Things to Visit in Prague: Castles, Bridges & Beer
Explore Prague's medieval architecture, world-famous beer culture, and hilltop castles at a fraction of Western European prices. This guide covers Old Town's Gothic treasures, quiet riverside walks, neighborhood gems, and the best day trips within reach.
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Prague Castle & Hradcany
Tour Prague Castle (Prazsky hrad)
The largest ancient castle complex in the world covers 70,000 square meters. Circuit B (250 CZK) is the best value — it includes St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, and Golden Lane. Arrive at the 9 AM opening to have the interiors mostly to yourself.
Enter St. Vitus Cathedral
Construction started in 1344 and took nearly 600 years to complete. The Mucha stained glass window (third chapel on the left) is the showpiece. Entry to the front nave is free, but the full interior requires a castle circuit ticket.
Walk down Golden Lane (Zlata ulicka)
These tiny, colorful 16th-century houses built into the castle wall originally housed castle guards. Franz Kafka lived and wrote in house No. 22 during 1916-1917. The lane is included in the castle circuit ticket but is free to enter after 5 PM.
Watch the Changing of the Guard at noon
Take in the city view from the castle's south gardens
Old Town & Historic Center
Cross the Charles Bridge (Karluv most)
The 14th-century bridge is lined with 30 baroque statues and connects Old Town to Mala Strana. Cross it before 7 AM or after 10 PM to avoid the worst crowds. Touching the bronze plaque of St. John of Nepomuk (8th statue on the right) is a local tradition.
Watch the Astronomical Clock strike the hour
The Orloj has been ticking since 1410, making it the oldest working astronomical clock in the world. The 45-second animated show triggers on the hour from 9 AM to 11 PM. Stand to the left of center for the clearest sightline to the moving apostle figures.
Explore Old Town Square (Staromestske namesti)
Visit the Jewish Quarter (Josefov)
The combined ticket (350 CZK) covers six synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery, where 12,000 tombstones are stacked in layers dating back to 1439. The Pinkas Synagogue walls bear the handwritten names of 77,297 Czech Holocaust victims.
Climb Old Town Hall Tower for a rooftop view
The elevator goes most of the way up, with a short staircase at the top. The 360-degree view is arguably better than the castle viewpoint because you can see the castle itself from here. Ticket costs 250 CZK.
Walk through the Klementinum library and mirror chapel
The Baroque library hall (built 1722) is one of the most beautiful in the world, but you can only view it from the doorway during a guided 50-minute tour. Tours run every 30 minutes and cost 300 CZK. The astronomical tower at the top offers another panoramic view.
Mala Strana & Beyond the River
Wander through Mala Strana's cobblestone streets
Climb Petrin Hill and its lookout tower
The 63.5-meter tower is a scaled-down version of the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1891 Jubilee Exhibition. Walk up through the orchards (20 minutes from the base) or take the funicular. The 299 steps to the top reward you with the widest view in Prague.
Visit the John Lennon Wall
Relax in Vojanovy Sady, Prague's oldest garden
This walled garden near the river dates to the 13th century and is almost never crowded. Peacocks roam the paths between fruit trees and Baroque chapels. Open daily until 7 PM (5 PM in winter). Free entry.
Cross the Vltava on a rented paddleboat or kayak
Rental stations on Slovansky Island offer paddleboats for about 200 CZK per hour. Kayak rentals start at 350 CZK per hour from operators near the Charles Bridge. The stretch between the National Theatre and Vysehrad is the most scenic.
Czech Beer & Food Culture
Drink a fresh pilsner at a traditional Czech pub (hospoda)
The Czech Republic has the highest per-capita beer consumption in the world at roughly 140 liters per person per year. A half-liter of draft beer costs 45-65 CZK (under 3 euros) in most neighborhood pubs — half the price of tourist-center spots.
Visit a historic beer hall
Several beer halls in Prague have been pouring since the 15th century. Look for ones that serve tank beer (tankove pivo) — unpasteurized and delivered fresh in tanks rather than kegs. The flavor difference is noticeable.
Try trdelnik (chimney cake) fresh from the spit
Eat svickova (marinated beef with cream sauce)
Considered the national dish, svickova na smetane is braised beef sirloin in a creamy vegetable sauce with bread dumplings and a dollop of cranberry. A proper portion costs 180-280 CZK. Look for pubs where locals outnumber tourists.
