Prague’s skyline bristles with Gothic spires and copper domes, a city where emperors plotted, composers performed, and beer became an art form. Settled along the Vltava for more than a millennium, it flourished under Charles IV, survived Habsburg pomp, endured occupation, and reawakened after 1989—its cobbles carrying all those stories at once.

Today, visitors come for time-polished sights—Charles Bridge at dawn, the Astronomical Clock on the hour, and the vast Prague Castle—then stay for hearty Czech cuisine, new-wave cafés, and jazz drifting under riverside arches. The compact historic core rewards walkers; trams whisk you up to viewpoints in minutes.

Practical notes: the local currency is the Czech koruna (CZK). Pickpocketing can occur in tight tourist zones, so zip bags and pause before anyone “helps” with photos or petitions. The Jewish Museum sites close on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Book popular restaurants and bars in advance, and carry a light scarf for church interiors.

Prague

Prague is a living gallery—Romanesque rotundas, Bohemian Gothic, high Baroque swirls, and Art Nouveau flourishes in one walkable bowl. Cross the river to atmospheric Malá Strana, climb to the Castle’s courtyards, and look back over the red-tiled sea to understand why artists dubbed it the “City of a Hundred Spires.”

• Top sights: Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, the Jewish Quarter (Josefov), Wenceslas Square, Letná Park viewpoints, and leafy Kampa Island.
• Why go now: revitalized markets and independent roasters, inventive Czech cooking, accessible day trips to sandstone wonders, and a calendar rich with music.
• Eat and drink: knedlíky (dumplings), svíčková (beef in creamy sauce), roast duck with cabbage, soft Pilsner foam “hladinka.” Modern spots spotlight vegetables and heritage grains; bars push boundaries with absinthe riffs and clarified cocktails.

Getting to/around Prague

• Flights within Europe: compare fares on Omio (often $40–$180, 1–3 hours from hubs like London, Paris, Rome). From the airport, bus 119 + metro or a taxi gets you to center in ~35–45 minutes.
• Trains in Europe: book on Omio. Approximate times: Vienna ~4h (€15–40), Berlin ~4.5–5h (€25–60), Munich ~5.5–6h (€25–60).
• Buses in Europe: check Omio for budget coach options; times are similar to trains, sometimes cheaper.
• Flying from outside Europe: compare long-haul pricing on Trip.com or Kiwi.com, then connect onward.
• Public transport: trams/metro are fast and frequent; day pass ~120 CZK, 72-hour pass ~330 CZK. Tap-in validators accept cards on newer trams/metro entrances.

Where to stay

• Browse apartments on VRBO Prague or hotels on Hotels.com Prague.
• Four Seasons Hotel Prague – riverside elegance, views of the Castle, standout Italian-Czech dining at CottoCrudo, easy walk to Charles Bridge.
• Motel One Prague-Florentinum – design-forward, good value, quick tram/metro access near Náměstí Republiky.
• Hotel Julian – boutique comfort by the river and Kinský Garden; rooftop terrace for sunset over Malá Strana.
• Hotel Kampa Garden – quiet Kampa Island setting steps from Charles Bridge; wake to swans on the Vltava.
• Hostel One Home – social atmosphere, daily activities, central base for budget travelers.

Day 1: Old Town, Charles Bridge, and a Night on the Vltava

Morning: Arrival day—settle in and stretch your legs with an espresso at EMA Espresso Bar (light, modern roasts; try the poppy-seed koláč). If you’re peckish, Bakeshop nearby has quiches and fruit tarts perfect for a quick bite.

Afternoon: Aim for Old Town Square at the top of the hour to watch the Astronomical Clock’s procession. Duck into Café Louvre—a 1902 institution once favored by Kafka—for a bowl of beef broth with liver dumplings and a štrůdl slice. Stroll Celetná to the Powder Tower, then amble the Royal Route toward Charles Bridge, pausing for street musicians and the views downstream.

Evening: Board a dinner cruise to watch the city light up from the water. We like the Prague: Sightseeing Boat Cruise with Buffet Dinner—easy, scenic, and relaxed for night one.

