Best Of Prague Itinerary: 3 Days In Prague With Map & Tips [2024]

Prague has a very unique energy. Its buildings and the entire setup will capture your attention shortly after arriving. It’s in the top 3 of my travel list of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

I spent 1 year living and working in Prague and quickly fell in love with the city. During that time, I visited almost every corner of the city, seeing the sights and experiencing the majority of its offerings.

So, I’ve created this self-guided walking tour and itinerary based on my experience so you can see the highlights of Prague within just 2 days. Let’s explore the city together.

Overview Of The Prague Itinerary For 3 Days & Map

Here is an overview of the walking tour for each day. It shows all the places I recommend visiting in Prague. Follow it and use the map below to navigate to each sight:

Map Of The Prague Itinerary

Here is a map of the walking tour in Prague. Save it to your phone and navigate to the places when you’re exploring the city by yourself:

👉 READ ALSO: Is Prague Worth Visiting? 19 Reasons To Visit & Best Things To Do

Where Is Prague?

Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic, located in Central Europe. It’s close to Austria, Slovakia, Poland, and Germany.

Check out the map below to see where Prague is:

Getting To Prague

You can get to Prague by plane, train, bus, or car.

Prague has an international Airport – Vaclav Havel Airport – with great connections. So the fastest and most convenient way to get to the city is to fly.

If you’re visiting Prague from other nearby countries and cities like Berlin, Salzburg, Bratislava, or Budapest, it’s great to take trains. Prague has great train connections. Regiojet, Czech Railways, or Railjet (my favorite) are the most common railways.

Alternatively, if you’re on a budget, you can also take a bus to Prague from nearby cities. It’ll take longer time than a train, but it’s cheaper.

How To Get To The Prague Center From The Airport?

The best way to get to Prague’s city center from the airport is either by public transportation, a taxi, or a private shuttle.

You can take the bus n. 119, which says ‘Nadrazi Veleslavin’. Take the bus to the end station and get off (at Nadrazi Veleslavin). After, change to metro. A metro line A (green line) will take you directly to the city center. Check where your hotel is located and which metro station is the closest to it.

A taxi ride from Prague airport to the city center costs approx. 35 EUR (750 CZK).

Alternatively, you can also book this private transfer from the airport to the center. It’ll be much faster and more convenient.

➡ Book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel in Prague here.

Getting Around Prague

Prague is a walkable city, so the best way to get around is on foot. You can explore everything on a walking tour following this itinerary.

Alternatively, you can also take the metro and trams.

The metro in Prague is easy to navigate as it only has 3 lines: A, B, and C. I always take a metro and walk a bit to my final destination.

You can check the metro and tram departures in Prague using this online timetable.

1. DAY IN PRAGUE

Welcome to Prague. After some delicious breakfast at your hotel or in a nice local bakery, it’s time to start our walking tour. In the morning, take a tram to the stop ‘Malostranské Náměstí.’

Then, use Google Maps to walk up to the castle. Follow this itinerary until you reach Prague Old Town. Have fun and enjoy!

Prague Lesser Town

In the first part of this tour, we’ll explore the Lesser Town of Prague. It’s the side of the city with a castle, on the left bank of River Vltava. So, let’s focus on this area first.

📍 Prague Castle

Prague Castle dates back to the 9th century when Prince Borivoj founded it around 870. It was an official residence of the Czech princes, later kings, and the bishop’s seat back then.

The Castle in Prague dates back to the 12th century when King Ottokar II of Bohemia built the Royal Palace, making it a royal residence.

When Charles IV became the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Prague experienced one of the most flourishing times. His son Wenceslas IV. continued with the expansion, but then, due to the Hussite Wars (1419 – 1437), the Castle, the Royal Palace, and the Cathedral of St. Vitus were significantly destroyed and abandoned.

In 1618, the Second Prague Defenestration caused significant damage to the Castle. Maria Theresia then reconstructed it in the 18th century.

Once the Habsburg dynasty took over the throne and moved their residence to Vienna, Prague Castle remained abandoned and served mainly for recreational purposes.

