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Highly recommended (do 4-5 of these depending on trip length)
- Petřín Hill + tower — best sunset view of the city. Take the funicular up.
- Vyšehrad — old fortress, quieter than Prague Castle, better views, Havel’s grave.
- Museum of Communism — small, essential context for understanding modern Czech Republic.
- Beer at Letná Beer Garden (summer only) — the city’s best outdoor drinking view.
- Náplavka riverside walk + Saturday farmers market — the local alternative to Old Town.
- Kutná Hora day trip — see our day trips guide. Sedlec Ossuary is a genuine wow moment.
- Concert at the Rudolfinum or Municipal House — historic venues, ~500-1500 CZK for good seats.
- Kampa Island + John Lennon Wall — 30 minutes each, walk between them.
- Mucha Museum — small museum of the Art Nouveau master. 40 minutes.
Worth doing if you have specific interests
- Sedlec Ossuary (Kutná Hora) — bone church. Not for the squeamish but genuinely unique.
- Karlštejn Castle day trip — 40 min train + walk. Photogenic, less crowded than Prague Castle.
- Pilsner Urquell brewery tour (Plzeň) — 1.5h train each way. Beer lovers only.
- Vinohrady & Karlín walking exploration — see the neighborhoods locals actually live in.
- Riegrovy sady beer garden (summer only) — smaller than Letná but more views of the castle.
- Klementinum Baroque Library tour — one of the world’s most beautiful libraries. Photos only during specific tour.
- National Theatre performance — opera, ballet, drama in the ornate 1881 building.
- DOX Contemporary Art Museum (Holešovice) — for those who want a break from baroque.
Skippable unless you have very specific reasons
- Franz Kafka Museum — expensive, thin content, better to visit his statues and grave.
- Sex Machines Museum — pure tourist trap.
- Museum of Communism (2nd location) — one is enough.
- Ghost tours — mostly overpriced walking tours with dramatic voice-overs.
- Prague Boat cruise dinner — food is mediocre, prices tourist-inflated. Just take the regular ferry.
- Karel Zeman Museum — niche film history, only for cinephiles.
- Sedlec Ossuary at peak crowd — go early morning or late afternoon; midday is stressful.
Free things to do
- Walk anywhere in the Old Town, Josefov, or Malá Strana — the architecture is the attraction.
- Prague Castle grounds (courtyards, gardens) — free; you only pay for building interiors.
- Vyšehrad grounds and cemetery — free entry.
- National Gallery Prague — free first Wednesday of the month, sometimes free permanent collection.
- Charles Bridge — free (and best before 8 a.m.).
What to pack
- Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes — cobblestones will punish poor footwear.
- Osprey Daylite Plus daypack — big enough for a jacket, water, camera.
- Rick Steves Prague & the Czech Republic — best on-the-go guidebook.
FAQ
Is 3 days enough for Prague?
Yes for the essentials. See our 3-day itinerary.
What is Prague most famous for?
Its intact medieval Old Town, gothic and baroque architecture, beer, and beer.
Can you do Prague in 2 days?
Just the essentials — Old Town, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle. Skip the day trips and Jewish Quarter.
