A short history
Prague was the seat of Bohemian kings and briefly of the Holy Roman Empire under Charles IV. It was spared major bombing in the Second World War. The Velvet Revolution of 1989 ended communist rule.
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Prague
Praha
Spires, bridges and a fairy-tale old town.
historyarchitecturecouplesbudgetnightlife
1,380,000Population
2.7 millionMetro area
CzechLanguage
CZKCurrency
4 daysIdeal stay
$150-250Typical day
Prague is a beautifully preserved city of Gothic and baroque buildings on the Vltava. It is known for its castle, bridges and beer. It suits couples and history fans.
Where to start
Top 10 things to do
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
A huge castle complex. It is one of the largest castle complexes in the world.
3 hoursTime neededabout $12-20CostnoBook aheadTickets are by circuit; prices vary, and the grounds are free to enter.
Tip. Arrive at opening time, and buy the circuit that includes St. Vitus Cathedral.A 1300s stone bridge with statues. It is busy with artists and musicians by day.
1 hourTime neededFreeCostnoBook ahead2026 general admission is free; optional activities and purchases are extra.
Tip. Go at dawn.Medieval square with the clock. The clock puts on a short show every hour.
1 hourTime neededFreeCostnoBook aheadThe square is free; Old Town Hall tower is paid.
Tip. Watch the show on the hour from a side angle, and climb the tower for a view.Gothic cathedral inside the castle. Its stained glass includes a window by Alfons Mucha.
1 hourTime neededabout $12-20CostnoBook aheadEntry is through the castle ticket; the main nave can be seen free in a small area.
Tip. Climb the south tower for views if you have energy.A long boulevard and site of protests in 1989. Today it is a shopping and nightlife street.
30 minutesTime neededFreeCostnoBook ahead2026 general admission is free; optional activities and purchases are extra.
Tip. Watch for pickpockets and currency scams.A hilltop fort with views. It holds a cemetery where Dvorak is buried.
2 hoursTime neededFreeCostnoBook aheadThe grounds are free; some buildings charge.
Tip. Visit in the afternoon for calm and sunset views.Synagogues and an old cemetery. The ticket covers several synagogues.
2 hoursTime neededabout $20-30CostnoBook aheadA combined ticket covers several sites; 2026 estimate.
Tip. Closed Saturdays.A small steel tower on a hill. A funicular climbs the hill.
1h30Time neededabout $7-10CostnoBook aheadTicket for the tower; park entry is free.
Tip. Take the funicular up and walk down through the orchards.A modern building by Gehry. A rooftop bar offers river views.
30 minutesTime neededFreeCostnoBook aheadViewing the exterior is free; the terrace is paid.
Tip. Visit the rooftop bar at sunset for a view.A medieval town on a river bend with a castle. It is a UNESCO World Heritage town.
Full dayTime neededabout $15-35CostnoBook aheadCastle tours and tower cost extra.
Tip. Bus, about 3 hours each way.
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
Make it yours
Turn Prague into your plan
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Short on time?
Ready-made itineraries
Choose how many days you have.
Prague in three days
Day one old town and castle, day two Jewish Quarter and Petrin, day three Vysehrad.
- Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock1 hour · Free
- Charles Bridge1 hour · Free
- Prague Castle3 hours · about $12-20
- St. Vitus Cathedral1 hour · about $12-20
- Jewish Quarter (Josefov)2 hours · about $20-30
- Wenceslas Square30 minutes · Free
- Petrin Lookout Tower1h30 · about $7-10
- Vysehrad2 hours · Free
- Dancing House30 minutes · Free
Beyond the city
Day trips
Kutna Hora
Bone chapel and cathedral.
50 mi · Train, about 1 hour
Karlstejn Castle
Gothic castle.
19 mi · Train, about 40 minutes
Terezin
A memorial and museum at a former Nazi ghetto and prison.
37 mi · Bus, about 1 hour each way
Bohemian Switzerland
Sandstone gorges and the Pravcicka Gate rock arch.
75 mi · Train and bus, about 2 hours each way
Konopiste Castle
The estate is associated with Archduke Franz Ferdinand and a later chapter of regional history.