Sample Czech craft beer at a microbrewery
Prague's craft scene has exploded with over 40 microbreweries and craft beer bars. Many offer tasting flights of 4-6 beers for 150-250 CZK. The Karlin and Vinohrady districts have the densest concentration of craft taprooms.
Try a becherovka, the herbal digestif
This bitter herbal liqueur from Karlovy Vary has been produced since 1807 using a secret blend of herbs and spices. Order it cold as a digestif after dinner. A shot costs 40-60 CZK at most pubs.
Parks, Views & Hidden Gems
Explore Vysehrad fortress and its cemetery
This 10th-century hilltop fort south of the center has thick walls, underground casemates, and a cemetery where Dvorak, Smetana, and Mucha are buried. Free to enter the grounds. The Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul has stunning Art Nouveau interior paintings.
Walk along Naplavka riverside promenade
Visit the Dancing House (Tancici dum)
Take the funicular up Petrin and walk through Strahov Monastery
The monastery's Theological and Philosophical halls contain 200,000 volumes in stunning frescoed rooms. Library entry is 150 CZK. The monastery brewery next door serves its own St. Norbert amber lager — a pint is 75 CZK.
Discover the Cubist architecture in Vysehrad district
Prague is the only city in the world with Cubist architecture. The House of the Black Madonna (now a museum) and the apartment building at Neklanova 30 near Vysehrad are the best examples. Both are free to view from outside.
Day Trips from Prague
Visit Kutna Hora and the Sedlec Ossuary (Bone Church)
The ossuary is decorated with the bones of roughly 40,000 people, including a chandelier containing every bone in the human body. Kutna Hora is a 1-hour direct train from Prague's main station. Trains run hourly and cost about 100 CZK each way.
Explore Cesky Krumlov's medieval old town
This UNESCO town with a castle, river, and Gothic-Renaissance center feels like a fairy tale. The bus from Prague takes about 3 hours and costs 200-300 CZK. Staying overnight lets you experience the town after the day-trippers leave, which is a different atmosphere entirely.
Hike in Bohemian Switzerland National Park
The Pravcicka Gate — the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe — is the signature sight. The park is about 2 hours north of Prague by bus. The main loop trail to the gate and back takes 3-4 hours. Bring sturdy shoes — the trails are rocky and uneven.
Tour the Karlovy Vary spa town
Famous for its 12 hot springs and colonnaded walkways, Karlovy Vary is 2 hours west by bus. Buy a porcelain spa cup (from 100 CZK) and taste the mineral water from each spring — the temperatures range from 30 to 72 degrees Celsius.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Prague?
Two to three days covers Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, and the Jewish Quarter comfortably. Four days lets you explore Vinohrady and Zizkov neighborhoods, try local pub culture beyond the tourist center, and take a day trip to Kutna Hora's bone church. The historic center is compact and fully walkable.
Is Prague still cheap for tourists?
Prague is pricier than a decade ago but still 40-50% cheaper than Paris or London. A restaurant main course runs 200-350 CZK (8-14 EUR), a half-liter of excellent Czech beer costs 50-70 CZK (2-3 EUR) at local pubs, and a 3-star hotel averages 60-90 EUR per night. The exchange rate still favors euro and dollar visitors.
What is the best way to exchange money in Prague?
Avoid exchange booths on the tourist streets since they charge 10-15% commissions despite advertising 0% commission. Use ATMs from major Czech banks (Ceska sporitelna, CSOB, Komercni banka) and decline the conversion option to get your bank's better exchange rate. Many restaurants accept cards but smaller pubs and tram tickets require cash.
When is the best time to visit Prague?
May through early June and September offer the best mix of warm weather (18-25C) and manageable crowds. Prague's Christmas markets (late November to January 1) draw huge crowds but create a magical atmosphere in Old Town Square. July and August bring 30C+ heat and peak tourist density on Charles Bridge.
Can you drink tap water in Prague?
Prague tap water is safe and high quality coming from protected reservoirs and meeting strict EU standards. Restaurants will bring bottled water by default; ask for kohoutkovou vodu (tap water) to save 2-4 EUR per meal. Carry a refillable bottle; there are public water fountains throughout the center.