Prague—city of a hundred spires—has long married Gothic drama with café culture. Once the heart of the Kingdom of Bohemia and a jewel of the Holy Roman Empire, it emerged anew after the Velvet Revolution of 1989, its baroque palaces and Art Nouveau facades polished for the world to rediscover. Today, Prague is as much about thoughtful design and coffee as it is about castles and legends.

Fun fact: locals will tell you their Astronomical Clock chimes on the hour like a medieval stage play. Beer has near‑mythic status—Czechs drink more per capita than anyone—yet the city balances its hops with pastry temples, avant‑garde galleries, and gardens that beg for golden-hour strolls.

Practical notes: The currency is the Czech koruna (CZK), and cards are widely accepted. Trams and the metro are efficient and safe; validate tickets and watch for pickpockets in crowded zones. Dress for cobblestones, and book top restaurants and tours ahead in summer and December market season.

Prague

Prague’s compact historic core means the marquee sights—Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, and Prague Castle—are walkable, with river views as your constant companion. Explore neighborhoods with distinct personalities: Old Town (Staré Město), Lesser Town (Malá Strana), Castle District (Hradčany), New Town (Nové Město), Vinohrady, and artsy Holešovice.

• Top sights: Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, Old Town Hall & Astronomical Clock, Jewish Quarter synagogues and cemetery, Strahov Monastery, Klementinum library, Vyšehrad fortresses.
• Why visit now: Spring blossom in royal gardens, summer festivals and beer gardens, magical Advent markets and concerts in December.
• Dining snapshot: Think roast duck with red cabbage, svíčková (beef in creamy sauce with dumplings), chlebíčky open-face sandwiches, and world-beating lagers—plus natural wine bars and inventive Czech‑modern kitchens.
• Fun detail: The Charles Bridge’s sandstone towers once guarded the Royal Route of coronations; sunrise here is pure theater without the crowds.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel Prague — riverfront views by Charles Bridge, refined service, and CottoCrudo dining.
• Boutique: Hotel Julian — a warm townhouse with a rooftop terrace near Kampa and Petřín.
• Design on a budget: Motel One Prague‑Florentinum — sleek rooms, great location between Old Town and Karlín.
• Quiet riverside: Hotel Kampa Garden — tucked on Kampa Island near Lennon Wall and the bridge.
• Social hostel: Hostel One Home — friendly vibe, daily activities, central.
• Apartment stays: Browse VRBO Prague or compare hotels on Hotels.com Prague.

Getting in and around:

• Flights: Fly into Václav Havel Airport (PRG). Compare Europe‑bound fares on Omio Flights.
• Trains: Vienna–Prague ~4h; Berlin–Prague ~4.5h; Munich–Prague ~5.5–6h; Dresden–Prague ~2h. Check timetables and prices on Omio Trains (typical fares €19–€60).
• Buses: Often cheapest from Berlin/Vienna; search Omio Buses (many routes €15–€30).
• Local transit: Prague’s metro and trams are excellent. 24‑hour passes are roughly 120 CZK; 72‑hour passes around 330 CZK. The Airport Express bus runs to hlavní nádraží (main station) in ~35 minutes.

Day 1: Old Town Arrival, First Sips by the Vltava

Morning: Fly or train into Prague. If arriving early, stretch your legs with coffee at EMA Espresso Bar (light‑roast espresso, seasonal filters) and a buttery koláček from Antonínovo pekárna nearby.

Afternoon: Check in, then orient on Old Town Square. Watch the Astronomical Clock’s hourly show, then climb the Old Town Hall tower for a 360° skyline of spires and terra‑cotta roofs. For a casual late lunch, try chlebíčky (open‑face sandwiches) at Sisters (smoked trout or egg‑potato are classics), or grab a legendary burger at the butcher‑shop‑bistro Naše maso.

Evening: Sunset stroll to the river embankment (Náplavka) for swans and soft light on the Castle. Dinner at Lokál Dlouhááá: tank Pilsner and comforting Czech plates like svíčková or schnitzel. Nightcap at Hemingway Bar (reservations recommended) for absinthe rituals and daiquiri perfection, or BeerGeek Bar for a craft‑beer flight.

Day 2: Charles Bridge Dawn and the Prague Castle Complex

Morning: Cross Charles Bridge at sunrise—the statues glow and buskers are still asleep. Breakfast at Café Savoy (since 1893): order eggs Benedict under a neo‑Renaissance ceiling, plus a rakvička pastry. Wander Malá Strana’s lanes, peeking into hidden courtyards and the John Lennon Wall.

Afternoon: Join a focused castle tour to unlock a millennium of stories with skip-the-line entry: Prague Castle Tour Including Admission Ticket - 2.5 Hour. You’ll see St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, the Golden Lane, and panoramic courtyards.

Evening: Dine in Malá Strana: U Modré Kachničky for roast duck two ways with plum sauce and a candlelit, period interior; or Kuchyň (above the Castle) for hearty Czech recipes paired with a sweeping city view. End with a slow walk through the castle gardens if open, or tram down to Kampa Island for riverside calm.

Day 3: Old Town, Jewish Quarter, and a Glass‑Roof Dinner Cruise

Morning: Start at the Klementinum for baroque echoes, then wander Celetná and the Powder Gate, a remnant of the old city walls. Coffee at Můj šálek kávy’s sister café, Místo, if you’re near Dejvice; in the center, try La Bohème Café for single‑origin brews.

