30 best things to do in Prague (must-see attractions)

Find out the best things to do in Prague, Czech Republic, top attractions, activities, and experiences to make your trip memorable!

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, and one of the most visited cities in Europe. It has been constantly listed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and it really deserves this title. With around 1.3 million habitants, Prague is easily walkable for tourists, and it is its Old Town and surrounds that have the most points of interest.

No matter if it is your first time visiting the Czech Republic, or if you have already been there, this article will give you plenty of ideas about things to do in Prague! Some of them are typical tourist activities, while others are more local and of-the-beating-path options!

These are the 30 best things to do in Prague!

Explore its Old Town

Prague’s Old Town is the place where you will spend the most time while visiting the city. It is one of the cutest and most beautiful old towns I have ever seen, and getting lost in its streets is something that everyone visiting Prague should do.

Don’t take always the main and touristic streets, there are many small alleys, usually empty of people, or with just some locals doing their daily errands.

Discover the architecture

The Czech Republic, and more specifically Prague, have plenty well preserved historical buildings. Unlike other northern countries, where things feel quite new and modern (especially in the Nordics), in Prague, you will feel like in a fairy tale. Coming from a country like Spain with lots of history, it felt like home for me, but it is not something usual in many places in the world.

Yet, Prague also has some modern and contemporary architecture. More on that below, but during your stay in Prague keep an eye on the architectural style, you will find some very interesting elements!

Walk alone on Charles Bridge

If there is one iconic spot in Prague that all tourists will see (multiple times), it is Charles Bridge. However, your experience there might not be the most pleasant or enjoyable. Hordes of people, noise, selfie sticks… What if I tell you there is a way to walk alone on Charles Bridge for free?

I took the photo below, and I can promise you, that there’s no Photoshop there. The only thing you have to do is wake up before tourists do! The best thing about doing it is that you will then have Charles Bridge for yourself at sunrise, a magical moment in the city of Prague. Totally worth the 5 am alarm!

Take unique photos

Prague is a really photogenic city. As a travel photographer, I found it a quite easy city to photograph, and with lots of cool photo spots. I have dedicated photography guides to the city and some of its main tourist attractions. Don’t forget your camera or phone and be ready to snap some Czechia vibes!

Ride the tram (or admire it)

Trams are everywhere in Prague. Despite having a quite good metro system, the city still has and uses the tram as a means of transport. Even if you prefer to walk and discover the city at your own pace, you will find that trams add up to the experience.

Although there are some new and modern ones, especially in the old town, you will find some of the typical and really photogenic old trams. They are part of Prague and its history and give the city a special touch.

Climb to the top of the Old City Hall tower

Prague’s skyline is full of church towers that end up being fantastic viewpoints over the city. One that you shall not miss is the Old City Hall tower, located in the Old Town square. The views are breathtaking and will let you explore Prague from a completely different angle.

Visit the Strahov library

One of Prague’s historical sites worth visiting is the Strahov library, one of the best-preserved historical libraries. It has around 200.000 volumes in it and what really makes it interesting is the beautiful galleries where the books are. Nonetheless, note that to get in there you will be asked to pay an entrance fee, and to take photos you will need to pay an extra fee as well. Official tourism information and fees here.

Get lost in its parks

Despite being a capital city with many narrow alleys and old streets, Prague is full of green areas. Parks are everywhere and are generally free to access. Even at the heart of the Old Town, you can find areas like Naplavka or Vojanovy Sady, which feels like an oasis in the middle of the chaos. For a comprehensive overview of the best free parks in Prague, feel free to check my dedicated guide!

Enjoy the sunset from Vyšehrad castle

Some tourists will overlook Vyšehrad and exclude it from their Prague travel plan. This is a huge mistake, as it is one of the most beautiful areas of the city. Not only it is a pretty cool old fortress, but it also has a beautiful basilica, solitary paths to discover, and a breathtaking view over the city from its gardens.

