Prague 3-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Visiting Prague for the first time? Get ready to fall in love. Filled with winding cobblestone streets and historic buildings, Prague feels like a fairytale. Although you could spend endless amounts of time in Prague, three days will give you a great feel for the city, and this itinerary is perfect for first timers! For central hotel recommendations, skip to the bottom of this post.

Day 1

• Charles Bridge: Start your day visiting the most famous and oldest bridge in Prague, the construction for which began in the 1300s. It gets packed with tourists throughout the day, so I recommend going early to beat the crowds.
• Clementinum Library: Next, head over to the beautiful Clementinum Library to experience its baroque decor. Make sure to book in advance to avoid a wait.
• Astronomical Clock & Old Town Square: Next up, head over to the astronomical clock, which has been operating since the 1400s, and which is right in the mesmerizing Old Town Square.
• Lunch in Old Town Square: Plan to have lunch in Old Town Square. There are plenty of cafes, street carts, and more right in the square. Although I’m typically someone who wants to keep walking around and see everything, I was more than content spending hours in Old Town Square and taking in the beautiful sights and history.
  • For an aerial (and very Instagrammable) view of Old Town Square, head up to Terasa U Prince. At least when I went, this rooftop offered reservations for food only, but the best views are on the drinks-only side. It may be best to head up during non-peak times to avoid a line, or make a reservation for food and walk over to the drinks side after or during your reservation. (We did the latter.)
  • For a treat, be sure to try a Trdelník, a traditional pastry, and on a hot day, add ice cream! There are tons of options nearby.
• Stroll Old Town (and/or shop): After enjoying some time at Old Town Square, I’d encourage you to just explore. One of my favorite parts was just walking aimlessly around Old Town. It felt like every piece of the winding cobblestone streets were magical. If you need a direction and are a shopper, head down Pařížská street – the street itself is beautiful, and it’s lined with trees and luxury shopping options.
• Pre- or Post-Dinner Drink at Hemingway Bar: This was my absolute favorite cocktail spot in Prague. The drinks were top notch, and I wished I had planned on spending more time there.
• Dinner at Monarch: This modern steakhouse with an extensive wine list was a delight, and right by Hemingway Bar. Disclaimer: If you are vegan or vegetarian, this probably would not be the place for you. As an alternative, visit Terasa U Zlaté studně (see description in day 2 below).

Day 2

• Prague Castle: The Prague Castle features an entire complex of attractions. If you walk up to the castle, prepare for yourself for a big hill but with rewarding views of the city. Once in the castle, plan to spend a few hours exploring the complex. Among the things to see:
  • St. Vitus Cathedral: A can’t miss when visiting Prague Castle, this enormous and gothic church is breathtaking.
  • Golden Lane: One of my favorite parts from our trip to Prague, this street is filled with small houses and shops, which has been maintained since the 1500s. For a creepier experience, you can also see a prison from the 1500s.
  • Prague Castle Gardens: Though adjacent to the castle, our stroll through the gardens was a pleasant escape from the crowds.
• Lunch at Bistro Loretta: There are lots of options for lunch near the castle, but I’d recommend this charming restaurant, which has a beautiful courtyard hidden from the street, and is right on the way to your next stop (below). I got a pulled pork sandwich and it did not disappoint.
• Strahov Monastery and Brewery: Next up, visit this historic monastery, which has been around since the 1100s, and stop by its brewery, which has been operating since the 1600s.
• Drink at Terasa U Zlaté studně: This rooftop restaurant, which features an upscale dining menu, is the perfect place for a glass of wine to take in panoramic views of Prague.
• Dinner at La Finestra in Cucina: One of my favorite restaurants ever (including outside of Prague), this Italian-focused restaurant is an absolute must in the city. Be sure to book a reservation in advance so you don’t miss out.

Day 3

• National Museum and Wenceslas Square: Learn about the country’s history at the beautiful National Museum, located at the top of Wenceslas Square. The square itself is great and worth seeing, with many shops and cafes.
• Vyšehrad Castle & Lunch: Next up, head over the Vyšehrad Castle, a historic and elevated fort, which is for some reason also an escape from crowds. (I was surprised how few people were up here when we visited.) The area has an ornate church, historic graveyard, and multiple cafes. The nearby restaurant, U Kroka, was recommended by Karen’s brother in law, who lived. in Prague. Many people visiting Prague also visit Petřín hill for sweeping views of Prague, but after visiting the Vyšehrad and Terasa U Zlaté studně, we didn’t feel the need to make it over there.
• Dancing House: After the castle, visit one of the funkiest buildings I’ve ever seen – the dancing house. Note it’s surrounded by busy streets, so you don’t need to spend a ton of time here.
• Stroll the River: Spend some time just walking along the water. At least in the warmer months, there are tons of options to stop for a drink or a bite right on the water.
• Pre- or Post-Dinner Drink at L’Fleur: This cocktail bar was another delight, and for the shopping lovers, is located right near Pařížská street.
• Dinner in a 15th Century Bell Tower at Restaurant Zvonice: One of the most unique dinner experiences I’ve ever had, this restaurant is located on the top two floors the Jindřišská Tower, a 15th century bell tower, and it still has many authentic features, including the beams, floors, and walls, and a cast iron bell from the 1500s. Tip: Make a reservation in advance, and if you are required to do so via email, be sure to check your spam folder for responses.

Hotel Recommendations

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• MOODS Charles Bridge Hotel: This is where I stayed, and it was great. It was located on a quiet street but central street, and we could walk almost everywhere. It’s a modern hotel and was extremely clean, had a great breakfast, and was very affordable. Note there are multiple MOODS hotels in Prague, but I’d recommend the Charles Bridge one for a central location.
• The Mozart Prague: For an upscale recommendation (and on my bucket list for my next trip, and still less expensive than I would have expected it to be), check out The Mozart Prague hotel, which looks beautiful and unique, and is located in a similar central location.

-Kasey