3 Days in Prague Itinerary: How to Spend a Weekend

Prague is a beautiful city with a lot to see and do. You could easily spend a week here and still not see everything. But if you’re short on time, we’ve got you covered. If you only have three days in Prague, this itinerary will help you make the most of your time and take you to all of Prague’s best spots!

Before you go, make sure to buy a City Pass. Prague has a lot of museums, and it’s a good idea to get a pass if you intend to visit a lot of them. It also includes a river cruise!

About Prague

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated on the Vltava River, Prague has been Europe’s political, cultural, and economic center for centuries. With a population of over 3 million people, it is also the 14th largest city in the European Union.

The city is full of beautiful architecture, from medieval Old Town to art nouveau buildings. Prague is also known for its many bridges, including the Charles Bridge, which spans the Vltava River.

Prague accommodates diverse desires, from its vibrant after-dark scene to many museums and galleries. The city is also a great place to shop, with plenty of markets and antique shops. But what keeps tourists coming to visit Prague is the fantastic views. There is truly no other city like Prague.

Packing List for Prague

Prague is located off the Vltava River, in the middle of Czechia. Temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day, so you will want well-insulated clothing and a light jacket.

If you are visiting between May through October, you’ll need these essentials:

• An easy roller bag (we love this one)
• A great pair of walking shoes (men/women)
• Comfortable socks
• A packable water bottle
• Travel purse or backpack
• Long sleeve shirts
• Short sleeve shirts
• A lightweight, waterproof jacket for layering and rain

If you are visiting in winter, pack a warm jacket, gloves, and a hat! You do not need to pack toiletries; Prague is a big city with plenty of shops to get the basics. 

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Getting to Prague

Prague is located in central Europe, so it is easy to access by air or rail. We bought a Eurail pass and took a train from Berlin to Prague. It is also a short 45-minute train from Bratislava. Many popular airlines also service Prague airport.

When visiting Prague, getting into the city center by walking from the train station is easy. The city is very walkable and easy to bike so you won’t need a car.

Where to stay in Prague

Every corner of Prague has character, but when you only have three days in Prague, you want to stay somewhere where it’s easy to see all the historic sites. There are four top neighborhoods to make this happen:

Old Town

The Old Town Square is one of the best-known areas of Prague, with its Astronomical Clock and other historical monuments. It also has the coolest accommodation options. There are a number of hotels (Hotel Liberty is popular and well-rated) and Airbnbs right in the city center that make walking from attraction to attraction simple.

Jewish Quarter

Located near Old Town is the Old Jewish Quarter, complete with one of the oldest standing synagogues in Europe (the other is in Amsterdam). The Jewish Quarter is a great place to stay because you are in a historic area with many sights and history. There are fewer hotels here but the more apartment-style rooms you can book, like this one. And it is just a short walk to Old Town Square and Malá Strana.

Malá Strana

The Malá Strana neighborhood is like walking into a Renaissance festival. Stay at the luxury hotel Hotel Pod Věží; it’s outstanding. Another good option is Hotel Waldstein. Baroque architecture lines every street; if you look closely, you will find hidden gems and sculptures. The Charles Bridge connects Malá Strana to Old Town, so you can easily walk between these historic areas.

New Town

New Town, or Novémsto, is a great option to see the sights but not be as in the mix. It is still walking distance to Old Town and a great way to explore Prague without all the bustle.

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How to get around Prague

If you are looking for a walkable city to visit, Prague is for you. Although some places are not always close together, the views and routes are scenic and allow for exploring more quiet city areas.

For people who prefer public transport, all major attractions can be reached via metros or trains. You can purchase tickets individually or with a single or multiple-day public transportation card. Always check your ticket at a machine before using it.

If that all seems too much, you can always rent a car.

Prague Itinerary Day One

We arrived for our three days in Prague around 10 am and headed straight to our Airbnb in the Jewish Quarter. After dropping off the luggage and freshening up, we walked to Old Town Hall Square.

Old Town Square

The first three-day stop in Prague is at Old Town Square to see the Old Town Hall and Old Town Hall Tower, complete with the Astronomical Clock. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is part of what makes people want to visit Prague.

Book a ticket to go inside the Town Hall and see the Astronomical Clock from inside. The tour doesn’t take too long, making it the perfect spot to start your visit to Prague!

