By Alaric 
If you’re looking for the most magical things to do in Prague, you’ve come to the right place.
Prague looks like a city plucked from the pages of a fairytale, with its whimsical cobbled lanes, colourful buildings, libraries, and royal castles.
This city stole my heart and soul and I know you will love visiting too.
But it’s also easy to get overwhelmed as there is so much to do. I’ve been three times now and still haven’t discovered everything.
So, to help you decide, here are all the best things to do in Prague with some hidden gems sprinkled in!
1. Stroll across Charles Bridge
One of the best things to do in Prague is to take a stroll over the Charles Bridge.
It’s the oldest bridge in the city and a medieval stone bridge dating back to the 14th century.
It’s famous as it provided an important crossing over the Vltava River to connect the Old Town and Prague Castle.
Today, it’s lined with gorgeous statues of patron saints and bronze friezes that people rub for good luck.
You’ll also find vendors selling souvenirs, artists painting caricatures or street food kiosks.
It has a great vibe throughout the day and is always packed with tourists and locals alike.
The best part is the view you get of Prague Castle from this bridge. It makes a wonderful photo opportunity.
Just make sure to watch your things as this is also a popular pickpocketing area.
2. Watch the Astronomical Clock & Walk of Apostles
One of the most popular things to do in Prague is to watch the Astronomical Clock which has been here for over 600 years.
It’s the oldest working clock in the world that tells you four types of time, celestial movements, moon phases, and zodiac houses. It also has a working calendar.
Every hour, a huge crowd gathers in front of the clock with their phones and cameras to watch a small show.
Here, you can see the walk of apostles and other famous characters come to life.
It goes off from 9 am to 11 pm and I would recommend going in the morning. Going early means fewer crowds.
3. Climb the Town Hall Tower
The Old Town Hall was established in Prague in 1338 and the oldest part of the building was constructed in the Gothic Style.
If you buy a ticket to go inside, the museum includes a Chapel, Old Town Halls, and a viewpoint at the top!
The chapel is where you’ll find a close-up of the apostles that feature in the Astronomical Clock show and it’s gorgeous with colourful stained glass windows.
The Old Town Hall rooms are also very impressive and ornate. You’ll see the Municipal Hall, the Old Council Hall, the Brožík Assembly Hall, and the George Hall.
The highlight of a visit to the Old Town Hall Tower is the viewpoint from the very top.
It’s also the only medieval tower in Prague that is completely wheelchair accessible. You can either take the winding slopes up to the viewpoint or there is a lift that you pay a little extra for.
Once you reach the very top, you’ll see panoramic views over the city. The Old Town Square is stunning from above with the Church of Our Lady of Týn.
Or, you can look over towards The Charles Bridge, Prague Castle District, and Strahov Monastery. It’s easily one of the best things to do in Prague.
4. Visit the Old Town Square (Staré Město)
The Old Town Square, or Staré Město, is the beating heart of the city and is where many historical buildings are located.
After you’ve watched the Astronomical Clock show, you can take a stroll to see all the ancient and colourful houses.
There are restaurants and cafés in abundance but expect to find tourist prices.
This is where many of Prague’s festivals, celebrations and markets take place throughout the year.
On my visit, they had a wonderful Easter market. But, they also have summer markets and Christmas Markets here too!
In the very centre, you can see the commanding Jan Hus Memorial. He was a protestant martyr burned at the stake during the Thirty Years’ War.
Hus is joined by the exiles and oppressed after the Battle of the White Mountain.
You can see him looking pointedly at the (former) Husite Church of the Virgin Mary before Tyn.
5. Church of Our Lady before Týn
The church that dominates the Old Town Square with its towering dual spires is the Church of Our Lady before Týn.
It’s built in the Gothic style and the current building dates back to the mid-14th century. However, there were places of worship on this site as far back as the 11th century.
Over the years, it’s switched hands many times between Hussite Protestants and Roman Catholics.
After a fire in the 17th century, it was rebuilt in a Baroque style and has remained this way ever since
You can head inside to see the marvellous architecture, the oldest organ in Prague and the tomb of famous astronomer Tycho Braha.
It’s free entry for visitors but you may not be able to go inside during services.
