How many times have you heard the phrase: "Prague is so pretty!" This central European spot is by far one of Europe's most beautiful cities...and you need to see it to believe it. With its fairytale castles, historic churchs all around town, countless bridges, and baroque buildings on every street, Prague truly is one of the most breathtaking places in the world.
But how do you decide to spend your time in Prague, when there's so much to see and so little time? Many tourists will often only spend two or three days in Prague during a citybreak trip, or as part of a longer city hopping journey across Europe.
Don't worry! You can see all of Prague's biggest highlights and most important sights, even with three short days in the Czech capital. Here's a breakdown of my perfect 3-day Prague itinerary for seasoned travelers and first-time guests.
How to get around Prague
It's so easy to get around Prague as a tourist - and cheap, as well! If you plan to visit the Old Town area and the areas surrounding Prague Castle, it's easiest to just walk there. Moving around on foot is the best way to see all the tiny streets in Prague, sights you can only see on foot. I always recommend people walk because you can wander off the beaten path and see where your heart takes you.
However, if you plan to visit areas outside of Old Town (and you should!) or even stay outside the Old Town area, it's best to take some of Prague's famous public transit.
Prague's public transit network consists primarily of trains, metro lines, trams, and buses. The best part? It's all super fast, super affordable, and super safe. A 30-minute ticket for Prague's public transit costs around 30 CZK, which is about $1.22 USD. An all-day ticket costs 120 CZK, or $4.80. That's pretty affordable! Plus, these tickets allow for changes between trams, metro lines and buses, too.
Unfortunately, the one downside is that Prague does not have an easy direct train from the airport to the city center. However, you can take bus 119 (which is quite simple!) to the last stop, Nádraží Veleslavín, and transfer to the Metro Line A. It's not as easy as many other cities, but it does get you there quickly. Alternatively, you can always take a ride share from the airport to the city center - or anywhere else throughout the city.
Where to stay in Prague
Prague is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Prague, and there's no shortage of wonderful accommodation options. However, it's always difficult to understand where to stay in Prague to best take advantage of the sights while still getting that authentic experience. Most of Prague's attractions are located in the Old Town area, or right across the river, but that doesn't necessarily mean you have to stay in those neighborhoods.
Prague is well-connected by public transit, and therefore, it's easy to stay somewhere just outside the popular Old Town area. Staying outside that region means more affordable options, better neighborhoods, less touristy neighborhoods, and a bigger variety of places to eat.
When you think about neighborhoods in Prague, consider some of the more neighborhood-feeling places to stay. Look into these areas:
Staying in one of these neighborhoods close to Old Town allows you to still see the sights - but instead stay somewhere less crowded and more authentic.
In addition to hotels in these areas, you should also check out hostels. Prague is well-known for their clean and diverse hostels, some that focus more on partying and others which are quaint, quiet places. No matter where you pick, you will still be able to enjoy the city thanks to quick and efficient public transit.
The Best 3-Day Prague Itinerary
Prague has enough history and beauty to keep you enthralled for several days. However, with three full days in Prague, you can certainly see many of the city's most popular neighborhoods, from Old Town to Mala Strana and beyond. You will have the chance to see many of the city's most popular sights - and you can even consider taking a day trip outside Prague, as well.
Prague Itinerary: Day 1
Your first day in Prague is all about the city's biggest highlights. There's no better place to start than Prague's Old Town center, where you will see some of Prague's most iconic sights.
Wenceslas Square
You can take public transit to arrive at Prague's Old Town. Multiple stops will take you to Wenceslas Square, a broad avenue stretching from the National Museum to the bottom of the "square." You'll find beautiful buildings, plenty of shopping, and a statue of Saint Wenceslas as well. The National Museum is worth a visit if you have the time, but not a must. The best part is the interior, which is breathtaking.
Old Town Square
Walk down through Wenceslas Square and follow signs to Old Town Square. This is one of Prague's most popular areas - for a reason. Every part of this square is beautiful, and you'll probably want to spend some time snapping photos.
When you're ready, take a look at Prague's famous 15-century Astronomical Clock. Pay the fee to ascend the tower. It is well worth it and will reward you with beautiful, sweeping views of the Old Town.
Across the square, you'll also see Church of Our Lady before Týn, marked by the twin spires. This impressive landmark is not to be missed, even behind the buildings. Other notable landmarks in the square: a Jan Hus memorial, and St. Nicholas Church.
Jewish Quarter: Josefov
The Jewish Quarter is often overlooked on many Prague itinerary blogs. This small section of the city, however, is beautiful and full of rich history. Walk through straight through Prague's Fifth Avenue (Pariska Street) to reach the area.
The Jewish Quarter has remained intact for years and years, and it is home to several important Jewish Landmarks. Don't miss the historic synagogues, from the pretty Klausová Synagogue to the original Old-New Synagogue. The Old-New Synagogue was built in the 13th century and is said to be home of Prague's Golem.
Don't leave this area without visiting the Old Jewish Cemetery. Because of past restrictions on the Jewish population, Jewish people were - for centuries - forced to bury their communtiy in this tiny cemetery. Over the centuries, it got higher and higher.
Charles Bridge
The walk from Old Town to Charles Bridge is always busy, but it's still beautiful nonetheless. If you return to Old Town Square, you can follow signs (or crowds) for Charles Bridge. The walk through historic and colorful homes is truly beautiful.
Charles Bridge itself is Prague's most iconic landmark. The bridge is bookended by two great towers and features saintly statues along both sides of the bridge. It's truly a sight to behold, especially on a sunny day.
Climb the tower on the Mala Strana side of the bridge for a breathtaking view - one of the best in Prague.
