With fairytale-esque spires piercing the sky and cobble-clad streets, Prague is a city oozing romance. The capital of the Czech Republic was once the beating heart of Bohemia and this heritage is laid bare for you to see today.
Culture vultures, beer buffs and art aficionados are all catered for here, with an abundance of things to see, do, drink and eat. Not sure where to begin? Use our list of top ten things to do in Prague as guide.
- St Vitus Cathedral
- Charles Bridge
- Prague Castle
- Old Town Square
- Astronomical Clock
- Old Town
- Wenceslas Square
- Mala Strana
- Petrin
- Veletrzni Palác
1. St Vitus Cathedral
Of all the city’s breathtaking buildings, you’ll know St Vitus Cathedral instantly thanks to its gothic spires, blackened stone and burnished teal dome.
To get to the cathedral, pass through the castle gates and it’s impossible to miss. Inside, stained glass windows are waiting to wow in all shades of red, blue and purple, while grand pillars draw your eyes to the alter and the arched ceiling curves over them like a crown.
2. Charles Bridge
Wander across Charles Bridge for stunning scenes of the Vltava River flowing through the city centre. Pass under the Old Town Bridge Tower and you’ll see the hundreds of colourful love locks clipped to the fence. The views from both sides of this bridge are magical and if you’re lucky you might catch a local band tooting out the sounds of gentle jazz which only adds to the experience!
For dreamy views: Just to the left of the bridge is Restaurace Lávka – riverside dining at its very best. Watch boats glide through the water and swans huddle in their hundreds – it seems even our feathered friends know the grandest places to hang out!
3. Prague Castle
Reminiscent of a childhood fairytale, Prague Castle is the city’s crowning glory. Prague is home to many of the world’s ‘oldest’, ‘largest’ and ‘most charming’ accolades, and this incredible complex is no exception. With more than 700 rooms, this breathtaking building scoops top spot as Europe’s biggest castle.
Psst, don’t miss: Ever heard of anything as bonkers as a prayer on a hair? Look down the microscopes of The Museum of Miniatures to reveal everything from camels in the eye of a needle to an inscription on a poppy seed. It’s located around a ten-minute walk from Prague Castle, just next to the Strahov Monastery.
4. Old Town Square
This hub of hustle and bustle is without a doubt one of Prague’s top attractions. You’ll be enchanted by the pastel painted buildings that line the Old Town Square – a collection of minty greens, peachy pinks and mellow yellows. Sights include the Jan Hus Memorial, the towering Town Hall and of course the Astronomical Clock!
Be sure to: Head along Celetná Street from the Old Town Square towards Powder Gate. Opposite Madame Tussauds on the left-hand-side there’s a teeny little twinkling store called Bohemia Crystal – this is your one-stop-shop for glittering traditional souvenirs.
5. Astronomical Clock
Tick-tock, it’s time to talk clocks, and this one’s a beauty. Hang on a minute, what’s with the crowds? On the hour, every hour, the world’s oldest working astronomical clock puts on a sweet little show where figures dance and the bells chime. Okay, so it’s all of the bells and none of the whistles, but this humble little sight’s one for the itinerary.
Top secret: For unbeatable scenes of the city, take the lift to the top. It has an additional cost, but trust us, it’s well worth it. Check the sunset times and get up there 30 minutes early to see the Old Town Square in its best light.
6. Old Town
Exploring the intriguing alleys of the Old Town has got to be one of the best things to do in Prague. Expect quirky puppets dangling on strings in all colours and characters, mysterious museums enticing the crowds and sweet little shops selling families of Russian dolls in colours like you’ve never seen before.
Look out for: Sigmund Freud hängende Figur, a dangling statue hanging from the roof of a building between Husova and Skorepka!
7. Wenceslas Square
Stretching its way towards the Old Town, Wenceslas Square is Prague’s answer to Piccadilly Circus (on a much smaller scale!). It’s overlooked by the remarkable Národní Muzeum and is lined with some familiar faces, think IKEA and Marks and Spencer!
Insider tip: About halfway down the square, there’s a little alleyway, which you’ll recognise straight away as there’s a huge model of a decorated egg at the end of the path! Head down and you’ll find yourself at the most charming shop, where delicate egg shells are hand-painted in all patterns of paisley, rich magenta and seaside-blue hues. They’ll set you back a bit, so be sure to wrap it carefully in your luggage to avoid an egg-spensive breakage!
8. Mala Strana
A visit to the Mala Strana, or Lesser Town as it’s also known, has got to be one of the best things to do in Prague. This olde worlde neighbourhood stretches its way along the waterfront over the river from the Old Town and is all chequered alleys and medieval bars with a backing track of 1920s jazz. Start at St Nicholas Bell Tower and head towards the Lennon Wall for a bite-sized snapshot of the magnificent Mala Strana.
Take a break at: The famous Café Savoy! Emerge though a curtain in Narnia fashion, and waist-coated waiters and sparkling chandeliers are your prize.
9. Petrin
Thought Petrin was just a hill? How wrong you were! This glorious green space is one of the city’s few park plots, so make the most of the verdant views and gorgeous gardens. As with most of this stunning city, Petrin has a tale to tell, so discover a history that spans back all the way to the 12th century!
10. Veletrzni Palác
Last, but by no means least on our list of the top ten things to do in Prague, it’s Veletrzni Palác. This great big gallery exhibits work from some of the biggest names in art history, including Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. There's usually a ticket cost but look out for free-entry days throughout the calendar.
If you’re feeling inspired to head off on a Jet2CityBreak to Prague, check out the range of top-notch hotels now.
Posted: 2nd Jan 2019. Updated: 27th Feb 2023.