Fun fact: There is a local legend has says the towers of this church inspired Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle!
6. Visit the Terasa U Prince Rooftop Bar
If you want to enjoy a view of the Old Town Square with a coffee or a drink in hand I would recommend snagging a table at Tarasa U Prince.
It’s a rooftop bar that’s located above Hotel U Prince and has an amazing terrace overlooking the Astronomical Clock.
Tables are very limited in the viewing area so you may have to wait to take a seat. But, you can stand up in the meantime.
I grabbed an Aperol Spritz here and loved the vibe! They had all these beautiful flowers decorating the terrace and, although drinks were a little pricier, you’re paying for the panoramic views.
7. Gasp at the Klementinum Library
One of the most beautiful libraries in the entire world is the Klementinum Library in Prague which is a Baroque masterpiece.
The Klementinum is a series of buildings that were originally part of a medieval monastery dedicated to St Clement.
It then became a Jesuit College and the Baroque Library was built around 1722 by Kilián Ignác Dienzenhofer.
Today, you can visit this incredible book temple on a guided tour which you can book in person or online. I recommend booking early as tickets do sell out.
It’s locked behind doors to preserve the books and artwork and they only them for around five minutes for each tour group! So, make sure to snap your pics while you can.
It’s filled with dark bookshelves, winding columns, astronomical globes, frescoes, and portraits.
It looks like a library from Beauty and the Beast or Hogwarts Library in Harry Potter!
I honestly nearly cried when I saw this as it was like something from a fairytale.
8. Capture the Prague Infinity Book Tower
Just around the corner from the Klementinum complex, you can visit the Prague Municipal Library which has the Infinity Book Tower.
Also known as the the Column of Knowledge or the Prague Book Tunnel this incredible art installation is actually called ‘Idiom’.
It’s a huge book tower made up of 8,000 stacked books and was built in 1998 by a Slovak artist called Matej Kren who lives and works in Prague.
Every book that was used for the installation was either donated or saved from being thrown away.
There is a tear-shaped opening that allows you to look inside the tower and see an optical-illusion of a seemingly infinite number of books!
It was originally showcased at the 1995 Sao Paulo Biennial Exhibition until it found a permanent home at the Prague Municipal Library.
It’s been featured in Science Magazines and now is a social media sensation on platforms like TikTok.
Today, it sees thousands of visitors every year. There’s always a queue of bibliophiles who want to enjoy this bookish illusion!
It’s also completely FREE and you don’t need to book tickets.
9. Visit the John Lennon Wall
One of my favourite things to do in Prague is to visit the John Lennon Wall.
It’s a colourfully creative spectacle, covered in Beatles lyrics, symbols of peace and artistic flair.
It started as just a humble wall, down a small street near the Charles Bridge. But since the 1980s, it has transformed into a cult classic of its streets!
After John Lennon’s tragic death, he became a symbol of pacifism and the Czech youths decided to commemorate him with this wall.
The wall is now a symbol of peace and freedom. Despite numerous attempts to take it down, it’s now a permanent attraction and there’s even a café and art gallery nearby.
Visiting is completely FREE and you can find it on Velkopřevorské náměstí which is near the French Embassy.
10. Feel like royalty at Prague Castle
Prague Castle is one of the largest ancient castle complexes in the entire world.
It was the royal residence of the Kings of Bohemia for centuries and later where the Habsburg Monarchy ruled after the Battle of the White Mountain.
You can walk around the Prague Castle complex for free. However, if you want to visit the attractions you must buy a ticket for a self-guided tour.
I recommend a basic ticket where you can explore the royal staterooms, St George’s Basilica, St Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane.
As one of the most popular attractions in the city, you can expect this area to be crowded and filled with tour groups.
You may also have to queue to enter some of the buildings but it’s worth it. You will feel like royalty!
11. Enter St Vitus Cathedral
The largest and most important cathedral in Prague is St Vitus Cathedral which has a history since the 10th century.
It’s a place where the coronations of famous Bohemian Kings and Queens took place over time.
Also, this is the burial site of several patron saints, sovereigns, noblemen and archbishops.
It’s a huge building with vaulted ceilings, an abundance of stained glass windows, and the St. Wenceslas Chapel. I found it utterly breathtaking.
