

Looking for a way to actively spend your vacation, but you're bored with walking and hiking along the hills and forests? This lake allows free paddling trips along its premises, and you can even get a professional guide who will be glad to help you start if you're a beginner to the sport.

Holešovice Market

Explore the biggest open-air market of the city of Prague, known for its wide variety of local, regional products. This specific market is best known for its food delicacies, electronics, and clothes. The Holešovice Market brings thousands of tourists every year, so make sure to stop by and find something for yourself.

Pankrác Market

This market is relatively small, but it is still worth seeing. The market is a place where small-time local vendors who cannot afford a spot on the bigger ones come. These sellers offer products such as second-hand clothes, seasonal produce, self-made home appliances, baked goods, or even some pottery and art.

Josefov

The Prague’s Jewish quarter – Josefov – is placed in the Old Town district of the city. While not being a highly-attended tourist spot, you should still visit the place to learn about its vast history, dating back to the 10th century. Josefov is the birthplace of Franz Kafka, a famous German novelist, and story writer.

Franciscan Monastery

While being a church worth visiting by itself to marvel at its architecture, the Franciscan Monastery is one of the most kid-friendly spots in all of Prague. The monastery is fitted with a giant playground, making it a perfect spot for family trips, and even has an ice cream parlor in its vicinity for parents to relax in.

Wallenstein Gardens

If you’re visiting Prague during the summer months, make sure to take a trip to the Wallenstein Gardens. The gardens are frequently visited by local bands and orchestras, where they provide live performance to the general public for free. While there, you can also see the bronze sculptures placed in the garden itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the best hotels for Prague city break?

    Our list of the best hotels in Prague are: Grandior Hotel Prague, Grand Majestic Plaza, Occidental Praha, Hilton Prague Hotel and Corinthia Hotel Prague. Discover the full list of best hotels in Prague.

  • What are the luxury hotels in Prague?

    The finest examples of luxury hotels in Prague include Occidental Praha Wilson, Alcron Hotel Prague, Grandium Prague, Art Deco Imperial Hotel, Best Western Plus Hotel Meteor Plaza, Eurostars Thalia and Park Inn Hotel Prague. Discover the full list of luxury hotels in Prague.

  • What are the cheap hotels in Prague?

    Those trying to visit Prague on a tight budget will find everything they need in hotels such as Michelangelo Grand Hotel, Panorama Hotel Prague, Hilton Prague Old Town, Pentahotel Prague, Hotel Caesar Prague, Three Crowns Hotel Prague and Hotel Julian. Discover the full list of Cheap hotels in Prague.

  • What is the best period to visit Prague for a city break?

    Taking factors such as weather, crowds and prices, the best months to visit Prague for a city break are June, July, August and September.

  • What are top 5 things to see and do in Prague?

    Prague offers plenty of exciting attractions and things to do. Must-sees in Prague include: Prague Beer and Tapas Walking Tour, Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland National Park Day Trip, Prague Folklore Party Dinner, Český Krumlov Day Trip and Terezín Concentration Camp.

  • How much does an Prague city pass cost?

    A city pass in Prague costs around €55.

  • How much does public transport in Prague cost?

    24-hour ticket for public transport in Prague costs around €4.38.

  • What are the best night clubs in Prague?

    The best night clubs in Prague include: Terezín Concentration Camp, Roxy Prague, Chapeau Rouge, Karlovy Lázně and DéjáVu Music Club.

  • What are the best bars in Prague?

    Judging on the reviews and customer opinions, the best bars in Prague are: Hemingway Bar, Lokál Dlouhááá, Bar Cobra, The Golden Tiger and Black Angel’s Bar.

  • What are the best places to eat in Prague?

    Your choice of the best restaurants in Prague may vary depending on your taste, however, La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise, Field, Kantýna and Naše Maso are some of the most popular choices.

  • What are the top 5 best restaurants in Prague?

    Top 5 restaurants in Prague include: Lehká Hlava, Eska, U Modré Kachničky, Terasa U Zlaté Studně and Hillbilly Burger.