If you are looking for a charming, affordable, easy to visit city in the heart of Europe, Prague is the answer.

Having only ever heard great things about Prague, it somehow still exceeded our expectations. Each cobblestone street seemed more magical than the last. The views were incredible, the food was delicious, the people were extremely welcoming and the things to see and do were endless.

It may feel like there is an overwhelming amount of things to do (and eat) in Prague, here is a short guide to help you plan your trip.

 

What to Do

Walk the streets of Malá Strana

As you make your way from Prague’s Old Town across the Charles Bridge toward the Prague Castle you will be blown away by the beauty of this neighborhood. Duck into cafes for a coffee or Pilsner, stop to browse at one of the many shops, or simply take in the brick streets and hill top views overlooking the city.

Take a free walking tour

One of the best ways to get acclimated in a new city is by booking free walking tours.  We booked the Free Tour of Prague with Sandeman’s New Prague. If you’re looking for a tour that will teach you some of the rich history that this city has to offer we would recommend starting with this tour.

With this specific tour you’ll start in the Old Town Square, make your way to the New Town and end in the Jewish Quarter.

While teaching you about the culture and historical events that shaped Prague, your guide will also point out some of the best cafes and other places of interest that you can return to on your own time.

Another perk of booking these tours is getting to meet new people from all over the world!

*Side note: While listed as “free”, don’t forget to bring tip money. They also will usually try to sell you on booking a paid tour but don’t feel like you have to.

Visit the markets

We were here during the holidays so we were lucky enough to enjoy the sprawling Christmas markets. For this reason alone Prague seems worth visiting this time of year. Some of our best meals in Prague came from the vendors at these markets. The largest of the Christmas markets is located in the heart of Old Town Square.

Other markets are open year round, including the Havelské Market, which has been open since 1232. Here you’ll find an assortment of vendors ranging from traditional Czech food to souvenir shops.

Climb to the top of St. Nicholas

While there are a number of notable viewpoints located in Prague, our favorite was from the top of St. Nicholas Church. Here we were impressed once again by a 360° view of Prague.

Explore Old Town Square

There is so much to see right in Old Town Square (Staromestske Namesti). We came back day after day and continued finding new things to do and see. Here you’ll find the Astronomical Clock (very cool to see, but unimpressive at the strike of the hour), Old Town Hall, Church of Our Lady and more. This is also home to Prague’s largest Christmas market.

Venture into other neighborhoods

Many spend the entirety of their time in Malá Strana, Old Town and New Town due to the amount of things to do and see, but be sure to branch out into some of the surrounding neighborhoods as well.  Two of our favorites were Žižkov and Vinohrady.

Where to Eat and Drink

U Sadu

If you’re looking to escape the crowds of Old Town, head up to Žižkov where you’ll find traditional Czech food in a cozy pub setting, U Sadu is a fun no-frills pub with great food and beer prices.

Deer

If you’re looking for a nicer meal while visiting check out this unique restaurant located in Old Town.  Deer specializes in venison but has many other interesting menu items. The space is beautiful and the food is memorable.

Bukowski’s Bar

Prague is said to be on top of their cocktail game, and Bukowski’s Bar proves that to be true. Tucked away in the Žižkov neighborhood you will love a night out at this small gem.

Rainbow’s End Cafe

You’ll see a small sign for Rainbow’s End Cafe in Malá Strana shortly after crossing the Charles Bridge, but this is set back away from the main street. They have delicious toasties, good coffee and a beautiful garden in the back.

Where to Stay

Žižkov

This neighborhood is off the beaten path away from the touristy areas but full of dining, bars, coffee shops and beauty. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay to feel more like a local, this is a great spot to do it. A nice, affordable option on this colorful street is Gregory House.

Airbnb

We stayed at an Airbnb for our first leg in Prague. While booking, we found so many incredible options (at very reasonable prices.) We truly felt at home in ours.

 

We hope you love Prague as much as we did. This is a city we already know we will be coming back to.

Let us know what your favorite things to do and see in Prague are in the comments!

Emilie & Chris