Sunset from Vyšehrad is an experience worth living when in Prague.

Visit Prague Castle

Almost from every angle of the city, you will be able to catch a glimpse of the impressive structure of the Prague Castle. On its grounds, you can visit the St Vitus Cathedral, the famous Golden Lane, and the St Jiri basilica. Moreover, being in such a privileged position, Prague Castle offers a nice viewpoint over the city.

Drink Czech beers

There is a saying that in the Czech Republic, beer is cheaper than water. Some will say it is an exaggeration, but what is true is that beer is very cheap there. If you move away from the main touristic areas or look in a supermarket, you will find really good beers at a really low price.

For all the beer lovers, there are plenty of cool places where you can try local beers! I really enjoyed the Kozel Dark beer, which can be found at almost every supermarket.

Walk along the riverside

Prague is divided in two by the Vltava river. There are many bridges crossing it, and you will be going from one side to the other continuously. Don’t forget, though, to enjoy a beautiful riverside walk. Especially recommended is the Naplavka area, with lots of space to walk, and beautiful views. However, other spots like Kampa or Cihelna are also very good options.

Look for David Cerny sculptures

David Cerny is a famous Czech artist whose sculptures are everywhere in Prague. None of his artworks will leave you indifferent, as they are really weird. A hanging Sigmund Freud statue at Husova Street, the giant babies climbing up Zizkov tower, or two men pissing in a Czech Republic-shaped area are just two examples of what you can find in Prague streets. In fact, if you see a weird sculpture, chances are that it is a David Cerny artwork.

Take a picture at Lennon Wall

A very famous Instagram spot in Prague is the Lennon Wall. It was built during the 1960s, but it wasn’t until the 80s, with the unfortunate assassination of John Lennon, that it got its name, when a local artist decorated it with a Lennon graffiti. Since then, it is periodically redecorated with John Lennon-inspired street art. It is not a hidden location, you will find plenty of other people waiting to take the perfect photo, but it is a spot worth visiting.

Visit a beer garden

If you are visiting Prague during the summer months, you may hear the word beer garden everywhere. It is what it announces. A place in a city garden where people can have a couple of beers, enjoy the warm summer temperatures, and meet with friends.

There are many cool beer garden spots, but I especially recommend the Letna Park beer garden. It is a bit separated from the city center, although easily accessed by foot, and with fewer tourists and more locals. Oh, and with amazing views over the Vltava river and its bridges.

Discover the city at night

There are plenty of cities that change during nighttime. The lights, colors, people… Don’t expect Prague to be a crazy city at night but try to at least spend a couple of hours visiting it without sunlight.

First of all, you will find fewer tourists, and the usually busy streets will be quite empty. Secondly, the city illumination at night is very good, and it is possible to identify almost all of its important spots.

See the iconic view from Charles Bridge tower

Do you want to take a photo like the one below? Well, you just need to climb to the top of the Charles Bridge tower and wait for sunset. This iconic viewpoint can get a bit busy when the light is good, but no matter the time of the day, it is worth it.

Unfortunately, it is not free to get up there, but you can get combined tickets with the lesser town Charles Bridge tower, a pretty good deal!

Understand how the astronomical cock works

I could say I failed at this one, but honestly, as long as you spend some time admiring it, I think you will be okay. Prague’s astronomical clock is, together with Charles Bridge, its most visited tourist attraction. People gather there every hour to see the famous apostles’ show. It is really interesting to see. Jokes aside, if you really want to understand how it works, this video does a pretty good job explaining it.

Visit non-touristic areas

When traveling it is very easy to spend all of our time in touristy areas. Even more, if we are in a rush, or only have a few hours or days to explore a city. However, when in Prague, try to spend some time away from the city center, because it is a completely different city. You can see the old Soviet-inspired buildings and the real parks where Prague locals live and enjoy their free time. Moreover, there are really cool spots when you leave the city center, such as Stromovka Park.

