Prague, the “City of a Hundred Spires,” has wooed travelers since the era of kings and astronomers. Gothic towers puncture the skyline, baroque churches gleam, and cobblestone lanes unfurl toward the Vltava River. For couples, it’s Europe at its most romantic—grand yet walkable, storied yet playful, and refreshingly affordable compared to many Western capitals.

Across centuries, Prague has mixed high culture with a wink of eccentricity. Mozart premiered here, alchemists labored under Emperor Rudolf II, and today, sculpture and street art surprise you around quiet corners. Expect world-class beer culture, ornate cafes, jazz barges, and whimsical experiences like beer spas, marionette theater, and an art museum topped by a wooden airship.

Practical notes: the historic center is compact and best explored on foot, with trams and metro for longer hops. Czech cuisine is hearty (think roast duck, svíčková, and soft dumplings), but you’ll find inventive bistros and superb coffee, too. Tipping 10% is customary in restaurants; contactless payment is widely accepted. Purchase a 24–72 hour transit pass for easy, budget-friendly travel.

Prague

Prague’s beauty is layered: Charles Bridge at dawn, the soaring St. Vitus Cathedral, the Astronomical Clock’s hourly show, and leafy parks with cinematic sunsets. Lesser Town (Malá Strana) is for lovers—winding alleys, hidden gardens, and the river whispering beneath sandstone bridges. Across the water, Old Town’s lanes fold into atmospheric passages and cafes once favored by Kafka and Einstein.

Unique moments elevate a romantic trip here: soak together in a private beer spa, sip cocktails at a world-class speakeasy, drift past illuminated monuments on a river cruise, and wander the Klementinum’s historic library and Astronomical Tower. Seek modern Prague, too—industrial-chic galleries in Holešovice, natural wine bars in Vršovice, and steampunk beats at Cross Club.

• Top sights: Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock, Jewish Quarter, Klementinum, Vyšehrad, Letná and Riegrovy Sady parks.
• Unique activities: Original Beer Spa (private soak and unlimited beer on tap), marionette opera (Don Giovanni), DOX Centre for Contemporary Art with its roof-top “Gulliver” airship, evening jazz on the river at JazzDock.
• Food & drink essentials: Classic Czech at Lokál, rustic plates at Mlejnice, riverside fine dining at Mlýnec, pastries at Café Savoy, precise espresso at EMA Espresso Bar, craft cocktails at Hemingway Bar.

Where to stay (romantic on a mid-range budget): Base yourselves in Malá Strana for storybook lanes, in Old Town for postcard sights, or in Vinohrady for leafy streets and great cafes. Compare hotels or apartments here:

• Search Prague hotels on Hotels.com (filter by “Old Town,” “Lesser Town,” or “Vinohrady”).
• Browse romantic Prague apartments on VRBO (look for river views or attic flats near the Castle stairs).

Getting there & around: Fly into Prague Václav Havel Airport or arrive by train from nearby capitals. For flights and intra-Europe routes, compare options on Omio (flights). Trains to Prague typically take ~4 h from Vienna (~$20–45), ~4.5 h from Berlin (~$25–60), and ~6 h from Budapest (~$35–70)—check Omio (trains). Long-distance buses can be cheaper (e.g., Munich ~5.5–6.5 h, from ~$20)—see Omio (buses).

Airport to center: Bus 119 to Nádraží Veleslavín + metro (~35–40 min; very budget-friendly), or the Airport Express to the main station (~35 min). Ride-hailing to Old Town is ~25–40 min depending on traffic. Buy a 24-hour transport pass if you’ll use trams/metro often.

Day 1: Arrival, Riverfront Wanders, And Old Town Glow

Morning: Fly or train into Prague. If you arrive early, drop bags at your hotel and stretch your legs along the Vltava embankment (Náplavka). Grab an espresso and a flaky koláč at EMA Espresso Bar (near Masarykovo nádraží), known for meticulous coffee and a steady rotation of European roasters.

Afternoon: Introduce yourselves to Old Town. Start at Old Town Square to watch the Astronomical Clock chime, then slip into the Ungelt courtyard and parallel passages to dodge crowds. For lunch, try Mlejnice (cozy, wood-beamed; order the pork knee to share or the garlicky potato pancake with smoked meat) or Naše maso (standing-room butcher shop turning out superb burgers and steak tartare made to order).

Evening: Time your stroll to Charles Bridge for blue hour—statues as silhouettes, castle lights flickering on. Book a riverside table at Mlýnec for refined Czech plates (tasting menu available; sit by the window with bridge views) or save with a casual feast at Lokál Dlouhááá (tank Pilsner; beef sirloin “svíčková” with dumplings; seasonal salads). Nightcap at Hemingway Bar (reservations recommended) for absinthe service and superb classics; ask for their take on a Martinez for something elegant and not too sweet.

