10 Best Things To Do In Prague

At the start of 2020, my husband and I packed our bags for a 7 night trip through Central Europe. The journey that would take us through Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria began with a quick 48 hours in Prague. We made the most of it! Here is my list of the 10 best things to do in Prague.

1. Stroll Through Letna Park

Letná Park is a must see! The park has a large beer garden and views of Old Town and the Charles Bridge.

Letná is one of Prague’s largest parks and has a significant history. During the Velvet Revolution, the park was the site of many protests against the Communist government. In 1955, a large statue of Joseph Stalin was erected that loomed over the city of Prague. Today in place of the statue, stands a 75 foot tall functional metronome.

2. Tour The Castle District

The castle district is breathtaking and contains the largest ancient castle in the world: The Prague Castle. Its construction began in 870 and it has been home to Kings of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperors. You will need to purchase tickets to enter.

In addition to the Prague Castle, tour St. Vitus Cathedral with its high Gothic ceilings and detailed glass windows as well as The Old Royal Palace where the famous defenestration of Prague occurred in 1618.

From November 28 to January 6, the famous Christmas Market is on display. If you’re lucky enough to visit during this time, make sure to buy some mulled wine to sip on as you meander through the market and enjoy the vendor booths.

3. Walk Across the Charles Bridge to Old Town

From the castle, walk across the Charles Bridge to Old Town. The bridge is a must see when in Prague and does get quite crowded. I highly recommend waking up early and visiting the bridge at sunrise.  

Then enjoy wandering through the Old Town making sure to see Old Town Square with its top attractions: Church of Our Lady Before Týn, the Astronomical Tower, Old Town Hall, and St Nicholas Church.

4. Eat Czech Food

For Lunch:

Tkalcovský dvůr is perfect for authentic Czech food and has a nice outdoor seating area.

Another great lunch restaurant is Lokál U Bílé kuželky, a lively pub with beer and Czech food. This is a very popular spot, arrive early to secure a seat.

TIP- It would have been easier for us to pay in cash than with card. Although the restaurant accepted cards, they had only one card machine which made paying our bill take over twenty minutes.

Another tip- Czech people typically round up to the nearest hundredth for tip. So if your meal is 630 kronos, pay 700 kronos total. And don’t underestimate coins! Coins can get you a lot in Prague especially because beer really is cheaper than water here. (Coins can also be useful when you have had several pilsners and are in desperate need of a public restroom!) There are attendants in public restrooms who will ask for payment for use

For Dinner:

U Veverky, is a lovely spot for a traditional Czech dinner. Make sure to try smažený sýr which literally translates to fried cheese. I also recommend the pickled cabbage and Czech dumplings.

For Dessert:

Traditional Czech Pastry: Trdelnik

You must get a Trdelnik when in Prague! These cinnamon pastries are on every corner. The doughy aroma will hit your nose before you see them. After taking the first bite (I recommend you get one filled with Nutella), you will understand why everyone is so crazy about them.

Buy a Trdelnik from one of the many vendors selling them fresh off the roll in Old Town Square and then walk around and take in the sights: Church of Our Lady Before Týn, the Astronomical Tower, Old Town Hall, and St Nicholas Church.

Gelato:

If you’d rather have gelato, go to Creme de la Creme located near Old Town Square. Delicious is an understatement.

5. See The Swans

Down by the Vltava River, find hundreds of swans idling on the shore. This picturesque spot has become a “must visit” especially for photographers.

6. Tour the Klementinum Library

The Klementinum library has been called “the most beautiful library in the world” by many. Not only is the library gorgeous, but the view from the top is breathttaking.

Tickets are required for entry. Photos are not allowed inside the building, but can be taken from the top where there is an astronomical tower with an amazing view of Prague. The tour is guided and took about 50 minutes.

7. Take A Photo at The Dancing House

A more modern staple in Prague is the “Dancing House”. This unique building, finished in 1996, was made to resemble a pair of dancers – namely, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Make sure to take a fun photo next to this incredible piece of architecture.   

8. Tour the Church From The Movie, “Anthropoid”

Just up the street from The Dancing House is the historic Saints Cyril and Methodius Cathedral. The crypt of this church is where Czechoslovakian soldiers hid after assassinating Nazi leader, Reinhard Heydrich in 1942. The war heroes were eventually found and died by suicide as the Nazis began to flood the crypt.

The basement of the church has been made into a museum which details the injustices of the Nazi regime in Czechoslovakia at the beginning of World War II. The memorial in the crypt is chilling and powerful. The story of this Czechoslovakian operation has been made into a movie called Anthropoid. I highly recommend watching the movie to supplement the information provided at the church.

9. Explore An Off the Beaten Path Neighborhood: Zizkov

When in Prague, you absolutely have to explore some of the locals spots. Zizkov is a hip neighborhood with many great restaurants and bars. Cafefin is a delicious lunch spot and BeerGeek Bar has the best local beer.

While exploring the neighborhood, make sure to check out the TV Tower. The tower can be seen from nearly anywhere in Prague and is resented by many locals due to its communist-era style. It stands in stark contrast to the rest of architecture is Prague, but does have one fun, redeeming quality- in 2000, artist David Černý added 10 giant crawling babies to the tower. They were originally meant to be temporary, but were such a hit with the Czech people, that they are now a permanent fixture.

10. Drink Becherovka

When in Prague, make sure to order a shot of Becherovka, an herbal liquor. It has a delicious cinnamon spice flavor.

Make sure before you sip Becherovka, cheers each other by saying “Na zdraví” and making eye contact with those around you! It’s bad luck not to!

If the Becherovka puts you in the mood, head to the five story dance club, Karlovy Lazne, for a little more fun and party with tourists from all over the world.

Two days only scratched the surface of Prague. I can’t wait to go back!

Make sure to check out the other stops on our Eastern European Road Trip: Hallstatt, Cesky Krumlov, Budapest

Na zdraví! (Cheers!)

– Alanna