Walk through Kampa
End your day with a walk through Prague's Kampa neighborhood, which you can find by taking the stairs down on the left side of the bridge, just before the tower, on the Mala Strana side. This area is home to a lovely museum - Kampa Museum - that supports work by Czechoslovak non-conformist artists. If this is your vibe, it's worth checking out. But otherwise, you can walk through a park by the river and just take in the sights and relax. If you feel inclined, you can walk to the first bridge south of Charles Bridge and visit one of Prague's many islands.
When looking for a spot to eat, you may want to venture out to a different part of town - or even further south from Kampa. You can find some of the best cheap eats in Prague nearby ( falafels, anyone?). Avoid eating in Prague's busiest neighborhoods to avoid getting ripped off.
Prague Itinerary: Day 2
Day two is all about exploring some of Prague's best sights. No true tour of Prague would be complete without it. Let's dive in!
Klementinum
The Clementinum is another beautiful spot that rarely gets mentioned in Prague guides. This beautiful complex is situated next to Prague's Charles Bridge. Take a guided tour (the only way to enter) and see the stunning baroque library and the view from the astronomical tour. It's well worth your time!
Mala Strana
Cross the Charles Bridge again and venture to Mala Strana, which translates to Lesser Side. This part of Prague has some of the most breathtaking Baroque architecture and little roads. It's one of Prague's oldest neighborhoods.
It's also home to many important landmarks, from St. Nicholas Church (which also has a grwat view from the top!), to the Kafka Museum to the KGB Museum.
Lennon Wall
The Lennon Wall is a must-visit spot in Prague...so while you're in the area, why not stop by? This vibrant piece of street art was created out of grief and respect for the deceased artist right after he was shot in 1980.
The Lennon Wall symbolizes freedom of speech and the non-violent resistance of the Czech youth during a difficult time in the country's history.
Prague Castle
You will need the rest of the day to properly explore Prague Castle, the the largest coherent castle complex in the world with an area of almost 70,000 m². Take the steep winding roads up to the Castle, or opt for the stairs.
This castle complex is simply majestic and filled with so much history dating back to the 14th century - though the castle is much, much older than that.
At the center lies the Old Royal Palace. You can't miss the spectacular vaulted ceiling of Vladislav Hall. Another important landmark: the historic St. George's Basilica. Aside from that, there are countless palaces in the complex, each with its own history and significance. You truly need all day to explore this gem in Prague.
Don't leave without exploring the cute Golden Lane, a small-scale street featuring miniature houses. Before you go to dinner, be sure to stop at the observation terraces on Hradcany Square and by the Black Tower. There simply are no better views in Prague.
Prague Itinerary: Day 3
On your third day in Prague, consider either seeing more of the city-or heading out of town on a day trip from Prague. The choice is yours!
Three of the best places to visit in Prague are:
Strahov Monastery
Not many people make it to the beautiful Strahov Monastery, which lies just up the hill from Prague Castle. This historic sight features a church and 17th century brewery, but the real highlight is the gorgeous monastery. You can only see these fully with a private tour, but again, well worth the trip.
You can walk to Petrin from the Monastery through Petrin Park. You can't beat the views from Petrin Tower. Because the tower closes at 10 p.m., you can watch the sunset from up here, too. While you're there, you can walk around the park grounds and even check out the fun mirror house.
Unless you have kids, many people rarely visit Prague Zoo. Prague Zoo is famous for its conservation efforts - and the area in and around the Zoo is simply beautiful.
The Zoo is home to over 4,000 animals and 650 species, including a significant number of threatened species. Even if you don't have kids, this is a beautiful stop. Be sure to stop by Troja Castle while you're there, too.
Option 2: Day trip outside of Prague
Are you craving something a little different? Prague is just one small part of the country. Czech Republic has a great network of trains, which means you can plan an easy trip with no stress. Why not visit Konopiste Castle, home to the archduke Franz Ferdinand? What about the bone church near Kutna Hora, Cesky Krumlov, or Karlovy Vary?
Czech Republic has so many day trips from Prague by train. Consider getting out of the city to experience a little bit of the country's epic countryside.
Best time to visit Prague
Let's face it: Prague is beautiful just about year-round. The endless historical sights, rolling hills and sprawling parks make for a gorgeous city. No matter which month you choose to visit, you will always find something special happening during that season.
But, like many other popular tourist sights, Prague can get very crowded during peak times. From late June to August, Prague is completely packed with visitors. In parts of Old Town, it becomes difficult to walk during peak hours. That's because summer is undoubtedly the most beautiful season in Prague and the only season with constant sunny skies and warm weather.
That's why the absolute best time to visit Prague is during one of the shoulder seasons. Visiting during May or early June as well as late August or September can be great ways to get that same gorgeous weather with fewer tourists and crowds.
If you don't mind cold weather, I'd also recommend visiting in December. Prague's Christmas markets are beyond beautiful, snugly tucked in Old Town Square, and make for such a romantic and cozy trip. When those Christmas markets are decked out in snow? Gorgeous!
I would avoid visiting Prague in January and February. Some years, the weather can be quite extreme and gloomy. There are very few sunny skies and in Prague, it hardly ever snows. As for the rest of the country: it's either completely snowy or gray and bleak. If you can visit any other time, I'd recommend it!
Key takeaways
This Prague itinerary takes you to some of Prague's most historic and most beautiful sights in your short trip to Prague. Make sure to take plenty of photos!
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About the author
This post is written by Samantha Tatro of Undiscovered Path Home. Samantha is a Czech-American third culture kid who grew up living and traveling abroad. After living in California and working as a journalist for years, she decided to take the leap and move abroad again...this time to Prague, Czech Republic. Samantha started Undiscovered Path Home to help couples and solo female travelers find the courage to visit countries - and locations - off the beaten path. Her work has appeared in Bon Appetit, NBC News, The Adecco Group, and more.