Top 10 Things to Do in Prague, Czech Republic

Here are our top 10 things to do in Prague - we've also added a bonus section, highlighting the best cafes and restaurants that you won't want to miss!

If you're more of a video person, the below video is THIS BLOG in video format!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TxyiobQK6E

We’d been dreaming of visiting Prague for years, and when we finally made the trip, it exceeded every expectation! There’s a reason this city is one of the most beloved destinations in the world, but that doesn’t mean you have to experience it the way most tourists do. Prague has a magic of its own when you slow down, wander with curiosity, and let the city reveal its hidden corners. Let's take a look at some of our favorite highlights!

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1) Prague Castle

Prague Castle isn't only the world’s LARGEST ancient castle complex, it’s basically a small city sitting on a hill, and yes, your legs will remind you of that later.

How to get to Prague Castle:

• You can get there via tram line 22! Exit the tram at the Pražský hrad stop, then walk 5 minutes towards the 2nd Courtyard of the Castle. This is the easiest, most direct way to the castle.

• The Old Castle Stair route is a great place to enter if you want great views! There's a Starbucks at the very top of these stairs that has amazing views of the Lesser Town of Prague.

• In the summer, you can enter through the Royal Garden, which we highly recommend checking out!

Hours of Operation:

The castle complex is open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. all year round.

For the Historic Buildings, there are two seasons.

• Summer: April 1st to October 31st, 9 am to 5 pm

• Winter: November 1st to March 31st, 9 am to 4 pm (South Garden closed)

What to expect inside:

Inside, you’ll find stunning Gothic and Baroque architecture,

grand courtyards, and enough history to make your high school history teacher proud.

Don’t miss the ceremonial changing of the guard in the main courtyard at noon!

Check out St. Vitus Cathedral, the ICONIC church inside the castle complex. The soaring gothic spires, colorful stained glass windows, and vaulted ceilings will truly take your breath away, even if you choose to only see it from the outside!

We actually loved just wandering the castle grounds most.

It’s completely FREE and packed with photo spots around every corner. It's perfect if you’re short on time or want to save a little money!

If you want to experience the castle in more depth (which we recommend), you can purchase a Prague Castle ticket, which includes admission to the Old Royal Palace, Basilica of St. George, Golden Lane, and St. Vitus Cathedral. 

After you're fully done with your visit, take the New Castle Stairs that lead to Thunovská street back down to the city. Funny enough, the new castle stairs are actually older than the “old” stairs, dating back to the 13th century!

You might also want to visit Nový Svět, a charming street perfect for strolling and taking pictures. Kavárna Nový Svět is worth a visit for a cup of coffee or lunch!

Pro Tip: Visit early to avoid the tour bus crowds, and wear comfortable shoes for all the cobblestone strolling!

2) Klementinum Library & Astronomical Tower

Fellow book lovers, the Klementinum is a must-see!

This 16th-century Jesuit college eventually became the local hangout for astronomers, scientists, and writers. Basically, if you were a genius in Prague a few centuries ago,

this was your co-working space.

Today it’s home to the Czech National Library, with the only way in being a guided tour.

The highlight is the majestic Baroque Library Hall, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, packed with ancient books, ornate frescoes, and giant globes. While you can't actually enter the library, you're granted plenty of time to look in through the doorway!

You’ll continue your visit up to Meridian Hall, where a single beam of sunlight was once used to mark high noon, then finish atop the Astronomical Tower, for epic 360-degree city views.

Trust us, it’s worth the narrow stairs, even if your legs disagree.

Oh, and quick PSA: this is the astronomical TOWER, not the astronomical CLOCK. They are two completely different landmarks, both worth seeing!

Morning tours are the least crowded, though we loved seeing Prague Castle all lit up at night! From the very top of the tower, the castle resembled Hogwarts, glowing in the moonlight!

3) Charles Bridge + Vltava River

No trip to Prague is complete without a stroll across Charles Bridge. Set those alarms and go early in the morning, so you can enjoy this 14th-century masterpiece with the morning light instead of a thousand selfie sticks. We decided to visit during sunrise, and it was worth losing sleep over.

