Stand on Charles Bridge early in the morning, before the artists and musicians set up, and you have the Vltava almost to yourself, with Prague Castle rising on the hill above. That quiet hour is the best argument for planning your days around the places everyone else crowds into at noon.
Prague suits travellers who like walking, since the historic centre strings together the Old Town, the Lesser Town and the castle area on foot, and who are happy to trade a checklist for a few long, unhurried strolls. It also suits anyone interested in architecture, classical music and opera, or the layered history of a city that has been a capital for centuries.
This guide covers the main sights and experiences named in the source material, with practical notes on how to combine them, and a one-day plan that strings the best of them together.
Top things to do in Prague
1. Prague Castle
Prague Castle is the biggest ancient castle in the world and offers beautiful views of the areas below. On the site you will also find St. Vitus Cathedral with its lookout tower, the Castle Picture Gallery, several palaces and museums, and the Royal Garden.
Set aside a good half-day here, and combine the castle with the walk down through the Lesser Town afterwards. The castle area also holds the Toys Museum and the Musical Automata Museum if you want smaller stops between the larger ones.
2. Charles Bridge
The Charles Bridge connects Old Town with Lesser Town and is one of Prague's most beautiful structures. During the day it is a bustling place of trade and entertainment, as musicians busk and artists sell their paintings and jewellery.
Come early if you want to see the bridge itself rather than the crowds, and use it as your crossing between the Old Town and the Lesser Town rather than as a separate outing. If you are buying a river cruise, deal with a boat operator directly rather than with touts near the bridge.
3. Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock
Old Town is Prague's historic centre, full of historic buildings and monuments, most notably the famed Astronomical Clock, the pure Gothic Týn Church, the mural-covered Storch building, and the Jan Hus monument. The square is also near the Old Town Hall and the Convent of St Agnes of Bohemia.
Pair the square with the surrounding streets rather than treating it as a single stop, since the historical churches of St. James Church and Church of Our Lady before Týn are close by. The Museum of Czech Cubism is also in Old Town.
4. Josefov and the Old New Synagogue
Josefov, the historic Jewish ghetto, is interesting for its well preserved synagogues. The Old New Synagogue is Europe's oldest active synagogue, and the Spanish Synagogue is a very ornamental building of Moorish style.
Other attractions here include the Old Jewish Cemetery, which is the oldest in Europe, and Kafka's house. Several sightseeing passes include entry to the Jewish Museum sites, so check whether the pass you are considering covers the places you actually want to see.
5. Lesser Town and St. Nicholas Church
The Lesser Town offers beautiful streets leading to the Castle and churches, of which St. Nicholas Church is the most renowned. It is the natural companion to a visit to Prague Castle, since the streets climb towards it.
Walk it rather than ride it, and let the route take you from the Charles Bridge up towards the castle area. The Hunger Wall, a substantial fortification wall south of the Lesser Town and the castle area, is part of this same stretch of the city.
6. St. Vitus Cathedral
St. Vitus Cathedral stands within the largest of the Prague Castle courtyards and has a lookout tower. Construction began in 1344 and was not completed until the 20th century.
Visit it as part of your castle time rather than as a separate trip, and climb the tower if you want the view over the castle area and the city below. Several of the sightseeing passes include entry to the cathedral along with the Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane and St. George's Basilica.
7. Wenceslas Square and the Czech National Museum
New Town was established as an extension of Old Town in the 14th century, though much of the area has since been reconstructed. The main attraction here is Wenceslas Square, a rectangular commercial square with many stalls, shops and restaurants, and at the top of the square is the Czech National Museum.
Midway down the square you will find discos and Art Nouveau hotels, as well as parks and arcades, and just off the main route are panoramic views from Henry Tower and the Jubilee Synagogue. The Prague Dancing Houses are also in this part of the city.
8. Petřín Lookout Tower and Petřín hill
Petřín hill is one of the city's cultural attractions, and the Petřín Lookout Tower has an observation platform. It makes a good counterweight to the dense streets of the centre.
Combine it with a walk through the Lesser Town, since the hill sits above that quarter on the same side of the river. Go when you want a break from the busiest streets rather than slotting it between two indoor sights.
9. Vyšehrad
Vyšehrad is the other prominent Prague fort, founded in the 10th century, some 70 years later than Prague Castle. It is listed among the city's cultural attractions.
