3 Days in Prague: The Perfect Prague Itinerary

Even in Europe, there are few places as glamorous and moving as the city of Prague. The Czech capital reaches heights of exquisite beauty and sophistication that are hard to compete with. No surprise then that Prague is a popular city break destination. Even with a 3-day trip to Prague, you can hope to see the best of Prague, that which makes this city so remarkable, and bask in its grandeur. To ensure you don’t miss a thing, this 3-day Prague itinerary will tell you everything you need to know.

Best Time to Visit Prague

In many ways, Prague is a year-round destination. No matter which month you choose to visit, there’s likely something you will benefit from. That being said, the shoulder season is probably the best time to visit Prague. An extremely popular tourist destination, Prague can get very busy during the height of summer, namely June through September.

Instead, visit in April, May or October for comfortable outdoor temperatures and smaller crowds. November and the winter months also have their strengths, as Prague is renowned for its Christmas markets and is absolutely magical when decked out in white snow.

How to Get Around Prague

Within districts like the Old Town or Castle area, the only way to really get around is on foot. However, getting between each district is easiest done with Prague’s public transport network.

Made up of several metro lines and a network of day trams and night trams, getting around the center of Prague is straightforward. The city’s network does include buses, but you’re likely to only need them in the outer parts of Prague.

A 30-minute ticket for Prague’s public transport network costs 24 CZK, while its 32 CZK for a 90-minute ticket. Tickets allow for changes between trams, the metro and buses, and there are also short-term passes available.

Unfortunately, there is no direct metro or tram connection from the airport to the city center. To get from the airport to the city center you can either take bus 119 to the last stop, Nádraží Veleslavín, where you can transfer to metro line A, or you can take bus AE (Airport Express) to metro line B or C.

If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of public transportation, you can also book a shared airport shuttle here. The airport shuttle offers door-to-door transportation from the airport to your accommodation in Prague.

Accommodation in Prague

Prague is a large city with no shortage of accommodation, although it is quite spread out across the city’s many districts. Since most of Prague’s major attractions lie either in the Old Town or close to Malá Strana across the river, both neighborhoods are a good starting point to look at.

However, with its quality public transport system, its well worth considering slightly further districts as well, including New Town and Vinohrady. Both feature a lot of accommodation options, not to mention bars and restaurants.

For those looking to treat themselves during their Prague stay, the city has no shortage of glamorous hotels. One such 5-star hotel is the Ventana Hotel Prague, mere steps from the Old Town Main Square, offering elegantly furnished rooms and a true sense of class.

Prague is also home to many restful mid-range hotels such as the Novomestsky Hotel in the New Town neighborhood. It’s perfectly comfortable and ideally located near Wenceslas Square, meaning bars, cafes and restaurants aren’t far away.

There are also a ton of vacation rentals available on Airbnb. For recommendations, take a look at our list of the best Airbnbs in Prague.

On the other hand, budget travelers aren’t left out either with places like the Post Hostel Prague in Vinohrady. One of Prague’s best hostels, it’s clean, bright and has an entertaining common area, along with being close to public transport and in a quiet part of the city.

For more accommodation options in Prague checkout Booking.com. They continuously offer the best rates and their custom service is on point.

The Perfect 3-Day Prague Itinerary

Even with the city’s many sights, it’s certainly possible to see Prague in 3 days. This itinerary will take you through the most popular districts of the city, from the Old Town to Malá Strana and the city’s vast castle complex. In addition, you’ll find a tempting selection of day trips to consider if you’d like to explore beyond Prague on your third day.

However, before we get to our Prague itinerary, we just wanted to remind you to purchase travel insurance. You never know what will happen and, trust us, you do not want to get stuck with thousands of dollars in medical bills. As a wise man once said, “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.” So don’t leave home without it.

SafetyWing offers travel insurance for only about $10 a week, making it a no-brainer to get. You can get a quick, non-binding quote below:

SafetyWing is, of course, not the only option available. Two other popular alternatives are World Nomads and Heymondo.

Without further ado, let’s delve into our perfect Prague travel itinerary and explore the best things to do in Prague in 3 days.

Prague Itinerary: Day 1

Naturally, you’re going to want to visit some of Prague’s highlights during the first day of your Prague itinerary. Therefore, there’s no better place to start than the sights of Prague’s Old Town and Jewish Quarter.

Wenceslas Square

Before getting to Prague’s Old Town, an impressive place to start is with Wenceslas Square. More a broad avenue than a square, you’ll find a great deal of beautiful buildings along its sides as it leads up to a statue of Saint Wenceslas in front of the stately National Museum.

Statue of Franz Kafka

Only a couple blocks away if you cut through the peaceful Franciscan Gardens, you’ll find one of Prague’s most curious recent additions. Honoring homegrown novelist Franz Kafka, this statue features rotating segments that come together to form the man’s head. It’s an intriguing mix of engineering and art that is quite mesmerizing.

