Prague’s red rooftops, Gothic spires, and cobbled lanes are the legacy of a city that has shaped Central Europe for a millennium. From the medieval Charles Bridge to Art Nouveau façades and Cubist corners, each district tells a chapter of the Czech capital’s story. The city not only survived the 20th century’s upheavals—it turned them into museums, music, and myth.

Founded in the 9th century and long the seat of Bohemian kings, Prague flourished under Charles IV and the Habsburgs before becoming the cultural heart of Czechoslovakia. Its Astronomical Clock has marked time since 1410; its “defenestrations” changed European politics; and its brewers perfected lagers the world drinks today. Cafés, jazz clubs, and galleries now animate lanes that once hosted alchemists and emperors.

Expect walkable neighborhoods, efficient trams and metro, and a deep, delicious cuisine of roasted meats, dumplings, and seasonal soups. The Czech Republic uses the koruna (CZK). Cards are widely accepted; tip 5–10% for table service. The Jewish Museum sites are closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays; book popular restaurants and tours in advance, and watch for pickpockets in crowded squares.

Prague

Prague is a city of river reflections and hilltop panoramas: the Vltava loops beneath the 14th-century Charles Bridge; the castle complex crowns Hradčany; the Old Town’s lanes reveal Baroque churches, hidden courtyards, and convivial beer halls.

• Top sights: Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock, the Jewish Quarter (Josefov), Malá Strana, Kampa Island, and Vyšehrad Fortress.
• Why go now: Flourishing café culture, inventive Czech kitchens, world-class beer, and museum-grade streetscapes—plus easy connections by train, bus, or plane across Central Europe.
• Good to know: Sunrise and late evening are the most atmospheric (and least crowded) times on Charles Bridge. The castle complex is vast—plan 2–3 hours inside the main sites or join a guided tour to decode its centuries.

Where to stay (handpicked and well-located):

• Four Seasons Hotel Prague (Luxury, Old Town riverfront): Elegant rooms steps from Charles Bridge; request a Vltava view. Check availability
• Motel One Prague–Florentinum (Design on a budget, New Town): Stylish, reliable, and walkable to Old Town. See rates
• Hotel Julian (Boutique, Smíchov/Malá Strana fringe): Rooftop terrace and warm service near riverside walks. Book Hotel Julian
• Hotel Kampa Garden (Midrange, Kampa Island): Quiet setting by the water, perfect for sunrise bridge strolls. View rooms
• Hostel One Home (Social budget): Friendly, central, and great for solo travelers. See beds
• Prefer an apartment? Browse well-reviewed flats near Old Town, Malá Strana, and Vinohrady on VRBO Prague or compare hotels across the city on Hotels.com Prague.

Getting to Prague (flights, trains, buses):

• Flights: Prague (PRG) is 1–2.5 hours from most European hubs; typical fares are ~$60–$180 one-way within Europe. Search and compare options on Omio (flights to/from Europe).
• Trains: Comfortable and scenic. Berlin–Prague ~4h20m (€25–€60), Vienna–Prague ~4h (€15–€40), Munich–Prague ~4h45m–5h45m (€20–€50), Budapest–Prague ~6h30m–7h (€25–€60). Check schedules and book on Omio Trains (Europe).
• Buses: Often cheapest; Berlin ~4h30m–5h (€15–€30), Munich ~4h30m–5h30m (€15–€30), Vienna ~4h (€12–€25). See options on Omio Buses (Europe).
• Airport to center: Bus 119 + metro (35–40 min, ~40 CZK); Airport Express (~45 min); ride-hail 25–35 min (roughly 450–700 CZK depending on traffic).
• Getting around: Walk + trams/metro. Tickets: ~40 CZK/90 min, ~120 CZK/24 hours, ~330 CZK/72 hours (zones P). Validate once and keep your ticket during travel.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town First Impressions, and a Medieval Feast

Afternoon: Arrive and settle into your hotel. Shake off jet lag with an easy loop: Wenceslas Square to Old Town Square, where the Astronomical Clock (1410) performs on the hour. Grab an espresso at EMA Espresso Bar (expert roasts, standing-room buzz), and a quick bite at Sisters for modern open-faced chlebíčky or Naše maso for the butcher’s legendary meatloaf sandwich.

Evening: Kick off with an atmospheric dinner-and-show in a vaulted tavern: Prague 5 Courses Medieval Dinner and Live Performances—fire jugglers, swords, and hearty courses like roast meats and honey cake set the mood.

Prefer something quieter? Try Mlejnice (Old Town) for goulash in bread bowls and grilled pork ribs, or V Kolkovně for crisp schnitzel and tank Pilsner. Nightcap at Hemingway Bar, revered for absinthe and a rum list that reads like a novel; reservations recommended.

Day 2: The Icons in One Sweep + River Boat Cruise (Full-Day Tour)

See the essentials with a smart, guide-led combo that links stories to places: One Day See-it-All Prague Tour & River Boat Cruise with PragueWay. You’ll cover Charles Bridge, Old Town, the Jewish Quarter highlights, a “Prague Venice” boat ride under the bridge’s arches, and Prague Castle with context only locals can provide.

Fuel up with a light breakfast at Bakeshop (Old Town; croissants, quiche) beforehand. For lunch between castle and Malá Strana, tuck into seasonal Czech dishes with castle views at Kuchyň (try roast duck with red cabbage). After the tour, celebrate with a casual, delicious dinner at Kantýna: choose your cut at the butcher counter (Czech dry-aged beef is excellent), add potato salad and pickled veg, and pair with unpasteurized lager.

