Prague in 3 Days: tips, what to see, and much more

The city of Prague stands out for its majesty and grandeur. If you have three days to get to know the most important city in the Czech Republic on your next holiday, take a look at the detailed itinerary of activities that I present to you. This tour covers three full days from morning to night.

Your first day in Prague will focus on the west side of the Vltava River. This area is a harmonious blend of ancient historical monuments and modern art and culture that is not to be missed.

Cross the Charles IV Bridge

At 500 metres long and 10 metres wide, the Charles IV Bridge is one of the most beautiful pedestrian bridges in the world. This fabulous old structure was for centuries the only bridge in Prague connecting the two banks of the Vltava River and the only way into the city.

Today, the hundreds of thousands of tourists who flock to Prague every season cross it to go back and forth between the two most important historical areas of the city. On your tour I recommend:

• Admire the 30 statues located on both sides of the bridge.
• Marvel at the beautiful Kampa Island.
• Take some good photographs with a view from the river.
• Book a sightseeing cruise in Prague to see the bridge and the city from another perspective.

Explore Kampa Island

Just beyond the Charles IV Bridge, Kampa Island occupies a privileged place in Prague's urban environment. The ensemble is impressive to say the least, with beautiful buildings retaining medieval charm complemented by fantastic views of the river and the small tributary of Čertovka.

Some features within Kampa Island that are worth seeing on your visit are:

• The Grand Prior's Mill
• Kampa Museum
• David Černý's giant baby sculptures.

The John Lennon Wall

The John Lennon Wall in Malá Strana is a beautiful and spontaneous work of art that took shape after the death of the famous singer. It began as a tribute to the fateful and sad murder of Lenon, but later became a symbol of protest against the communist regime.

People dissatisfied with the regime engraved on this wall messages of freedom, love and peace inspired by the lyrics of Lennon's own songs and those of The Beatles. Over time it became an attraction and one of the most photographed spots in this part of the island.

If you want to learn more about the communist era in Prague, I recommend you book the Prague Communism Tour.

See St. Nicholas Church and Nerudova Street

Continue your exploration of Mala Strana and visit two important places. On the one hand, St. Nicholas Church is the most important and beautiful baroque church in this part of the city. Its 49-metre-high dome is the tallest in Prague.

Nerudova Street is considered the most beautiful street in Prague. Located in the vicinity of Prague Castle, this street used to be part of the royal road, so you can find a fantastic collection of Baroque-style mansions.

You can explore the whole area by booking a tour of Prague Castle and the surrounding area, which I highly recommend so you can better understand the history and enjoy it on a whole new level.

Lunch in Mala Strana

Take a break from your tour to have lunch in one of the many restaurantsaround Prague Castle. The gastronomic offer in this area is very focused on offering variety in terms of budget and cuisine.

Spend the afternoon at Prague Castle

After enjoying a hearty lunch it's time to explore Hradčany, the area of Prague famous for housing the Castle and all the important works that make up the complex.

There is a lot to see inside and my recommendation is to spend as much time as possible exploring the most important areas consisting of St. Vitus Cathedral, the Golden Alley, St. George's Basilica and the Old Royal Palace.

Another important recommendation to save time on your visit to the castle is to book a guided tour of Prague Castle or buy your Prague Castle tickets in advance before you arrive in the city.

Interesting details

• Opening hours: from November to March, daily from 9am to 4pm; from April to October daily from 9am to 5pm.
• Entrance fee: around €18 per person.
• Duration of the visit: 2 to 3 hours.

Enjoy the sunset on Petrin Hill

End the first day of your tour of Prague with a visit to one of the city's favourite sights: Petrin Mountain. If you arrive in good time you can climb to the top of the Petrin Tower to watch the sun set over the forest and the whole of Mala Strana. This is one of the most beautiful views of the city.

The walkfrom Prague Castle to Petrin Hill takes about 18 minutes. Inside you will find several interesting features: the Mirror Maze and the Monument to the Victims of Communism.

The second day is for exploring the oldest parts of Prague and its most important architectural monuments.

See the Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock Tower

The Old Town Square is the most famous and most used meeting point for the inhabitants of Prague since the 11th century, when the first markets were established here. It is a large, open area around which the old town hall building and its clock tower congregate.

The Clock Tower is one of the most famous towers in the city, as its intricate design is fascinating. Walk around the square and wait for the chimes to ring to see the animated figures of the 12 apostles appear. Don't forget these details if you want to book a ticket to visit the Astronomical Clock on the inside.

• Opening hours: from 9am to 10pm; Mondays from 11am to 10pm.
• Ticket price: around €24.
• Duration of the visit: 30-40 minutes if you want to climb to the top of the tower and admire the best view of the city.

Visit the Church of Our Lord Týn

Considered one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in all of Prague, this chapel is one of the most beloved monuments of the Czechs despite the high rate of atheism that characterises the population.

