Visit Prague, a vibrant city, nestled in the heart of Europe, offering stunning blend of history, culture and architecture. What’s more, from the famous Charles Bridge to the majestic Prague Castle, from enjoying traditional Czech cuisine to drinking the cities famous beer, Prague will give you unforgettable experiences many for free. It will leave you wanting to return. Continue reading for 5 best things to do and see in Prague.
Staying in Prague
When it comes to finding a place to stay in Prague, there are a range of options which cater to different tastes and budgets. For more up market hotels, consider the Old Town, where you are close to Charles Bridge and the main square attractions. If you prefer a more local vibe, the trendy neighbourhoods of Žižkov and Vinohrady. For budget travellers, hostels in the city centre provide affordable accommodations.
We stayed at Austria Suites in the Smíchov area of the city. It is not expensive and includes breakfast delivered to your apartment. The hotel is ideally located for exploring the city, with the main attractions and sites within a 30-minute walk away.. No matter where you choose to stay, the transport system is both cheap and simple to use.
1. Enjoy Prague’s Charles Bridge
The amazing Charles Bridge should be at the top of your free best things to do in Prague list. It gloriously spans the Vltava River, with its impressive towers at each end. As you approach the bridge, the breathtaking view unfolds before you, which is also spectacular at night, with the illuminated city in the background.
Charles Bridge gets very busy, so visit early in the morning when it is quiet and you have time to take in the bridge and its views, as well as to appreciate the 30 statues, each with their own story and artistic detail. The most famous is the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, which according to legend, brings good luck to those who touch it.
Charles Bridge is most definitely one of the best free things to do in Prague!
2. Visit the Old Town Square
Visit Prague for its lively Old Town Square which is a UNESCO world Heritage site. Surrounded by beautiful historic buildings, it is undoubtedly it one of the cities most iconic destinations.
Astronomical Clock
One of the square’s most famous features is the Astronomical Clock, or Orloj. Installed in 1410, it is the third oldest clock in the world and the oldest one still in operation. It is very busy on the hourly show, when the clocks intricate mechanisms come to life, featuring the twelve Apostle figurines and a golden rooster that crows to conclude the procession. The clock strikes hourly between 9 am and 11pm.
Find out more about the old town hall and astronomical clock
Týn Church
The Týn Church is a significant Prague landmark and is also an iconic part of the skyline. Inside it has a beautiful interior with stunning artwork and an impressive altar. Many people struggle to find the entrance, which lies down a discreet corridor beneath a Gothic arcade facing the square.
Old Town Hall
One of the beat things to do in Prague id to visit the Old Town Hall. This historic building serves as a perfect example of Gothic architecture. Visitors can explore its fascinating history through exhibitions and take a guided tour to learn more. Climb the tower for stunning panoramic views of the square and the surrounding city—it’s a fantastic spot for photography!
Church of St. Nicholas
This church has stunning dome, and inside has beautiful frescoes and intricate detail. It also offers a peaceful escape from the bustling square. Keep an eye out for the regular concerts in the church, which come at a reasonable price.
Jan Hus Memorial
Prominently located in the square, the Jan Hus Memorial honors Czech reformer Jan Hus, who was executed in 1415. The statue is also a powerful symbol of the fight for religious reform and freedom in Czechia.
3. Join a Free Walking Tour Around Prague
Another of the best things to do Prague to enjoy this beautiful city is to join a walking tour. We booked with 100 spires city tours onto their Free Old Town, Jewish Quarter & Charles Bridge Tour. Although this The tour is one of the free things to do in Prague, it is expected that you will give the guide a decent tip at the end. The tour is interesting and informative you will be happy to part with your cash!
This tour started at municipal house and made its way through the city, visiting its many highlights including, touching on the Jewish quarter, as well as the main square and walking through many of Prague’s delightful passages. The tour then went over Charles Bridge, ending up at John Lennon Wall. It gave a real insight into the city of Prague and is most definitely another of the best things to do in Prague. Details of this tour as well as the other tours offered by this company can be found here.
