Prague packs a thousand years of architecture into a centre you can cross on foot in half an hour. Two days gets you the Old Town, Charles Bridge, the castle above the river and a proper Czech beer hall, with time left to wander. It suits first-timers, couples and anyone who likes a city best on foot.
Why go
Prague survived the twentieth century largely intact, so Gothic towers, baroque palaces and art nouveau facades stand side by side. The Vltava splits the city neatly: the Old Town and New Town on one bank, Malá Strana and the castle on the other, joined by Charles Bridge.
It’s also a food-and-drink city in an unpretentious way. Beer is poured with care, the grand cafés still serve under chandeliers, and the cooking is hearty. If you’d rather plan by season, events and day trips first, read our companion guide, Prague: what to know before you go.
Prague
Don’t miss
The places that make the trip, and why each one deserves your time.
Tadeáš Gregor / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Old Town Square
The twin spires of the Týn Church rise over the square, and the Astronomical Clock has marked the hour since the fifteenth century, its figures appearing on the hour.
Come early, see one show, then move on.
mendhak / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 Charles Bridge
Thirty statues line the stone bridge, with the castle above the river ahead. Empty and softly lit at dawn, glowing beneath the floodlit castle after dark.
Visit twice: once at dawn, once after dark.
donald judge / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 Malá Strana
Baroque lanes under the castle, quieter after dark. Look for the Lennon Wall and the quiet island of Kampa just below the bridge.
Tilman2007 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Prague Castle
Climb the castle steps to the vast complex above the river, with St Vitus Cathedral at its heart and the city spread out below.
St Vitus opens at noon on Sundays; go Saturday.
Uoaei1 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Josefov
The old Jewish Quarter: the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Pinkas, Maisel, Klausen and Spanish synagogues, and the Old-New Synagogue.
The Jewish Museum is closed on Saturdays.
Øyvind Holmstad / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Wenceslas Square
Walk the length of the New Town's great boulevard to the National Museum at its top, through a district far older than its name suggests.
Corradox / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Kavárna Slavia
A riverside grand café open since 1881, with live piano and a view across to the National Theatre over your coffee.
Live piano daily from 5pm.
Stanislav Jelen / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Vyšehrad
The old fortress on a rock above the Vltava. Its cemetery holds Dvořák and Smetana, and the ramparts give a sunset view back towards the castle.
Go for sunset, then dinner at U Fleků.
The 48-hour route
Day 1
Morning: Start in Old Town Square before the crowds. Take in the twin spires of the Týn Church and the Old Town Hall, then stand under the Astronomical Clock, which has marked the hour since the fifteenth century. The figures appear on the hour, and the square fills fast for it, so see one early show and move on.
Afternoon: Walk the Royal Way through the lanes to Charles Bridge, with its thirty statues and views of the castle. Cross into Malá Strana, the Lesser Town, for lunch, then look for the Lennon Wall and the quiet island of Kampa just below the bridge. Climb the castle steps to Prague Castle. The castle complex is open from 6am to 10pm, and the historical buildings open from 9am to 5pm until the end of October and 9am to 4pm from November to March. Inside, St Vitus Cathedral opens at noon on Sundays, so put it on Saturday if you can.
Evening: Walk down through Malá Strana as the lights come on and recross the river. Dinner is Czech classics at Lokál on Dlouhá, then a drink in the Old Town.
Tip: Visit Charles Bridge twice: once at dawn for empty stone and soft light, and once after dark when the castle is lit above you.
Day 2
Morning: Explore Josefov, the old Jewish Quarter. The Jewish Museum’s sites include the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Pinkas, Maisel, Klausen and Spanish synagogues, while the Old-New Synagogue is run separately by the Prague Jewish Community. The museum is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays, so this works best on a Sunday. From 18 October to 31 December 2026, its sites open from 9am to 4:30pm.
Afternoon: Head into the New Town, which is far older than its name suggests. Walk the length of Wenceslas Square to the National Museum at its top, then stop at Kavárna Slavia, a riverside café open since 1881, for coffee and a view of the National Theatre.
Evening: Take the tram or walk south along the river to Vyšehrad, the old fortress on a rock above the Vltava. Its cemetery holds Dvořák and Smetana, and the ramparts give a sunset view back towards the castle. Finish with dinner and house beer at U Fleků, the centuries-old brewery tavern in the New Town.
