10 Best Things to Do in Prague (Local Guide, No Tourist Traps)
If you’re visiting Prague and wondering what you absolutely shouldn’t miss, this is your no-nonsense guide to the top things to do in Prague. No tourist traps. No overrated attractions. Just the real experiences that actually make Prague… Prague.
Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, these are the essentials that give you both the highlights and the local vibe.
1. Walk Around and Enjoy Prague’s Architecture
The best thing to do in Prague is also the simplest: just walk.
Prague’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the entire city feels like an open-air museum. You don’t need a plan—beautiful buildings are everywhere.
If you want a quick crash course in Prague architecture:
Gothic: dark, dramatic, cathedral-style (think St. Vitus Cathedral)
Renaissance: symmetrical, decorative facades (Schwarzenberg Palace)
Baroque: grand, theatrical, “wedding cake” style (St. Nicholas Church)
Art Nouveau: elegant, decorative, almost dreamy (Municipal House)
Brutalist: heavy, concrete, “space prison” vibes
Cubist: sharp angles, unique geometry (rare and very Czech)
Functionalist: clean and minimal
Top architectural highlights:
St. Vitus Cathedral (Prague Castle)
Charles Bridge (best at sunrise)
St. Nicholas Church (Malá Strana)
Municipal House
Estates Theatre (Mozart conducted here)
2. Visit a Traditional Prague Café
Prague has a deep café culture dating back to Kafka and Einstein.
Historic cafés like Café Louvre, Café Imperial, and Grand Café Orient still carry that old-world atmosphere.
One thing to know: service is more straightforward than in some countries. Good service means:
You’re seated
Your order is taken
You get exactly what you ordered
You’re charged correctly
Anything beyond that is a bonus.
If you prefer modern cafés with top ratings, Prague has plenty—but the historic ones are about the experience.
3. Climb a Tower for the Best Views
Prague is stunning from the street—but even better from above.
Best viewpoints in Prague:
Old Town Hall Tower
Charles Bridge Towers
Powder Tower
Petřín Tower
Go around sunset for the best light over the red rooftops.
4. Try Traditional Czech Food
Czech cuisine is hearty, rich, and seriously underrated.
The one dish you must try:
Svíčková: beef in creamy vegetable sauce with bread dumplings, cranberry sauce, and whipped cream
It sounds unusual—but it works perfectly.
Expect comfort food similar to Austrian or German cuisine, but with its own Czech twist.
5. Take a Walking Tour
Prague’s history is wild—and easy to miss without context.
We’re talking about:
Defenestrations (people thrown out of windows)
Alchemy and attempts to create gold
Golem legends
Nazi occupation and Communist rule
A good walking tour turns random buildings into stories.
If you want a highly rated option, check out 100 Spires City Tours. Just make sure your guide is licensed—this ensures proper training and accurate information.
6. Visit a Museum
Not all Prague museums are equal—choose ones that add context.
Top recommendations:
National Museum (broad historical overview)
National Technical Museum
Museum of Decorative Arts
Museums are also perfect if the weather isn’t great.
7. Try Czech Snacks (Chlebíčky)
Chlebíčky are traditional Czech open-faced sandwiches—but much better than they sound.
They’re:
Small and beautifully arranged
Topped with ham, egg, cheese, potato salad, pickles, and more
Affordable and quick
Perfect for a light snack between sightseeing.
8. Find David Černý’s Sculptures
For something unusual, explore Prague through the works of David Černý.
Famous installations include:
Crawling babies on Žižkov TV Tower
Rotating Kafka head
Hanging man statue near Old Town
Peeing Sculptures
It turns the city into a kind of art scavenger hunt.
9. Hang Out by the River (Náplavka)
For a more local vibe, head to Náplavka or one of Prague’s islands.
What you’ll find:
Riverside bars
Food stalls
Weekend markets
Relaxed atmosphere
It’s a completely different experience from the crowded Old Town.
10. Drink Czech Beer
Czech beer culture is world-famous—and for good reason.
Czechs drink the most beer per capita in the world, and beer has been part of local life for centuries.
What to try:
Pilsner Urquell (the original pilsner)
Kozel
Budvar
Staropramen
Local craft breweries
There’s no “best” beer—it’s all about personal taste. And yes, beer is sometimes cheaper than water.
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
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🎫 Book a tour: tours-prague.eu