🏰 Prague in 48 hours: guide for your first visit
Prague is a fabulous city with Gothic architecture , ancient bridges, picturesque castles and cathedrals. It is called the “golden city”, ” mother of cities”, “the heart of Europe” and “the city of a hundred spiers”. This means that you are guaranteed countless encounters with medieval towers with their charm and beauty. But not only its historical beauty deserves attention. We tell you what to see and visit in Prague if you are here for the first time.
What to see in Prague?
The Charles Bridge
It’s worth starting your acquaintance with Prague with its most famous attraction. We are talking about the symbol of Prague – Charles Bridge. It connects two iconic districts: Mala Strana (Small Town) and Stare Mesto (Old Town). Construction of the medieval stone arch bridge began in the 14th century. This is the oldest bridge in the city, so the place is included in almost all sightseeing tours. And naturally there are a lot of people here.
But there are ways to enjoy the beauty of the bridge without the crowds. It's best to come here in the morning, while the city is just waking up. If you're not a morning person, you can admire the local attractions throughout the day from the river bank, nearby cafes and the top floors of tall buildings. A magnificent view is guaranteed.
Prague Castle
A walk through the cobbled streets of the Lesser Town will lead to Prague Castle. The fortress is the largest castle complex in the world and towers over the entire city.
On its territory is the Cathedral of St. Vitus. By the way, the writer Franz Kafka, who hails from the Czech capital, often depicted famous sights of Prague in his works. So, St. Vitus Cathedral may be familiar from the novel “The Trial.”
Please note that there is an entrance fee to the cathedral – from 125 to 500 crowns ($5-23). As for Prague Castle itself, you will also have to pay a pretty penny for entrances to different towers – 70 to 150 crowns ($3-7). If you want the whole Prague Castle, prepare about 850 CZK ($40).
Old Town Square
Old Town Square is not without historical views. On one side you will find the Church of the Virgin Mary in front of Tyn, on the other – the famous Astronomical Clock. Be sure to take a stroll around the square to experience the multicultural spirit of the city. It will be surrounded by synagogues, churches and buildings of different styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo.
In the center of the square, measuring about 9 thousand m2, there is a monument to the preacher and national hero of the Czech people, Jan Hus. Street musicians often gather around it. In general, here you can sit on a bench, listen to music and look at the bustling tourists.
Wenceslas Square (Wenceslas Street)
Wenceslas Street, also known as the square, is about 700 m long and is one of the main ones in Prague. It houses shops, historical buildings and cafes with beautiful views, as well as the National Museum and the statue of St. Wenceslas of Bohemia. There are also exchange offices on this street, but the exchange rate here is often overpriced. And when you step away from it, you will find yourself in the passages and alleys that give the city its charm. There you can also find exchangers with better rates.
Letna Park
You will find a view that will never go out of date in Letná Park. Here you can stroll among the lush greenery, admiring the view of the old town of Prague. Yes, yes, they say, there are beautiful views of the Vltava and bridges from the park.
When the weather gets warmer, locals flock to the park to take a seat at the popular beer garden. But you can have a picnic right on the lawn.
At the western end of the park is a giant Metronome that was once a statue of Joseph Stalin. Locals say that when it is running, it takes the burden of problems off of itself and helps make the right decisions. There is a free observation deck nearby. You can also rent a bicycle to see the entire park.
Visegrad
Don’t forget to include Vysehrad in your list of ” Prague attractions “. This is not just historical, but the oldest district of the city, and an ancient fortress. By the way, Vysehrad and Prague Castle are kind of rivals.
On the territory of Visegrad you will find the Church of St. Peter and Paul and the rotunda of St. Martin, the ruins of a watchtower and a memorial cemetery, and also a museum. Be sure to pay attention to the Leopold Gate, it is located just north of the rotunda. By the way, if you are looking for beautiful views, you will find them at the Visegrad observation deck.
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What to do
Look at the Vltava from the bridges
Don't just stop at the Charles Bridge, but cross the river through others, such as the Manes Bridge. And in general, take a walk along the capital’s waterway. After your walk, stop by a nearby cafe to drink coffee while enjoying the beautiful view.
