Three days in Prague: the Old Town and Charles Bridge at dawn, Prague Castle, Malá Strana, viewpoints and classic Czech food, planned by neighbourhood.
Updated
Three days in Prague for a couple, starting in Old Town Square and Josefov, then crossing Charles Bridge to Prague Castle and Nerudova Street. Save time on the last day for the Municipal House and the market on Havelská Street.
Per person for 3 days: a room shared by two, food, local transport and sights. Flights are extra.
Budget
$100
Mid-range
$190–260
Comfort
$320
A rough guide from typical local prices; yours depends on season and choices.
A travel eSIM gives your phone mobile data in Czechia as soon as the plane touches down: maps, ride apps and messages work at the airport, with no roaming bill and no SIM card to swap. Set it up at home in a few minutes; your own number keeps working for calls and texts.
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Day 1 · Prague, Czech Republic
Start at Old Town Square, walk into Josefov, then stroll down Pařížská Street and take a coffee break at Café Terezín.
Your base for the next 3 nights: Old Town
Days 1 to 3 start and end here, so you only unpack once.
Where to stay ↓12:30 PM · 1 hour
Take the Airport Express bus (100 Kč, 40 minutes) to Náměstí Republiky station in Old Town, or a taxi (400-500 Kč, 30-40 minutes depending on traffic). Drop your bags at your hotel, then head out to walk the quarter.
1Prague's heart: a sprawl of Gothic and Renaissance townhouses, the Astronomical Clock on the Town Hall, and the twin spires of the Týn Church. Wander the arcades and side streets to avoid the midday crowd. From your hotel, it's a 5-10 minute walk.
Insider tip: Skip the main square at 3 PM when tour groups gather. Walk south into the quieter courtyards and around the back of the Týn Church.
2Six centuries of Prague's Jewish community in one intimate neighbourhood: narrow lanes, the Old Jewish Cemetery with its crowded, layered graves, and four historic synagogues (Old-New, Maisel, Pinkas, Spanish). Entry to the cemetery and synagogues is one combined ticket (580 Kč adults). A 10-minute walk north from Old Town Square.
Insider tip: Buy your ticket at the Old-New Synagogue entrance; it covers all four and the cemetery. The Pinkas Synagogue is quietest in late afternoon.
3The neighbourhood's main boulevard, lined with Art Nouveau facades and high-end shops, but walk it for the architecture and light. At 7:50 PM, the golden hour hits the old stone facades. A 5-minute walk from the Jewish Quarter.
Insider tip: Walk slowly and look up at the ornate roofs and tile work. Stop under the arcade near Staroměstská metro station for the best evening glow on the stones.
A calm, traditional Czech restaurant in a converted medieval townhouse just south of Old Town Square. Order goulash, svíčková (marinated beef with cream sauce), and a local beer. Simple, reliable, not a tourist trap. A 2-minute walk from the square.
Insider tip: Ask for a table upstairs in the old vaulted room. The pork schnitzel is also very good. Mains run 200-280 Kč.
If you land early
Optional, close to your stay, before the plan above.
Popular experiences worth booking ahead.
3 hours
You'll skip the long queues and get the history right instead of reading plaques; the interiors are genuinely impressive and the views of the city from the gardens are worth the trip alone.
Book now
3-4 hours
A guide steers you to the real pubs and local spots, teaches you how to order, and you'll eat and drink better than wandering solo.
Book now
2-3 hours
The synagogues and cemetery are among Europe's most moving historical sites; a guide explains the story, which matters here more than anywhere else.
Book now
1 hour
You'll see the castle, Charles Bridge, and old town from the water without the crowds; it's relaxing and the city looks best at dusk.
Book now
4 hours
You'll make goulash, svíčková, and trdelník from scratch, eat what you cook, and learn what makes Czech food work - beats any restaurant meal.
Book nowBook a hotel or apartment in Old Town between the Old Town Square and the Jewish Quarter. You're steps from the main sights, the tram stops, and Nerudova Street for Day 2.
Want more choice for your 3 nights? See everything in Old Town, or an apartment or house (good for families and groups).
Art nouveau café in the Municipal House. Order goulash and trout, sit under the stained glass.
Golden-era beer hall since 1466. Dark wood, tourists and locals mixed. Czech classics, house beer.
Day 2 · Prague, Czech Republic
Cross Charles Bridge in the morning, spend a few hours in the castle courtyard and gardens, then walk down Nerudova to Café Čertovka.
1Medieval stone bridge lined with statues, best crossed at sunrise when it's quiet and light is soft. Cross it end to end, stop at the tower midway. Walk from your hotel about 5 minutes west.
Insider tip: Arrive by 5:50 AM, before tour groups. The Old Town Bridge Tower has a small fee but skippable views.
2Massive hilltop complex with three courtyards, St. Vitus Cathedral, and sweeping views over the city. Take tram 22 from Charles Bridge (direction Bílá Hora, 5 minutes) to Pražský Hrad stop. Walk 10 minutes uphill through castle gates.
Insider tip: Skip the interior of St. Vitus Cathedral (long queues, ticketed separately). Walk the courtyards and the South Gardens free and watch the changing of the guard at noon.
