Prague – a 3 to 5 day travel guide

Prague is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Its historic centre came through the wars almost untouched and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gothic spires, Baroque palaces, bridges over the Vltava and cosy beer halls make it a perfect city break, and every season has its charm.

Why go

Prague is compact and walkable, public transport is excellent, and most restaurants are cheaper than in Vienna or Munich. You can mix history, music, architecture and the famous Czech beer, with plenty of day trips into Bohemia.

Top sights

Prague Castle (Hradčany) – the largest castle complex in the world. It includes St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St George’s Basilica and Golden Lane, a row of tiny houses where Franz Kafka once lived.
Malá Strana (Lesser Town) – Baroque palaces, gardens and St Nicholas Church. Walk up to the castle along picturesque Nerudova Street.
Charles Bridge – the 14th-century stone bridge lined with 30 statues of saints. Cross it early in the morning, before the crowds.
Old Town Square – with the Town Hall, the Astronomical Clock (Orloj), whose apostles parade on the hour, and the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn.
The Jewish Quarter (Josefov) – synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery.
Wenceslas Square – the boulevard of the Velvet Revolution, with the National Museum at its top.
Petřín Hill – gardens, a lookout tower and views over the city’s rooftops.
Vyšehrad – the old fortress to the south, with a cemetery of famous Czechs and river views.

Sample 4-day itinerary

Day 1. Arrive, check in and take an evening walk around Old Town Square. Have dinner at a traditional beer hall: roast pork knee (vepřové koleno) and dumplings.

Day 2. Prague Castle, Golden Lane, Nerudova Street, Malá Strana and Charles Bridge. In the evening, take a boat trip on the Vltava.

Day 3. The Jewish Quarter, Wenceslas Square, the Dancing House and Vyšehrad. Climb Petřín Hill for sunset.

Day 4. Take a day trip: Karlštejn Castle (about 40 minutes by train), Kutná Hora with the Sedlec Ossuary and St Barbara’s Cathedral (about 1 hour), or the brewery in Plzeň (about 1 h 30 min).

Beer and food

The Czech Republic drinks more beer per person than any other country in the world. Try unpasteurised tank beer (tankové pivo) at a historic hall like U Fleků or at a small craft brewery. The food is hearty: goulash with dumplings, pork knee, svíčková (beef in cream sauce), and trdelník for dessert. Trdelník is more a tourist treat than a Czech tradition.

Getting there and around

By air – direct flights run from Sofia to Václav Havel Airport. The centre is 30–40 minutes away by bus and metro or by the airport express.

By car – about 1,300 km from Sofia via Serbia, Hungary and Slovakia, or via Romania. Worth it if you plan a Czech road trip.

Public transport – metro, trams and buses share one ticket system: 30 or 90 minutes, 24 hours or 72 hours. Buy tickets from machines, in the PID Lítačka app, or by tapping a contactless card on board. Validate paper tickets the first time you board.

When to visit

May–June and September have pleasant weather and fewer crowds than July and August. December is magical, with Christmas markets on Old Town and Wenceslas squares. January and February are cold but cheapest.

Practical tips

The currency is the Czech koruna (CZK), and cards are accepted almost everywhere. Avoid “0% commission” exchange booths in the centre, as their rates are often poor.
Be wary of street taxis and use ride-hailing apps instead.
Charles Bridge and the Orloj are packed from 10:00 to 18:00. Go early in the morning or late in the evening.
The castle’s interiors need a ticket, but the courtyards and part of the cathedral are free.

Nearby

Karlštejn – the Gothic castle Charles IV built to guard the crown jewels.
Kutná Hora – a medieval silver-mining town and UNESCO site.
Český Krumlov – a fairy-tale town and castle on a bend of the Vltava, about 3 hours away.
Vienna – about 4 hours by train. The two capitals combine easily in one trip.