Red rooftops of Prague and bridges over the Vltava river

Updated 2026

13 best things to do in Prague

A castle on the hill, a 600-year-old clock and bridges full of statues.

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These picks follow the classic route from the castle, over Charles Bridge to the Old Town, then add the Jewish Quarter, the best viewpoints and a day trip. For each: honest cost, time needed, best time and when to skip it.

Things to do in Prague: tap a number to open it in Google Maps. Out of town (not on the map): 13. Day trip: Kutná Hora.

Tickets & tours in Prague: compare before you buy

Official sites are often cheapest for single museums; resellers are handy for skip-the-line combos, tours and free cancellation.

Tickets on Tiqets Tours on GetYourGuide Tours on Viator

Old Town Square & the Astronomical Clock

Staré Město (Old Town)

Prague’s great square, with the twin towers of Týn Church and the Orloj, an astronomical clock first recorded in 1410. On the hour, the apostles appear and a skeleton rings his bell.

Cost: Square free; the Old Town Hall tower is paid (check the current price)
Time needed: 1 hour
Best time: Early morning; the hourly show from 9:00

Insider tip: The show is short. Watch it once, then climb the Old Town Hall tower for the view over the square.

Skip it if: Never skip the square – but don’t wait half an hour in the crowd for the clock.

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Charles Bridge

Between the Old Town and Malá Strana

The medieval stone bridge over the Vltava, lined with 30 statues. The bronze plaque of St John of Nepomuk is said to bring luck if you touch it.

Cost: Free; the bridge towers are paid
Time needed: 30–45 min
Best time: Sunrise or late evening

Insider tip: Go before 8:00 to see it almost empty. Climb the Old Town Bridge Tower for the best view of the bridge and the castle.

Skip it if: Never – but if it’s packed, enjoy it from Kampa island or the river bank.

Tickets & tours

Prague Castle & St Vitus Cathedral

Hradčany

A huge castle complex above the city with the Gothic St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St George’s Basilica and Golden Lane.

Cost: Courtyards free; the main circuit is paid (check the current price at hrad.cz)
Time needed: 2–3 hours
Best time: At opening, or late afternoon

Insider tip: Come up by tram 22 to Pražský hrad and walk down through Malá Strana. Expect a security check at the entrance.

Skip it if: You only want the view – the courtyards and gardens are free.

Castle tickets & tours Compare on Viator

Malá Strana & St Nicholas Church

Malá Strana (Lesser Town)

Baroque streets and palaces under the castle, with the green dome of St Nicholas Church and Nerudova street’s old house signs.

Cost: Free to wander; St Nicholas is paid (check)
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Best time: Morning or evening

Insider tip: Look for the house signs on Nerudova street, such as the Three Little Fiddles at no. 12.

Skip it if: You’re short on time – you’ll pass through anyway between the castle and the bridge.

Tickets & tours

Josefov (Jewish Quarter)

Josefov, Old Town

Synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Spanish Synagogue’s golden interior, run as the Jewish Museum in Prague.

Cost: Paid combined ticket (check the current price)
Time needed: 2–3 hours
Best time: Weekday morning

Insider tip: The museum is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Check the opening days before you plan.

Skip it if: You can only visit on a Saturday.

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Municipal House & Powder Tower

Náměstí Republiky

Prague’s Art Nouveau showpiece (1905–1912), where Czechoslovak independence was proclaimed in 1918, next to the Gothic Powder Tower.

Cost: Free to see outside; guided tours and the tower are paid
Time needed: 30–60 min
Best time: Any time; the café is lovely on a rainy day

Insider tip: Have a coffee in the Kavárna Obecní dům café to see the interior without a tour.

Skip it if: You’re not into architecture – admire the façade on your way to the Old Town.

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Klementinum

Old Town, near Charles Bridge

A former Jesuit college with a famous Baroque library hall and an astronomical tower. Daily weather records have been kept here since 1775.

Cost: Paid guided tour (check the current price)
Time needed: 45 min
Best time: Book a tour time

Insider tip: You see the library hall from the doorway on the tour, but the tower view over the Old Town is a bonus.

Skip it if: You don’t like guided tours.

Tickets & tours

Petřín Hill & Lookout Tower

Above Malá Strana

A green hill with orchards, gardens and a lookout tower that looks a little like a small Eiffel Tower.

Cost: Park free; the lookout tower and funicular are paid
Time needed: 1.5–2 hours
Best time: Late afternoon

Insider tip: The funicular reopened in September 2026. A single ride costs 100 Kč (90 Kč in the app). 30- and 90-minute tickets are not valid on it, but 24-hour and 72-hour passes are.

Skip it if: You’ve already climbed to the castle for the view.

Tickets & tours

Letná Park & the bridges view

Letná, across the river from the Old Town

A park on a hill with a famous view of the bridges over the Vltava, and a popular summer beer garden.

Cost: Free
Time needed: 1 hour
Best time: Sunset

Insider tip: Walk up the stairs from the river near Čech Bridge, then follow the park edge to the viewpoints.

Skip it if: It’s winter – the beer garden is a summer thing, but the view still works.

#10

Wenceslas Square & the National Museum

Nové Město (New Town)

A long boulevard that has seen many key moments in Czech history, ending at the grand National Museum building.

Cost: Square free; the museum is paid (check)
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Best time: Daytime

Insider tip: Visit the museum on a rainy day; the view down the square from the top of the steps is free.

Skip it if: You’re only here for 2 days and prefer the Old Town.

Tickets & tours

#11

Dancing House

New Town riverside

Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunić’s curvy building on the river, nicknamed “Fred and Ginger”.

Cost: Free to see; the rooftop bar is paid
Time needed: 20 min
Best time: On a riverside walk

Insider tip: Combine it with a walk along the river from the Old Town to Vyšehrad.

Skip it if: Modern architecture isn’t your thing.

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#12

Vyšehrad

South of the New Town

A fortress on a rock above the river, with a quiet park, the Vyšehrad Cemetery and great views back towards the castle.

Cost: Grounds free
Time needed: 1.5 hours
Best time: Late afternoon and sunset

Insider tip: Take Metro C to Vyšehrad station and walk in, or walk along the river from the Dancing House.

Skip it if: You only have 1–2 days.

Tickets & tours

#13

Day trip: Kutná Hora

About 1 hour by train

A UNESCO-listed silver-mining town with St Barbara’s Church and the bone-decorated Sedlec Ossuary.

Cost: Train fare and paid entries (check current prices)
Time needed: Full or half day
Best time: Weekdays

Insider tip: Get off at Kutná Hora hl.n. for Sedlec, then take the local train or bus to the town centre.

Skip it if: You only have 2 days in Prague.

Kutná Hora trips Compare on Viator

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Prague?

Two days covers the castle, Charles Bridge and the Old Town. Three days lets you add the Jewish Quarter, the New Town and Vyšehrad at a relaxed pace.

Does Prague use the euro?

No. The currency is the Czech koruna (CZK, Kč). Cards work almost everywhere. Avoid street money changers and choose to pay in koruna when a card machine asks.

How do I get from Prague airport to the city?

Take bus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín and change to Metro A, about 35 minutes on one 90-minute ticket (50 Kč, or 46 Kč in the Lítačka app). The Airport Express bus costs 200 Kč and regular tickets are not valid on it. Prices checked October 2026.

When is the best time to see Charles Bridge?

At sunrise or late in the evening. By mid-morning it is packed with people.

Is the Jewish Museum open every day?

No. It is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays, so plan your visit on another day.

Plan your next step

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Tours & tickets in Prague

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