Prague (or Praha), the capital of the Czech Republic (Czechia), is conveniently situated in the heart of Europe. It’s known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and breathtaking views made possible by its hilly terrain. We spent a perfect weekend in Prague and are happy to share our itinerary and experiences.
When we traveled to Prague the first time, it was for Christmas to meet our extended family. Yuriy went to Prague again a few years later, during spring this time around. Naturally, both times we spent a lot of time exploring the city. We’ve put together a few walks that we planned for ourselves to explore the city at a relaxed pace, while still making the most of a limited timeframe (1-2 days).
Practicalities: Please note that Czechia is not part of the Eurozone and uses its own currency – the Czech koruna. While most places accept international debit and credit cards, it’s a good idea to carry some cash if you plan to visit Christmas markets, flea markets, or buy street food. You can exchange money at the airport, at various locations in the city, or withdraw local currency from ATMs.
Book your flights and accommodation in Prague:
Walk in the Old Prague
Strahov monastery
Great views of Prague are thanks to the hills that surround the city. Many of the main attractions are located on these hills, so exploring on foot often involves walking up and down the hills. To make it easier, we planned our walk to start at the hilltop at the furthest point of interest – Strahov Monastery (Strahovský klášter).
Practicalities: An easy way to get uphill, almost to the monastery, is by tram. Routes 22 and 23 pass through most of the city center (slightly south of Old Town and then across the Vltava River via the Malá Strana district). It’s convenient and affordable, you can purchase a ticket directly in the tram using a credit card. Disembark at Pohořelec station, and the monastery is just a 5-minute walk away.
Strahov Monastery offers a variety of attractions to explore. You can visit the library or the picture gallery; however, both require an entrance fee (see details of opening hours and prices on their website).
Attached to the monastery is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on Strahov, a Catholic church.
There is a restaurant and a monastery beer garden located right next to the monastery. Behind the monastery, there is also a viewing point that offers a breathtaking view of Prague.
Loreta
The next stop of the weekend in Prague itinerary is Loreta. It serves as a Christian pilgrimage site and also features a museum that visitors can explore. Find more information on opening hours and admission fees on Loreta website.
Prague Castle
The next point of interest is Prague Castle (or Pražský hrad), an iconic landmark that dominates the city’s skyline. Its massive size and hilltop location provide sweeping views of the Vltava River and Old Town, making it visible from many parts of Prague.
Prague Castle offers numerous attractions to explore, from admiring the exterior of St. Vitus Cathedral to purchasing tickets that grant access to several palaces and galleries within this extensive complex. According to the Guinness World Records, it holds the title of the largest ancient castle in the world.
One notable detail about Prague Castle is that it serves as the official office of the President of the Czech Republic, though fortunately, not all the buildings in the complex are used for this purpose. Due to its official status, expect heightened security measures at entry, which may lead to occasional disruptions. Carrying a bulky backpack could significantly delay your entry, as even smaller bags are thoroughly searched.
We recommend checking the official website for opening hours and the availability of the castle’s attractions before planning your visit.
Mala strana
Malá Strana is a charming district in Prague, nestled between Prague Castle and Charles Bridge (Karlův most). It offers a variety of attractions, including cozy cafes, historic churches, picturesque streets, and unique sites like the KGB Museum.
Charles bridge
Charles Bridge (Karlův most), a 600-year-old bridge across the Vltava River, is one of Prague’s iconic landmarks. It provides stunning views of the city in both directions, featuring many statues along its length, and leads to the Old Town Bridge Tower – a must-visit attraction during your time in Prague.
Be ready to share the Charles Bridge with many other spectators, Prague is indeed a popular city.
The complete route for this walk:
Walk from Powder Tower to Wenceslas Square
Powder Tower and Municipal House
The Powder Tower, built in the Gothic style, once served as a city gate, marking the division between Old Town and New Town. Right next to it is the Municipal House, now a concert venue. Both are especially beautiful at night when illuminated by the city lights.
When walking towards Old Town Square, be sure to browse some of the many souvenir shops. Czechia is renowned for its Bohemian Glass (or Bohemia Crystal), offering a variety of options, from practical items like wine glasses or pitchers to decorative and artistic pieces made of glass.
Old town square and Astronomical Clock
Prague’s Old Town Square is home to St. Nicholas Church, the Church of Our Lady, and the Kinský Palace, which now hosts an art gallery.
Opposite the square stands the 600-year-old Town Hall with its renowned astronomical clock – one of the oldest in the world. Still functioning today, it features moving figures that draw crowds to watch the hourly show.