25 mi · Travel by rail toward Benesov and verify the onward connection, or arrange a car; a checked 2026 total journey time is unavailable.
Pilsen (Plzen)
Birthplace of pilsner lager featuring historic cellars and the original Pilsner Urquell Brewery.
56 mi · Fast train from Prague Main Station in 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Plan your dates
Weather and seasons
Best: April to June and September. Pleasant weather and fewer crowds than summer.
Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper
Temperature
Daily high and average, by month
Rain
Typical inches per month
January
34°F
Typical daily highAverage28°F
Rain1.7 in
About5 rainy days
Sun strength0.8 kWh/m²
Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
Main events
Jan
Christmas Markets
Late November to early January
Markets on Old Town Square.
Oct
Signal Festival
Mid October (2026)
Light art installations.
May
Prague Spring Festival
Mid May to early June
A major classical music festival.
May
Prague Marathon
Early May
A large road race through the old town.
Year
Easter markets
Spring
Decorated eggs and craft stalls in the squares.
May
Prague Spring International Music Festival
May to June
Prestigious classical music performances held in historic concert halls such as the Rudolfinum.
Oct
Signall Light Festival
October
Contemporary light and digital projection installations transform historic facades across the city.
Going on specific dates? A Hodolog trip shows the forecast and the usual weather for your exact days. Request access
Know before you go
At a glance
5/5
Safety
The US State Department rates Czechia Level 1, exercise normal precautions; watch for pickpockets and unfair exchange offices.
5/5
Walkability
The old center is compact and walkable, with cobbles and hills.
5/5
Public transport
Trams and metro are excellent; buy tickets via app or tap contactless.
Pick your base
Where to stay
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
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1. Old Town
$$$
Best for: first-timers
Central for sights.
2. Mala Strana
$$$
Best for: couples
Below the castle.
3. Vinohrady
$$
Best for: budget, food
Leafy area with cafes.
4. Zizkov and Karlin
$
Best for: budget, nightlife
Cheaper rooms with bars, near the center.
5. New Town (Nove Mesto)
$$
Best for: shoppers, transport access
Central, with trams and shops around Wenceslas Square.
6. Lesser Town
$$$
Best for: couples, architecture, castle visits
Historic streets suit slower walks, with hills and access limitations affecting some properties.
Getting there and around
| Main airport | Vaclav Havel Airport (PRG), 11 mi from the center |
| To the center | Trolleybus 59 to Nadrazi Veleslavin then the metro takes about 30 minutes; the Airport Express bus to the main station takes about 40 minutes (2026). |
| Around town | Walk the center and use trams. |
| Ride apps | Bolt, Uber, Liftago |
Taste it
What to eat
Svickova
Beef in creamy sauce with dumplings.
Trdelnik
A sweet spiral pastry.
Pilsner
Czech lager.
Goulash
Hearty beef stew.
Smazeny syr
Fried cheese, usually served with tartar sauce.
Roast duck with dumplings
A hearty Czech meal pairs roasted duck with dumplings and cabbage.
Fruit dumplings
Filled sweet dumplings may be topped with butter, cottage cheese or poppy seeds.
Vepřo Knedlo Zelo
Roasted pork served with bread dumplings and sweet-and-sour braised cabbage.
Kulajda
Traditional creamy potato and forest mushroom soup flavored with dill and topped with a poached egg.
Good to know
| Plugs | Type C and E, 230 V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Tipping | Leave about 10 percent. |
| Payments | Cards are widely accepted; avoid street exchange booths. |
| Etiquette | Keep voices down in residential areas at night. |
- Use ATMs at banks, not standalone ones with poor rates.
- Check exchange offices' rates.
- Avoid restaurants with touts on Old Town Square.
- Beer is cheaper than water in many places.
- Avoid currency exchange booths with poor rates, especially near Wenceslas Square and the Old Town.
- Taxi overcharging is common for street-hailed cabs, so book via a ride app.
- Prague Castle ticket circuits have limited areas, so choose the circuit that includes St. Vitus Cathedral.
- Charles Bridge is crowded in the daytime; go at sunrise for photos and quiet.
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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.