Day 2: Hidden Histories, Beer Spa For Two, And Cocktails By Candlelight

Morning: Meet the bridge at sunrise to have it (nearly) to yourselves—an unforgettable couples’ moment. Warm up with breakfast at Café Savoy (belle-époque ceilings, house-baked pastries; the Savoy breakfast with ham, emmental, and poached eggs is a favorite). Then tour the Jewish Quarter (Josefov)—the Old-New Synagogue and atmospheric Old Jewish Cemetery provide profound context to Prague’s past.

Afternoon: Explore Prague’s alchemical side at Speculum Alchemiae, an underground workshop and museum discovered after floods exposed 16th-century passages. Continue to the Klementinum; if tower tours are running, climb the Astronomical Tower for views over terracotta rooftops. If not, the Old Town Hall Tower offers panoramic alternatives. Lunch nearby at Kuchyň (by the Castle’s Powder Bridge—chefs present pots straight from the stove; rustic duck, potatoes with dill, and braised cabbage are standouts) or at Café Louvre (a 1902 institution—try the goulash with bread dumplings and a slice of Sachertorte).

Evening: Unwind with a private session at the Original Beer Spa (wooden tubs, brewer’s yeast bath, unlimited beer on tap; typically 1–2 hours for two). After, stroll along Kampa Island for lamplit reflections. Dinner at U Modré Kachničky (game-focused; elegant, old-world rooms—book ahead) or, for a budget-friendly modern Czech meal, U Kroka in Nusle (excellent duck confit, friendly prices). Late-night option: a marionette performance of Don Giovanni (a quirky, very Prague experience).

Day 3: Castle Quarter, Monastic Libraries, Parks, And A Jazz Barge

Morning: Ride scenic tram 22 up to Prague Castle. Tour St. Vitus Cathedral’s stained glass, peek into Golden Lane’s tiny houses, and wander the quiet south gardens. Coffee pause at Monastery Strahov—see the Philosophical and Theological Halls (library access via guided entry), then grab a beer brewed by the monastery or a cappuccino at the courtyard cafe.

Afternoon: Walk down through Nový Svět (a sleepy lane that feels miles from the crowds) to Letná Park for sweeping views—ideal for photos. Snack at Café Letka (vintage tiles, sourdough toasts) or Krystal Bistro in Holešovice (light Czech lunch with good-value midday menus). If you love contemporary art and bold design, visit the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art and step aboard the rooftop wooden airship “Gulliver.”

Evening: If it’s warm, rent a paddle boat from Slovanský ostrov (seasonal; romantic near-sunset float). Otherwise, book a Vltava evening cruise—options range from simple sightseeing (~50–70 USD per couple) to dinner cruises with live music. Supper at Střecha Lucerna rooftop (seasonal pop-up; skyline views) or V Kolkovně (classic fare, fair prices). Close with live music at JazzDock—a glass-walled, river-level club where the city lights ripple across the water.

Day 4: Neighborhood Cafés, Markets, And a Farewell View (Departure Day)

Morning: Linger in local neighborhoods before your afternoon departure. In Karlín, sip at Můj šálek kávy (third-wave pioneer) and browse design shops. If it’s Saturday, stroll the Náplavka Farmers’ Market for farmer cheeses, pastries, and riverside people-watching. Brunch ideas: La Bohème Café (Vinohrady; chandeliered coffee temple) or Nejen Bistro (Karlín; seasonal plates, great value).

Afternoon: Pick up gifts: artisanal bath products from Manufaktura, hand-cut Moser glass, or local chocolate. If time allows, a final sweep through Vyšehrad’s fortress gardens offers quiet city views and a contemplative goodbye. Head to the airport by bus/metro (~35–40 min) or hail a ride-share if you’re tight on time.

Evening: Departure. If you’re staying late, toast the trip at Veltlín (Karlin; natural wines from the former Austro-Hungarian orbit) and share a plate of local cheeses.

Budget tips for a “50” budget:

• Enjoy excellent lunch “polední menu” deals (weekdays) at bistros for ~8–12 USD.
• Buy a 24–72 h transport pass for trams/metro; walk the compact center to save more.
• Mix one splurge (dinner with a view or a cruise) with casual classics like Lokál or Mlejnice.
• Free romance: Charles Bridge at dawn, Letná and Riegrovy Sady sunsets, Vyšehrad ramparts.

Recommended booking links for transport:

• Compare flights to/from Prague on Omio
• Plan European trains to Prague on Omio
• Find budget-friendly buses on Omio

This 4-day Prague itinerary blends medieval romance with playful, one-of-a-kind experiences—perfect for couples who want magic without a sky-high price tag. With river views, hidden courtyards, a beer spa, and live jazz, you’ll leave with a reel of moments that feel both cinematic and personal.