Prague – City Guide

Capital of the Czech Republic, the largest city in Bohemia, Prague is a simply wonderful city. Indeed, it is full of surprises and magnificent monuments that will ensure you a weekend or a week of total change of scenery. In the heart of Central Europe, the city has established itself as one of the places not to be missed.

> Why visit Prague?
> When should you go to Prague?
> Find a cheap plane ticket to Prague
> Where to sleep in Prague?
> How to get around Prague?
> How to prepare your stay in Prague: what are the main activities?
> Where to eat in Prague?
> Budget your trip to Prague
> Practical information for your vacation in the Czech Republic
> Preparing your stay in Prague with the best travel guides
> What else should you see in the Czech Republic?

Why you should visit Prague

Are you planning a trip to Prague? Located in the very heart of Europe, the Czech capital radiates beauty. It is steeped in history and has a lot to offer in terms of culture, architecture and cuisine. In fact, when you go there, you are guaranteed a change of scenery.

Although only two hours by plane from Paris, Brussels or Geneva, once there, you will have to acclimatize to a whole new way of life, to a whole new way of seeing things.

To visit Prague is to open the doors of Eastern Europe and Bohemia. Nearby the Czech Republic are Poland, Slovakia and Austria. As you can see, the city nicknamed the City of 100 Spires is at a very interesting crossroads, which could lead you to consider continuing your trip to the farthest reaches of Europe.

When should you go to Prague?

Are you thinking of going to Prague but don’t really know when? It is true that the question of when to leave for your stay is extremely important. Obviously, we prefer to leave when the weather is good. In this respect, it is important to know that summers in the Czech Republic, and especially in Prague, are quite hot.

On the other hand, winters are very cold. Temperatures tend to drop below -5° or even -10°. This makes it easier for snow to fall and ice to appear. So be careful! Otherwise, autumn is a very nice season.

Prague is a green city with many parks and trees. You can easily marvel at the beauty of the Czech capital.

Finch a cheap plane ticket to Prague

The question is when and how to go. It is possible to get to Prague by car or by bus. On the other hand, it can take you a long time. From Paris to Prague (Praha), by night bus, it takes about 16 hours. We therefore recommend that you use the plane.

From the US, the UK or Canada, you can fly to Prague from just about anywhere: London, NYC airports, California or anywhere. Generally speaking, it takes about two hours from the time you take off to the time you leave Vaclav Havel airport.

Tickets to Prague are not excessively expensive. Depends on where you’re leaving from, if the flight is a direct one or not etc… It is recommended to book the ticket in advance (between one and two months before your departure date).

Where to sleep in Prague?

A good organization also includes making inquiries and even reservations for a nice place to sleep. You are in luck, Prague is full of great hotels.

Sleep in the most beautiful hotels in Prague

Whether it’s in the city center, in the Old Town, in the Žižkov district or in the Holešovice district, you will always find a nice hotel. We have already mentioned this in one of our dedicated articles.

Hotels in Prague are of the highest quality, often very bright and usually come with breakfast, whether in Malá Strana or elsewhere.

Of course, the standard and quality of the establishment will vary depending on your budget and what you are willing to pay for your stay. On the whole, you should not be disappointed.

Try the hostels

If you are a backpacker at heart, Prague (Praha) is a city where you can find a lot of hostels.

This is the most affordable way to stay in Prague for those with a limited budget. In our article specially written on the subject, we list the best hostels in Prague.

Some of them are particularly well located, in front of the Castle, the Muzeum or the Vltava river… Even just a few steps away from the Charles Bridge. These are places you won’t want to miss during your visit to Prague.

How to get around Prague?

Once you’ve dropped off your belongings, you can start exploring the city. Depending on your location, you may have to move closer to the center.

Don’t worry. In Prague, you can find absolutely everything. You can take the subway, the taxi or the bus. In the worst case, there are many cabs, Uber and others that will be happy to pick you up and take you to your destination. A particularly well-served European city.

Preparing your stay in Prague: what are the must-do activities?

Now you just have to decide where to go… Indeed, the city of Prague is quite large and many people wonder which monuments are really worth seeing.

The most beautiful things to see in the city

Luckily for you, we’ve thought of everything. In our article dedicated to the must-see places in Prague, we list the places that you absolutely have to see. Here, we have selected some of the most iconic ones.

Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)

More than a monument, it is a square. The Old Town Square is the nerve center of Prague. Here you can observe the famous astronomical clock or climb to the very top of the tower right next to it. It’s a great way to start your trip.