Check out the 30 saintly statues, and be sure to rub the shiny plaque under St. John of Nepomuk. Legend says it guarantees you’ll return to Prague… though judging by how polished it is, it looks like half the world has a return trip already booked

As the city wakes up, buskers will start to arrive, adding the perfect soundtrack to your walk.

After crossing, wander down to the west bank of the river. It's the perfect spot for photos of the bridge and skyline, and if you’re lucky, you might spot coypu: those oversized, beaver-looking critters who’ve become Prague’s unofficial mascots.

Please don't feed the coypu, as they may carry disease and are considered an invasive species in Prague.

Then come back in the evening for a Vltava River cruise.

You’ll see Prague at its most photogenic while giving your feet a well-earned break from all that “hard work” being an A+ tourist.

Cruises range from quick one-hour outings to full dinner experiences with live music, with sunset being the best time to go.

Near the West bank of the Vltava, you'll find Perníkový panáček, the most charming gingerbread shop! Gingerbread is a significant part of Czech heritage and one of the yummiest treats you can get! They also have warm teas and mulled wine in the wintertime!

4) Old Town Square + Astronomical Clock 

Old Town Square is the heart of Prague, and chances are you’ll end up here more than once! Surrounded by colorful Gothic and Baroque buildings, it’s the city’s ultimate meeting point and photo backdrop.

The star of the show is the Astronomical Clock on the south side of the old town hall tower, ticking away since 1410. Every hour, on the hour, crowds gather to watch the “Walk of the Apostles” where the clock springs to life for 45 seconds.

It’s quick, quirky, and somehow still pulls crowds for over 600 years.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can climb the tower to get phenomenal views of the city.

Beyond the clock, you’ve got the pointy Church of Our Lady before Týn, the Jan Hus statue, and plenty of cafés if you need a pick-me-up while you people-watch.

If you want to go deeper into the old town’s history, we’ve linked a great walking tour here!

Walking tours are one of the best ways to get to know a city. We usually start our trip with one of these so we can learn all the history, get recommendations, and know our way around better!

5) Petřín Hill & Tower & Strahov Monastery

Petřín Hill is one of the best ways to trade Prague’s busy streets for greenery without leaving the city, and one of our favorite places to go when in Prague!

Take the walk up slowly, enjoying the perfect mix of stretching your legs and peacefully winding through leafy paths and gardens, with views that get better at every turn. If you visit during autumn or spring, you'll get some of the most beautiful views with the changing leaves and vibrant flowers.

At the top, you’ll find Petřín Tower, Prague’s very own mini Eiffel Tower.

Petrin Tower has different hours of operation at different times of the year. You can find dates and times here.

The tower is only 63 meters tall, but perched on this hill, it provides arguably the best view in Prague.

Climb the spiral staircase (299 stairs), catch your breath at the top, and soak in panoramic views that make the leg burn totally worth it. You can also pay extra to take the elevator to the top!

Even if you skip the tower, just exploring the hill and gardens is worth doing.

Shady paths, blooming gardens, and plenty of benches make it the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a quieter side of Prague.

This is also an amazing spot to catch the sunset!

Close to Petřín Tower, you can also pay a visit to the Strahov Monastery! This Monastery is a hilltop, medieval monastery with a stucco-paneled theological hall, vast library & Baroque church.

6) Terezín Concentration Camp

If you want to dive deeper into history, consider a half-day trip to Terezín Concentration Camp.

It may feel heavy to confront, but we believe it’s essential to understand this part of history, to honor the lives lost and to help ensure tragedies like this are never repeated.

Just an hour north of Prague, this former camp served as a transit point for tens of thousands of Jewish prisoners before they were deported to extermination camps.

We took a guided tour from Prague, which included round-trip transportation, entry to the preserved barracks, museum exhibitions, and live narration throughout.

Having a guide giving context made our visit far more insightful and meaningful. We were able to ask questions and get detailed answers that we wouldn't have been able to get otherwise!

