Prague Bohemia
3
Day Itinerary •
Czech Republic
Three days in Prague covers the essential experience of one of the most beautiful capital cities in Europe. The extraordinary Charles Bridge and Old Town Square, the remarkable Prague Castle complex, the fine Jewish Quarter and the outstanding Vysehrad fortress make three days of extraordinary Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture in a city that survived the 20th century largely intact. This route gives a full day in the extraordinary Old Town, a day at the remarkable Prague Castle and Mala Strana, and a final day at the fine Vysehrad and the remarkable Wenceslas Square, covering the essential Prague experience in three outstanding days.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Prague Vaclav Havel Airport (PRG)
Getting Around
Metro, tram and walking
Budget Per Day
Approx 1,500 to 3,500 CZK per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking on cobblestones
DAY 1
OLD TOWN AND JEWISH QUARTER
MORNING
CHARLES BRIDGE AND OLD TOWN SQUARE
Charles Bridge, the extraordinary 14th-century stone bridge across the Vltava decorated with 30 remarkable Baroque statues, is the finest bridge in Central Europe. Cross it at dawn before the crowds arrive and it is one of the most extraordinary experiences in Prague. The remarkable Old Town Square with its outstanding Astronomical Clock, the extraordinary twin-towered Church of Our Lady Before Tyn and the fine Jan Hus monument are all outstanding. Astronomical Clock striking on the hour. Free. Travel: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
OLD TOWN HALL AND ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK
The Prague Astronomical Clock, the remarkable medieval mechanism installed in 1410 and the third oldest in the world still operating, performs an extraordinary hourly procession of apostles and figures of Death. The fine Old Town Hall tower gives the most outstanding view of the Old Town Square from above. The remarkable Gothic and Baroque architecture visible from the tower in every direction is the finest panorama of the historic city. Entry tower approx 250 CZK. Travel: 5 min walk
AFTERNOON
JEWISH QUARTER JOSEFOV
The Josefov Jewish Quarter, the most extraordinary surviving medieval Jewish ghetto in Central Europe, has six remarkable synagogues and the fine Old Jewish Cemetery where 12,000 gravestones are stacked in layers. The extraordinary Spanish Synagogue with its remarkable Moorish interior, the outstanding Pinkas Synagogue with the names of 77,297 Bohemian and Moravian Holocaust victims written on the walls and the remarkable Old-New Synagogue are all outstanding. Combined entry approx 500 CZK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Tyn Courtyard behind the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, the most atmospheric hidden courtyard in the Old Town, was the centre of Prague's medieval merchant trade. The remarkable arcaded buildings and the quiet contrast with the busy square outside are outstanding. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Louvre, Narodni The finest traditional Prague cafe since 1902. Kafka was a regular. | Lunch: Lokál, Dlouhá The finest Czech pub lunch in the Old Town. Outstanding tankové pivo. | Dinner: Cafe Savoy, Mala Strana The most beautiful cafe interior in Prague for a first evening dinner.
DAY 2
PRAGUE CASTLE AND MALA STRANA
MORNING
PRAGUE CASTLE COMPLEX
Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle complex in the world at 70,000 square metres, is the most extraordinary collection of royal and ecclesiastical buildings in Central Europe. The remarkable St Vitus Cathedral, the finest Gothic building in Bohemia, the outstanding Old Royal Palace with its Vladislav Hall, the fine St George's Basilica and the extraordinary Golden Lane, the row of tiny medieval houses where alchemists and castle servants lived, are all outstanding. Entry circuit approx 350 CZK. Travel: 20 min walk or tram
MIDDAY
STRAHOV MONASTERY LIBRARY
The Strahov Monastery Library, with its extraordinary Theological and Philosophical Halls, is the most beautiful library interior in the Czech Republic and one of the finest Baroque library rooms in Europe. The remarkable 18th-century ceiling fresco in the Philosophical Hall, the outstanding collection of illuminated manuscripts and the fine views of Prague from the monastery terrace are all remarkable. Entry approx 150 CZK. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
MALA STRANA AND KAMPA ISLAND
Mala Strana, the extraordinary Lesser Town below Prague Castle, has the finest Baroque architecture in Prague. The remarkable Church of St Nicholas, the outstanding Wallenstein Palace gardens and the fine Kampa Island with its remarkable museums and the extraordinary millstream channel are all outstanding. The view from the Mala Strana embankment of Charles Bridge and the Castle at dusk is the finest single view in Prague. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Loreta Prague pilgrimage complex in Hradcany, the remarkable 1626 sanctuary built around a copy of the Santa Casa with its extraordinary treasury of diamond monstrance, is the finest hidden attraction near Prague Castle. Entry approx 180 CZK.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel Savoy cafe or Mala Strana bakery Good breakfast near the Castle approach. | Lunch: Strahov Monastery brewery restaurant Outstanding Czech food in the brewery of the most beautiful library. | Dinner: Hergetova Cihelna, Mala Strana The finest riverside restaurant in Prague with the extraordinary Castle view.