Prefer land-based dining? Book Mlýnec (modern Czech by the river; try the confit duck leg with red cabbage) or rustic Mlejnice for smoky pork knee and garlicky potato pancakes. Nightcap at Hemingway Bar (reservations recommended) for an absinthe-forward classic or head to U Kunštátů for a guided Czech craft beer flight.

Day 2: Prague Castle, Malá Strana Alleys, and Letná Views

Morning: Power up at Café Savoy (grand ceiling, superb Viennoiserie; order the ham-and-cheese omelet and a Větrník caramel choux). Walk across the bridge to Malá Strana and climb Nerudova Street, reading house emblems that predate numbered addresses.

Afternoon: Dive into the world’s largest castle complex with the Prague Castle Tour Including Admission Ticket - 2.5 Hour. You’ll see St. Vitus Cathedral’s stained glass, the Old Royal Palace’s vast Vladislav Hall, and Golden Lane’s tiny houses.

For lunch nearby, try U Glaubiců (castle-side tavern doing roast pork with dumplings and horseradish) or cozy St. Martin (seasonal Czech plates, solid veggie options). Then wander Wallenstein Garden’s peacocks before crossing to Letná Park for panorama photos over the Old Town’s rooftops.

Evening: Dine in Malá Strana at Kampa Park (riverfront fish and steaks; request a terrace table in warm months) or at Coda (Aria Hotel’s refined rooftop with Castle views). If you’re up for a late bar, tram to BeerGeek Bar (30+ taps; Czech lagers to sours), or grab a sunset beer at Letná Beer Garden when in season.

Day 3: Day Trip into Sandstone Country (Bohemian & Saxon Switzerland)

Trade spires for stone towers on a full-day nature escape: 2025 Best Reviews: Bohemian & Saxon Switzerland from Prague. Expect otherworldly rock bridges, forest paths, and viewpoints straddling the Czech–German border, often with a traditional lunch included and a max of seven travelers for an intimate pace.

Back in town, graze at Manifesto Market Anděl (rotating global stalls; look for Czech smash burgers and Vietnamese bun cha) or keep it classic at Lokál Dlouhááá (unfiltered Pilsner drawn three ways; order fried cheese with tartar and a cucumber salad). Sweet finish: Kavárna Slavia across from the National Theatre for a late cake and river views.

Day 4: Jewish Quarter, New Town Stories, and Farewell Flavors

Morning: Start light at Den Noc (savory and sweet pancakes; try the goat cheese with honey). Then explore Cold War layers on the Prague Communism History and Nuclear Bunker Tour, which pairs a city walk with an authentic underground bunker visit and original artifacts.

Afternoon: Time permitting, wander the Jewish Quarter: the Pinkas Synagogue’s names, the Old-New Synagogue’s legend of the Golem, and the Old Jewish Cemetery’s layered gravestones. Remember: sites are closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. For a final lunch, choose Kantýna (butcher-to-table burgers, schnitzel, and dry-aged cuts—order at the counter) or Naše maso (tiny standing butcher shop for meatloaf on warm bread and pickles).

Evening: Departure day. If your schedule is flexible, sit for one more river view: espresso at Můj šálek kávy in Karlín (fruit-forward filter brews) or a last Czech classic—svíčková—in the convivial U Parlamentu near the Old Town. Pick up a box of spa wafers or honey cake to take home.

Optional add-ons (if you extend or swap)

• Guided city overview by foot, tram, and boat with lunch: Prague Guided Walking Tour and Cruise with Authentic Czech Lunch.

  

• Old Town dinner-and-show experience: Prague 5 Courses Medieval Dinner and Live Performances.

  

Local tips

• Charles Bridge is magical at sunrise; by 9 a.m. it’s busy. Reverse-tour the Castle late afternoon for softer light and fewer crowds.
• Trdelník (the rolled pastry) isn’t originally Czech—if you try it, look for versions filled with vanilla ice cream or poppy seed paste.
• Tipping: round up or add ~10% in sit-down restaurants. Many places accept cards; carry a little cash for kiosks and beer gardens.

In four days, you’ve traced royal routes, wandered Baroque gardens, sipped beside the Vltava, and breathed in sandstone pinnacles beyond the city. Prague lingers—on your camera roll, yes, but mostly in the small moments: a tram bell, a cathedral shadow, the warm hush of a beer hall at dusk.