A weekend in Prague: travel guide, attractions and things to do
The fairy-tale Czech capital has a lot more going for it than cheap beer
1. Why you should visit Prague
Prague’s “stunning architectural masterpieces” and the fact that it contains the world’s largest castle complex, as well as its relative affordability, are all factors included in travel website Culture Trip’s top ten reasons to visit Prague.
The Czech Republic’s capital “has kept up with European trends in the realms of art, fashion, gastronomy and more”, said The Telegraph, offering visitors superb galleries, theatres and restaurants to enjoy. And many will enjoy getting lost in the winding cobbled streets of the Old Town, Europe’s “best-preserved historic centre”, said National Geographic.
Today, Prague offers a “highly infectious mix of mediaeval and hyper-modern”. Its comprehensive tram and metro network make exploring a doddle during both the heady heat of summer and the snowy, sub-zero winter months.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Worried you might bump into the dreaded droves of UK hen and stag dos? Avoid spending too much time in the drinking spots of Wenceslas Square, and you should be OK...
2. Top attractions: things to see and do
Get lost in Staré Město
Visit the Old Town square and you’ll immediately understand why Prague is often described as a fairy-tale city. A mix of gothic and baroque architecture – and the world’s oldest working astronomical clock – take centre stage.
Climb the Old Town Hall Tower for a view over the city, delve into the side streets to sample a trdelnik (a traditional cylindrical pastry) and wind your way through the side streets before ending up on the exquisite Charles Bridge.
Visit the city’s galleries
Prague’s National Gallery is spread across a number of buildings, including the Kinsky Palace in the Old Town square and the Convent of St Agnes of Bohemia.
Travel to Prague 7 and visit the Trade Fair Palace, the main building of the gallery complex, to see a mix of permanent and temporary exhibitions. From there, DOX Center for Contemporary Art and its wonderful rooftop Gulliver Airship is a short walk or tram ride away.
On the other side of town (and the other side of the train tracks), the non-profit contemporary art space MeetFactory is not to be missed. Two bright red cars hanging on the former slaughterhouse’s facade set the scene for what’s to come, with the innovative works inside the venue the brainchild of artist David Černý, the gallery’s founder.
Go to the theatre
Prague’s Nardoni Divadlo is comprised of four theatres – so check carefully when you book or risk turning up to the wrong stage. The ornate buildings are a wonderful setting for an evening’s entertainment, with a changing programme of popular ballets and operas – including Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker – as well as contemporary works.
Tickets are reasonably priced (particularly compared to the West End) and audience members over the age of 65 and under the age of 26 can access half-price seats.
Prague Castle
This is Prague’s most popular attraction, according to Lonely Planet. The castle complex features “a varied and fascinating collection of historic buildings, museums and galleries” and an “eclectic mixture of architectural styles”. Don’t miss the stained-glass window designed by Czech artist Alphonse Mucha in St. Vitus Cathedral.
From the castle, wander down to Malá Strana – “unquestionably one of the most enchanting and alluring” areas of the capital city, said Culture Trip. A trip to the Shakespeare & Sons bookshop is essential for literature lovers.
Spend an afternoon in a beer garden
To Czechs, beer is “liquid bread”. In the summer months, the best place to grab a freshly poured pint of Pilsner is Letna Park, overlooking the Vltava river, and Reigrovy Sady, a popular spot favoured by locals which offers unrivalled sunsets over the castle and Old Town. Naplavka, the riverbank, is also a lively location on the weekends with a series of pop-up boat bars.
If a Prague pint isn’t tasting quite fresh enough, the towns of Budweis and Plzeň are only a matter of hours from the city, making a brewery tour an easy day trip from the capital.
Explore the locals’ hangouts
You’re more likely to bump into hipsters than tourists in the neighbourhoods of Zizkov and Karlin. Follow their tracks to find pop-up galleries, art fairs and eateries. If you get a little lost, just look for Zizkov’s TV tower. As it’s covered in crawling baby sculptors (the work of Černý), you can’t miss it.
3. Restaurants, cafes and wine: where to eat and drink
Food
Located in the Old Town square, Restaurace Mincovna is a well-priced restaurant offering a refined take on traditional Czech cuisine. Favourites like goulash, duck thigh and pickled cheese (trust me) can be washed down in this elegant dining hall, where pints are poured from the tanks hanging over the entranceway.
You can also eat like a local by enjoying the set lunch menu of one of Prague’s traditional restaurants, which all start with a warming soup, followed by a hearty main. Lokál, which has several locations across the city, is a great spot for this and will be sure to fill you up for a day of sightseeing.