Afternoon: Explore the Jewish Quarter (Josefov): the Old-New Synagogue, the Pinkas Synagogue’s moving memorial, and the atmospheric Old Jewish Cemetery. Lunch at Kantýna, a butcher‑hall where you point at cuts and sides—don’t miss the potato salad and pickles.

Evening: See Prague’s monuments glitter from the water on a glass‑roof boat with buffet dinner and live music: Prague Boats 3-hours Crystal Dinner Cruise. It’s a relaxed way to pass Charles Bridge, the Castle, and the National Theatre by night.

Day 4: Day Trip—Sandstone Arches in Bohemian & Saxon Switzerland

Trade towers for cliffs on a small‑group nature excursion: Bohemian & Saxon Switzerland From Prague-Travelers' Choice 2025. Just two hours north lie fairytale rock formations, river gorges, and viewpoints from the Narnia film spots. Expect hotel pickup, scenic hikes tailored to fitness, and a hearty Czech lunch in a countryside inn.

Day 5: Parks, Panoramas, and New‑Wave Prague

Morning: Brunch in Vinohrady at Coffee Room (shakshuka, banana bread) or Červený jelen’s bakery counter. Stroll to Náměstí Míru’s Neo‑Gothic church, then ride to Riegrovy Sady for a postcard view of the Castle—locals picnic here when the sun appears.

Afternoon: Head to Letná Park for the city’s finest panorama and the classic beer garden (open in warmer months). Pop into the National Gallery Prague’s Trade Fair Palace for modern art, or DOX Centre for Contemporary Art in Holešovice for bold exhibitions and the iconic Gulliver airship installation.

Evening: Dinner at Mlýnec for refined takes on Czech flavors with river views, or Manifesto Market Anděl for a lively open‑air food hall—try Neapolitan pizza, Korean fried chicken, or Mexican tacos with a Czech craft lager. Late drinks at Black Angel’s Bar under Old Town Square, where bartenders riff on pre‑Prohibition cocktails.

Day 6: Lesser‑Town Lanes, Monastery Brews, and an Evening Food Tour

Morning: Ride the funicular up Petřín Hill for rose gardens and a mini Eiffel‑style lookout. Walk to Strahov Monastery—peek into its ornate libraries (by guided access) and sample the monastery microbrew (the amber lager pairs beautifully with local cheese).

Afternoon: Browse Kampa’s riverside sculptures and the Museum Kampa courtyard, then pause at Café Lounge for a layered honey cake and cappuccino. Shop design boutiques along Újezd and Mostecká for Czech glass and ceramics you’ll actually use at home.

Evening: Eat your way through Old Town’s backstreets with a local expert: Award-Winning Prague Evening Old Town Food and Drink Tour. Expect generous tastings—artisan chlebíčky, slow‑cooked meats, seasonal sides—and thoughtful drink pairings that go beyond lager.

Day 7: Vyšehrad Farewell and Souvenirs

Morning: Coffee and pastry at Bakehouse (cardamom buns, sausage rolls), then taxi or tram to Vyšehrad, the older hilltop fort above the Vltava. Walk the ramparts for tranquil, crowd‑free views and step into the basilica; the adjacent cemetery honors Czech luminaries from Dvořák to Alfons Mucha.

Afternoon: Lunch in Karlín at Kro Bistro & Bar (rotisserie chicken, roasted cauliflower, bright salads) or Nejen Bistro for seasonal Czech‑Mediterranean plates. Pick up edible souvenirs: gingerbread from Perníčkův sen, artisan chocolate, or a bottle of Moravian natural wine. Depart for the airport with time to spare; compare rides to your next European city on Omio Trains or flights on Omio Flights.

Evening: If you have a late departure, fit in one last riverfront walk at Náplavka or a quick plate at V Kolkovně (garlic soup, roast pork with dumplings) before you say “Na shledanou!” to Prague.

Optional swaps and extras: If you prefer more history, add the Old Town & underground tour, or dedicate a half‑day to the National Museum and Wenceslas Square. For beer lovers, consider a historic pub walk through U Pinkasu, U Fleků (1499), and U Hrocha. If you’re in town on Saturday, the farmers’ market at Náplavka or Jiřího z Poděbrad is a delicious detour.

Booking pointers: Reserve popular restaurants and tours 1–3 weeks ahead in peak months. Trams 22 and 23 are scenic for castle access. Tipping: round up or add ~10% in sit‑down restaurants; no tipping needed at kiosks. For hotels and apartments, compare options on Hotels.com and VRBO.

At-a-glance meals you’ll love: Roast duck at U Modré Kachničky; svíčková and tank Pilsner at Lokál; butcher‑shop burgers at Naše maso; refined riverfront tasting menu at Mlýnec; honey cake at Café Savoy; rotisserie chicken at Kro; monastery lager at Strahov; cocktails at Hemingway or subterranean classics at Black Angel’s.

In seven days, Prague’s layers reveal themselves: royal routes and river light, comfort cooking and contemporary art, fairy‑tale facades and very real café culture. You’ll leave with a camera full of spires, a suitcase with edible souvenirs, and a list of places you’re already planning to revisit.