Prague Bucket List
A millennium of architecture, and not one building got bombed. Gothic spires, baroque palaces, Art Nouveau facades, all in mint condition, all best enjoyed with a half-liter of the world's best beer in your hand.
Why Prague belongs on your bucket list
Every city in Europe lost something in the wars. Not Prague. It's all been added to the cityscape over the last thousand years. Gothic, Renaissance, Cubist, all sitting side by side. There is no other city in Europe with this density of architecture in such a small space. And it's not just the architecture. It's not a museum. People live here. Intensively. Beer culture is the best in the world. Not just my opinion. More per capita than anywhere else on the planet, and the quality is such that it justifies the quantity. Food has also moved way beyond the traditional repertoire of dumplings and pork knuckle to the point where it is genuinely sophisticated. And it's still one of the best value capital cities in Europe.
When to go
I believe the best times to visit Prague are late
Must-visit places in Prague
Prague Castle & St. Vitus Cathedral
This is not only the largest ancient castle complex in the world, but the Cathedral of St. Vitus, which dominates the compound, has been under construction since 1344! It's taken up to 600 years to complete – depending on when you mark "done." This gorgeous, commanding, and storied complex looms large on a hill above the Vltava River. To do justice to the entire site – comprising churches, palaces, and various fortress buildings – plan to spend a couple hours here. Also includes the Mucha window commemorating the artist's work. Kafka wrote in the small, cramped houses of Golden Lane.
Charles Bridge
You must walk across this bridge in the morning. Before the stalls are open, before the tour groups arrive, while the chill mist is still coming off the Vltava and the castle looms ahead of you, with 30 Baroque saints lining this 14th-century stone sentry at their feet. This old bridge is perfect for everything, but one of its mornings will do the trick.
Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock
The iconic Church of Our Lady Before Týn's twin Gothic spires punctuate the Prague skyline and overlooking it, the Astronomical Clock has been amazing passersby since 1410. If you tell us it's a tourist trap, we might point out that it's you who's the trap, because you're stuck here waiting for the clock's twelve apostles to do their pop-up book thing at the stroke of the hour, aren't you, HUH? (Don't worry – we are too). This is Prague's most central and atmospheric spot, ringed by pastel neo-classical mansions and overlooked by alfresco cafés.
Petrin Tower
A miniature version of the Eiffel Tower built in 1891 stands on top of Petrin Hill. Ride the funicular through orchards and rose gardens, then climb 299 stairs to what, in my opinion, is the best view in the city: the castle, the meandering river below, turrets everywhere. You can count a hundred churches from here.
Jewish Quarter (Josefov)
The mirror maze located in front of the tower is charmingly nostalgic and it’s quite funny.
Mala Strana
There are six synagogues in total, with The Spanish Synagogue's Moorish interior being one of the most beautiful rooms in Prague. The Old Jewish Cemetery is where 12,000 tombstones had to be placed on top of each other due to a lack of space. It's a sad but truly interesting sight. The overall area was, in fact, saved by the Nazis, who wanted it to remain as a “museum of an extinct race”. That one fact alone will stop you in your tracks. The Holocaust exhibits are some of the most important you’ll ever see.
Letna Park
Experience Prague in a very cozy way. Walk on streets made of cobblestone, discover Baroque churches at every turn, and visit pubs that have been serving pilsner from the time of the Habsburgs. Take a walk down Nerudova Street and see beautiful house signs. Go to the Vrtbovska Garden for some extraordinary sights. To end the day, go to U Hrocha and get yourself a drink. There, a half-liter of amazing beer will cost you just a bit over a dollar. This is not a joke.
Eska
The locals' favorite spot would have to be Letna Hill. Overlooking the city, Letna is a vast park that occupies a good chunk of the northwestern flank of Prague's flatland. Letna offers the best views of Old and New Prague, the River Valley, and the Prague Castle. On any given summer afternoon, you will see hundreds of people sprawled down on the grass having a picnic, flying kites, listening to music, playing sports, or simply sitting about chatting, smoking and drinking wine.
Manifesto Market
This former industrial bakery in Karlin uses local Czech produce to create a menu that’s as modern as it is old-fashioned. Sourdough bread, fermented veg, and seriously good smoked celeriac and old beef tartare feature. An open kitchen, plenty of craft ales, and industrial-chic styling make it a dark horse in this race. Could easily be mistaken for a Copenhagen joint.
John Lennon Wall
Transformed shipping containers create an outdoor food market with some of the best street food vendors, craft breweries, and cocktail bars all in one place. The young creative types of Prague flock here for a nice night out. The vendors are always rotating so you never get the same experience twice. Smichov location near the river – best atmosphere, and perfect as the sun sets.
Prague insider tips
- Beer Ordering: Order Czech lagers. Period. Ask for a "maly" (0.3L) or "velky" (0.5L). Pilsner Urquell, Kozel, and Staropramen are the classics. Want something different? Head over to BeerGeek or Letna Beer Garden for a taste of craft beer.
- Getting Around: Walk. It's a small city. When you do need a ride, the metro, bus, and tram use a unified ticket system. Pick up a 24 or 72-hour ticket and you'll never have to think about it again.
- Tourist Traps: Don't eat in Old Town Square or Wenceslas Square. Wander a couple of blocks in any direction. The food will get better, and the prices will get lower. Vinohrady and Karlin are where you want to eat.
- Currency: Czech Koruna (CZK), not Euros. Cards are accepted almost everywhere. The exchange offices around the tourist areas have horrible rates; just use the ATMs.
- Tipping: Round up to the nearest 10 CZK for pubs and 10% for restaurants. Here's the thing: tell the server how much you want to pay. Don't leave cash on the table.
- Day trips: Kutna Hora (bone church is as crazy as it sounds), Cesky Krumlov, and Karlstejn Castle are all under 90 minutes by train.
Save your Prague bucket list
Discover these locations in a video? Triply identifies each place and creates a map for you.
Get on the App Store