How to Spend 3 Days in Prague
Travel ItineraryItinerary Contents
Itinerary Introduction
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and a gem of Europe with a medieval history stretching back over a millennium. It’s a place steeped in culture, with the city allegedly being founded in the 8th century. Through the ages, it has been the capital of the King of Bohemia and the residence of numerous Holy Roman Emperors. Despite being relatively compact in size, Prague packs an incredible number of world-renowned sites into such a small area. From the Old Town Square with its Astronomical Clock to the Charles bridge and the Lesser Town with Prague Castle poised above – Prague has earned the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site for many of the city’s features. This guide for 3 days in Prague provides you with a travel itinerary that includes all the best sites and top things to do in this wonderful European city. IS 3 DAYS IN PRAGUE LONG ENOUGH? Prague is a beautiful destination packed with historical and cultural sites. Despite this, for a capital city, it is relatively small. Even on foot the main sites of the city can be explored in a relatively short time. 3 Days in Prague is long enough to see the key highlights of the city. However, for those wishing to dive deeper into the wonderful array of museums, and explore the city’s hidden sites and backstreets, 4 days is a more suitable itinerary. The Czech Republic is much more than Prague alone. In the surrounding countryside and other settlements close by, there are numerous UNESCO sites well worth visiting in their own right. For example: 3 hours outside of Prague is Český Krumlov , a magnificent 13th-century castle that’s the highlight of South Bohemia; an hour east of Prague is Kutná Hora , a formerly prosperous silver-mining city with a stunning church and monastery; an hour south of Prague is Karlštejn Castle , famous for being the holding place of numerous royal jewels and invaluable artefacts over centuries. Spending 3 days in Prague allows you to see the best of this city, but to really get to know its past, and to discover the culture of the Czech Republic as a whole, you could do more wrong than extend your trip to include a 4 or even 5-day itinerary. Photo Credits: Dmitry Goykolov on UnsplashUseful information about Prague
The history of Prague
Prague is a city that holds an intriguing communist legacy with influences from multiple cultures and political regimes. Over generations, the architecture of the city has taken influence from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles – to name a few.Best times to visit Prague
During the warm summer months, people flock to Prague to make the most of the sun-basked streets and the mild, pleasant evenings. Accommodation and tourist sites become booked up and prices all across the city rise. Getting around without encountering any crowds is a difficulty. To maximise the good weather, but avoid some of the crowds of sightseers, it’s worth opting for the shoulder seasons of late spring and early autumn. In May and September, temperatures can still hover around 20 degrees whilst prices and visitor numbers are notably lower. If shopping is key to your visit, December may be the best time to spend 3 days in Prague. The city transforms into an old-style Christmas market with merchants selling hand-made souvenirs and authentic Bohemian trinkets. The general atmosphere in the city is magical with snow not unheard of. It is low season, with discount prices and thin crowds reflecting this.Getting to Prague
Prague, like many cities in central Europe, is well-connected by railways. Many choose to visit Prague and a string of other nearby cities such as Budapest, Vienna, and Bratislava, in one trip due to how well-connected they are. This is a popular city to visit for those interrailing around Europe. Prague has an international airport offering inexpensive flights from all across Europe and even long-haul intercontinental flights too. The airport is accessible by taxi, airport shuttle (must be pre-booked), or public bus. Bus 100 and 119 runs to Terminal 1 and 2 taking 20-30 minutes from the city centre. Prague can also be reached by bus with cheap bus services such as Flixbus linking transport hubs all over Europe. Busses run from the Praha Florenc bus station.Getting around in Prague