Prague Castle

While walking around, you will probably see a castle in the distance. It is the Prague Castle. It is one of the most iconic monuments in the Czech capital. We urge you to go to the side of the Hradčanská district and discover the surroundings. The view from the Prague Castle lookout is sumptuous.

Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge is the emblematic place of Prague. It seems impossible to get there without visiting it. On the spot, you will be annoyed by the number of people, amused by the musicians, amazed by the building and crazy in love with the view. As you can see, this is a monument that leaves absolutely no one indifferent.

Get around the city

Prague is also the Vltava River, the old Jewish cemetery, baroque architecture, the historic National Theater and many other beautiful places to live. So don’t hesitate to get lost in the capital.

Visit Prague off the beaten track

Want to discover a little more of your host city? We invite you to read our content on Prague off the beaten track. You will discover many nice places, which are different and, above all, less touristy!

We think in particular about discovering a museum, such as the Kafka museum, the Jewish cemetery and other places (such as the baroque architecture buildings in the center) and museums specialized in the art or history of the country, Bohemia etc… A great way to discover more about your host country.

Where to eat in Prague?

Prague is a city where gastronomy is very important. The culinary culture is very well developed here. Indeed, you will find many typical restaurants. One of our favorite addresses is U Sadu, on the Žižkov side.

As for the rest, you can find out about restaurants in Prague by going directly to our article dedicated to the best local restaurants. There you can have lunch or dinner, Gùlas, very good svíčková and a whole range of excellent dishes.

For the others, we suggest you to discover our complete guide of the best burgers in Prague. Don’t worry, if you’re not the meat-eating type, we’ve also prepared a list of the best vegetarian restaurants!

Budget your trip to Prague

Prague is not a very expensive city. Of course, if you spend your time in the bars, restaurants and stores of the city center, your bill will quickly explode. On the other hand, if you take the time to diversify, to discover the smaller establishments and the outlying areas of Prague, you may well come across some excellent addresses which, in addition to that, will not cost you too much.

We recommend a budget of 450 euros per person for 3 days in Prague, including airfare and hotel. As a reminder, in the Czech Republic, you do not pay with the euro. The Czech crown is the local currency. In one of our articles, we explain where to make your exchange in order to be sure to have the best rates and not to be ripped off.

Practical information for your trip to the Czech Republic

In the rest of this article, we present you with a list of essential information that could be useful during your stay in Prague and the Czech Republic in general.

Is Prague a dangerous city?

No, Prague does not have the reputation of being a dangerous city. In fact, it is a particularly safe European city. However, be careful. Indeed, as everywhere, you are not at home. It is therefore better to be particularly respectful towards the locals and not to look for trouble.

Also, be careful with your belongings, especially in public transport where, as everywhere, pickpockets are on the prowl. However, there is no need to be constantly on your guard. In fact, the capital of the Czech Republic is particularly safe and the locals are welcoming.

Do people speak English in Prague?

Yes, there is no doubt that if you speak English, you will have no trouble making yourself understood and talking to the locals. Prague is a cosmopolitan, international and relatively young city. Everyone speaks Czech, English and sometimes a third language (Spanish, German or French).

Where to go out in Prague?

Going out in Prague is very simple. There are many restaurants and bars in Prague. In a special article, we offer you a small list of the best unusual bars in Prague! You will find a selection of some of our favorite places.

Of course, these are not the only ones. We recommend you to get lost, especially in Žižkov or even in the city center. Don’t be afraid. The city is quite affordable and above all, very safe. You won’t encounter any problems while enjoying the local nightlife.

What to do in case of an emergency?

First of all, we invite you to turn to the competent authorities. The police is the most important, and you can easily reach them at 156 or 158. 

The second thing to do is to reach your embassy :

• The US embassy is located in : Tržiště 365/15, 118 00 Malá Strana ;
• The Canadian embassy is located in : Ve Struhách 95/2 ;
• The British embassy is located in : Thunovská 180/14, 118 00 Malá Strana ;
• The Indian embassy is located in : M. Horákové 60, 170 00 Praha 7-Letná.

Organizing your trip to Prague with the best travel guides

To conclude, you can choose to complete the organization of your trip with some tools, including travel guides. You will find many answers to your questions in our article on the best travel guides for Prague: Lonely Planet, Routard, Michelin… You’ll be able to choose from a carefully selected list!

What else should I see in the Czech Republic?

Are you in the Czech Republic for a few days or a week? Instead of going around in circles in Prague, don’t hesitate to head to other large cities. Brno is the second most important city in the country! For an even more touristy visit, the side of Český Krumlov is the place to go. A magical and fairytale place, which will not fail to surprise you.