It wasn’t long until Emperor Ferdinand I Habsburg came to the Czech throne in 1526. He lived in the Castle and reconstructed it again.

Today, it’s a residence and an office of the Czech President.

➡ Join this guided tour of Prague Castle and visit it with a local guide.

What To See In The Prague Castle

Now, you can explore the area, which has 4 churches – St. Vitus Cathedral, St George’s Basilica, All Saints Church, and Holly Cross Chapel.

Besides, it also has 4 palaces – Old Royal Palace, New Palace, Belvedere, and Schwarzenberg Palace.

FUN FACT: It’s considered to be the largest castle in the world in terms of area, occupying almost 70,000 square meters.

Guards At Prague Castle

Changing of Guards takes place every day at noon. These are the Czech Armed Forces, which serve and protect the President.

Their role is to defend the Castle. Besides, they also take part in various ceremonies.

The guards have summer and winter uniforms, which must be fit for any situation and weather. The three most important elements of the uniform are:

• The sword that every guard holds in his hand.
• The golden belt.
• The hat on which you can spot the Czech coat of arms.

So go closer and check out these elements on them.

📍 Schwarzenberg Palace

Coming to Castle Square, you can see one of Prague’s most beautiful examples of a Renaissance building – Schwarzenberg Palace. It used to be named Lobkovicz Palace since it was built for John Count of Lobkowicz in the 16th century.

However, John was murdered, and the Palace was confiscated. After the Schwarzenberg family gained it by marriage in 1719, the Palace lost its importance when the emperor and his family moved to Vienna and only served as a military stable.

Before the First World War, it was an exhibition place for the National Technical Museum and Military Museum. Nowadays, it’s part of the National Gallery and remains empty.

➡ Join this guided tour to learn more about Lobkowicz Palace & Prague Castle.

📍 Archbishop’s Palace

The Archbishop’s Palace has served as a seat of the Prague Archbishop and his administration bodies since 1562. The interior is designed in a Rococo style, where you can explore his portrait gallery.

Go inside and look closer at the altar in the archbishop’s chapel. Admire its beautiful painting of the Jesus Crucifixion. It’s very unique.

📍 St. Vitus Cathedral

St. Vitus Cathedral is one of the most stunning cathedrals in Europe. It’s the largest one in Prague, built in a Gothic style. The cathedral served for the coronations of Czech Kings and Queens. Besides, several saint patrons and bishops are buried here.

Charles IV started the construction in 1344. He wanted to build a place for the family crypt, coronation, treasury for the most precious relics, pilgrimage site, and a resting place for the significant Czech patron Saint Wenceslas.

And he managed to do so. Today, you can explore the following:

✅ Chapel of St. Wenceslas
✅ Czech Crown Jewels Chamber
✅ Tomb of St. Vitus
✅ Great South Tower

📍 Monolith

At the Third Courtyard of Prague Castle, you’ll see an obelisk, a granite monolith, and a memorial to the victims of the First World War.

It was designed by Jože Plečník and donated in 1928 for the 10th anniversary of the formation of the Czechoslovak Republic by Thomas Garrigue Masaryk (the First President).

It’s 16 meters high but used to be twice as high as you can see. While locals were transporting it to Prague Castle, it broke into two halves; only half of it stands here today.

📍 St. George & Dragon

In the same courtyard, you can see the statue of St. George. It shows the fight between St. George and a dragon above the Baroque fountain. The dragon is being hit by St. George right inside its mouth, while the dragon has its tail rolled up on one of the horse’s legs.

The legend of St. George & The Dragon dates back to the 11th century. During the First Crusades, knights believed that Saint George, with his fellow soldiers, had been fighting against the dragon around Jerusalem.

📍 Old Royal Palace

Old Royal Palace was a residence for the Bohemian princes and Czech monarchs in the 11th century.

When Emperor Charles IV died in the Old Royal Palace in 1378, all the bells in Prague started to ring, including the biggest one at the St. Vitus Cathedral.

Pay your attention to the rooms of the Bohemian Chancellory. When the Thirty Years War started, it was here where the Czech Protestant nobles threw the two imperial governors out of the windows.