We recommend Cafe Slavia, which has inspired many artists since it opened in 1881. Breakfast is served here until 14:00, and from 12:00 you can order Czech cuisine. There is also a large selection of desserts. The price range for a dish is from 100 to 360 crowns ($4.5-16.5), desserts will cost 190 crowns ($9).
Visit Prague's beer gardens
Good weather is a blessing for Prague. In addition to Letna, there is another popular park – Riegrovy Sady. Near the Naplavka district, a small nook on the left bank of the Vltava, there are many interesting places where you can combine beer and magnificent views. Head to Chapadlo's summer terrace for an unforgettable sunset as the river glows with the golden hues of the setting sun.
In summer, acoustic music concerts, exhibitions and installations are regularly held on the Chapadlo summer terrace. The menu includes authentic Neapolitan pizza, brunch, prosecco and wine, cocktails, draft beer and homemade lemonade. In winter, the open-air embankment turns into an ice skating rink.
Try Czech beer and food
The Czech Republic is the country whose residents consume the most beer per capita in the world. And local brewers are some of the best.
The recently opened Pilsner Urquell Experience near Wenceslas Square is a great place to start exploring beer culture. Here you will learn about the brewing process, as well as the history of Pilsner Urquell, an iconic Czech beer brand.
For creamy, delicious beer, visit local breweries such as Dva Kohouti, Automat Matuska and Lajka Pivovar. For Czech food, go to the Lokal restaurant. Here you can find a wide selection of Czech cuisine, the menu is updated daily.
Find art on the street, in museums and theaters
In Prague, art is not only in museums, but also on the streets. A couple of minutes from the Old Town Square is a rotating statue of the head of the writer Franz Kafka – the work of the Czech artist David Černý.
Other works of his can be found throughout the city, including in the Lucern arcade and on top of the Žižkov TV Tower. The Lucerna passage is located right on Wenceslas Square. It is a place where architecture, cinema and contemporary art meet. The Art Nouveau building has a cinema under the Inverted Horse statue and a restaurant.
Art lovers will also enjoy visiting the National Gallery (entrance: 140-250 CZK ($6.5-11.5)) and the DOX Center for Contemporary Art (entrance: 130-560 CZK ($6-25)). Literature lovers should definitely visit the Franz Kafka Museum (entrance costs 160-620 CZK ($7-28.5)).
If you want to see a performance, the Rudolfinum, a concert hall, and the National Theater host operas, ballets, classical music concerts and plays all year round.
Experience the creative spirit of Prague
Popular co-working cafe Kolektor hosts brunch on the weekends and turns into a lively bar in the evenings. Creativity also comes to life in the Vnitroblok space, where there is a cafe, bar, flower shop and clothing store owned by Czech entrepreneurs. “Kazarna Karlin” operates as a cultural center with an open-air cinema, bar, cafe and even a sauna.
Three frequently asked questions about Prague:
Where are the tourist information centers in Prague?
Tourist information centers are located at several points. One of them is located right on Old Town Square. It was received by the Old Town Hall. On Wenceslas Square there is a second one in a kiosk in the center of the square. Another one can be found in the city center, at the intersection of Na Můstku and Rytířská streets.
How does public transport work?
Prague's public transport system is one of the best in Europe. Thanks to three metro lines, 35 tram lines and more than a hundred bus lines, you can always get where you need to go.
Tickets or day passes can be purchased at retail outlets, trams and buses. They are also available through the PID Lítačka application. There is also public transport at the airport. You can get there for 40 crowns ($1.8) from the city center.
When is the best time to go to Prague?
Spring and autumn are considered the best times to visit Prague. In spring, flowers breathe life into the city, decorating its streets and parks with bright colors. In autumn, the foliage creates a similar effect, creating an atmosphere for relaxing walks in the parks. Winters in Prague are cold and dark, but nevertheless the city looks beautiful even under the snow. When Christmas markets appear on Old Town Square, it sets a festive mood.
Depending on the time of year, you can find events and festivals in Prague, including food from all over the world, and local and international performers.