Czech cuisine is typically meat-heavy, but several eateries have taken the opportunity to set a high standard for Prague’s burgeoning vegetarian scene. Tucked behind the popular Hemingway cocktail bar, you can dine under the stars at the fully vegetarian Lehká hlava (which means clear-headed). The exquisite building is a feast in itself – but if you can’t get a reservation, try Maitrea, its sister establishment.
Drinks
As long as you’re sticking to local brews, it’s hard to find a bad beer in Prague. That said, for those who enjoy the craftier side of the spectrum, U Kunštátů has a good range in a central location, or you can venture across one of the city’s many bridges to Malá Strana’s Craft Beer Spot.
For cocktails, head to Zizkov, Prague’s alternative district. Bukowski’s Bar is something of an institution, popular with locals and the city’s large ex-pat community. The plush red interiors and delicious mixes make it a perfect spot for a winter’s evening in the city. More centrally, opt for Beyond The Bar.
If wine is what you’re after, Champagneria is a relaxed spot to spend a celebratory occasion. Offering an extensive list of sparkling wines at very reasonable prices, you can sample locally produced fizzes as well as classic Champagnes, Cremants and Cavas.
4. Hotels and accommodation: where to stay
There’s almost no end to high quality, affordable accommodation options in Prague.
For location, the Four Seasons, which is a matter of steps from the Charles Bridge and Old Town, is hard to beat. And a little off the tourist track, the Mandarin Oriental is a “discreet luxurious bolthole” on the other side of the Vltava, said The Telegraph.
The New Town has plenty of options for different price points; Hotel Elite is a “quirky but classy hotel” with spa facilities, while La Ballerina Hotel is an “upscale five-star spot” with “historical charm”. The city is also awash with Airbnbs – make sure you’re close to a tram or metro spot, and you can’t go too far wrong.
5. Transport: how to get there
It takes no more than two hours to fly from London to Prague’s Václav Havel airport, with most major airlines serving the route. The airport is well connected and visitors can quickly make their way to the city centre by taxi or public transport in less than an hour.
FlixBus offers coaches from the UK and mainland Europe. From London, travel time will top 24 hours – but if you’re travelling from neighbouring Austria or Germany, you might expect to spend around four hours on the road from major cities like Vienna, Berlin and Nuremberg.
Otherwise, take the scenic route and opt for a luxury boat cruise from France or Germany.
Buy a public transport ticket when you arrive so you can hop on and off the buses, trams and metros hassle-free – there are options available for 24 hours (at £4.28) or 72 hours (£11.78).
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Julia O'Driscoll is the engagement editor. She covers UK and world news, as well as writing lifestyle and travel features. She regularly appears on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast, and hosted The Week's short-form documentary podcast, “The Overview”. Julia was previously the content and social media editor at sustainability consultancy Eco-Age, where she interviewed prominent voices in sustainable fashion and climate movements. She has a master's in liberal arts from Bristol University, and spent a year studying at Charles University in Prague.
-
23andMe: will customers' DNA go up for sale?
Under The Radar Genetic testing company's financial woes creates concerns around personal data it holds
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Long Covid: study shows damage to brain's 'control centre'
The Explainer Research could help scientists understand long-term effects of Covid-19 as well as conditions such as MS and dementia
By The Week UK Published
-
Rivals: the Jilly Cooper 'bonkbuster' TV hit that everyone's talking about
In the spotlight 1980s novel hits the small screen, bringing wet dogs, big hair and lots of 'rumpy pumpy'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Leave the crowds behind at these 7 sensational hotels
The Week Recommends Traveling in September means more room to explore
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Find the soul of Morocco in Fez
The Week Recommends This onetime imperial city is a cultural and spiritual center
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Exploring Seattle, one landmark at a time
In Depth In this walkable city, there is something to see around every corner
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
7 captivating new UNESCO World Heritage Sites to explore
The Week Recommends These sites have cultural, historical and scientific significance and the international organization's fresh stamp of approval
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Put down the glass, Napa and Sonoma. This is where you should drink wine in California.
In Depth Paso Robles is a gem among the oaks
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Tourists welcome: the destinations open to holidaymakers
The Explainer These getaway spots are ideal for conscious travellers who don't want to contribute to the problems of overtourism
By Abby Wilson Published
-
6 sunshine-y hotels to visit before the summer is over
The Week Recommends Hit the beach, play golf and swim outside while you can
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-