📍 Golden Lane

Walk further until you reach Golden Lane, Prague’s smallest street. It became mainly famous for the goldsmiths, who moved here in the 17th century. As a result, the street became known as the golden lane.

It originally had 24 houses made from wood, stone, and mud.

Many legends and sources refer to alchymists living in those houses. They also mention that they were trying to create the philosopher stone and the elixir of youth by transforming metal into gold.

After the Second World War, Communists expelled locals living in these houses. Nowadays, you can walk through, admire the colorful houses, and hear interesting stories.

📍 Wallenstein Palace & Gardens

Wallenstein Palace is now home to the Czech Senate. In the 17th century, along with three families, the Wallenstein family supported Emperor Ferdinand II during the Thirty Years’ War. As a thanksgiving, he gave the Palace to Wallenstein.

Albrecht Wallenstein was one of the most significant and favored military commanders and chief of the Imperial Forces. He didn’t spend much time in the Palace as he was frequently traveling during wars.

After WWII, it became a state property. Nowadays, you can attend many concerts, theatre performances, and cultural events in the gardens.

📍 Franz Kafka Museum & Peeing Man Statue

Once you come down to the town, enjoy the Franz Kafka Museum. The museum is a mixture of facts and fiction, reality and fantasy. You’ll see how much Prague inspired Franz Kafka and how he shaped the city thanks to his writings.

The museum explains Franz Kafka’s life in 2 parts through several letters, journal entries, photographs, and 3D illustrations.

Different statues illustrate the writer’s strange, sometimes even absurd, ideas. The Peeing Man Statue, located in the middle of the courtyard, is one of them. He is peeing on the map of the Czech Republic.

📍 Skinny Lane

Do you dare pass through the narrowest street? If yes, walk further to Skinny Lane.

Skinny Lane is the narrowest street in Prague that even has its traffic lights. It’s barely 50cm wide. But let’s face the reality. Researchers say that it’s actually not a street, and locals installed the traffic lights here only for fun.

PRO TIP: Stop at the bottom of the passage. You’ll get a beautiful view of the Charles Bridge.

📍 Lennon Wall

After, continue walking to the Lennon Wall.

On December 8th, 1980, when John Lennon was murdered, people started to protest against his death, painting his face on the wall.

Afterward, the wall was mainly used for the protests that arose when the Communists took over the city in 1948. People gathered around it and started to paint and write many words expressing disagreement against the Communist regime. That’s why it’s also called the ‘Crying Wall.’

Nowadays, it’s the only place in Prague where it’s allowed to do graffiti.

📍 Charles Bridge

Let’s cross the Vltava River and walk through the 621-long and 10-meter-wide Charles Bridge. It’s the most famous pedestrian bridge in the city that takes us from the Lesser Town to the Old Town of Prague.

The construction started in the 12th century. Unfortunately, in 1342, huge floods destroyed 2/3 of the bridge. Later, Charles IV. decided to reconstruct the bridge, and that’s why it got the official name ‘Charles Bridge.

Locals used Bohemian stone for its construction. They also mixed egg yolks into the mortar to strengthen it. What can better explain why the bridge has survived several floods and battles? The egg yolks helped, for sure.

It’s decorated with 30 statues on its sides, most of them in Baroque style. They symbolize different saints and patron saints.

Charles Bridge is my favorite place in Prague – enjoy it.

📍 Prague Town Hall

Welcome to the other side of Prague – Old Town. From Charles Bridge, walk through the main streets until you reach the center of it – Old Town Square.

If you feel hungry, you can taste some chimney cake – there are many shops. Then, walk towards the Town Hall.

Prague Town Hall was built in the 14th century and became the center of the government until the 20th century.

It was severely damaged during WWII. Locals reconstructed it right after and incorporated the Astronomical Clock within. Nowadays, it’s 69,5 meters high.

Walk to the tower and enjoy the Old Town & Charles Bridge views.

📍 Astronomical Clock

Take a moment to stare at the stunning Astronomical Clock. Pay attention every full hour when twelve apostles go out of the clock and march around.