Take a photo at the Dancing House

This is another spot that became famous because of Instagram. This weird building was created by Vlado Milunic in collaboration with the famous Frank Gehry, and its shape is what makes it special.

It really looks like it is dancing, and during the past years, it has become a very common Instagram spot, as people simulate they are kicking the house. I am not a fan of Instagram-only spots, but it is a place that you need to include on your Prague itinerary.

Learn the city history

The first human settlement of what today is known as Prague dates back to the 8th century. Thus, it is a city with over a thousand years of history. Learning the key historical events and what they meant for Prague is highly recommended, as it will also help to understand the actual city.

There are many places where one can learn about Prague’s history, museums, online articles and even reading the information panels on the street!

Explore the Jewish Quarter

One of the Prague neighborhoods or areas worth visiting is the Jewish Quarter. Its old synagogues and cemetery are testimonies of what the city had to go through during the 20th century. Spend some time on its streets and visit the amazing Spanish Synagogue, one of the most beautiful buildings you can find in Prague!

Walk until your feet hurt

There is no better way to discover Prague than walking. Everything is close, at a 20′ walk maximum. Nonetheless, this means that you will be rarely taking public transport unless you really want it. Thus, walk around the city until your feet hurt because they most likely will.

See the views from the Vrtba garden

If there is one garden in Prague with impressive views, it is the Vrtba Garden. This baroque-inspired garden is hidden in the Old Town, and not all tourists visit it. There is a small entry fee, but it is quite worth it, especially if you enjoy terrace gardens.

From its most elevated point, you get a fantastic view of the symmetric terrace gardens with some iconic Prague buildings behind.

Try the local food

I would define myself as a foodie. Coming from such a food-rich culture as the Spanish, I did not find Czech food to be very diverse. Nonetheless, there are some dishes that are worth trying, such as the goulash, or the typical Czech dumplings (Knedlíky). One place that I really enjoyed and that allowed me to feel a bit like a local (especially because no one there spoke English) was Havelská Koruna. Good prices and delicious food, what else can you ask for?

See the sunrise in the Old Town

I already mentioned how cool it is to walk alone on Charles Bridge. Another experience that can get on well with this one is exploring the Old Town at sunrise. The empty streets, some still illuminated by the old lamps feel completely different than during the tourist rush hours. If you are lucky, you might even get a nice sunrise, and see the first sunbeams illuminating the city.

Visit a rooftop (and have another beer)

Prague has some cool places where you can go have a beer (or any other drink) and enjoy a different view of the city. Rooftops are a good option for those looking for a different experience. Take into account that you will pay a bit overpriced drink because of the location, but if you time it with the sunset on a nice day, it can be worth it. I visited the T-Anker bar terrace and it was really cool!

Visit Dvorak’s resting place

Previously in this article, I recommended visiting Vyšehrad, the old castle, and fortress of Prague. Well, if you are there, make sure to extend your visit and spend some time in its cemetery. As creepy as it may sound, it is an interesting one, and among other famous people, you can find the tomb of the famous Czech musician Anotnín Dvořák.

Discover a local market

One of the best places where one can understand the culture of a society is at a food market. A real one, with fresh food. Spend some time in a market like the one located at Havelské tržiště. Not only you will be able to take cool photos but also to see the most common products sold (depending on the time of the year).

Bonus: visiting during Christmas? Don’t miss the famous Prague Christmas Market!

See Franz Kafka’s rotating head

The Czech Republic has many famous personalities. Franz Kafka is for sure among the most relevant ones. The writer of the Metamorphosis, among other books, is depicted in a very original way in Prague. At this exact location, you will see a giant metal sculpture of his head, that occasionally rotates, creating a very cool effect. It is another of the previously mentioned David Černý sculptures.

These are 30 things to do and see when visiting Prague. Got any questions? Follow me on Instagram (@aniolvisuals) and drop me a DM! for any other inquiries, send an email at hello@aniolvisuals.com or use the contact form.