With a third day
Leave the city. Kutná Hora, with its soaring St Barbara’s Cathedral and the bone-decorated Sedlec Ossuary, makes an easy train trip, and Karlštejn’s Gothic castle sits in wooded hills south-west of Prague. Check the castle’s season before you go: from November its basic tour runs only Friday to Sunday until 20 December. Our Prague: what to know before you go guide covers both, plus Český Krumlov.
If you’d rather stay put, cross to Letná Park for the classic view of the bridges stacked along the river, or climb Petřín Hill and wander down through its orchards to Malá Strana.
Where to stay
- Old Town (Staré Město): The most central base, with sights on your doorstep. Best for first-timers on a short trip, though the streets stay busy late.
- Malá Strana: Baroque lanes under the castle, quieter after dark. Best for couples and a romantic weekend.
- New Town (Nové Město): Well connected, with more choice and space, and good cafés. Best for practical travellers.
- Vinohrady: Leafy residential streets with wine bars and cafés, a short tram ride from the centre. Best for return visitors and a local feel.
What to eat and drink
- Svíčková: Beef in a creamy root-vegetable sauce with bread dumplings and cranberries. The national Sunday lunch.
- Goulash: Rich beef stew with dumplings, best with a beer.
- Smažený sýr: Fried cheese with tartar sauce, the classic comfort dish.
- Chlebíčky: Open sandwiches piled with ham, egg and salads, ideal for a quick lunch.
- Czech lager: Pilsner-style beer poured with a creamy head. Try a hladinka (classic pour) or a mlíko (mostly foam).
- Koláče: Round pastries filled with poppy seed, plum jam or curd cheese.
Where to go:
- Lokál (Dlouhá 33, Old Town): A long beer hall serving Czech classics all day and tank beer. It gets busy, so book ahead.
- U Fleků (New Town): A brewery tavern with its own dark beer and a cabaret at weekends.
- Kavárna Slavia (Národní 1): Grand café since 1881, with live piano daily from 5pm.
- Café Louvre (Národní 22): A first-floor café with a hundred-year history and good breakfasts.
- Café Imperial (Na Poříčí 15): Tiled walls and mosaic ceilings, serving guests since 1914, with Kafka among its former regulars.
Getting around
Central Prague is best on foot, but bring shoes with grip for the cobbles and the castle hill. Trams are the quickest way to cover longer distances, and they save your legs on the climb from Malá Strana to the castle. Buy tickets in the PID Lítačka app and activate them before you board.
From the airport, bus 59 runs to Nádraží Veleslavín for metro line A, taking about 35 minutes to the centre. The Airport Express runs from Terminal 1 to the main railway station in about 45 minutes. Note that 24- and 72-hour passes don’t cover the Airport Express.
Good to know
- Currency: The Czech Republic uses the koruna (CZK), not the euro. Cards are widely accepted; avoid street exchange booths.
- Castle timing: Historical buildings close at 4pm from November to March, an hour earlier than in summer. The Royal Garden is closed from November to February.
- Josefov: The Jewish Museum is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays.
- Christmas: The Old Town Square Christmas market runs from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027. See our best Christmas markets in Europe.
- Bad weather: Swap the river walk for the National Museum, a long café stop at the Slavia or the castle’s indoor exhibitions.
- What’s on: Check this weekend’s picks and travel news before you go.
Tip: Activate your public transport ticket in the app at least a minute before boarding. Inspectors check, and an unactivated ticket doesn’t count.
FAQ
Is two days enough for Prague?
Yes. Two days covers the Old Town, Charles Bridge, Malá Strana, the castle and Josefov. Add a third day for a trip out to Kutná Hora or Karlštejn.
What time does Prague Castle open?
The castle complex is open from 6am to 10pm year-round. The historical buildings open from 9am to 5pm from April to October, and 9am to 4pm from November to March.
How do I get from Prague Airport to the city centre?
Take bus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín and change to metro line A, or the Airport Express to the main railway station. Both take under an hour.
Do I need cash in Prague?
Not much. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, though a few small bars and market stalls prefer cash in Czech koruna.
Is Prague good for a romantic weekend?
Very. Charles Bridge at dawn, Malá Strana’s lanes and sunset at Vyšehrad make it one of our most romantic destinations in Europe. It also features in our best city breaks in Europe.