The church is in the central square itself, so after seeing the spectacle of the clock, head inside to appreciate the beautiful architecture. The exterior is equally impressive with two imposing gothic towers that form part of the characteristic Prague landscape.

• Opening times: for interior tours Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm; opening times may vary in the winter months.
• Admission fee: voluntary contribution, recommended minimum €1.5.
• Duration of visit: 40-50 minutes is usually enough time for a complete tour.

Enjoy a tasty lunch in the old town

Take a lunch break in one of the many restaurants available in this area of the city. You will find that Prague's Old Town is characterised by its dynamism and variety when it comes to good regional food. Some good choices of places to eat are:

• Maitrea restaurace for vegetarian food
• Restaurant Kandelábr with good food at good prices.
• V Zátiší for top-notch gourmet food.

At the end of the day, you can book a tour of Prague's Old Town or walk around on your own if you prefer.

Spend the afternoon in the Jewish Quarter

In Prague, the Jewish Quarter is a small but charming area located north of Staré Mesto and known as Josefov. It's worth spending an afternoon exploring its streets or taking a tour of the Jewish Quarter to see its most interesting sights and history. In any case, these are the most important areas:

• The synagogues: there are six historic synagogues worth visiting. Many of these are dedicated to the traditions and customs of the Jewish people and their history, others to the horrors of war during the Nazi occupation.
• The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague is one of the most eerie sights in the city due to its many gravestones placed in all directions due to lack of space. Due to centuries of discrimination, this was the only place in the city where Jews were allowed to bury their relatives. The entrance fee is approximately €4.5 and it is closed on Saturdays.

Take an evening cruise on the Vltava River

One of the best things to do in Prague at night is to book a dinner cruise on the Vltava River. You can enjoy a rich buffet-style dinner, live music and a stroll along the waters to take in the panoramic view of many historical sights.

This activity is especially enjoyable if you visit Prague in months with good weather, such as spring and summer in Prague.

• Price: around €60.
• Duration: about three hours in the evening.

The last day of your visit to Prague is spent exploring one of the newest and largest areas of the city: Nové Město. It is also an opportunity to get to know the old Vyšehrad area.

Explore Wenceslas Square and its surroundings

Wenceslas Square is located in the heart of Nové Mesto and is Prague's most important and historic square. Characterised by its elongated shape, it is surrounded by important monuments, hotels, cafés and restaurants. You can start your morning with a cup of tea or coffee in one of them.

Afterwards, visit Národní muzeum (the National Museum of Prague), which is perfect if you are interested in art and history. It's also a fantastic destination if you're visiting Prague with children as the zoology area inside the museum is quite impressive.

Interesting details

• Opening hours: daily from 10am to 6pm.
• Admission fee: approximately €10.
• Duration of the visit: about two hours.
• Recommendation: if you don't want to see the exhibition, it is worth admiring the neo-Renaissance façade.

Take a break for lunch in Wenceslas Square

After visiting the Museum you can take a break for lunch in one of the restaurants around Wenceslas Square. Here are some ideas of places to eat just minutes from the museum exit.

• Husinec for traditional Central European cuisine
• Trattoria Cicala for Italian cuisine
• Výtopna Railway Restaurant for international food, good beer and spectacular views.

Don't leave Wenceslas Square without seeing the Art Nouveau façade of the famous Grand Hotel Europa.

Explore the banks of the Vltava River in the afternoon

From your location at the Grand Hotel Europa, take the tram from the Václavské náměstí station located just a 2-minute walk down Vodickova Street.

The quickest option is to opt for route 5, which will take you on a beautiful, approximately 8-minute ride through the centre of Nove Mesto. You should get off at the Jiraskova náměstí station to visit:

• Dancing House: one of the greatest works of modern architecture. The building is a tribute to Prague's most famous dancing couple Fred and Ginger. Its design is controversial and daring; it contrasts greatly with all the architecture of the city.
• National Theatre: considered to be the soul of Czech opera, the façade of the building is spectacular. It is of neo-Renaissance style, rich in details and architectural elements.

Watch the sunset at the Gunpowder Tower

You can continue your walk along the river bank until you reach the Charles IV Bridge. Here you will come across what is considered to be one of the most beautiful and oldest streets in Prague: the Karlova.

Walk for 10 minutes admiring the beautiful buildings of Karlova to the Gunpowder Tower, a small and interesting museum which is also considered one of the best places to watch the sunset over the city.

Interesting details

• Opening hours: Every day from 10:00-18:00 (November to February). Every day from 10:00-20:00 (March and October). Every day from 10:00-22:00 (April-September).
• Admission fee: approximately €9.50 per person.
• Recommendation: arrive at least one hour before sunset.
• To find out more... Visit the guide to see Prague in one day and the guide to see Prague in two days