Day 3: Letná Views, Jewish Quarter Stories, and Prague Underground by Night

Morning: Start northwest in Letná for citywide views from the metronome terrace. Coffee at Café Letka (Victorian-tiled charm, great cakes), then wander leafy paths to the beer garden (open in warm months) for a daytime panorama of bridges.

Afternoon: Dive into Josefov (Jewish Quarter): the Old-New Synagogue (legend of the Golem), Pinkas Synagogue’s memorial, the haunting Old Jewish Cemetery, and the Spanish Synagogue’s Moorish Revival beauty. Purchase a combined Jewish Museum ticket on site; note closures on Saturdays/Jewish holidays. Pause for sweets at Crème de la Crème (artisan gelato) or a pastry at Bakeshop.

Evening: Descend beneath the postcard surface on the gripping Prague Old Town, Medieval Underground and Dungeon Historical Tour. Hear flood tales, wars, and rebuilding as you explore vaulted cellars and hidden levels below Old Town.

For dinner, go classic at Lokál Dlouhááá (svíčková sirloin with dumplings; those crisp schnitzels) or beer-hall institution U Medvídků (house-brewed Oldgott lager). Cap the night at Black Angel’s—a candlelit, vaulted cocktail bar under the Old Town Hall with speakeasy-era drinks.

Day 4: Vyšehrad, Riverside Art, and a Vltava Dinner Cruise

Morning: Stroll the quieter Vyšehrad Fortress ramparts for cinematic river views and legends of Prague’s founding. Visit the neo-Gothic Basilica of St. Peter and Paul and the national cemetery where artists and statesmen rest among sculpted tombs.

Afternoon: Drift downriver to Kampa Island—willow-shaded paths, Lennon Wall, and modern art at Museum Kampa. If you crave a mid-afternoon caffeine fix, Café Savoy dazzles with high ceilings, French-Czech pastries, and a proper Viennese melange. Lunch near Vyšehrad at U Kroka: order pork knuckle or duck with dumplings, balanced by tangy sauerkraut and a glass of Moravian wine.

Evening: See the city’s silhouettes glow from the water on the Prague Boats 3-hour Dinner Cruise. Glide under lit bridges and by the castle while enjoying a buffet of Czech and international dishes—an elegant, relaxing finale to a day of exploring.

If you prefer land-based dining, treat yourself to La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise (multi-course Czech terroir; book well ahead) or modern fine dining at Field (nature-driven plates, Scandinavian-leaning minimalism). Jazz lovers can drift into a late set at JazzDock on the river.

Day 5: Monastery Mornings, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Climb to Strahov Monastery and its postcard overlook of spires and bridges. Coffee and flaky borek at Artic Bakehouse nearby, then peek into the Philosophical and Theological Halls (buy a combined photo/viewing ticket at the site entrance). If time allows, amble through Petrin Park to its lookout tower—Prague’s petite Eiffel—for a final panorama.

Afternoon: Toast your trip with a tasting flight at Klášterní pivovar Strahov (the monastery brewery; their amber is a crowd-pleaser). Pick up gifts—handmade wooden toys or bath products—at Manufaktura shops in the center, or snag a last chlebíček at Sisters before heading to the airport for your afternoon departure.

Extra tips and practicalities:

• Timing: Beat crowds by visiting Charles Bridge at sunrise and the castle right at opening or late afternoon.
• Money: Use ATMs inside bank branches and decline “dynamic currency conversion.” Small change helps for markets and street snacks.
• Reservations: Book popular restaurants (Café Savoy breakfast, La Degustation, Hemingway Bar) and tours early, especially in May–September and December.
• Etiquette: A friendly “Dobrý den” (good day) goes far; tip by rounding up or leaving 5–10% in cash for table service.

Alternate and themed ideas (mix and match):

• Communist-era history: Museum visits around Wenceslas Square and the National Monument at Vítkov; consider an afternoon bunker tour on another visit.
• Art & design: DOX Centre for Contemporary Art (Holešovice) and a stroll through Vinohrady’s Art Nouveau blocks with coffee at Cafedu or Můj šálek kávy (Karlín).
• Beer crawl: From historic U Fleků to craft-forward BeerGeek Bar and refined wine bars like Vinograf.

Optional swap for food lovers: If you’d rather dive deep into Czech flavors one evening, consider a guided small-group food tour on another trip—Prague’s culinary scene rewards the curious with farmhouse cheeses, Moravian wines, and updated classics in bistros and beer halls.

One more stellar tour if you extend your stay:

Nature lovers with an extra day can head north to sandstone arches and forested ravines on a small-group excursion: (Plan this only if you have a full free day.)

VIP Best Reviews: Bohemian & Saxon Switzerland from Prague

Note: If you add the nature day trip above, shift Day 5’s morning monastery walk earlier in the week or extend your stay by one night.

Another can’t-miss classic (alternative to Day 3 night): If you’re passionate about castle lore, a focused castle visit is rewarding:

Prague 3-hour Afternoon Walking Tour including Prague Castle

However you pace it, this 5-day Prague travel guide balances headline landmarks with neighborhoods where locals linger over coffee and lager. Come for the castles and bridges; stay for the easy rhythm of markets, museums, and moonlit riverbanks—and the meals you’ll remember long after wheels up.