Summary
- Prague in 3 days
- - Day 1: The Old Town and the Castle
- - Charles Bridge
- - Prague Castle
- - Day 2: Discovering the banks of the Vltava River
- - Kampa Park, Legion Bridge and Dancing House
- - Naplavka and Vyšehrad
- - Day 3: Jewish Quarter and Hill of Petřín
- - Josefov
- - Petřín
- Prague in 4 days
- - For a quiet discovery: the district of Vinohrady
- - For art and history lovers: the must-see museums
- - For food addicts: make a gourmet day in Prague
- Prague in 5 days
- - Cesky Krumlov
- - Karlovy Vary
- - Kutná Hora and its ossuary
- - Terezin concentration camp
- Prague in one week
- Transportation in Prague
Did you take a few days off to discover the Czech Republic? Discover the best routes to visit Prague in 3, 4 or 5 days!
Among all European destinations, there is one that has always charmed tourists from all over the world: Prague. Jewel of Central Europe, the capital of the former Bohemian Kingdom is home to an incredible heritage, classified of course as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Considered the cradle of the Czech people and language, it was magnified in the 14th century during the reign of Charles IV, the Germanic Roman Emperor. Prague has since become a major cultural centre and a powerful economic pole in Europe. Its tormented history of the last century has not detracted from its beauty, the hospitality of its inhabitants and its exceptional heritage. Are you coming to visit Prague soon? Then follow our guide and discover the routes of Prague that you absolutely must do in 3, 4 or 5 days!
Also read :
The 14 must-do things to do in Prague
9 ideas for guided tours in Prague
Prague Card: notices, rates, duration & activities included
Prague in 3 days
Day 1: The Old Town and the Castle
Not to be missed: Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Staré Město, Lobkowicz Palace, Astronomical Clock
Areas to stay: Staré Město, Malá Strana
Our advice: If you can, visit the Castle and the Charles Bridge early in the morning to avoid the mass of afternoon tourists.
Start your Prague itinerary with its most emblematic monuments: Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. Both are usually overrun by tourists in the afternoon. This makes it difficult to enjoy them fully or to take nice pictures!
Charles Bridge
Start your day with a visit to the Charles Bridge. The sooner you arrive, at least it will be crowded! Named in honour of Charles IV, the symbol of the city, since the 14th century it has linked the Malá Strana district to the Old Town of Prague, known in Czech as "Staré Město". This colossal Baroque monument is considered one of the most beautiful bridges in Europe! Along the way you can see statues of saints and enjoy beautiful views of the Vltava River and the city.
Once you arrive in Malá Strana, you can choose to explore this picturesque and charming area. The most important monuments are the Wallenstein Palace and its garden, the Church of St. Nicholas and John Lennon's Wall, next to the French Embassy. However, we recommend that you take the tram directly to Prague Castle.
Prague Castle
To do so, take trams 22 or 23 from the Malostranské stop náměstí to the Pražský hrad stop. Make sure you arrive at the castle at the correct time (11:00, 12:00, 13:00, etc.) to attend the changing of the guard. The most impressive is at noon.
Then visit Prague Castle, the seat of power of the Bohemian kings, the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, the presidents of the Czechoslovak Republic and then the Czech Republic! Situated on the hill of Hradčany, it is considered to be the largest ancient castle in the world. A true city within the city, it also houses many religious buildings, a palace and massive architectural elements typical of the city!
The gigantic Saint-Guy cathedral and Saint-Georges basilica are obviously a must! Its towers can be seen everywhere in the city. But don't forget to visit the Lobkowicz Palace, an art museum, and also the Castle gardens. You can then go back down to Malá Strana to visit the district and the monuments mentioned above.
Finally, you can walk to the Old Town and see the Prague Astronomical Clock. It is usually less crowded at the end or beginning of the day.
Good to know: the castle as well as other major city tours are included in the Prague Card.
Day 2: Discovering the banks of the Vltava River
Not to be missed: National Theatre, Dancing House, Vyšehrad, Prague Powder Tower
Neighbourhoods to stay in: Staré Město, Malá Strana, Nové Město
Our advice: eat at the market of Naplavka on weekends or have lunch on one of the barges on the quays.
Kampa Park, Legion Bridge and Dancing House
On your second day, we recommend that you explore the town along the banks of the Vltava River as far as Vyšehrad, a former fortified castle. You can start one of the most beautiful routes in Prague from Kampa Park at Malá Strana and cross the Legion Bridge. The Legion Bridge spans a charming green island, which hosts events in spring and summer. You will then reach the National Theatre, a magnificent building. It is the second starting point of this route in Prague.
Then follow the docks to Frank Gehry's Dancing House. If you like history, you can follow the avenue on your left to the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Its crypt houses a free, exciting and moving museum dedicated to Operation Anthropoid. This operation, led by the Czech Resistance, led to the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, Heinrich Himmler's right-hand man, during the Second World War.
