As soon as you land in Prague, it is clear you have been transported somewhere special. Surrounded by brightly colored buildings, monuments, and sculptures, you find yourself immersed in a piece of history. There is nothing quite like the culture and saturation of these old Eastern European cities. I spent a long weekend in the capital city during October 2022 and have created a mini-itinerary based on that amazing trip. Keep reading for a perfect 3-day itinerary for Prague, Czech Republic!
Day One
Public Transport in Prague
Prague has a pretty simple transportation system that is extremely reliable and clean. We found ourselves jumping on and off the tram constantly to get to and from all the sights of the city. You can get passes that are good for a day or customize to the length of your stay. It’s truly the best way to make the most of your time there.
Royal Court Hotel and Karlova
We took an early morning flight to make the most of our time in the city, so we dove right into sightseeing once we got there.
After dropping our luggage off at the Royal Court Hotel, we ventured to Old Town for lunch. There are tons of restaurants with outdoor seating which gives you the full European people-watching experience. We chose Karlova which is a little more tucked away but has vast, open windows that we were still able to enjoy the sounds and sights from. The menu featured options for all travelers and traditional cuisine. I opted for some lamb and a pint while we listened to the soundscape of the city.
Astronomical Clock
Walking around and savoring the pastels and brightly colored buildings is an absolute highlight of the Czech Republic. Prague reminded me a lot of Budapest in regards to the architecture and culture. After wandering aimlessly for a bit, we made our way over to the famous Astronomical Clock in Old Town center. You’ll want to give yourself time to take in the intricate details and grandeur of the clock whilst also simply enjoying the buzz of the town center. Pictures cannot do this beautiful relic justice and it’s an absolute must on any Prague trip.
Central Gallery
On a whim, we went to Central Gallery to check out some art. You can opt for one, two, or three of the exhibits depending on how much time or interest you have. We chose the galleries of Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali and soaked up the works of these amazing, world-renowned artists. If you’re less familiar, Warhol has the famous pop art style with saturated colors, while Dali has a much darker and surrealistic style, featuring subjects like purgatory and melting clocks. As an art fan myself, I recommend blocking out extra time to ensure you don’t have to rush through Central Gallery.
Absintherie
You’ll notice a theme of grabbing a drink at an outdoor table throughout my trip, since my travel partner and I enjoy people watching a little too much. After grabbing some mojitos in Old Town again, we ventured into side streets and stumbled upon Absintherie. We weren’t able to grab a table but snapped a couple of photos of their decor.
Prague's Signal Festival
That evening we made our way back out to the city to take in the Signal Festival. The Signal Festival showcases lights and technology with installments all over the city. It happens once a year and we happened to luck out being there on the final night, but I highly recommend considering it when planning your visit. It was a great introduction to Prague and threw us into the mix with tons of locals and tourists and general excitement throughout the city. People of all ages gathered at city landmarks to enjoy the light shows together, and we had great fun, too. Even if you don’t happen to be visiting during this festival, look up if there are other free events during your dates.
Day Two
Karluv Most and Mánesüv Most
Day two brought us back to Old Town for breakfast (I had pancakes) and a proper waking up alongside all the hustle and bustle. We lucked out with amazing weather so we did a lot of walking, including a stroll over the Karluv Most and the Mánesüv Most, two of the gorgeous, famous bridges in Prague. They feature must-see statues and architecture that will satisfy your need for a little extra history in the city. Plus, they are stunning walks with views of the city from every angle.
Lennon Wall and Pub
My next stop was filling up on trdelník — a pastry Prague is well known for. Mine was filled with ice cream and strawberries, and was too good to be true, but they offer tons of variations for all different palates. Once my sweet tooth was satisfied, we walked over to the Lennon Wall. This landmark is a giant mural/graffiti wall filled with images and messages of peace, hope, and activism. Ever-changing, the wall features ongoing causes left by civilians which make for not only a great photo-op but a valuable learning opportunity for visitors. It only felt right to end the excursion with a visit to a nearby John Lennon Pub, adorned with Beatles decor, for a pint.
Narrowest Road in Prague and Prague Castle
On our way around the city we found the narrowest road in Prague, scarcely big enough for your body to fit through. There is a traffic light on either end to avoid people getting trapped, and I would caution those with claustrophobia from partaking in a stroll. Moving on quickly, we went to Prague Castle and walked the grounds a bit while soaking in an overview of the city. The rusty roofs and blue sky were breathtaking. We popped over to the Old Royal Palace (part of Prague Castle). This towering building is not done justice by photographs, with its massive windows and gilded touches. We stood in awe, taking in its vastness until it was time to get ready for dinner.
Hemingway Bar and Dinner on the Water
We started the evening with drinks at Hemingway Bar, which we stumbled upon while waiting for our dinner reservation. Specialty cocktails in unique glasses are presented to you in a moody setting that would make for a perfect date spot. Their menu changes seasonally, making it a new experience for every visitor. We followed it up with a gorgeous dinner on the water. The US exchange to Czech currency is truly astounding. We found a dinner with starters, wine, water, two mains, and dessert very affordable! With the river lit up by the city lights, we took our time and enjoyed the evening, finishing the meal off with a shot of the local liqueur called Becherovka.
Rather than an early night, we decided to grab a nightcap at a spot we came across on our walk back to the hotel. Here we met a group of Romanian people who spent the night with us dancing, talking, and drinking. One of the most amazing parts of travel is people from all walks of life coming together to learn and explore a new city. We bar-hopped, exchanged stories and laughter, and celebrated one of our new companions’ birthday.
Day Three
Infinite Book Tower and The Dancing House
The next morning, we made our first outing to the Municipal Library of Prague, home to the infinite book tower you may be familiar with if you’ve done your research. We snapped Insta-worthy photos and then made our way to the next stop. The Dancing House is a well-known building that looks like it is…well…dancing! While it is definitely a must-see in Prague, it was hard to catch a picture that wasn’t obscured so my fellow traveler, beware of the Instagram versus reality effect of this landmark.
Saint James Basilica
Next on our agenda was Saint James Basilica. The church looks ordinary at first glance, but inside lies a dark secret. 400 years ago, a jewel thief tried stealing from the church and was caught. To ward off future thieves, they cut off his arm and hung it on the wall, making an example of him. The mummified forearm remains to this day. We ran into some road bumps visiting the church so be sure to check its hours and schedule a tour to maximize your trip! This spooky site is free to visit…if you dare.
Afterward, we rewarded our rocky journey with a midday glass of prosecco at an outdoor cafe in Old Town and enjoyed even more people watching as we recounted the memories. After a quick rest at our hotel, we headed back out to grab dinner (Italian food, not very authentic) and got a view of Prague at night. Everything glimmers and lights up in dazzling ways and makes it feel so special. We basked in the beauty of the city that allowed two friends from different countries to come together and experience something new. It was the perfect end to a delightful trip, one I would recommend to anyone looking for their next culturally-rich destination.
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