The Old Town Square is a bustling historic European square with restaurants, entertainers, shops, and museums. Stop by a food cart for local ice cream treats and peruse the shops.

The Old Town Hall Tower is the center point of this square. The Town Hall has seen a lot of events just outside its doors. You can learn all about it on a tour. With just three days in Prague, this should top your list!

See Related: Is Prague Safe to Visit?

Astronomical Clock

The infamous Astronomical Clock (Prague Orloj) is in the Old Town Hall Tower. I know what you’re probably thinking, how cool can an astronomical clock be?

Well, we have seen dozens of astronomical clocks, and this one is truly amazing. Truly. It was first built in the early 1400s, was made to attract visitors, and still does so today. Having undergone several restorations and rebuilds, it is one of the oldest astronomical clocks in the world.

The Prague Astronomical Clock goes off every hour with moving figurines, zodiac signs, and music. There is a lot of history to the Astronomical Clock, if you join a tour you can learn all about it.

After exploring Old Town Square, head to a Lokal for traditional Czech food like chicken schnitzel and Czech beer; our favorite is the unfiltered black lager. There is nothing quite like it in the world (and it’s rarely exported). If you are a beer lover, this is the spot for you. No one knows beer like the Czechs!

PRO TIP: opposite the Astronomical Clock is an alley, Karlova 25. Inside this alley, you can find some cool art galleries.

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The Powder Tower

After lunch, walk north towards the Old Jewish Ghetto to stop by the “Powder Tower.” This tower was part of the original city gates built in the 15th Century. It is, though, a short site to see. You only need a few minutes to admire this capital city’s historic and baroque architecture of modern buildings.

Before you snap a photo and leave, look right next door to the Municipal House. This is the largest concert hall in Prague. It’s an excellent spot for a classical music concert – check out their calendar.

Jewish Quarter

A short walk from Old Town Square is the Jewish Quarter, with some of the most important Jewish historical sites in the country. You don’t need to be Jewish to take in this unique Czech and Jewish history area.

We recommend booking a Jewish Quarter walking tour of the area with admission tickets to ensure you see everything. And be prepared; there are some powerful museums here.

Old Jewish Cemetery & Pinkas Synagogue

Here you will find the Old Jewish Cemetery, an amazing cemetery with over 100,000 people buried here, but only about 12,000 gravestones. The second oldest synagogue in Prague was built in the 15th Century.

The cemetery and the synagogue are very old and very important historical sites for the Jewish faith. If you didn’t book a tour, you must purchase a ticket at the Pinkas Synagogue. Walk around the synagogue and see the names of 78,000 Czech Jews murdered in World War II concentration camps.

As you continue through the synagogue, you exit the Old Jewish Cemetery. Walking through the cemetery is peaceful and mesmerizing. There are stacks of crumbling gravestones and prayer papers and pebbles spanning centuries.

The Old Jewish Cemetery is rumored to be haunted. If you are one of the lucky few, you can see the black cat that lives there!

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Old-New Synagogue

The oldest operating synagogue in Europe, the Old-New Synagogue is beautiful. It is just around the corner from the cemetery and has much history. It is rumored that a Golem lives there.

As you walk around this historic site, admire the architecture of this 13th Century marvel and the cobblestone streets. This area has seen a lot – I was profoundly awe-inspired seeing it well-preserved after centuries.

Museum of Communism

If you can fit it in, stop at the Museum of Communism. This museum is a short walk from the Jewish Quarter and Jewish Cemetery.

It’s a whole journey from the teachings and theories of Karl Marx, right up to how communism worked in a practical sense, and what living under a totalitarian communist regime was really like.

If you have the time, it is interesting to learn about how communism affected what is now the Czech Republic and (what is still) Old Town Prague.

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Take a River Cruise for Dinner

Even with only three days in Prague, you should take a river cruise to see this amazing city by boat. There are many options, a one-hour cruise a few times during the day, or a three-hour dinner cruise is the best option to take in the sights while still leaving time to explore on foot.

Book a cruise in advance, it is a popular way to see Prague and can fill up fast! If you bought the City Card Pass, there is a free river cruise you can take included in the pass.