3Steep cobbled lane descending from Prague Castle with colorful houses, craft shops, and local cafes. Walk downhill from the castle's main exit, 20 minutes to the bottom at Malostranské Náměstí.
Insider tip: Stop at house number 51 for its red house sign, a medieval symbol of a pharmacy. Meander slowly, pop into small galleries.
4Riverside cafe tucked beside the Old Mill. Grab lunch here: strong coffee, local pastries, and a quiet table above the water before the afternoon rush. At the bottom of Nerudova, cross into Malá Strana and walk 5 minutes towards the river.
Insider tip: Order the trdelník (spiral pastry with cinnamon sugar) and sit by the water. Cash preferred.
5Green hilltop park with city views, especially golden at sunset. Climb the steel Petřín Lookout Tower for the best panorama, or walk the free paths. From Malá Strana, take funicular tram 91 (5 minutes) or walk uphill 20 minutes.
Insider tip: Arrive by 7:45 PM so you're at the tower by 8:00 PM for full golden hour (peaks around 8:20 PM). Tower ticket is 150 CZK.
Elegant 1930s café with high ceilings. Order eggs, pastries, strong coffee. Opens 8am.
Duck specialties in a cosy Old Town room. Get the roasted duck with red cabbage and dumplings.
Riverside tables overlook the bridge. Book a table facing west for sunset at 8:41pm. Fresh fish.
Day 3 · Prague, Czech Republic
Begin on Wenceslas Square, look inside the Municipal House, pass the Powder Tower, and finish with a browse at the Havelská Street market.
1A long, sloping plaza lined with early-1900s facades, cafes, and shops. Start here to see the St. Wenceslas statue at the top and the grand architecture in morning light. Walk from Old Town Square southeast for 15 minutes, or take tram 3, 9, or 14 to Václavské náměstí.
Insider tip: Climb to the statue by 8:45 AM before crowds gather; the light is best then.
2An ornate 1912 Art Nouveau palace with a grand hall, stained glass, and period interiors you can tour with a guide. It's a 5-minute walk south of Wenceslas Square or directly across from Powder Tower. Book a 10 AM tour online.
Insider tip: Tours are 45 minutes; the Smetana Hall upstairs is the highlight, with ornate plasterwork and stained glass.
3A 15th-century Gothic gate with an interior museum and a rooftop viewpoint over Old Town and New Town. The climb is steep but the views are worth it. It's a 2-minute walk from Municipal House.
Insider tip: Skip the museum; go straight to the rooftop (206 steps). May crowds are light mid-morning.
4A narrow covered lane with fruit, flowers, souvenirs, and a few small food stalls. Go here for lunch: grab trdelník (fried bread with cinnamon) or fresh salads from vendors. A 10-minute walk south from Powder Tower through Old Town.
Insider tip: The best trdelník comes from stands at the market's center; eat standing up to feel local.
Art nouveau interior, coffee and pastries in an 1912 landmark building.
Iron structure overlooking New Town, traditional goulash and local beer.
Neighborhood spot in New Town, unpretentious food, order the smažený sýr (fried cheese).
What travellers ask about Prague, answered.
No, but go early (before 9am) to skip the queue and beat the crowds. Tickets are 250 Kč for the grounds and cathedral. It takes about 2-3 hours to see it properly.
Goulash, tripe soup, schnitzel, and fresh trout. Hit a local hospoda (pub) not a tourist restaurant. Expect hearty, simple, delicious. Beer is cheaper than water here.
Prague Spring music festival runs through May with classical concerts in historic venues. Most performances sell out; book online in advance. The city also hosts the Prague Writers' Festival if you're into literature.
Vinohrady or Zizkov neighborhoods are cheaper, quieter, and full of real local life. You're 10-15 minutes by tram from the old town, so worth it for the vibe.
Expect 15-20°C (59-68°F), mostly dry with occasional rain. Pack layers, a light jacket, and comfortable walking shoes - you'll be on your feet for hours.
Spoken here: Czech. English works fine in tourist areas, restaurants, and hotels, but less so in pubs and shops outside the city centre.
Useful phrases
• Děkuji (dyeh-koo-yee): thank you
• Prosím (pro-seem): please
• Kolik to stojí? (ko-lik to stoy-ee): how much does it cost?
• Pivo (pih-vo): beer
• Nemluvím anglicky (nem-loo-veem ung-lits-kee): I don't speak English
Prague's safe for tourists, but watch for pickpockets on the Charles Bridge, in the Old Town Square, and on tram line 22 (the tourist route to the castle). Keep valuables close and bags zipped.
Call 112 for police, ambulance or fire. It’s free and works from any phone, including a foreign mobile.
Rounding up to the nearest 20-50 Kč is normal and appreciated, but not obligatory. In restaurants, 10% is generous if service was good, though many locals don't tip at all.
• Skip the Old Town Square restaurants with picture menus facing the square; head one street back for the same food at half the price and better quality.
• Beer is cheaper than coffee and fresher than anywhere else - a proper pilsner costs 30-50 Kč at a local pub.
• The astronomical clock draws huge crowds on the hour; see it early morning or skip it entirely and admire the square itself.
• Vinohrady and Žižkov neighbourhoods have better bars, cheaper food, and actual locals - take tram 4 or 22 instead of walking everywhere.
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