You can enter the front of the cathedral for free to get a good look at the nave.
But, if you have a museum ticket you can head further inside to see the St. Wenceslas Chapel and Crown Chamber with all the sparkling Bohemian Jewels.
Be warned though, there are always huge queues to get inside even if you have a ticket but they move pretty fast!
12. Stroll down Golden Lane
Golden Lane, or Zlatá Ulička, is a 16th-century alley that looks like something from a fairytale.
It’s a cobbled lane tucked away in Prague Castle and is filled with colourful houses, shops, and museums.
Often referred to as the Street of Alchemists, this is where soldiers and goldsmiths used to live as well as famous residents like Franz Kafka.
You can visit as part of a Prague Castle ticket and there is so much to discover inside.
My favourite parts were the armoury corridor and torture chambers.
There is also a café you can relax in and lots of attractions that tell you the history of the street.
If you want to take some nice empty photos of the street, I would be one of the first people to enter for the day. This is what I did and it was really quiet.
Note that this street opens for free in the evening. If you’re on a budget, I would recommend heading here around sundown.
13. Watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony
While you’re visiting Prague Castle, I would recommend heading to the first courtyard to see the Changing of the Guard Ceremony.
It takes place at noon each day and includes a flag show and lots of pomp and fanfare.
You can watch a brigade of Armed Forces and the President’s security force, march through the castle and salute each other.
It does get extremely crowded so I would head here at least 15 minutes before to secure a good place as everyone swarms in when it begins.
If you happen to miss the large ceremony, don’t fret. The sentries at the castle switch places every hour so you can watch a smaller version of it around the complex.
14. Visit Franz Kafka attractions
You really can’t escape references to Franz Kafka in Prague, a Modernist Bohemian author who was based in the city.
He wrote famous books like ‘The Metamorphosis’ and ‘The Trial’ and there are many sites where you can find out more about his life in the city.
The most famous attraction is the Kafka Museum, an existential place that takes you on a journey into the world of Kafka – it is very trippy!
Don’t forget to take a picture with the famous ‘peeing statues’ outside. Or, visit the Kafka rotating head on Nové Město.
As its name suggests, it’s a modern artwork of Franz Kafka’s head that rotates every 15 minutes. It’s huge and weighs over 39 tons.
Personally, one of my favourite Kafka sites is his tiny blue house at Number 22, Golden Lane. It’s now an adorable bookshop.
15. Climb up the Old Town Bridge Tower
One of my favourite viewpoints in Prague has to be the Old Town Bridge Tower located at the far end of the Charles Bridge.
It’s a Gothic monument that was built in the 14th century during the rule of King Charles IV and designed Petr Parléř.
You can visit different levels of the tower to learn the history of the city but the highlight has to be the viewing gallery at the very top.
Although the top gallery is a narrow squeeze, this panorama allows you to capture stunning views of the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and beyond!
16. Fall in love with the Strahov Library
Another one of the most beautiful things to do in Prague is to visit the Strahov Library located in an ancient monastery.
It contains two breathtaking Baroque rooms which are the Theological Hall and Philosophical Hall built in the 17th and 18th centuries.
These magical book troves will take your breath away with their ancient tomes, ceiling frescoes, stucco artwork and astronomical globes.
Both look like something from a fairytale and they are honestly a book lovers dream come true.
For fans of Outlander, this was also a filming location in series two when Claire gets poisoned in Versailles!
It’s good to know that you can’t enter the libraries without a special tour. You have to book privately and at least six weeks in advance.
17. Chase down Outlander Filming Locations
If you’re a fan of Outlander, did you know that they filmed episodes of series two in Prague?
Prague is often seen as the best-preserved city in the whole of Europe because it suffered the least damage during World War II.
So, it was the perfect location to shoot some of the 18th-century streets of Paris in series 2 as most of the buildings are original.
The main one that is featured is Na Kampe in Mala Strana. You’ll often see Jamie and Claire pass through here on their carriage to head on to Jared’s home in Paris.
The outside of Jamie’s cousin Jared’s home in Paris was shot in the Czech Ministry of Culture.
