Three Perfect Days in Prague

Luckily, we’ve put together an ideal three-day itinerary for your visit to Prague, so get behind the wheel and make the most of your time in this enigmatic European city.

Day One

10am

Kick-start your Prague visit with a taste of home in the Old Town at Bohemia Bagel – whose name gives away its most prominent dish. Fresh ingredients, a fun atmosphere and a wide range of fillings make this the perfect place to fuel up for your day of discovery in Prague’s most historic neighborhood.

11am

Your first stop following breakfast is Old Town Square, where you’ll step back in time some 700 years and take in some of the most awe-inspiring architecture anywhere in Europe.

Having started life in the 12th century as Prague’s primary market, the square has since seen an eclectic ensemble of inhabitants leave their own stamp on surroundings. Over the past seven centuries, Roman, Gothic, and Baroque architecture has sprung up around the marketplace to create this diversely stunning architectural delight.

One absolute must-see in the square is Tyn Church: a towering twin-peaked 14th-century building which reportedly inspired Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Then there’s the delicately decorated Baroque St. Nicholas Church and the art nouveau statue of reformer Jan Hus, whose work to reform the church left a lasting legacy.

12pm

Head to the center of Old Town Square at midday, but make sure your timekeeping is impeccable. The Astronomical Clock is one of Prague’s must-see attractions, and its on-the-hour theatrical visualization of the time is not to be missed. For almost 600 years, the clock has sprung to life every 60 minutes to present a remarkable procession of the 12 apostles and moving statues like no other in the world. It’s a magnificent mechanical achievement that was even considered a wonder of the world in the Middle Ages.

Afterwards, take the opportunity to grab a bite to eat in one of the most picturesque parts of Prague. Café Mozart is a slice of Baroque brilliance that serves up some of the best cakes and confectionary in the capital, as well as offering unrivaled views of the Old Town Square.

2:30pm

After lunch, work off some of those fantastic cakes with a bit of exploration. From the Old Town Square, get lost in the curious maze of cobbled lanes and see what else you can find in the narrow streets of historic Prague.

There’s no end of delights to be discovered along the way, with everything from beautiful courtyards completely hidden from view, to ancient chapels tucked away from the main routes. Walk far enough and you’ll discover an array of glorious gardens, along with their true beauty – the serenity that comes with being off the beaten path.

4pm

Finish your day in the Old Town with a poignant look at the past at the Jewish Museum. Having once been under Nazi control, it’s as much a part of Czech history as its contents – an extensive collection of Jewish artefacts that provide a haunting look at centuries of oppression.

Finally, join Prague’s artistic ancestors in pining for the flourish and flair of the past at the Museum of Decorative Arts. A fabulous collection of 16th to 19th-century furniture, glasswork, and porcelain, it was originally designed to reignite a love for a more flamboyant aesthetic that made way for the industrial revolution.

Day Two

10am

Begin your second day in Prague in the shadow of the iconic Charles Bridge with breakfast at the eclectic Café Ebel. Cozy and comfortable, the venue’s charm comes from its mish-mash of antique furniture and varied artwork. Friendly and fun, it’s a great place to fill up for the day ahead.

11am

After breakfast, it’s time to depart the Old Town and head towards the Castle District, but not before you stop off to bask in the brilliance that is Charles Bridge. As Prague’s primary crossing over the Vltava since the 14th century, legend has it that eggs mixed into the mortar are the reason the bridge stands strong to this day. A stroll across the bridge is a fantastic way to start your day in Prague, which will be brimming with buskers as it becomes a hive of activity. Take the time to enjoy the views of the river below from the towers and marvel at the delights of the many monuments built through the centuries.

2pm

Just across the bridge lies one of Prague’s other popular historical highlights, the Castle District, which towers high on a hillside over the Vltava. It projects magnificence and majesty from its lofty position.

From afar, a series of spires, palaces, and towers give the castle a grand feel as it commands control of the city skyline, looming large like something plucked straight from a fairytale. It’s worth having your camera at the ready.

Inside, the castle is just as opulent, opening up into a vast and varied array of architecture, museums, and art galleries that house some of the country’s most valuable cultural and historic treasures. With a story dating back to the 9th century, there’s plenty of history to wander through at this fantastic Bohemian attraction.

7pm

After a day of discovering how Prague has been shaped throughout the centuries, it’s time to relax with a great evening meal. Nowhere will deliver this better than the fantastic CottoCrudo.

Here, you can experience some of Prague’s most ambitious finery, as the Italian chef brings the classic and the contemporary together in a seamless serving. Try carpaccio with apple wasabi mayonnaise or tuna spaghetti with orange emulsion to get a little glimpse at the more ambitious dining in Prague.

Day Three

10am

It’s your final day in Prague, and when it comes to stunning sights, we’ve saved the best for last. Hop aboard the funicular railway and take a trip to the top of Petrin Hill. Mission to the top of the observation tower there and enjoy unrivaled Prague vistas. On a clear day you can even see Snezka mountain, which is over 100 miles away.

While atop Petrin Hill, you can also enjoy a walk around the other highlights it offers, including losing yourself in a mirror maze or wandering through the resplendent rose garden.

1pm

Once you’ve descended the hill, take a leisurely stroll into the Havelska neighborhood and you’ll have the chance to visit Prague’s oldest active market. Visit in the morning and it’ll seem like any fruit and vegetable market in Europe, but come afternoon, the stalls are awash with a rainbow of color as more exciting goods come out to play. It’s a treat to just walk the market and enjoy the range of keepsakes for sale, but if you want to bag a bargain, this is the best place to get traditional gifts and souvenirs like marionettes, wooden toys, scarves, and local artwork.

3pm

Continue your shopping expedition with a wander into picturesque Wenceslas Square. Quite different to the market, this is the best place in Prague to come if you’re shopping for big brands at designer stores.

The bonus to shopping at Wenceslas Square is the culture you soak up along with your retail therapy. Home to many protests, movements and important moments down the years, Wenceslas Square has seen everything from the revolution to the rise and fall of communism since its inception in the 1300s. Take some time to visit the statues commemorating important historic moments and soak up a true Prague atmosphere.

7pm

It’s your last night in Prague, and a trip to St. Vitus Cathedral will round off your trip with a final flourish.

A gorgeous Gothic masterpiece from the outside, the true beauty of St. Vitus comes in the contrasting colors of the exterior and interior of the building. After marveling at the majesty of its outer shell, step inside and be amazed by the color in the Max Švabinský depiction of the Last Judgement, which dominates on the south window. Other decorative delights include the carved wooden doors, decorated Bohemian saints, and the ornate Baroque organ.

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