After an eventful day exploring Old Town, you can either head back to the hotel, visit a beer spa (yes, that’s a thing – see what I mean about no one knowing beer like the Czechs?), or go to a club. Some clubs run 24 hours a day, make friends with a bartender somewhere, and they will tell you all about it!

Have more time on your hands? Stop at the Klementinum to tour a centuries-old library and tower that you can climb and view the city. Another option is visiting the National Gallery Prague – Convent of St. Agnes. Here you will see medieval and Renaissance paintings and sculptures.

Prague Itinerary Day Two

Since you covered most of Old Town the previous day, the next day on this Prague itinerary is through the other side of the river and up a big hill where you can see some amazing sights and historical monuments.

Old Town Bridge Tower

Start by taking in the Old Town Bridge Tower that starts off your journey on the Charles Bridge. You can climb this gothic tower for sweeping views of Old Town Prague.

Charles Bridge

When you visit Prague, you have to walk across the famous Charles Bridge, which connects Old Town to the other side of the river and up to Prague Castle. Each side of the bridge is lined with Catholic saints.

Walking across the Charles Bridge, you can take in the river views and the Prague Castle complex. Like many European cities, the Charles Bridge is the focal point of great views.

The cobblestone Charles Bridge is lined with local artists selling paintings, jewelry, and other souvenir shops. It is easy to walk across the bridge, and the sights of Prague are beautiful.

Take care walking the Charles Bridge when it is raining. It can get slick underfoot! You can also bike across if you want to get around faster.

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Lesser Town Bridge Tower

Once you’ve crossed the Charles Bridge, you’re already at your next destination. The Lesser Town Bridge Tower ends the bridge with architecture similar to the Powder Tower.

Take a moment to see the similarities and differences between the Old Town Tower and Lesser Town Tower. It is interesting to see how two sides of the same bridge can differ.

Prague Castle

The next spot for your three days in Prague itinerary is Prague Castle. The Prague Castle complex is really, really cool. Before you go, purchase the all-inclusive pass. We made the mistake of not getting it and instantly regretted it. Without it, you will have to purchase admission to each part of the complex which gets very annoying (standing in lines every few minutes).

The Prague Castle can be overwhelming, it isn’t a “castle” as you would think – it is a series of buildings connected together with remarkable churches and squares all around.

Because it is so large, we recommend taking saving at least half of a day trip to Prague Castle. It is also a bit away from the city center. Here you will find the following top sites:

• Golden Lane
• Old Royal Palace
• St. George’s Basilica
• St. Vitus Cathedral
• Great South Tower of the Cathedral

Golden Lane is the most Instagrammable spot, with colored houses and cobblestone streets. The walk along Golden Lane is short but worth a quick stop.

The Old Royal Palace was originally where the Czech royals lived. It was integrated into Prague Castle as time went on. While inside, check out Vladislav Hall. And if services are going on, stop into the attached All Saints’ Church. Visitors can only go in during religious services, so it is rare!

There are also souvenir shops inside Prague Castle with pretty good variety!

And saving our favorite part of Prague Castle…the St. Vitus Cathedral is out of this world. Like most European cities, the church was built to attract visitors, and this one does not disappoint.

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Saint Vitus Cathedral

Many people think Prague Castle is the tall structure you can see from the city center. But that is actually the Saint Vitus Cathedral.

Walking in the gothic Saint Vitus Cathedral is like walking back to the medieval ages. It is free to walk inside for a short part of it, but the Vitus Cathedral is part of the all-inclusive pass which allows you to walk past the entrance (it is free to walk inside and see it, but you need tickets past the first line of pews).

Inside the Vitus Cathedral, you can see chairs that held the coronations of Czech royalty, sainted glass, statues, and the St. Wenceslas Chapel.

Just imagine having a cathedral of this nature inside the Prague Castle complex… Regardless of your religion (if any), you have to step inside this cathedral. It is a moving experience.

Malá Strana Neighborhood

After Prague Castle, head back down to the Malá Strana neighborhood. You can stop at an old tavern window for authentic Czech beer, Budweiser. That’s right, Budweiser is originally from what we now know as the Czech Republic- only here you’ll find it under the name Budvar. It’s also way tastier and more refreshing here. Fight me on this.

