Top 15 Things to Do in Prague — A Local Guide’s Ultimate List🌟
Hi everyone! I’m Valerie, a real, licensed Prague tour guide — and today I’m sharing my top 15 things to do in Prague, especially for first-timers. (And even if you’ve visited before… let’s be honest, you probably don’t remember much after all that Czech beer 😉) Let’s dive in!
🏰 1. Explore Prague Castle — The Largest Ancient Castle Complex
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle complex on Earth. This is where the story of Prague and Bohemia began, so it’s a must-see. The castle complex is free to enter between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM, but you must buy a ticket to visit the attractions' interiors and exhibitions.
Don’t Miss:
St. Vitus Cathedral - the biggest Gothic church in Prague.
Old Royal Palace - a former residence of Czech royalty.
Golden Lane - a magical alley where the poor used to live.
St. George’s Basilica - one of the oldest Christian temples in the city.
Join the 100 Spires City Tours team for a complete Prague Castle tour — tickets included!❤️
Important Ticket Tips:
⚠️ Buy tickets ONLY at the official castle cash desks.
There are many fraudulent websites selling overpriced tickets with fake “skip-the-line” offers. Only guides can skip the ticket line — not attraction lines.
🏘️ 2. Wander Mala Strana (Lesser Town)
One of the most charming, picturesque neighborhoods in Prague — every corner is photo-worthy. Check out our Lesser Town virtual tour to experience the local atmosphere firsthand. 📹
Top Spots in Mala Strana:
⛪ St. Nicholas Church — breathtaking frescoes that will make your head spin
🌿 Kampa Island — peaceful, artsy escape
🎨 John Lennon Wall — symbol of freedom & protest
🗼 Petrin Tower — Prague’s mini Eiffel Tower
Two viewing platforms
Elevator often broken… get ready for stairs 😅
🍖 3. Feast on Traditional Czech Food
Czech cuisine = meat, more meat, and a little bread.
Pair it with world-famous Czech beer — the Czechs drink more per capita than any nation on Earth!🍺
Czech Traditional Meals:
Svíčková — a beef tenderloin in a root vegetable cream sauce
Guláš — a hearty stew served with dumplings
Pork knuckle — a large, flavorful piece of meat served with bread and horseradish
Stuffed knedlíky (dumplings) — fillings are usually bacon or fruit
📌 Food + beer tasting should be your #1 priority. Check out our Free Food Maps here, or watch a Must-Try Czech Dishes Guide at our YouTube channel!
🏙️ 4. Explore the Old Town (Staré Město)
Old Town is the heart of Prague — lively, historical, chaotic, wonderful. I recommend starting your exploration as early as you can to avoid the crowds and getting lost in the winding streets and passages for a little bit.
⭐ Must-See: The Astronomical Clock
Operating since 1410
Watch the Clock show at least once
For fewer crowds: go to the 8 AM show
🛍️ Visit Havel’s Market (since 1232)
Not everything is traditional, but you’ll find fun souvenirs.
🏛️ 5. Old Town Square — Still Worth It!
Even if it’s touristy, don’t skip it. If you look past the crowds and souvenir shops, the architecture is stunning.
Buildings to Admire:
🏰 House of the Stone Bell — some say Charles IV was born here
🎀 Golz-Kinsky Palace — Baroque with Rococo decorations (looks like a fancy cake 🎂)
⛪ Týn Church — one of Prague’s most iconic silhouettes
🗿Statue of Jan Hus — a famous preacher and a martyr.
🗼Old Town Hall Tower — home of the famous Astronomical Clock.
Important Ticket Tips:
⚠️Buy a ticket within the first hour of opening and get 50% off with an Early Bird discount!
Many fraudulent websites are selling overpriced tickets with fake "skip-the-line" offers and short tours that inflate the price but do not provide a genuine guided experience.
✡️ 6. Josefov — The Jewish Quarter
A beautifully preserved neighborhood that’s essentially a museum inside synagogues.