Naplavka and Vyšehrad
In any case, we invite you to go down to the banks of the Vtlava River (Naplavka) in a southerly direction. On Saturdays and Sundays a farmers' market is held. Several stalls offer local specialities for a quick bite to eat. Once you arrive at the railway bridge, leave the quays and climb up to the Vyšehrad hill, which is normally well signposted. This castle, built in the 10th century on a hill overlooking the Vltava River, offers superb views of Old Prague to the north and the Vltava River. Within the castle grounds you can also see a cemetery with the remains of some of the most famous people in Czech history.
After this tour, you can get to the Vyšehrad metro stop. This can take you to the Muzeum stop. You can then get off at Wenceslas Square, one of the largest and most famous squares in the Czech Republic. From there, you can go to the Prague Powder Tower for shopping at the Palladium or to the Old Town.
When dusk arrives, you can also enjoy a beautiful cruise on the Vltava River. This way you will discover the monuments seen during the day from a new angle and in a romantic setting! This activity is an absolute must on your Prague itinerary.
Day 3: Jewish Quarter and Hill of Petřín
Must-see: Josefov, the Jewish Museum in Prague, Petřín,
Neighbourhoods where to stay: Staré Město, Nové Město
Our advice: visit the Jewish quarter in the morning and then enjoy the sun in the afternoon on the green hill of Petřín.
Josefov
For this third day, we recommend a visit to Josefov, the Jewish quarter of Prague, located in the heart of the Old Town. This place was once home to one of the largest Jewish communities in Central Europe. Only a few symbols remain of this community: synagogues, museums and cemeteries. Exploring them will allow you to discover its history, sometimes prosperous and sometimes tormented. You can also opt for a guided tour of the district. You can also visit Josefov's must-sees: the Jewish Museum of Prague, the Old Jewish Cemetery or the Old-New Synagogue.
We recommend that you take this tour in the morning. In the afternoon, if the weather is good, we recommend that you climb to the top of the hill at Petřín. At the top, you will enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramas of Prague!
Petřín
Although it is only 327 meters high, this Petrin Hill dominates the landscape. It has a tower, nicknamed the "Little Eiffel Tower of Prague", a funicular and is surrounded by a huge park. To get to the top of the hill, you can get to the Újezd station, which is served by a number of tram lines.
Before reaching the funicular, or for those brave enough to climb the hill on foot, don't miss the monument dedicated to the victims of communism. These seven human silhouettes descending a staircase symbolize the suffering inflicted on the political prisoners of the regime. On the ground, a bronze line and commemorative plaques recall the number of victims.
As for the Prague funicular, it runs between 9 a.m. and over 11 p.m. in the evening, with a departure every 10-15 minutes depending on the season. Be careful though: you will probably have to queue. But good news if you have a transport card: the ascent and descent will be free!
At the top, you will be able to climb the panoramic tower to enjoy a superb view of Prague and its must-see monuments! You will also be able to observe the St. Lawrence Church and the Calvary Chapel, take a walk in the adjoining park and reach some beautiful lookouts. Above all, don't miss the chance to walk along the crenellated "Hunger Wall" as far as the Strahov Monastery. This building dating from 1143 houses a beautiful and sumptuous library.
Prague in 4 days
Not to be missed: Vinohrady district, St. Ludmila Church, Prague City Museum, Lego Museum, National Museum of Prague
Areas to stay: Staré Město, Malá Strana, Vinohrady
Our advice: Take advantage of the gourmet break to take a longer break.
Your first three days in the capital allowed you to complete Prague's must-see itineraries. If you have planned to discover Prague in 4 days, then you will be able to take your time and enjoy activities and places that tourists don't like. Of course, we've already suggested a few lesser-known sites just before, such as the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Hill of Petřín or Vyšehrad.
For a quiet discovery: the district of Vinohrady
Would you like to include a quieter day in your Prague itinerary? Then we can only recommend that you spend some time in the Vinohrady district. Very popular with expats and locals alike, its discovery necessarily begins with the beautiful Church of St. Ludmila in the centre of Náměstí Míru Square. This church frequently hosts Christmas markets or farmers' markets. In the adjacent streets you will find many restaurants serving world cuisine, as well as charming cafés.
At Jiřího z Poděbrad you will also find a famous farmer's market, mainly attended by the inhabitants of the neighborhood. The nearby transmission tower houses a restaurant. If you book a table for lunch, you will be able to eat a delicious Czech meal and have a beautiful view of the city!
Finally, take a trip to the Riegrovy sady park. This spot is famous for its view of the castle and the town. This park is the ideal place for picnics or aperitifs at sunset!
For art and history lovers: the must-see museums
Are you planning to visit Prague in 4 days? Art and history lovers, take advantage of this extra day to visit some of Prague's must-see museums. First of all, you shouldn't miss to discover the Prague City Museum. Located in a beautiful neo-Renaissance building, it presents the history of Prague from Prehistory to 1784. Its most exceptional piece is obviously its model of Prague made by Langweil between 1826 and 1834!