DAY 3
VYSEHRAD AND WENCESLAS SQUARE
MORNING
VYSEHRAD FORTRESS AND CEMETERY
Vysehrad, the extraordinary rock fortress above the Vltava south of the city centre, is the mythological birthplace of Prague and the most atmospheric part of the city. The remarkable neo-Gothic Church of Saints Peter and Paul, the outstanding Slavin Cemetery where the finest Czechs including Dvorak and Smetana are buried, and the extraordinary Romanesque rotunda are all outstanding. The fine views of the Vltava and the city from the fortress ramparts are the finest outside the Castle. Free. Travel: 20 min metro
MIDDAY
VINOHRADY AND ZIZKOV NEIGHBOURHOODS
Vinohrady, Prague's most extraordinary residential neighbourhood, has the finest Art Nouveau apartment buildings in the city, the remarkable Peace Square with its outstanding Church of St Ludmila and the fine neighbourhood cafes and restaurants that locals actually use. The extraordinary Zizkov Television Tower with its remarkable crawling baby sculptures on the exterior and the fine observation deck are outstanding. Tower entry approx 250 CZK. Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
NATIONAL MUSEUM AND WENCESLAS SQUARE
Wenceslas Square, the remarkable 750-metre long boulevard that is the commercial heart of Prague and the site of the extraordinary 1989 Velvet Revolution, is the finest urban boulevard in the Czech Republic. The outstanding National Museum at its head, recently restored after decades of restoration, and the remarkable St Wenceslas statue where Czechs gather at moments of national importance are both outstanding. Museum entry approx 250 CZK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Nuselsky Bridge in Prague, a 485-metre concrete bridge above the Nusle Valley with the metro running inside it, is the most unusual infrastructure in Prague. The fine view from Vysehrad of the bridge and the valley is outstanding. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Imperial, Na Porici The extraordinary 1914 Art Nouveau cafe with the finest tiled interior in Prague. | Lunch: Vinohrady neighbourhood restaurant Excellent Czech lunch in the finest local neighbourhood. | Dinner: Nota Bene, Miru Square Outstanding modern Czech cuisine in the finest Vinohrady address.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Old Town or Mala Strana, all nights The finest location in Prague. Approx 2,000 to 4,000 CZK per night. Vinohrady option Quieter, cheaper, excellent metro access. Approx 1,500 to 2,500 CZK. Booking ahead Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead in summer and the Christmas market season.
Top Tips
1. Cross Charles Bridge before 7am to have it almost to yourself. The dawn light is extraordinary.
2. Prague Castle entry circuit includes St Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane.
3. The Sedlec Ossuary in Kutna Hora is the most extraordinary building in Bohemia. Book ahead.
4. Czech beer is the finest in the world. A half-litre costs about 50 CZK in a local pub.
5. The Strahov Library photography permit is worth buying. The Baroque halls are outstanding.
6. Josefov is expensive but essential. The Pinkas Synagogue Holocaust memorial is unmissable.
Total Budget
2,200 to 5,100 CZK/day