To put the size of Prague into perspective, walking from one of the city’s most southern sites (Vyšehrad) to one of its most northern (Prague Zoo) would take you 1.5 to 2 hours. Walking from the eastern Powder Tower, over the river, and up the hill to the western Strahov Monastery, would take 40 minutes to an hour. It is a compact city which is of great benefit to those wishing to spend 3 days in Prague as you will seldom have to worry about transport. Walking around the city is far from grueling and in many ways is one of the joys of a visit to Prague anyway. Taking the time to admire the architecture of the old buildings, the cobbled streets, the marketplaces, and the winding Vltava river are all aspects that add to the experience. You are not limited to walking alone. There is a small 3-line Pražské metro service that can be used. Line A (green), Line B (yellow), and Line C (red). There is also a lovely tram service that operates at street-level with 34 lines stretching throughout the city. For those spending 3 days in Prague, there is a 72-hour ticket that can be purchased for 310 CZK (12 EUR) which includes bus, tram, and metro. This can be the perfect option if you’ve been walking all day and are wishing to get back to your accommodation. There are a number of short ferries included in the Prague transport system. However, it may be worth considering booking a place on a sightseeing boat trip along the river to see the best of Prague from its waters.Local cuisine in Prague
Aside from its architectural beauty, Prague is also a hot-house for beer drinkers and ale aficionados – offering some of the best beer in Europe. Prague’s citizens allegedly consume more beer per capita than any other city in the world. Where else can you get a vast menu offering exclusively draft beers? - Trdelník – originally from Transylvania, this tasty snack is a halfway house between churros and doughnuts. The batter is deep-fried, rolled in sugar, then dipped in chocolate and filled with ice cream. You'll see them rotating on hot rods in stalls all across the city. - Goulash – a thick meat stew that is served with vegetables and dumplings. Beef is the traditional choice of meat, but you may come across chicken and pork too. Occasionally the goulash is served in a bread bowl which is gradually consumed with the stew. What a fantastic invention! - Gingerbread – a spiced sugary biscuit made using ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Often consumed around christmas. - Palačinky – a sweet Czech pancake that is thin, like a French crepe. Often served at food markets and local restaurants, this tasty dish can be found all throughout the city. Although not as common, it’s possible to get Palačinky with savoury fillings such as meat, cheese, potato, and spinach. - Bohemian Sauerkraut Soup (Kyselice) – a thick soup made of meat, sour cabbage, and enriched with cream. - Traditional Beerhouse Snacks - local ham, salami, pickled wiener sausages, onions, and hard bread. Anything that goes down well with a pint of pilsner! - Svíčková – a very popular meal in Prague. The dish is composed of braised beef with vegetables, spices, and Czech bread dumplings (knedlíky). - CAFÉ ELEKTRIC – a restaurant serving easy-eat food and world cuisine - great for brunch. - Vinohradský Pivovar – restaurant and brewery serving draught beer and delicious Czech food. - Perníčkův Sen - for the best gingerbread in Prague! It has more variations of gingerbread than you could imagine. Some are dipped in chocolate, others sprinkled with dried fruit and nuts; some are decorated with icing, others come in different shapes and sizes. One thing's for sure, they're all delicious! - Lokál – a chain of Czech beer halls with 6 locations throughout the city. Serving traditional food, such as Gothaj salami, chicken paprikash, Prague ham with horseradish sauce, and Přeštice sausage – all washed down with a pint of beer. - Restaurant Mlýnec - for a fine dining experience and to sample some contemporary Czech food. Riverside views and live jazz most evenings. - Lehká Hlava - vegetarian food served in a rustic, old building with a quirky interior. No visit to Prague would be complete without tasting some of the local Czech cuisine. Munching on a donut-like pastry as you wander around the city streets or tucking into a bowl of goulash in one of the city’s numerous restaurants is quite the experience! Not to mention the famous beer snacks – pickled sausage, sauerkraut soup, bread dumpling soup – that should be eaten alongside your beer to help you soak up some of the drinks! WHAT TO DRINK WHEN IN PRAGUE? - Beer – Prague, and the Czech Republic as a whole, has some of the most delicious beers in all of Europe. From Bavarian-style Pilsner to fruity Weiss-beers, and hoppy amber ales. No visit to Prague would be complete without sampling some of these drinks from one of the many coveted beer halls dotted throughout the city. - Wine – 90% of the Czech wine is sourced from the region of Moravia, 150 miles outside of Prague. There are 2 