The most shocking thing we learned was that this camp was, at one point, beautified into a “Spa town for Jews” in order to mask the heinous cruelty that actually took place here, and deceive the Red Cross.

Bring snacks (preferably chocolate) for a little pick-me-up as this tour is heavy!

7) Museum of Communism 

For a different chapter of Prague’s history,

The Museum of Communism is a fascinating stop.

Located in the city center, it explores life under the communist regime in Czechoslovakia, from propaganda and censorship to daily life and the secret police.

The museum presents everything chronologically, making it easy to follow along and understand how events and daily life evolved under the regime.

You’ll see photos, artifacts, and immersive exhibits that bring this period to life, from propaganda posters to everyday items that reveal what life was really like behind the Iron Curtain.

It’s a perfect spot for a rainy day or if you need a low-energy activity that’s still thoroughly engaging.

8) Franz Kafka Museum + Rotating Sculpture 

If you’re curious about one of Prague’s most famous writers, the Franz Kafka Museum is a must-visit.

Located along the Vltava River, it explores Kafka’s life, work, and the city that shaped his surreal, sometimes unsettling stories.

While this museum is small, it's worth a visit for manuscripts, letters, photos, and immersive exhibits that bring his world to life, even for those who haven’t read his books.

For an EXTRA unique experience, check out the rotating sculpture of Kafka’s head, about 20-minutes away.

Made of 42 layers, it slowly rotates every hour, on the hour, for 15 minutes, creating a mesmerizing, ever-changing portrait that’s both striking and eerie.

9) Letna Park + National Gallery 

For a mix of culture and fresh air, pair a visit to the National Gallery with a stroll through Letna Park. We’ve been to a lot of art museums, like A LOT, and Prague’s National Gallery is EASILY one of our favorites!

The galleries showcase everything from Czech classics to international contemporary works, and even if you’re not usually into art, it’s the kind of museum that’s easy to enjoy.

After the museum, stroll on over to Letná Park.

Perched on a hill above the Vltava, it serves up one of Prague’s most stunning panoramic views.

There’s also this GIANT metronome, which replaced the world’s largest statue of Stalin as a reminder of the country’s communist past.

It’s a perfect photo spot, and an even better place to rest your weary tourist legs while soaking in a fresh perspective of Prague.

10) Grotta Umělá Jeskyně 

For something a little more off the beaten path, head to Grébovka Park and check out the secret Grotta Umělá Jeskyně.

Originally built in the 19th century as a whimsical retreat for the wealthy, this man-made cave is full of winding passages, stone walls, and hidden corners that feel straight out of a fantasy novel. You can walk through, and explore the Grotta or sit on a bench and enjoy the tranquility of it all.

The park around it is beautiful too, with vineyards, gardens, and plenty of picnic spots.

If you’ve got extra time, this is one of those unique “wait…where are we?” kind of hidden gems.

Also, if you get a chance, check out this random R2-D2 styled ventilation shaft about 20 minutes away, for a nerdy highlight.

Prague has some of the most fun, unique street art!

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FOOD & COFFEE

Finding good food and coffee while traveling can be stressful, so here are 4 spots we loved to get you started:

1) Zrno Zrnko Bakery & Cafe

As coffee snobs, we take our cafes very seriously. This cozy, neighborhood bakery was a daily stop in Prague. Sometimes twice a day. They have excellent specialty coffee, food, and pastries! We would never recommend a cafe that didn't have AMAZING coffee!

2) Mistral Cafe

Just steps from Old Town Square, this bright café serves hearty Czech and international dishes with a modern twist, plus excellent coffee. Perfect for a relaxed sit-down meal in the city center.

3) Edison Cafe

Attached to the historic Edison Filmhub cinema,

this stylish spot blends coffee culture with movie magic.

Great espresso, and beautifully plated pastries and brunch.

4) Souvlaki Bar

If you need a break from goulash and dumplings, this spot serves fresh, flavorful Greek street food. We were staying on the same street, and quickly became regulars after our long sightseeing days. The staff is so welcoming and nice, they treat you like family!

Reservations recommended!

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