If you look closer, you can also see a skeleton on the right side representing Death and pulls the string, which is super funny.

Below the apostles is the astronomical clock, where you’ll see Earth depicted in the middle of the Universe. It shows the movement of the sun and the moon with zodiac signs.

Underneath, you’ll see a calendar, which displays all days of the year together with symbolic pictures of each month.

The watch is stunning; make sure to see the show at least once.

📍 Our Lady Before Tyn Church

After, walk towards the majestic church before you. It’s the Church Of Our Lady Before Tyn. Our beloved Charles IV started the construction in the 14th century.

In the late 17th century, it was hit by fire and was reconstructed in a Baroque style.

The church got its name from the enclosed court – in the Czech’ Tyr Dvur’, also known as Ungelt. From the first half of the 13th century, this court served foreign merchants as a common lodging place and a customs house.

📍 Jan Hus Monument

You’ll spot a monument in the middle of the Old Town Square. It’s dedicated to Jan Hus, one of the most relevant personalities in the history of the Czech Republic.

When Martin Luther started the protestant reformation, many people helped him spread this belief. One of them was the Czech heretic Jan Hus.

Jan was the dean of Charles University and actively criticized many ideas introduced by the Catholic Church. One of them was the selling of indulgences. In the 15th century, the pope was excommunicated.

Finally, authorities called him to the Council of Constance to renounce his ideas, but he didn’t. So, they burnt him down in 1415.

As a result of his death, several people who sympathized with his ideas started a Protestant movement against the Catholic Church in Prague.

Now you can admire Jan Hus’s monument. The statue looks at the Lady Before Tyn Church, as it used to be a protestant church from the beginning of the 15th century until the middle of the 17th century.

Evening: Vltava River Cruise

Today in the evening, I recommend doing a Vltava River Cruise. It’s another great way to see the sights in Prague from a different perspective and enjoy the city’s atmosphere.

Have a good rest since tomorrow; we’ll continue exploring Prague and its beauty.

2. DAY IN PRAGUE

Today, we’ll enjoy more highlights in Prague, including some fun activities. And have a lot of beer. Are you ready for it?

I’ll also give you several ideas on what you can do for more days in the city.

📍 Dancing House

Today, we’ll start with one of the most interesting buildings in the city – Dancing House. You can have breakfast inside and enjoy the views of the Vltava River.

Locals call it a drunk house. The place where the House stands today was a target for bombing during Nazi times in Prague. Until the Velvet Revolution in 1989, it was pretty much empty.

The first President of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel, decided to build the House to what you see today.

After, continue walking to the St. Cyril & Methodius Cathedral.

📍 St. Cyril & Methodius Cathedral

I’ve brought you to this cathedral as it holds stories from WWII. As you might know, the Czech Republic was occupied by Germany. The SS police were all over the city, checking all corners.

Two brave agents, one Slovakian, and one Czech, got a mission to assassinate the police officer and the right-hand of Hitler, Reinhard Heydrich. They were successful and killed him.

But, after, SS police chased them for several weeks. These two agents hid in this cathedral. Then the Nazi found them, it was a bloody battle between the agents, their bodies, and the SS police.

You can still see the shots on the cathedral’s walls. Go inside and learn more about it and see a free exhibition.

This event is called Operation Anthropoid. I highly recommend you see the movie before going to the cathedral.

➡ Join this guided tour to learn more about Prague in the WWII & Operation Anthropoid.

📍 Franz Kafka Rotating Head

Afterward, continue walking towards St. Wenceslas Square. On the way, stop to see the famous Franz Kafka Rotating Head. It’s so cool, one of the most unique statues in Prague.

📍 St. Wencelas Square

If you want to do some shopping, head to St. Wenceslas Square. There are hundreds of shops, restaurants, and cafes. If you keep walking from the square towards ‘Náměstí Republiky,’ the shops continue alongside the street.

📍 Jewish Quarter

After lunch, you can explore the Jewish Quarter. It was entirely destroyed during the bombing in WWII. Germany deported many Jews to concentration camps from this Quarter, and you can learn about these events.

Check out the Synagogue and the Jewish Museum if that interests you.