The steps to Master Raymond’s apothecary were filmed in Radnicke Schody and the Military Church of St. John of Nepomuk was the exterior of the L’Hopital Des Anges.
18. Find peace at Waldstein Palace gardens
One of the most peaceful things to do in Prague is to take a stroll around the hidden oasis of Waldstein Palace Gardens.
The Waldstein Palace was commissioned in 1630 by Albrecht von Wallenstein who was the Duke of Mecklenburg.
After the Battle of the White Mountain, he was one of the wealthiest and most powerful noblemen in the country.
It served as a private residence of the ancient Wallenstein family in the Mala Strana area for over 300 years.
The palace was built to rival Pague Castle and was constructed in a grand Baroque style.
A series of formal gardens were created to surround the residence.
The gardens were constructed in an Italian style with an Avenue of Sculptures, a Garden Pavilion (Sala Terrena), an Aviary, ornate fountains, an artificial lake, and a grotto.
It’s completely free and makes a great place to escape the endless crowds.
19. Discover the Dripstone Wall
If you’re looking for some Prague hidden gems then I would recommend the Dripstone Wall.
It’s an eerie work of art that is located in Waldstein Palace Gardens.
On the surface, this wall appears like it’s rippling but if you look closely you’ll be able to make out thousands of dripping stalactites and secreted grotesques.
This quirky attraction has been intriguing people for centuries and there are lots of legends surrounding it.
You could stand there for ages finding shapes and animals in the grotto!
20. Visit the oldest tavern in Prague
If you love history and want an immersive experience, I would recommend heading to U Krále Brabantského
King of Brabant is the oldest tavern in Prague that is more like an institution in the city.
Sitting underneath the majestic Prague Castle, this authentic medieval tavern has been serving beer in its labyrinth of vaults since the 14th century.
This makes it the oldest tavern in the city and they still preserve their medieval culture today with their candlelit rooms, slamming beer on tables and ‘mouthy’ service.
It’s a must-visit for anyone who’s a fan of history or wants to sample some authentic Czech cuisine.
21. Have a cocktail at the Hemingway bar
If you’re looking for one of the best cocktail bars in Prague then look no further than the Hemingway Bar.
It’s a cosy club that is inspired by Ernest Hemingway who was the king of mixed drinks and cocktails!
You’ll find many famous Absinthe recipes inside as well as classic and unique inventions.
Their experienced bartenders will expertly mix up your drink using only premium ingredients and garnishes. They call this beverage gastronomy!
All the while you’ll sip your drink in ‘speakeasy’ style surroundings with velvet chairs, lamps and mirrors. It’s a wonderful experience that feels like a step back in time.
The only downside is that all of this liquor luxury does come at a cost so prepare to budget at least £15 – £20 a drink.
It’s quite a jump in price from most Prague bars but this is no ordinary bistro and it’s worth every penny.
It’s important to reserve a table at the Hemingway Bar as tables are limited. They may have some walk-ins on the day but it’s not guaranteed.
22. St Nicholas Church – Van Helsing Filming Location
Prague is filled with incredible churches, but one you must see is St Nicholas Church which is a Baroque masterpiece.
It was formerly a Gothic church from the 13th century then was rebuilt in 1704 in the Prague Baroque style.
You do have to pay to go inside but it’s well worth it as the elaborate paintings and carved statues are breathtaking.
The main reason why I wanted to visit St Nicholas Church is that it’s also a Van Helsing filming location.
The entire nave was redecorated for Count Dracula’s Masquerade Ball.
Dracula kidnaps Anna Valerious for his date and they dance around the mirrored room! But, of course, a vampire has no reflection. It was so clever.
They filmed many scenes from Van Helsing in Prague which featured as Transylvania including the Charles Bridge and Olsanke Cemetery.
23. Have a drink at the Prague Dancing House
In amongst all the old buildings of Prague, you can find the intriguing Dancing House.
It’s a deconstructivist building and is split into two parts. The central pillars are twisted together making it look like they are dancing…or drunk.
It was initially named after the famous Hollywood dance partners Fred and Ginger but is predominantly a symbol of post-communist freedom.
As well as snapping a photo of this twirling tower, you can visit the inside too.
It’s a hotel that has a café, gallery, restaurant, and a panoramic viewpoint from a rooftop bar.