It sits south of the centre, so treat it as its own outing rather than an add-on to an Old Town day. The walk there along the river makes a natural route.
10. The National Gallery collections
Two of the Czech National Gallery's most important collections are in the Sternberg Palace, covering art up to the Baroque, and in St George Convent, covering Czech Baroque and Mannerism, near and in the castle respectively. The third is in Veletržní Palace on the West bank, which exhibits 19th century and modern art.
If you are an art lover staying longer, a National Gallery gift ticket is valid for a year across all exhibitions with no limit on visits, and a two-day ticket covers the Old Art exhibitions at Šternberk Palace, Schwarzenberg Palace and St. Anežka Convent. Buy the option that matches how many of these you will realistically reach.
11. The Estates Theatre
The Estate Theatre is a neoclassical theatre where Mozart's opera Don Giovanni was first performed, and it is the oldest theatre building still standing in the city. Don Giovanni is often on the repertoire, as are other operas, plays and ballets.
Opera and ballet have a long tradition in the city, and the main venues are operated by the National Theatre company, with tickets sold on the company website. The best seats tend to sell out, so shop in advance, and note that decent clothing is customary though not enforced.
12. A river cruise
River cruises are both popular and varied, from one hour cruises to long evening cruises with dinner or music. The Wine Boat offers a one-hour cruise that includes a visit to the Prague Venice river canal as well as wine tasting of local wines.
Prague Steam Boats offer one hour cruises, cruises to the Zoo and full day cruises to Slapy water dam, and their three-hour dinner cruise shows you the city from the river. To get the right price, find a boat only and do not buy anything from the touts near Charles Bridge; if you want the smallest possible price, use a public transportation ferry.
13. Prague Zoo and Troja
Prague Zoo sits near the Troja Chateau, which has a large garden displaying various sculptures, and the Botanic Garden with a tropical greenhouse. It is a full outing rather than a stop between central sights.
Combine the three since they are neighbours, and consider reaching the zoo by boat, as Prague Steam Boats run cruises there.
14. DOX Centre for Contemporary Art
DOX Centre for Contemporary Art on the West bank is a gallery for modern arts in a modern EU gallery style. It suits travellers who want contemporary work alongside the city's older collections.
It sits away from the historic centre, so give it its own slot in your plans rather than squeezing it between Old Town stops.
15. A walk along the Royal Way
The Royal Way of Prague is the city's classic stroll, and walking it is one of the simplest ways to see the centre. It links the historic quarters rather than sitting in one of them.
Do it on foot and at the start or end of a day, when the streets are quieter. It pairs naturally with the Old Town, the Charles Bridge and the Lesser Town.
If you only have one day
Morning: Cross the Charles Bridge early, before the buskers and artists arrive, then climb through the Lesser Town towards Prague Castle. Spend the rest of the morning at the castle, taking in St. Vitus Cathedral and its lookout tower, and the views over the areas below.
Afternoon: Walk back down through the Lesser Town, then cross to Old Town for Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock, the Týn Church and the Jan Hus monument. Continue into Josefov for the Old New Synagogue and the Old Jewish Cemetery, then walk the Royal Way through the historic centre.
Evening: Take a river cruise to see the city from the water, choosing a boat operator directly rather than buying from touts near Charles Bridge. If opera is more your evening, book ahead for the Estates Theatre, where Don Giovanni is often on the repertoire.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to cross the Charles Bridge?
During the day it is a bustling place of trade and entertainment, with musicians busking and artists selling paintings and jewellery. Go early in the day if you want to see the bridge without the crowds.
Should I buy a sightseeing pass?
If you are visiting several attractions, a tourist card may save you money, but be discerning, as passes often list destinations that are free to visit anyway and include lesser attractions. Check that you will save money on the places you actually want to visit.
How do I book opera or ballet in Prague?
The main opera and ballet venues are operated by the National Theatre company, and tickets can be bought on the company website. The best seats tend to sell out, so it is better to shop in advance.
How should I choose a river cruise?
Cruises range from one hour trips to long evening cruises with dinner or music. To get the right price, find a boat only and do not buy anything from the touts near Charles Bridge; for the smallest price possible, use a public transportation ferry.
Decide how many days you can give the castle, the Old Town and the river, then start mapping your route across the Charles Bridge.