➡ Join this guided tour of the Jewish Quarter with a local guide.

📍 Museums In Prague

If you fancy seeing some museums in Prague, I recommend the following:

✅ National Museum
✅ Beer Museu
✅ Jewish Museum
✅ Speculum Alchemiae (History Museum)
✅ Mucha Museum (famous painter)
✅ Franz Kafka Museum
✅ LEGO Museum

📍 Beer Spa

Let’s be honest. Many people are coming to Prague because of the cheap beer. And that’s true. According to research, Prague and the entire Czech Republic officially have the world’s best and most affordable beer.

Here in Prague, you can drink it and have a bath in it. So in the afternoon, I suggest going to a beer spa and experience what you can only do in this country.

📍 Evening: Beer Time

More beer is happening today in the evening. Saying goodbye to Prague won’t be easy. But what better way to celebrate your visit than drinking local beer?

Go to Beer Time Pub and taste various types of beer. They also have production from small brewers from around the country. And you can have a delicious dinner there, too.

3. DAY IN PRAGUE

On your last day, I recommend doing more activities like seeing a concert and visiting many museums.

Check out my suggestions for a guided tour to learn more about Prague in WWII, join a food tour and try Czech specialties, explore the Jewish quarter with a guide, and enjoy even more activities.

Best Guided Tours Of Prague

If you want to learn more about the history of Prague in detail and hear interesting stories, I highly recommend doing one of the guided tours I recommend below.

Prague is a hotspot for history lovers, and the city has played a major role in the history of the entire Europe. You’ll hear all the important names like Emperor Charle IV or the Habrburgs and major historical events like WWII, the Thirty Year’s War, the Hussite Wars, concentration camps, and more.

So, it’s a great idea to walk through with a local historian.

I recommend these guided tours in Prague:

✅ Prague Old Town & Castle Guided Tour
✅ WWII Guided Tour & Operation Anthropoid
✅ Guided Tour Of Old Town & Jewish Quarter
✅ Food Tour Of Prague

Make A Day Trip From Prague

Visit some of the most beautiful towns in Czech Republic. I also highly recommend making a day trip from Prague.

The best day trips you can make from Prague are:

📍 Kutna Hora & Sedlec Sanctuary
📍 Karlstejn Castle
📍 Carlsbad & Spa
📍 Cesky Krumlov
📍 Brno

Practical Tips For Visiting Prague

To help you plan your stay in Prague even more, I have more tips for you. See when the best time to visit is, how many days should you stay, where to stay, and learn about the safety:

How Many Days Should You Spend In Prague?

2 to 4 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Prague. 2 days are enough to explore the main sights and enjoy the atmosphere of Prague.

Spend 4 days if you want to do extra activities like visiting museums, enjoying a beer spa, going on a Vltava River Cruise, or going to a theatre performance.

👉 READ ALSO: How Many Days In Prague Is Enough? Revealed!

Best Time To Visit Prague

The best time to visit Prague is May, June, September, and October. The temperatures are mild during these months, and the weather is great for sightseeing (not so hot). It’s also much less crowded than during the peak summer months (July & August).

December is also a great time to visit Prague, as you can experience one of Europe’s most beautiful Christmas Markets. The city has wonderful markets with a great Christmasy atmosphere and delicious food.

Where To Stay In Prague: Best Areas & Hotels

The best areas to stay in Prague are the Old Town, Lesser Town, or Zizkov/Vysehrad. They’re close to the main attractions, and the areas are also very safe.

These are the hotels I recommend for your stay in Prague:

BEST HOTELS IN THE OLD TOWN PRAGUE:

➡ HOTEL ZLATA VAHA – budget-friendly hotel
➡ HOTEL LIBERTY – mid-range hotel
➡ GRANDIUM HOTEL PRAGUE – luxury hotel

BEST HOTELS IN THE LESSER TOWN PRAGUE:

➡ REPUBLIC HOTEL – budget-friendly hotel
➡ HOTEL AT THE GOLDEN SCISSORS – mid-range hotel
➡ AUGUSTINE LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL – luxury hotel

BEST HOTELS IN ZIZKOV/VYSEHRAD:

➡ HOTEL LUNIK – budget-friendly hotel
➡ HOTEL TAURUS – mid-range hotel
➡ AMETYST HOTEL PRAHA – luxury hotel

Where To Eat In Prague: Best Restaurants

Prague is a very touristy city, so choosing a place to eat matters. I don’t like how touristy it became, and locals often take advantage of it.

