Free Prague: Top ideas for budget travel

Once in Prague, the first thing travelers do is go on a sightseeing tour to get a better understanding of where they've ended up in the first place and to find out what there is to see. Such tours usually cost from €10-15 and go up to €45-60, but it is possible to find absolutely free options. Here are some of them.

Free tours of Prague

Free tour of Prague - a daily 3-hour free walking tour of Prague's main attractions. Old Town, museums and cathedrals, synagogues and bridges... Take place 3 times a day, you can register in advance.

Old Town & Jewish Quarter Free tour and Charles Bridge & Prague Castle Free tour are 2-hour sightseeing tours of Prague. From the names it is easy to understand what they are dedicated to: Jewish quarters, Old Town, Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. Tours take place daily, in English, and you can also sign up in advance.

Prague Royal Walk Free Tour is another opportunity to explore Prague for free. Daily 2-3 hour walks through the famous places of the city, with young and advanced guides, who will not only introduce you to historical sights, but will also gladly tell you about modern "hot" and noteworthy places. They take place 6 times a day, in English + a cup of coffee as a gift.

Free Red Prague Tour - a free walking tour that takes you into Prague's communist past. Stories about life in Czechoslovakia under the Soviet regime, during the Cold War, the deeds of the Red Army and the hard road to democracy. Visits to historical sites, memorials and a short streetcar ride.

This is only a small part of free excursions around the city. By the way, it will not be superfluous to thank the guide with a symbolic payment, as it is traditionally done by travelers in such tours. Excursions are held every day, but to be sure to get there, it is better to register in advance on the site, there you will learn more details about the tours, where and how to find your guide and a lot of other useful information.

You can book a hotel in Prague with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

Well, now it's time to go for a more detailed acquaintance with the city. Here are the famous places in Prague that you can visit absolutely free of charge.

Sights of Prague

Prague Castle

The calling card not only of Prague, but also of the Czech Republic. Today it is one of the largest operating castle complexes in the world. It is a kind of a city within a city, where you will find yourself in Old Prague with its towers and cathedrals, squares and gardens, bridges and streets. Entrance to the Prague Castle is free of charge. Visits to the cathedrals, towers and museums on the grounds are charged separately.

Address: 119 08 Prague 1.

Opening hours: open from 5:00 to 24:00.

St. Vitus Cathedral

The most famous cathedral in the city, whose vaults can be seen from different parts of Prague, so majestic and picturesque it is a real gem of Gothic art.

Free entrance to the front part of the cathedral fence.

Address: III. nádvoří 48/2, 119 01 Prague 1.

Charles Bridge

An ancient picturesque bridge in the very center of the city. It was built over a period of almost 25 years in the 14th century and was named after its founder, Charles IV. Today the bridge is the heart of the city, it offers a beautiful view of the old center, the Vltava River, it is decorated with ancient sculptures, and therefore it is not surprising that it is never quiet and boring.

Address: Karlův most, 110 00 Prague 1.

Wenceslas Square

The central square of the city, "headed" by the National Museum and the monument to St. Wenceslas. The square is lined with restaurants, stores and museums, and life here only dies down at night.

Address: Wenceslas Square, 110 00 Prague 1.

Old Town Square

Another lively and picturesque city center. The square is tucked away in the center of the old part of Prague, surrounded by Baroque, Rococo and Renaissance houses. There are old sculptures, the City Hall, the Prague Chimes and, of course, souvenir shops, street musicians, cafes and much more.

Address: Staroměstské nám., 110 00 Praha 1.

Vysehrad

Vyšehrad is a district of Prague, located on a hill above the Vltava River. Vysehrad was the seat of Czech princes and remained the capital until Prague was built. On its territory there are cathedrals, museums, a park, an old cemetery and much more.

Entrance to the territory is free of charge. Entrance to the locations of the complex is paid separately.

Address: V Pevnosti 159/5b, 128 00 Praha 2.

John Lennon's Wall

Rebel and fighter for peace, musician and poet, member of the world's most famous band and icon John Lennon has forever lived not only in the hearts of his devoted fans, but also on many themed streets around the world. Among the residents of Prague there are also many who believe that love is all we need.

Although Lennon never visited the Czech capital during his lifetime, one of the most atmospheric landmarks associated with his name is located here. Not only can you view the multi-layered graffiti by street artists against the wall, but you can often listen to talented covers of Beatle hits by local musicians.

The Dancing House

Or, as it's also known, the Drunken House, is a more modern architectural landmark in Prague. The building was built 20 years ago on the initiative of Vaclav Havel on the site of an old house that was destroyed during bombings. Inside there is a modern gallery, where various cultural events are held, there is a restaurant, and from the roof of the building there is a stunning view of the city center, especially in the evenings.

Address: Jiráskovo náměstí 1981/6.

Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 20:00.

What kind of travel can do without visiting palaces and museums! There are plenty of interesting places in Prague that you can visit absolutely free of charge:

Prague Senate / Waldstein Palace

Want to know what a "proper" garden worthy of kings looks like? Take a walk to the magnificent Wallenstein (or Waldstein) Palace. It must be said that it never belonged to the monarchs, but this is the level that the famous general Albrecht Wallenstein, who initiated the construction of the residence, aspired to.