Old Town Square

After walking and wandering through the streets of Old Town, it’s best to head for Prague’s beating heart – the Old Town Square. Around every side of the square you’re presented with eye-catching attractions that will keep you snapping photos for quite some time.

Sitting on the southern wall of the Old Town Hall is one of the square’s best known attractions, the Prague Astronomical Clock. Even though it is commonly mocked as overrated, it draws plenty of crowds. Nearby is the Dum U Minuty house, which features some magnificent murals on its facade.

Between the numerous palatial buildings is the towering Church of Our Lady before Týn. With its twin spires, this is one impressive landmark, despite being oddly positioned behind a row of houses. Other notable landmarks here include the Jan Hus Memorial and St. Nicholas Church.

Jewish Quarter – Josefov

One of the more interesting parts of Prague’s Old Town is the Josefov neighborhood. Once the city’s Jewish Quarter, it has remained quite well intact over the years. This means that it benefits from its own unique character, while also being home to several important Jewish landmarks.

The district is home to many appealing and historic synagogues, from the pretty Klausová Synagogue to the original Old-New Synagogue. Built in the 13th century, the Old-New Synagogue plays an important role in local folklore, given that it was said to be the home of Prague’s Golem.

A visit to Josefov isn’t complete though without witnessing the striking sight of the Old Jewish Cemetery. Due to restrictions on the Jewish population, for centuries they were forced to bury their community in this small cemetery that got higher and higher as the centuries passed. This cemetery really needs to be seen to be believed.

Riverfront Stroll

From Josefov, it’s only a short jaunt and you’re by Prague’s majestic Vltava riverfront. No matter the season, this part of the city always boasts splendid views across and along the river. As you head south by the river you’ll pass impressive architectural landmarks like the Rudolfinum and the St. Francis of Assisi Church. But the best is yet to come.

Charles Bridge

Without question, the most iconic landmark of Prague is the incredible Charles Bridge. Bookended by two great towers and featuring saintly statues along either side of the bridge, this landmark is truly a sight to behold.

Since it’s so popular it’s nearly impossible to find a time of day when it isn’t packed with tourists, except the early hours of the morning. While a walk across the bridge is a given, it’s also possible to climb up into the Old Town Bridge Tower on its eastern end. From the top of the tower you’re treated to a new perspective of the bridge and can admire some great views up to Prague Castle.

Soak in a Beer Spa

Having spent so much of the day walking around Prague, why not treat yourself to a spa with a local twist? Czech’s aren’t content with being the biggest beer drinkers in the world, they also like to bathe in the stuff. Across the Old Town and New Town there are several beer spas where you soak in the amber brew while also enjoying a drink or two.

Prague Itinerary: Day 2

When it comes to the very best places to visit in Prague, many of them relate either to the city’s riverfront or the neighborhood of Malá Strana.

Dancing House

Start your day with another stroll along the riverfront, taking in the scenery until you reach the modern masterpiece known as the Dancing House. Designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, this asymmetrical building is a firm favorite of visiting photographers. While fascinating from the street, it’s also possible to visit the building’s rooftop café.

Strelecky Island

Off in the river nearby lies the scenic Strelecky Island that offers visitors yet another different angle of the city to appreciate. With a park and playground, the island is an oasis of calm within Prague. Looking up at the city, it’s a wonderful spot to take photographs, especially if the local swans are about.

Malá Strana

Across the river from the Old Town and New Town lies the equally important district of Malá Strana. Translating to Little Quarter, this neighborhood is one of Prague’s oldest, sitting directly beneath the city castle.

Malá Strana is home to plenty of noteworthy landmarks, in part because of its splendid Baroque architecture. There’s plenty to see, from the St. Nicholas Church to various palaces. The district is also home to several significant museums, from the Kafka Museum to the KGB Museum.

Lennon Wall

Whether you’re a Beatles fan or just an admirer of street art, it’s worth finding your way through Malá Strana to the vibrant Lennon Wall. Created out of grief and respect for the deceased artist in the 1980s, locals would cover this wall with themed street art and lyrics. Although the artwork on the wall is ever-changing, its messages of peace and love remain.

Prague Castle

At the end of a steep hill or staircase rests Prague Castle, overlooking Malá Strana below. The castle complex is simply huge and is basically a district in its own right. Naturally though, at its center lies the Old Royal Palace. Much of the castle’s look dates back to the 14th century, although the castle is considerably older than that.

The magnificent vaulted ceiling of the Vladislav Hall is a clear highlight of a castle visit. Another impressive historic landmark of the castle is the historic St. George’s Basilica, in part thanks to the artwork it hosts. Beyond that, there are countless palaces in the castle complex, each with an eye-catching look and deep significance.