Vinograf wine bars in the city that serve the best selection of Czech wine – well worth sampling. - Black Angel’s Bar – a sophisticated Bohemian cocktail bar on the edge of the Old Town Square. - Bugsy's Bar – a modern and stylish cocktail bar near the Old Town. - Lokál – a chain of Czech beer halls with 6 locations throughout the city. - Tretter's – an upmarket 1930s New York style cocktail bar. - U Kunštátů – a beer hall in an old stone building serving tasting flights of craft beer. - Prague Beer Museum – a pub where you can sample a selection of the 30 draft beers. There are a few to try from but the most popular is on the eastern riverbank by the Old Town Bridge. - Zlý Casy – a microbrewer with some of the largest beer selections in the whole of the city.Where to stay in Prague
In Prague, there are a huge range of options for accommodation such as hotels, hostels, apartments, boutique establishments, and B&Bs. Finding a place to stay won’t be a problem and you can be sure wherever you choose for your 3 days in Prague, it will be within walking distance of everywhere else. It’s more important to find the right neighbourhood in the city that suits you. The Old Town (Staré Město) is the busiest area of Prague with many accommodation options in what is considered to be the heart of the city. These hotels can be overcrowded and overpriced but if you want to be in the middle of it all, this is a good place to look. However, considering how accessible Prague is, you may want to look slightly further afield to find more reasonably priced accommodation that is just as charming and still within a stone’s throw of all the main features. Mala Strana (Lesser Town) is a quieter area of the city with a lower pedestrian footfall at night. It is filled with plenty of authentic local bars and restaurants whilst being within walking distance of the Old Town over the river. It is a charming part of the city and a wonderful place to stay but accommodation can be quite pricey. New Town (Nové Město) is another great option if you are more budget-conscious. Despite being built in the 14th-century, it is a hub for commercial tastes and is dominated by 20th-century architecture. It is centrally located and is a convenient alternative to the Old Town for a lower price.Alternative locations
- Jewish District (Josefov) – an old Jewish ghetto where resident Jews were forced to live from the 13th-century onwards. Over the years, this neighborhood grew, as Jews from many countries re-located to this district. There are numerous houses, buildings, and synagogues on display in this area. - Národní Museum – founded in 1818, the National Museum is actually a series of buildings located throughout the city with the most spectacular building on the edge of Wenceslas Square. - The Powder Tower (Prašná Brána) – a 15th-century tower gate on the eastern edge of the Old Town. It was originally constructed to mark the start of the Royal Route to Prague Castle. There is an observation deck 44 metres above the city. - Wenceslas Square – the second most famous square in Prague following the Old Town Square. It is actually more of an avenue, with the street lined with restaurants, shops, and hotels.Prague - Travel Itinerary
Day 1
City Centre and the Old Town Square
Old Town Square
Notes
The earlier you start you day, the quieter the Old Town Square will be.
Getting there
Walk from your accommodation and enjoy the city waking up around you.
Old Town Hall & Astronomical Clock
Notes
Stick around to watch the clock ring on the hour, but if the crowds are too big, move on and come back to it later!
Getting there
The Astronomical Clock is on the side of the Old Town Hall right in the middle of the Old Town Square.
Travel time
0 hours 5 minutesChurch of Our Lady before Týn.
Notes
Make sure you spend some time admiring the architecture of the building from the outside before you head inside to look around the church.
Getting there
The church is on the eastern side of the Old Town Square, close to the Old Town Hall.
Travel time
0 hours 5 minutesVltava river
Notes
This is only the first of many times you will enjoy seeing the river during your 3 days in Prague. However, it's unlikely you will visit this southern section again so enjoy the sights while you're walking along the promenade.
Getting there
The first sight of the river will be when you walk east from the Old Town Square to the Charles Bridge. From here, follow the river south past 4 other bridges - the Legion Bridge being the most famous - before you reach Vyšehrad.
Dancing House
Notes
The Dancing House can just be admired from the outside. Alternatively, it is a hotel and restaurant if you wish to stay there or visit for a meal.