It took the team of builders and architects more than five years to erect this impressive garden and park complex. The fruits of their work are still pleasing to the eye - the parks surrounding Prague's largest palace are ideal for leisurely promenades and often become the setting for numerous (also free) concerts and festivals.

Opening hours: free admission for visitors from January to March every first weekend of the month from 10:00 to 16:00, from April to December - every weekend of the month from 10:00 to 17:00.

Address: Valdštejnské náměstí 4.

Museum of Stone Sculptures (Lapidárium)

A unique exposition of stone sculptures from the ХІ-ХІХ centuries, brought from all over the Czech Republic.

The admission price is symbolic, so you can even call it free of charge.

Address: Výstaviště 422.

Opening hours: Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 to 18:00, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.

Children's Island

If you come to Prague accompanied by young travelers, you should definitely visit the so-called Children's Island. Here your child will have something to do for hours - swings, ladders, climbing and slides, as well as many sports fields for various sports for every taste. Located on the Vltava River within the city boundaries, the Children's Island is divided into zones for children of different age groups, so you will easily find the right place.

Moser Museum of Glass

A museum with an exhibition of famous Czech glass and Bohemian crystal.

Address: Staroměstské náměstí 603/15.

Opening hours: from November to April Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 20:00, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00, from April to November daily from 10:00 to 21:00.

Museum of the Infant Jesus in Prague

Opening hours: open all days except Christmas and Easter vacations, New Year's vacation; Monday through Saturday 9:30 to 17:30, Sunday - 13:00 to 18:00.

Address: Karmelitská 9.

Prague Military History Museum Complex

Here you can visit several interesting museums absolutely free of charge:

Military Museum Žižkov (Army Museum Žižkov)

Museum of history and military glory of the Czech Republic and Prague in particular.

Opening hours: all days except Monday, all year round from 10:00 to 18:00.

Address: U Památníku 2.

Kbely Aviation Museum (Letecké muzeum Kbely)

Large hangars where flying machines of the Czech Air Force of different times are collected.

Opening hours: open in summer, from May to October, all days except Monday, from 10:00 to 18:00.

Address: hangars on Mladoboleslavská ul.

Outside Prague there are also free museums of this complex, you can read about them in detail on the website.

Czech National Bank

Here they also conduct excursions, in the walls of the bank there is an exposition "Money and People". Tours are free by appointment.

Opening hours: Tuesday through Friday from 9:00.

Address: Na Příkopě 28, 115 03 Praha 1.

Gingerbread Museum

A small gingerbread museum that will be interesting for children and adults, with a large exposition of incredible sweet works.

Address: Nerudova 9.

Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00.

In addition, the city authorities and museums regularly meet the needs of visitors by holding Open Days, when you can enter many museums "free of charge".

National Museum of the Czech Republic (main building)

Museum of the history of the peoples and nations that have lived in what is now the Czech Republic. Free admission every first Monday of the month.

Address: Václavské náměstí 68.

Opening hours: daily, from October to April from 9:00 to 17:00, from May to September from 10:00 to 18:00.

Museum of the Capital of Prague

Museum of the history of the city from the earliest times to the present day.

Every first Thursday of the month admission for a token price of 1 crown (€0.05).

Address: Na Poříčí 52.

Opening hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00.

National Technical Museum

A huge museum dedicated to the development of technology in various fields from watches, cameras, film production to trains, cars, airplanes and various astronomical instruments.

Free admission every first Friday of the month from 12:00.

Address: Kostelní 42.

Opening hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00.

In addition, every spring Prague hosts Museum Night, when almost all museums in the city open their doors free of charge for everyone. Also in May is the Night of Churches, when you can freely enter all the temples, monasteries, towers, chapels of the city, and even watch the theatrical performances played there. Only twice a year - on May 8 and October 24 - there is a unique opportunity to look into the Senate of the Czech Republic not only in the open tour rooms, but also in the reception halls, the presidential conference room, the office of the Senate President, etc.

How else can you save money in Prague?

In many major European cities, inquisitive tourists have a "wand" in the form of a city map, which allows them to save money on various attractions. Prague has one too.

Prague card is a tourist card with which you can visit 50 different sights of the city (museums, parks, galleries, zoo) free of charge. You can buy it when you arrive in the city (at the airport or in the center) or order it online (it will start working as soon as you activate it). What gives:

• free use of all means of transportation in the city (metro, streetcars, buses, even funiculars and the suspended railway in the Zoo);
• free admission to 50 locations in Prague (Prague Castle sites, Prague Zoo, Royal Gardens, Jewish Museum, Old Town Hall, Petřín Lookout Tower, National Gallery, National Museum, Troy Castle, Vyšehrad);
• free bus sightseeing tour of the city;
• airport transfer;
• boat trip on the Vltava River;
• discounts (from 20% to 50%) for visiting other museums, various cafes, bars, etc.

Cards are available for 2 days (€58 - full, €43 - discounted); 3 days (€68 - full, €50 - discounted); 4 days (€78 - full, €57 - discounted).

The card is personal and cannot be transferred to another person.