What to do:
Visit the historic synagogues
Explore the Jewish Cemetery
Find the Franz Kafka statue
Learn about Kafka’s café-loving life — and enjoy a café yourself ☕
Café-sitting is culture, not laziness!
Important Ticket Tips:
⚠️Make sure to check the Jewish Museum's opening hours, as it closes for certain important religious holidays.
Many fraudulent websites are selling overpriced tickets with fake "skip-the-line" offers and short tours that inflate the price but do not provide a genuine guided experience.
🌉 7. Cross the Charles Bridge (Karlův Most)
The most romantic (and chaotic) place in Prague. Expect:
Amazing views
31 Baroque statues
Wish-making - read more about that here.
Heavy traffic during the day
100% chaos ✨
For a magical moment, wake up at 6 AM and enjoy it nearly empty.
Bonus Viewpoint:
Climb the Old Town Bridge Tower of the bridge for a unique perspective. Or climb the Lesser Town Tower — often overlooked and beautiful.
🏞️ 8. Vyšehrad Fortress
Once a regal residence and an important military fortress, not much remains of the old castle, but today it's a:
Peaceful park
Historical cemetery
Incredible viewpoint over Prague
📚 9. Step Into a Fairytale at Strahov Library
Located in the Premostratensian monastery near Prague Castle, the Strahov Library is an incredible Baroque gem that will stun you with its frescoes and centuries-old volumes. If you love Beauty-and-the-Beast-style interiors, this is your dream.
📌 Basic tickets only let you view the library from the doorway.
Also explore:
Strahov Monastery
The Brewery (try St. Norbert beer)
The viewpoint overlooking the city
🍻 10. Taste Czech Beer
Czechs are the biggest beer‑drinking nation in the world for a reason: it is hard to resist having a pint with every meal when you are spoiled for choice—classic lagers, dark beers, unfiltered… you name it. And all relatively cheap, at around 50 CZK for half a litre. It’s amazing people are not tipsy 24/7! Or maybe they are…
🚋 11. Ride a Prague Tram
A must for the true Prague experience. But first — watch a video about public transport mistakes to avoid fines!
🏙️ 12. Visit the National Museum
Say hi to Saint Wenceslas, the Czech patron saint, before coming in, and tour the National Museum — famous for its exhibits and magnificent interiors. It is the best place to spend a day if the weather is not great. The ticket is 360 CZK per person and includes several floors of exhibitions and a lookout point. We recently did a tour of this stunning complex; you can check it out here.
💃 13. The Dancing House
One of Prague’s most iconic modern buildings, inspired by the graceful Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. Take a fun photo dancing in front of it — everyone does!
🐘 14. Spend a Day at Prague Zoo
One of the best zoos in Europe! Perfect for families or anyone needing a break from architecture. Avoid public holidays — it gets packed.
🌀 15. Find David Černý’s Wild Sculptures
Scattered across the city, his artworks are quirky, controversial, and unforgettable.
Look for:
👶 Giant crawling babies
🚽 Two men peeing on the map of the Czech Republic
🧠 The Embryo
🧔 “Hanging Out” Sigmund Freud
🤖 Rotating Kafka Head
🎁 BONUS: Join a Free Tour
Feeling lost or want company? We run free tours every day — join 100 Spires City Tours and explore Prague with our fun, smart, charming guides.
See You in Prague!
I hope this list helps you fall in love with Prague — its beauty, its quirks, and yes, its beer. See you soon… and don’t forget to wake up at 5 AM for that empty Charles Bridge! 🌅
WRITTEN BY VALERY
Licensed Prague guide and co-creator of Real Prague Guides (50K+ YouTube subscribers). My company, 100 Spires City Tours, leads some of the highest-rated tours in Prague.
📷 Instagram: @realpragueguides
📺 YouTube: Real Prague Guides
🎫 Book a tour: tours-prague.eu