On a slightly different note, the castle is also home to the rather cutesy attraction, the Golden Lane. This small scale street features houses that almost look like miniatures of the size they ought to be. Its name comes from the goldsmiths that used to live there, but today it’s all about tourists and souvenirs.

Lastly, don’t miss the superb observation terraces on Hradcany Square and by the Black Tower. From both you’ll see Prague in all its glory. With all of the above, it’s easy to spend a whole afternoon in and around Prague Castle.

St. Vitus Cathedral

Also situated within Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral deserves special mention. This tremendous gothic cathedral is the most visible part of Prague Castle, thanks to its large frame and elaborate design.

Although a ticket is required to see the full cathedral, it is possible to visit the entrance for free. Even from there it’s obvious how striking the cathedral’s interior is, particularly the vivid stained glass windows. Then there’s the masterful frescos of St. Wenceslas Chapel, which are a great reason to splurge for the entrance fee.

Strahov Monastery

A little ways up the hill from Prague Castle lies the resplendent Strahov Monastery. Featuring a church and 17th-century brewery, the real highlight of the monastery is its unbelievably beautiful library.

It may be a small attraction and one that you can only fully explore with a private tour, but you’ll find yourself marveling at every little detail of the library. Pictures can only do it so much justice.

Petrin Views

From the monastery, it’s a gentle stroll through Petrin Park to Petrin Tower. While the city views from Prague Castle are great, they can’t compete with the all-seeing panoramic views enjoyed from Petrin Tower. With the tower closing at 10pm, you’ve got a pretty good chance of watching the sun set over Prague from up there.

Simple, Traditional Dinner

Prague is home to thousands of restaurants and places to eat, with everything from Czech food to any international cuisine you can think of. One common option though is a typical, unpretentious Czech restaurant that serves beer and hearty meals. Found all over the city, some great examples are U Slovanské Lípy in the Zizkov district and Restaurace U Šumavy over in New Town.

If you have some dietary restrictions, not to worry, you can still eat delicious food throughout your trip. We’ve created a gluten-free Prague guide, and some restaurants cater to other dietary restrictions and will have vegan options or options lacking certain allergens like dairy.

Prague Itinerary: Day 3

The city of Prague can easily keep you entertained for 3 days. And yet, staying in the Czech capital also allows you the opportunity to explore more of the country by making a day trip to a nearby destination. Possibilities for this include:

Karlstejn

The Czech Republic is home to many masterful castles, one of which is surely Karlstejn. Resting over a small town, Karlstejn Castle is a large and impressive Gothic castle that balances historical significance with awesome scenery. While it’s typical to walk up to the castle, there is the option of a horse and carriage ride from the town below.

Like the famous Charles Bridge, the castle was built by and named after King Charles IV. For centuries, it was also the home to the crown jewels of Bohemia, making it quite an important castle indeed. Visiting the castle today you can admire the landmark up close, look out over the forest from its walls and tour the castle’s museum exhibits.

Pilsen

It’s a fact, Czechs love their beer! For beer lovers, the ideal day trip then is to the city of Pilsen. While Pilsen has a few admirable landmarks and attractions, the city’s biggest draw is its connection to the famous beer Pilsner Urquell.

It is here in Pilsen that pilsner beers were first brewed, hence the name. Today, the Pilsner Urquell Brewery is a must-visit tourist attraction as you can learn the history and methods behind the beer. You can even sample some unfiltered beer straight from the source in one of the brewery’s cellars.

Kutná Hora / Sedlec Ossuary

Looking for a destination that combines a whole lot of beauty with a little bit of creepiness? Then look to the city of Kutná Hora, east of Prague. Kutná Hora was once a mining town but was also home to the magnificent Jesuit College and Gothic church of St. Barbara. Certainly a pretty old town center to explore on foot.

A church chapel made of bones qualifies as creepy, right? Just outside Kutná Hora you’ll find the Sedlec Ossuary, a chapel with a macabre style of interior-decorating. Back in the 19th century the chapel was decorated by an unhinged monk with the skulls and bones of the local graveyard. The creepy decorations include the coat of arms of the noble family who owned the church at the time.

Karlovy Vary

Prague is not the only grand destination in the Czech Republic. The city has close company thanks to the western city of Karlovy Vary. For centuries people have flocked to the city for its spa resorts and healing mineral springs. Of course, attracting wealthy visitors means Karlovy Vary enjoys a level of prosperity that is clear when you admire the city’s grand architecture.

Positioned along a tight valley surrounded by forest, the city is lined with beautiful buildings and classic parks. Here and there you will find picturesque colonnades that house fountain springs. Visitors often buy a specially designed ceramic mug so that they can drink the spring water, said to have numerous health benefits.

Hopefully the above itinerary answers the question of what to do in Prague in 3 days. If you’d like to extend your Prague visit and see more of the Czech Republic, then definitely browse this list of the best places to visit in the Czech Republic.