Then take a tour of the National Museum in Prague, the largest museum in the Czech Republic. Located at the end of Wenceslas Square, in the heart of the city, its collections deal with the natural sciences as well as the most advanced fields of social sciences. Its pieces come from the Czech Republic and all over the world.
To learn more about the country's recent history, you should also visit the Museum of Communism. It will allow you to learn more about the history of this totalitarian regime, from the Prague Coup in February 1948 to the Velvet Revolution in November 1989. The exhibitions also present daily life, propaganda and censorship.
And if you're doing your Prague itinerary with your family, drop by the Lego Museum. It will appeal to young and old alike.
And for a more positive note, we obviously recommend the Mucha Museum. This small gallery is dedicated to the Czech artist Alfons Mucha. The latter is known for his emblematic paintings, posters, drawings and lithographs. Art lovers can also visit the Museum of Decorative Arts or the Kampa Museum.
For food addicts: make a gourmet day in Prague
Prague is not necessarily known for its gastronomy, yet Czech cuisine deserves to be part of your Prague itinerary! Beyond the famous goulash, a smažený řízek (Schnitzel) or the trdelník in the city centre, there are many other wonders. To discover Czech gastronomy, here are several must-see addresses:
- Kantýna: a famous butcher's shop and meat restaurant;
- Havelská Koruna: to eat in a real Czech canteen;
- Café Louvre: for a First Republic atmosphere and more elaborate, but still affordable Czech meals;
- U Medvídků: a traditional Czech brasserie transformed into a restaurant.
Beer is also a central part of Czech culture. There are hundreds of breweries in the country. To discover some of the lesser-known ones, head to the traditional beer bars of U Tri Ruzi. For a local atmosphere, we warmly recommend Zlý Časy. The nearby Restaurace U Bansethů is one of the best Czech restaurants in town, which only locals frequent.
Prague in 5 days
Not to be missed: Cesky Krumlov castle and its gardens, Karlovy Vary thermal baths, Sedlec ossuary, Terezin concentration camp.
Villess where to stay:Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Karlovy Vary
Our advice: for each place, favour a visit when the weather is good.
Just as Paris is not France, Prague does not represent the whole Czech Republic! We therefore recommend that you leave the capital if you plan to visit Prague in 5 days or more. To discover the rest of the country, four places seem particularly interesting to us:
Cesky Krumlov
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this jewel of South Bohemia is home to one of the country's largest castles, beautiful Baroque gardens and, above all, a charming little town. To discover the history and wonders of Cesky Krumlov, you can opt for a guided tour from Prague for one day.
Karlovy Vary
To relax, we can only advise you to visit Karlovy Vary. Situated in the north-eastern part of Bohemia, this picturesque spa resort is renowned throughout Central and Eastern Europe for its mineral hot springs. Many visitors have been coming here for centuries for its healing baths, tranquility and the beauty of its historic centre.
You can also choose to visit the cities of Cesky Krumlov or Karlovy Vary on your own. You can take the train or a bus from the Regiojet company.
Kutná Hora and its ossuary
The town of Kutná Hora is particularly famous for its ossuary of Sedlec. This place will appeal to lovers of mysticism and horror. The ossuary houses, as its name suggests, the bones of 40,000 victims of the plague. Excursions are available from Prague. You will then visit, accompanied by a guide, this fascinating church with the bones.
Terezin concentration camp
Terezin is a former fortress that was turned into a concentration camp by the Nazis. This place full of history can also be visited from Prague. This guided tour will allow you to discover this ghostly city. The travellers will not remain insensitive to it, since you will plunge into the horror of one of the worst human dramas.
Prague in one week
Do you want to visit Prague in a week? That's great! You will have the opportunity to visit all the places we have listed. We reassure you, this will be more than enough to keep you busy! Nevertheless, if some of the places presented above do not attract your curiosity, here is a list of other interesting places that you can include in your Prague itinerary :
- Visit the fortified castle of Karlstejn and hike to the Grand Canyon;
- Searching for the works of David Cerny, a controversial contemporary artist;
- Discover the Prague Zoo, home to about 640 species, including giraffes, Malaysian tigers and Przewalsk horses;
- Take a walk in the charming Letna Park;
- Visit the communist memorial in Vítkov;
- Visit the Clementinum Library;
- Lose yourself in nature near Divoká Šárka.
Transportation in Prague
To reach the Czech Republic and visit Prague, there are many options. Of course, flying is the most convenient and comfortable solution. Many French airports offer flights to Prague-Václav-Havel airport.
You can also take the bus. Companies such as Regiojet (Czech) and Flixbus offer routes to Prague. By car, a ten-hour journey awaits you.
To complete your routes in Prague, mobility is absolutely optimal! It is really easy to get around the Czech capital, thanks to the following features:
- Thecity's trams: this network has 26 lines during the day and 9 lines at night;
- The metro: which offers three lines;
- Finally, the bus network: highly developed, covers the whole city and connects the airport to the metro.
Also read :
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Transfer from Vaclav Havel Airport to Prague
Now that you know the best routes in Prague, all that remains is to do them! Have a nice trip!