In Malá Strana, you can find several old palaces and the St. Nicholas church. Here you will also find the Lennon Wall…

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Lennon Wall

Speak of the devil! The John Lennon Wall is a graffiti wall that Instagram influencers love to visit to take photos in front of street art. But it is so much more than that.

The John Lennon Wall is filled with vibrant graffiti street art continuously used since communism swept the city. Graffiti is usually politically motivated. Today, many people write their names, and the art keeps on changing. It’s a pilgrimage point for Beatles fans, hippies, artists, musicians, enemies of communism, pacifists, and anyone who loves freedom.

Have extra time on your hands? Stop at the Museum Kampa. It’s a modern art museum with sculptures outside that are free to see. Look over the river wall to see a row of yellow penguins! If you have a lot more time go to Karel Zeman Museum, an immersive museum with special effects that is fun for all ages.

Petrin Tower & Gardens

The Petřín Gardens aren’t really gardens actually, but in this park, you can find a lot of things to do. There is an observation deck and the infamous Petrin Tower that take you to the gorgeous city of Prague.

The Petrin Tower is a giant tower built in the late 1800s. Petrin Tower is actually taller than the Eiffel Tower, and it, too, has an observation deck to view the city. The views from here of the city’s architecture are breathtaking. And being so close to Prague Castle, you can get some unique photos.

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Memorial to the Victims of Communism

At the edge of Petrin Gardens is the Memorial to the Victims of Communism. Worth a visit, this memorial consists of several bronze statues of men whose lives were lost due to the communist era.

When you visit, look at the bronze strip on the ground. The statues are haunting, but this strip signifies the estimated true loss of life during communism in Prague.

Get dinner in Old Town

After the Petrin Gardens and Memorial to the Victims of Communism, walk across the Legion Bridge to return to Old Town. Here you have many great options for dinner and drinks for your last night in Prague.

If you want a historic spot, go to Cafe Louvre. It’s a 100-year-old restaurant where Einstein used to dine. If you want a modern feel with live jazz music, stop at Restaurant Mlýnec. After dinner, grab drinks at Hemingway Bar. Or if you are into craft beer, stop by U Kunštátů. I won’t lie; I can’t pronounce the name – but the beers are fantastic.

For the evening, if you’re into ghosts and legends, book a night walking tour to learn all about the crazy scary things that have happened in Prague over the centuries. It is one of the most haunted cities in the world, after all!

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Prague Itinerary Day Three

For the final day of your 3 days in Prague, we have a couple of main sites and some recommendations for museums to visit – if you have the time.

Wenceslas Square

Wenceslas Square is known to the locals as the center of Prague. It’s a short walk from Old Town Square. The square is from the 1300s and is a bustling half-mile square with shops, restaurants, and things to do. You can spend a short 15 minutes here snapping photos and walking the streets or spend a few hours shopping or dining out.

Prague Metronome

Next on the itinerary for three days in Prague is to visit the Prague Metronome. The Metronome is hypnotizing. It really works, and at 75 feet tall, it is one of the world’s largest.

Technically, you don’t need to go to the Metronome; you can view it from many places in the city. But it is worth it to go up and see the scenic overlook and get close to the Metronome.

Vltava River

After three days in Prague, viewing the city center and the Vltava River is nice. Some of the best spots to view this lovely band of water are the historic Lookout Baba and the Semenec Lookout Tower (aka the Petrin Tower). Don’t forget your camera!

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Day Trip Ideas from Prague

If you have extra days in Prague or feel like you’ve seen enough of Prague, you can take a few day trips to get out of the city.

Karlštejn Castle

The first day trip option is to Karlštejn Castle; it is about 40 minutes away from the city center. Trains run from the main train station about every half hour. To make your trip faster, grab a skip the line ticket.

If you want to make it a full day or have an extra day, we highly recommend this small group Koneprusy Caves & Karlstejn Castle tour. The Koneprusy Caves are wild, and you get to spend time at the castle too!

Kutná Hora

The most popular day trip is to Kutná Hora, the second-largest city in the Czech Republic. Here you can visit the Bone Chapel made out of human remains and their own Old Town with shops and bars. The fastest and easiest way to do this is by a tour like this one.

FAQ

Related Resources

• Best Hotels in Prague
• Best Castles in the Czech Republic to Visit
• Famous Landmarks in the Czech Republic
• The Sedlec Ossuary, Czech Republic