I did this and absolutely loved the views you got from the top! Even if you don’t want a drink, you can pay a small fee to take photos.
24. Vinárna Čertovka – Narrowest Street in Prague
One of the most fun things to do in Prague is to visit Vinárna Čertovka.
Also known as Prague’s narrowest alley it’s a thin passage with a set of quirky traffic lights to help visitors travel through smoothly.
At its thinnest point, this alley is only 70 centimetres and you can barely fit both shoulders on either side. It often goes viral on social media.
But, it’s also good to know that this ‘street’ is also a dead end and an entrance to a restaurant. So, you will have to queue to go back up.
If it’s any consolation, the restaurant terrace does have a nice view of the Charles Bridge!
25. Visit Shakespeare & Sons Bookshop
One of the best English bookshops in Prague has to be Shakespeare & Sons which is near the Franz Kafka Museum and Vinárna Čertovka.
It has floors of Czech, French, English and other foreign language books that you can browse.
It’s like a labyrinth of tomes to explore. I could have spent hours here. Make sure to check it out!
26. Petrin Hill & Lookout Tower
One of the more popular things to do in Prague is to head up to the Lookout Tower on Petrin Hill.
It’s a structure that looks very similar to the Eiffel Tower and stands at 58.7 metres (190 feet).
It was built for the Jubilee Exhibition in 1891 and now is a tourist attraction you can visit for incredible views over the city.
It has 299 steps to reach the very top or you can pay extra to take the lift. On a clear day, you can see for miles around.
They also have other attractions here including the Church of St Lawrence, a carousel, a magical cavern, a mirror maze and the Štefánik Observatory.
Even if you don’t visit the tower or ticketed attractions, the park is very pleasant to visit and is completely free!
27. Speculum Alchemiae Museum
As someone who is completely obsessed with magic, I was very intrigued by the Speculum Alchemiae Museum.
After I visited Golden Lane, the legendary Street of Alchemists at Prague Castle, I was eager to learn more.
The museum is set in one of the oldest houses in Prague and contains an alchemist’s laboratory that was discovered after a natural disaster.
You can take a guided tour to see all the historic equipment and it’s a bit of a hidden gem.
28. Have breakfast at Café Savoy
One of the prettiest breakfast places in Prague is Café Savoy which can be found in Mala Strana near the National Theatre.
It’s a café, restaurant, vinotheque and patisserie all in one and was founded in 1893.
Most people visit for breakfast/brunch but they do serve lunch and dinner.
They have an exquisite menu that is French-inspired and their dishes are made with only the freshest ingredients.
But, the main draw (for me anyway) was the elaborate surroundings and sparkling chandeliers.
The decor of this restaurant is honestly breathtaking and feels like a step back in time to Art Deco.
It’s always recommended by travellers as one of the best things to do in Prague so it can get very busy inside.
Make sure to book a table in advance to guarantee a seat!
29. Powder Gate Tower
Another incredible viewpoint you can visit in Prague’s old town is the Powder Gate Tower.
It’s a Gothic tower built in the 15th century that was one of the original 13 city gates.
It was also the starting point of the Coronation route of Bohemian Kings and Queens who would make their way up to St Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle.
The gate was later used to store gunpowder (hence the name) and today you can pay to climb up to the top.
It’s 44 metres high and the viewing gallery provides a beautiful view of the historic district below.
30. Try a Chimney Cake
Chimney cakes are not exclusive to Prague but they are still a popular street food dessert here!
In the Czech Republic, these treats are called Trdelník (which roughly translates to hollow log).
The name comes from the fact that the pastry is wrapped around a circular spit and cooked over flames.
When it’s cooked, you add sugar, sprinkles, chocolate or whatever toppings you want. Whenever I visit, I can’t help but buy one of these sugary cakes.
This time, I visited Trdlo at the end of the Charles Bridge to try one of their famous chimney cakes with ice cream.
It was filled with Nutella and strawberries and it was utterly divine!
31. Prague TV Tower
If you’re not fed up with incredible views of the city by now, then I would recommend visiting the Prague TV Tower.
Its one of the more unusual things to do in Prague and it’s famous for the creepy set of baby statues who appear to be crawling to the top.