Havel’s market
Havel’s Market (Havelské tržiště) is a historic marketplace in the Old Town, dating back to the mid-13th century. Today, it offers a variety of goods, including fruits, vegetables, arts, crafts, and souvenirs for tourists. The surrounding streets are also filled with souvenir shops and stores selling art and decorative items made from Bohemian glass and garnets.
Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka – Otočná Hlava is a metallic statue composed of numerous slabs that rotate independently. Photographs don’t capture the weird excitement of watching the disjointed pieces gradually align to form the head of the famous author. Our boys were captivated and spent at least 10 minutes watching it, mesmerized by the transformation.
Wenceslas Square
Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) is an expansive square surrounded by shops and cafes. One end of the square is home to the National Museum building. During our Christmas visit, the square hosted a nicely set Christmas market featuring all the traditional things – food, drinks, and entertainment.
The complete route for this walk:
More things to see during a Weekend at Prague
Klementinum Library
Prague is home to what is often claimed to be the most beautiful library in the world. If that piques your interest, look no further than Klementinum. This vast building complex houses a baroque library, which is just one part of its grandeur. If you’re planning to visit, it’s highly recommended to book in advance, as entry is only available through guided tours, limited to about 20 people at a time. See the details on their website.
National Theatre
A building you simply can’t miss, the National Theatre (Národní divadlo). It serves as a venue for opera, drama, and concerts. The structure itself is a masterpiece, with its iconic golden roof visible from afar, even across the river.
Dancing House
If you take a walk along the river from the National Theatre, you’ll soon come across the Dancing House – a modern architectural gem completed in 1996 by the Dutch ING bank.
Petrin Hill
To enjoy panoramic views of Prague visit Petřín Hill. You can take the funicular from Újezd station, with tickets available for purchase on-site. Alternatively, you can use the same tickets you used for public transport, as the funicular is part of Prague’s transportation network. Keep in mind that it undergoes maintenance for up to three weeks annually, so it’s a good idea to check its status in advance if you’re planning to rely on it for your trip up the hill.
Letna Park
The Letna Park is an ideal spot to relax amidst greenery, enjoy a Czech beer in its beer garden, and take in the magnificent views of the Old Town, the Vltava River, and several of the city’s iconic bridges.
Hanging statue of Sigmund Freud.
This artwork is rather unconventional but perfectly aligns with David Černý’s distinctive artistic style. You won’t spot it while casually walking down the street – it requires knowing its precise location and intentionally looking up to see the hanging statue.
Admire Prague at night
If you’re spending at least one night in Prague, be sure to take a stroll through the Old Town to admire its iconic buildings and streets, beautifully illuminated in city lights.
Christmas in Prague
This has been one of the best destinations for Christmas markets we’ve visited so far. Prague hosts several major Christmas markets, typically open throughout December and the first week of January. The main locations for the largest markets include Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Republic Square, and even Prague Castle.
Traditionally, Christmas markets offer a chance to sample local food and drinks.
One of the most popular street foods is Prague Ham (Pražská šunka), sold by weight with prices listed per gram, so keep in mind that a larger portion can be quite expensive.
For those with a sweet tooth, Trdelník is a must-try. This dough is grilled over an open fire or charcoal, coated in sugar, and can be filled with a filling of your choice. Fresh, warm, and delicious, it’s perfect for giving both kids and adults an energy boost.
At Christmas markets, you can usually find mulled and spiced wines, beers, and grogs. In Prague, you’ll also come across Medovina (Mead), a honey-based alcoholic drink available in various flavors, including original, almond, and cherry. Be sure to try one!
Perfect Weekend in Prague
Our family trip to Prague was an absolute success. We really enjoyed reconnecting with our extended family in the picturesque setting of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.
Prague nicely combines the historic architecture of old Europe with breathtaking natural landscapes and a well-developed infrastructure – everything needed for an unforgettable trip. We would absolutely visit again and hope you will have the chance to experience it someday too!
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Looks like you had a nice time in Prague. Happy Holidays!
Thank you. Happy holidays to you too!
So enjoyed this post! We also love to walk- see so much more of a place & can more easily justify the monastery beers! 🙂 appreciate your tips, forgot that Czech is not on the euro & also like that you give actual costs. Fantastic!
Happy you have enjoyed it and found some of the tips useful!
Prague is indeed worth exploring (including beers 😉 )
Oh most certainly a city to visit in winter. It’s totally enchanting with the lights and so so much to do. I learned of quite a few new places to visit and you seem to definitely benefit from inside knowledge
It’s definitely worth a visit during Christmas holidays. But we would also like to visit it in summer – to explore more outdoors and parks the city has to offer 🙂
I would love to visit this city – terrific guide! Following you now!