Getting there
The Dancing House is enroute to Vyšehrad, along the Vltava river, no diversion is required.
Vyšehrad
Notes
It's possible to spend the whole afternoon exploring Vyšehrad but 1.5 hours will suffice to see the highlights of the castle and its grounds.
Getting there
To save you walking back, there are a number of tram stations around Vyšehrad to take you back to the city. Alternatively, you can walk up to Karlovo náměstí and hop on the metro.
Day 2
Charles Bridge and Malá Strana
Charles Bridge
Notes
As with the Old Town Square, the earlier you visit the Charles Bridge the more you will be able to get out of it. If you visit first thing in the morning it will be quiet, without many tourists, giving you an opportunity to appreciate its wonder.
Getting there
Depending on where you're staying, the bridge is either directly west of the Old Town Square or east of Lesser Town.
Travel time
0 hours 10 minutesLesser Town (Malá Strana)
Notes
You can divert to some of the famous museums in Lesser Town (such as the Kafka Museum) but one of its charms lies in simply strolling about the streets and taking the atmosphere in. There are many restaurants and cafes to visit for a morning coffee or some late breakfast.
Getting there
Lesser Town is not a particularly large area. Just amble about the parks and winding streets letting your head guide you. Keep in mind you want to gradually head north in the direction of the Prague Castle up on the hill!
Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral
Category | Price | Restrictions |
---|---|---|
Standard | 250.00 CZK | |
Group | 500.00 CZK | |
Students | 125.00 CZK | |
Kids | 125.00 CZK | Under 16 |
Notes
It's possible to spend a good part of the day visiting Prague Castle. There are numerous tours you can take around the castle and around St Vitus Cathedral. There are also some lovely walks in the grounds with views over the city. Make sure to eat either a late breakfast or prepare for a late lunch as you may well spend a few hours inside the castle with limited food options.
Getting there
The main entrance is from the eastern end via the Old Castle Stairs. If you are using the metro to get to Prague Castle, the closest station is Malostranská.
Letná Park and Gardens
Notes
Finish off the day by walking around the leafy green Letna Park which overlooks the river.
Getting there
Getting to Letna Park is only a short walk from Prague Castle but as the park is relatively long, it can take up to 30 minutes to reach the far side. If you're returning to the Old Town you can either cross over the Štefániků or Čechův bridges and be back at the Old Town Square in less than 20 minutes.
Travel time
0 hours 30 minutesDay 3
Petrin Hill and Strahov
Petřín Hill and Tower
Category | Price | Restrictions |
---|---|---|
Standard | 150.00 CZK | |
Group | 350.00 CZK | |
Students | 80.00 CZK |
Notes
Take your time walking around the parks and gardens, visiting the statues, and going up the Petrin Tower. If you're coming from the Old Town, try crossing over the Legion Bridge to view the cluster of islands in the river. Coming from this direction also allows you to explore the southern part of Malá Strana.
Getting there
If you're staying in Malá Strana, it's right on your doorstep, to the south west. If you're staying in the Old Town, you can walk there in 45 minutes.
Travel time
0 hours 45 minutesStrahov Monastery
Category | Price | Restrictions |
---|---|---|
Standard | 150.00 CZK | |
Group | 300.00 CZK | |
Students | 80.00 CZK | |
Kids | 0.00 CZK | Under 18 |
Notes
Explore the monastery and take in the views of the city. Visit some of the bars and restaurants on this side of the city and enjoy the fantastic panorama over Prague while you're at it!
Getting there
A short walk from Petrin Hill. As you've already climbed up the hill, there isn't much more walking to be done as the Strahov Monastery is also up on the ridge.
Travel time
0 hours 10 minutesAbout the author
I have visited nearly 50 countries so far with some of my favourite destinations being: New Zealand, Norway, Japan, Mongolia, Iceland. I love hiking and all activities that involve exploring the outdoors. If you're interested in nature, walking, and adventures outdoors then you're going to enjoy my articles! Check out my website for some other travel blogs from around the world: https://mattwalkwild.com/ .
Reviews
Login to write a review