Although they look bizarre it’s a symbol of the communist era and the fact that communism doesn’t discriminate by age, race or creed.
Beyond capturing the babies, if you pay to visit the top floor, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views over the entire city!
If you want to extend your stay they also have a rooftop bar and restaurant if you have the budget.
I visited this tower on my first trip to Prague and I loved all the egg chairs you could sit on at the top.
32. Plan a Prague Day Trip
Once you have exhausted this list of things to do in Prague, I would recommend heading out of the city.
Lots of tourists just stick to Prague for their holiday but there are many cities, towns and castles nearby that make great excursions.
Český Krumlov
If you think that Prague looks like a fairytale, you’re not ready for the storybook town of Cesky Krumlov.
Český Krumlov is feels like you’ve stepped back in time and every building in the historic centre is vibrant and tells a story!
The main attraction is the castle complex which is a UNESCO and you can buy tickets for a few attractions inside the complex.
Here you can tour the ancestral home of the Eggenbergs and Schwarzenbergs, one of the most powerful and influential families in the Kingdom of Bohemia.
You can also visit the opera house, castle tower, Cloak Bridge and Castle Gardens.
After, I would head into the historic centre to visit St Vitus Cathedral and wander around the Vltava River.
It was one of my favourite places in the Czech Republic so don’t skip it!
You can either drive, take a guided tour or book a FlixBus for a day trip from Prague.
Kutna Hora
Kutna Hora was another one of my favourite places in Czechia and there is so much to see and do in this historic city.
What drew me was a visit to the Sedlec Ossuary or Bone Church which has over 40,000 real human bones.
But, there are lots of other attractions to visit like St Barbara’s Cathedral as St Barbara is the patron saint of miners.
Kutna Hora is known as the City of Silver due to the prosperous silver mines that you could find underground here.
It was constructed in 1388 in the Gothic style and is another UNESCO site.
You can visit the Hrádek Silver Museum to enter some of the underground tunnels and see the working conditions of procuring this precious metal.
Beyond the big UNESCO sites, there are lots of attractions to see like the Jesuit College, Gothic Stone Fountain, Italian Court, Stone House, and Historic Centre.
It’s less than an hour’s train journey from Prague and it’s a very easy trip to do yourself. But there are guided tours if you prefer.
Karlštejn Castle
One of the most popular castles that people visit from Prague is the famous Karlštejn Castle.
It’s a large Gothic Castle that was built in 1348 by King Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor.
The fortress was to be a private residence and a place of safekeeping royal treasures including a vast collection of holy relics and Imperial Crown Jewels.
Today, it’s a museum you can visit and take a guided tour of the complex. From Prague, it’s just a 45-minute drive or just over an hour by train!
How many days in Prague are enough?
To get the best out of Prague, you should aim to spend at least 3-4 days in this city.
There is simply too much to do and you can’t fit it all into a day trip or even two days!
Three days for your trip will allow you to see everything at a relaxed pace and also some time to visit some of the lesser-known attractions.
The most important thing is not to rush as this fairytale city will sweep you away with its charm.
What is the best time to visit Prague?
The summer season in Prague can be extremely busy and expensive. Which means long queues for all the attractions.
It can be almost uncomfortable because of the soaring temperatures and crowd levels.
I always recommend travelling in the shoulder seasons of spring or autumn to avoid the chaos.
Winter is also a delightful time to visit as you have the magical Christmas Markets but be prepared for bitter cold and even heavy snow.
My top tips for visiting Prague
- Book tickets in advance – if you want to visit Prague attractions, I would book well in advance as tickets sell out.
- Visit in the shoulder seasons – Prague is one of the busiest cities in Europe, so I would visit in Spring or Autumn.
- Watch your things – there is lots of pickpocketing in Prague. So, make sure to be vigilant and keep your valuables locked away.
- Wear sensible shoes – Prague has LOTS of cobbles and uneven floors. Make sure to wear a comfy but sturdy pair of shoes to protect your feet.
Read more of my Czechia travel guides
Magical Cloak Bridge in Cesky Krumlov
How to visit Sedlec Ossuary – Bone Church of Kutna Hora
Save these magical things to do in Prague for later!
