How to Plan the Perfect Vacation to Prague (2025 Update)

If you’re thinking about visiting Prague, congratulations—you’re in for a treat! With its fairy-tale architecture, vibrant culture, and surprisingly affordable experiences, Prague is one of Europe’s most magical destinations. But before you start dreaming of cobblestone streets and medieval castles, let’s go over a few essential things to help you plan your stay.

📅 How Many Days Should You Spend in Prague?

Let’s start with the basics: how long should you stay in Prague? If you’re not sure yet, don’t worry—once you explore what there is to see and do, your ideal trip length will take shape.

That said, most people underestimate how much there is to do in Prague. While it’s possible to hit the main attractions in 48 hours, many visitors leave feeling like they missed something.

Here's a quick guide:

1 day: Be ready to walk A LOT. We even have a one-day itinerary video, but some viewers said it was too packed—so keep your expectations realistic.
2 days: The average stay. Enough time to see key landmarks, but it’ll be tight.
3–5 days: The sweet spot. This allows for a more relaxed pace and time to explore hidden gems and lesser-known areas.

📍Where to Stay in Prague

We’ve covered this in detail in a separate video, but here’s a quick summary of how to choose the best area for your stay.

👛 Planning your Budget

Your accommodation will depend on your budget. Prague has become more expensive in recent years, but if you can spend around €100 per night, we recommend staying in Prague 1, the historical city center. It includes a mix of neighborhoods like Old Town, Lesser Town, and the Castle District.

⭐ Pro Tip: Stay Based on the Season

Cold months (late October – early April): Stay in the Old Town. It’s atmospheric and charming year-round.
Warm months (late April – early October): Consider the Lesser Town (Malá Strana). Its beautiful gardens and parks come alive in spring and summer and are mostly closed in winter.

🫰 Budget Stays

If you're traveling on a tighter budget, you can still find good options:

Look slightly outside the center but stay close to a metro line. Such areas as Vinohrady, Žižkov, Anděl, and Dejvická are great to visit and are located just 10–15 minutes away from the city center.
Book early to find affordable places within Prague 1 or visit off-season.
Here is a list of budget-friendly hotel recommendations and our top hostel picks.

❌ Where Not to Stay in Prague

Avoid:

Busy main roads (noise and pollution) such as Legerova, Sokolska, or Wilsonova.
Remote areas without metro access, for example, Kunratice, Lhotka, and Bohnice.
Apartments with no reception desk or unresponsive landlord.
Places without air conditioning—especially in the summer!

🏰 What to See in Prague: Must-Visit Attractions

We’ve created a downloadable checklist of top Prague sites, but here’s a quick overview of what to prioritize if it’s your first time in the city.

Day 1: Old Town & Jewish Quarter

Old Town Square - The city’s main historical square with the Astronomical Clock, Týn Church, and other sites.
Charles Bridge - The oldest standing bridge in Prague.
Powder Gate - The iconic entrance to the Old Town.
Church of St. James - The famous haunted church.
Clementinum - The second largest building complex which includes a beautiful baroque library.
Havel’s Market - The oldest still functioning outdoor market.
Old-New Synagogue - The ancient site of the Jewish Quarter.

This area takes about 3–4 hours to explore, depending on how much you linger, shop, or visit exhibitions (like the House at the Golden Ring or St. Agnes Monastery).

Day 2: New Town & Beyond

Wenceslas Square - the main square of Prague’s downtown and its largest shopping area.
Kafka’s Rotating Head (go on the hour to see it spin!) - another famous statue by David Cerny!
Dancing House - one of the most known sites of modern architecture.
New Town Hall - the historical building on the Charles Square.
Faust House – a mysterious site connected to the legendary doctor Faust.
Emmaus Monastery – a Gothic church built by Charles IV.
Vyšehrad Fortress – a large park with great views and several historical sites.
Memorial to the victims of Heydrich's terror – one of the most important sites of WWII.