4. Visit Prague Castle
Another of the best things to do in Prague is of course its stunning Castle, which is the largest ancient castle in the world and the complex covers 70000 square metres.
The castle complex is divided into zones, each offering different ticket prices based on the areas you choose to visit. You can wander around the castle area for free. To learn more, find additional information can here
The best things to do and see in Prague Castle include:
- St. Vitus Cathedral: This took 600 years to build and the spires dominate the skyline. Additionally inside is the tomb of St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia.
- Old Royal Palace: Known for the grand Vladislav Hall, this palace is the oldest building within the castle complex.
- Golden Lane: This quaint, narrow street lined with brightly coloured houses filled with shops and exhibits, was originally built to house castle guards, later becoming home to artists, goldsmiths.
- St. George’s Basilica: One of the oldest surviving structures within the complex and serves as a reminder of the castle’s medieval origins.
- Rosenberg Palace: Rosenberg Palace was historically a residence for unmarried noblewomen, but now houses exhibitions dedicated to Czech history and culture.
Tips for visiting
Climbing the castle staircase to Prague Castle is challenging, but the spectacular views reward your effort.”
The easiest option is to Use the tram No. 22 to stop Pražský hrad, turn left and in 5 minutes you reach the 2nd Courtyard of Prague Castle.
An alternative we enjoyed as we were staying on the Castle side of the river, was to take the Újezd Funicular (also called the Petřín Funicular) to the top of Petřín Hill. Here you find the Petřín Lookout Tower, which has been likened to a mini Eiffel Tower. From here continue towards the castle area, continuing down the hill visiting Strahovsky Monastery with the most stunning ang beautiful library and should definitely be on your best things to do in Prague list. There is also a Brewery where you can grab a refreshing beer! Carry on from here down to the top of the castle complex.
Another of the best free things to do in Prague is to see the changing the guard. It is every hour, but the ceremonial changing of the guard is at the castle gates at noon.
Visit early mornings or late afternoon to avoid crowds, especially during peak season. Although parts of the castle involve buying a ticket, you can wander around the ouside freely, making it one of the best free things to do in Prague.
5. Indulge in the Food and Drink
No guide to the best things to do in Prague is complete without ideas for eating and drinking. As a city known for its beer culture and hearty, comforting food it has much to offer. Here are a few tips!
Lokál Dlouhááá
One of the best things to do in Prague is to visit one of the number of Lokál branches. Based on our experience at Lokál Dlouhááá,it’s definitely worth a visit, offering reasonably priced options. They serve beer from 12 tanks and have a menu of traditional food including the highly recommended Vepřo Knedlo Zelo (Pork with cabbage and dumplings), which comes highly recommended! to ensure a table, it is best to book in advance here.
Knodelin
If you are looking for a quick and easy lunchtime snack then this place is perfect. They serve sweet and savoury filled dumplings with fillings such as Thai fried shrimp, meat ball, cheese, chocolate and plum, which will not fail to delight.
Another local speciality is Guláš. The Czech counterpart to this Hungarian speciality is served throughout he city. We enjoyed it in a bread bowl from Tkalcovsky Dvur which is a charming little restaurant with outdoor terraces.
No visit to Prague is complete without a Prague chimney cake, locally known as trdelník. One of the best thing to do in Prague is to try this popular street food pastry, made by wrapping dough around a stick or cylindrical spit, then baking it over an open grill. The dough is rolled in sugar and is served as is or alternatively filled with ice-cream!
A visit to the local bars is quite obviously one of the best things to do in Prague. They are found throughout the city. One of our favourites was Pivnice U Kata
Prague as a city will not disappoint. It is easy to navigate, has great transportation and there is certainly plenty to do. As we were told by our walking tour guide, one of the best free things to do in Prague is to look up at the beautiful architecture in this stunning city,
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