Avoid eating at the Old Town Square – the food is mostly average and overpriced.

Instead, check out these traditional Czech restaurants and try local food:

✅ Lokal – traditional Czech restaurant with great beer
✅ Sad Man’s Tongue Bar & Bistro – great burgers & grilled food
✅ Beertime Pub – traditional Czech restaurant with great beer
✅ Czech Slovak Restaurant – traditional Czechoslovakian restaurant
✅ Pork’s – traditional Czech restaurant
✅ U Glaubiců – traditional Czech restaurant
✅ Lehka Hlava – vegetarian restaurant
✅ Dhaba Beas – vegetarian restaurant
✅ Liberske Lahudky – traditional Czech bread with toppings (for breakfast & snack)
✅ Antoninovo Pekarstvi – best bakery with sweet and savory bread (for breakfast & snacks)

Prague Christmas Markets

The Christmas Markets in Prague are one of the most beautiful in Europe (I would say top 5). You can enjoy the atmosphere and delicious food.

Try local chimney cake, mulled wine, sausages, and cheap beer. Some stalls also sell traditional Czech souvenirs.

👉 READ ALSO: Magical European Christmas Markets By Train: Full Itinerary

Currency In Prague & Budget You’ll Need

The official currency in Prague (Czech Republic) is the Czech Crown. Many people can pay with Euro, but they often have a high conversion rate. So I recommend exchanging cash for Czech Crowns.

Always have some cash handy, as some places still don’t accept card payments. Or you’ll need it for toilets in the city.

The best places to exchange cash for Czech Crowns are local exchange places in the city (not the airport or hotels). Check the official rate online via XE.com.

Prague is a relatively cheap city compared to other European capitals. You can expect to spend around $80 per day, including accommodation, food, and activities.

Is Prague Safe To Visit?

Yes, Prague is safe to visit. It was ranked the safest city to visit in Europe in 2023 by research done in the UK. It has a low crime score, and there is not much danger overall. If you stay in touristy areas, walking outside alone at night is also relatively safe.

Be aware of pickpockets and use common sense – it’ll keep you safe.

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BONUS: 10-Day Czech Republic Itinerary

If you want to explore more of the Czech Republic, follow my 10-day road trip through the country. It includes all the Czech highlights, beautiful places, nature, stunning towns, and a lot of culture.

Get my Czech Republic Road Trip Itinerary by clicking on the image below and explore beyond Prague.

FAQs

I’ve also answered some of the frequently asked questions about Prague. Check my answers below:

Is 3 Days In Prague Enough?

Yes, 3 days are enough for Prague. Add a few more days depending on how many extra activities you want to do, such as seeing the opera, enjoying the Vltava Cruise, a beer spa, or visiting many museums.

But if you only want to see the main sights in Prague, 3 days is the perfect time.

Can You Pay In Euros In Prague?

Yes, you can pay in euros in Prague, but I don’t recommend it. The conversion rates are often too high, so you’d lose a lot of money. Instead, convert some USD or EURO into the local currency, the Czech Crown.

Is Prague A Walkable City?

Yes, Prague is a walkable city. You can easily visit all the sight on foot. When you want to make longer distances, take a metro or a tram.

WRAP-UP: 3 Days In Prague Itinerary

This is my itinerary and a self-guided walking tour of one of the most beautiful European cities – Prague. Even after living there for a year, I still love coming back. The city has such an incredible atmosphere; I believe everyone should experience it.

Not to mention the delicious and cheap beer. And if you don’t like beer, come to eat as many chimney cakes as possible – these are delicious.

If you have any questions or need help planning your itinerary for Prague, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com. I’ll gladly help you.

Happy Travels!