You might squeeze some of this into Day 1, but to do it justice, we recommend dedicating a full day.

Day 3: Lesser Town (Malá Strana)

John Lennon Wall – a former protest wall from the times of Communism.
Kampa Island – a park with lots of places to relax and a modern art gallery.
St. Nicholas Church (interior) – the largest baroque church in Prague.
Wallenstein Garden (Senate Gardens) – a summer garden with fountains, a dripstone wall, and peacocks.
The Church of Our Lady Victorious – a home to the famous Infant Jesus of Prague.
Petřín Park – one of the largest city parks, featuring the famous Petřín Lookout Tower.

This is the perfect area for wandering and soaking up Prague’s romantic vibe.

Day 4: Prague Castle and Castle District

Prague Castle is a free-to-enter area, used as the seat of Czech power since the 9th century and currently serving as the residence of the Czech President. You can enter Prague Castle for free from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. However, the four sites listed below require an admission fee and will take around two hours to explore.

St. Vitus Cathedral – the most prominent Gothic structure in Prague.
Royal Palace – a former seat of Czech royal families.
Golden Lane – a narrow alley with shops and exhibits.
St. George’s Basilica – one of the only Romanesque structures in Prague.
The area next to Prague Castle, called the Castle District, is often overlooked by tourists, but it is very charming and worth seeing as well. Here are some sites you can enjoy there:
Loreta – a popular pilgrimage site featuring the Prague carillon.
Strahov Monastery – a historical complex with a library, churches, and a brewery.
Nový Svět – an enigmatic area with narrow streets and small, old houses.
Schwarzenberg Palace – a Renaissance palace on Hradčany Square, now serving as a gallery of Czech art.

🎟️ Booking Tickets: What You Need to Know

Most museums and galleries in Prague don’t require advance booking. You can buy tickets online on the day or directly at the entrance.

⚠️ Watch out for fraudulent websites that charge extra or include bogus "services." Stick to official websites, such as:

Prague Castle Tickets

We actually don’t recommend booking tickets through the Prague Castle website—it’s confusing and asks you to print the ticket. Just buy your ticket on-site. They never sell out.

😋 Where to Eat in Prague

We’ve made videos about traditional Czech dishes and the most popular restaurants in town, but here’s a snapshot:

💸 Affordable Food Options

Are you short on finances but still want to enjoy tasty meals and traditional Czech food? We have dedicated a whole video to this topic! Here is a summary:

You can find several canteens that offer affordable lunches in Prague’s city center. Note that most canteens are only open on weekdays from around 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Lunch menus are another way to save money even in pricier restaurants. They are not typically listed on regular menus and have a separate paper hanging at the restaurant’s door or lying on each table.
Vietnamese food is top quality and widely available (thanks to a large local Vietnamese community). Check out Sapa Market for the most authentic experience.
Kebabs, pizza, and Chinese takeout are budget-friendly options, though the Chinese food isn’t exactly what you’d find in China.

🍔 Pricier Cuisines

Mexican, Japanese, Thai, Korean, and French food tends to be more expensive.
Steaks can cost up to €100.
Burgers (aside from fast food) can also be quite pricey.

Final Tips: Apps & Resources

Before you arrive, we recommend downloading these handy apps:

PID Lítačka (for public transport)
IDOS (train, tram, and bus schedules)

Stay Updated

We recently shared a 2025 Prague Update video covering recent changes—what’s closed, what’s new, and what’s coming soon. Make sure to subscribe for more helpful content as we continue to update you on the best of Prague.

Planning a trip to Prague can be exciting—and with the right approach, stress-free. Whether you’re here for 2 days or 5, the city is full of wonder waiting to be explored. Happy planning and see you in Prague!

Author: Valeriia Zahradnikova and Vaclav Zahradnik, Prague guides certified by Prague City Tourism agency. Valeriia and Vaclav have worked in tourism for over 10 years and have guided thousands of Prague visitors.