Prague: What to see in 1 day

Prague itinerary for 1 day

Total walking time: ~9 hours (+ time for rest and photos)

09:00 — Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)

Old Town Square is the historical heart of Prague, which has existed since the 12th century. The main streets of the Old Town intersect here, and around it there are famous architectural monuments in the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles.

In the Middle Ages, the square was the largest market of the city, where fish, salt, fabrics, grain and honey were sold. In XIV-XV centuries the square became a place for royal festivals, fairs and public executions. In 1621, after the suppression of the Bohemian uprising, 27 Protestant leaders were executed here; a memorial plaque and crosses on the sidewalk commemorate this event.

What's special about this place?

• Astronomical Clock Orloj - a clock dating back to 1410 on the facade of the Old Town Hall, showing the time, the movement of the Sun and Moon, and the signs of the Zodiac. Every hour tourists gather to see the "Procession of the Apostles" when figures appear in the small windows of the clock.
• Týn Church (Church of Our Lady before Týn) - a majestic Gothic temple with two 80-meter high towers, which can be seen from any point of the square.
• The monument to Jan Hus, the Czech reformer who was burned for his ideas in 1415, stands in the center of the square.

Why visit.

• To see the Orloj Astronomical Clock on the Town Hall, which is over 600 years old.
• Feel the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, walking on the paving stones between street musicians and artists.
• Take the most impressive photos of Prague - the Town Hall, the Týn Church and the cobbled square create the perfect shot.

Lifehack: The best time to take photos without crowds of tourists is early in the morning before 9 o'clock, when the square is still half-empty, or in the evening after 20:00, when the beautiful lighting is on.

Address: Staroměstské náměstí, 110 00 Josefov, Praha 1

10:00 — Charles Bridge (Karluv most)

Karlov Bridge is the most famous bridge in Prague and the whole Czech Republic, connecting the Old Town and Mala Strana across the Vltava River. It is a real visiting card of the city and a must on any itinerary.

Construction of the bridge began in 1357 by order of King Charles IV on the site of the destroyed 12th century Judith Bridge, which was washed away by floods. The construction was led by architect Peter Parler, who also worked on St. Vitus Cathedral. According to legend, eggs from all over Bohemia were added to the mortar to strengthen the structure. Some towns even sent omelettes instead of eggs, not realizing the king's request.

What's so special about it?

• The bridge is 516 meters long and 10 meters wide, built of sandstone in the Gothic style.
• On both sides are installed 30 sculptures of saints (XVII-XVIII centuries.), giving the bridge its unique appearance. The originals are preserved in the National Museum, while exact copies stand on the bridge.
• Thestatue of St. John of Nepomuk is the most famous figure on the bridge. According to legend, if you make a wish and touch the bas-relief under the statue, it will come true.
• The Charles Bridge offers the best views of Prague Castle, the Vltava River, Kampa Island and Mala Strana.
• The bridge is always filled with the atmosphere of a lively city: musicians, artists and craftsmen create a real open-air art gallery here.

Why visit?

• A walk across the Charles Bridge is an immersion into the history and romance of Prague. Here you can feel the breath of centuries and the special energy of the city.
• Charles Bridge is the best place for morning and evening photos of Prague, especially in the dawn light or in the soft illumination of lanterns after sunset.

Lifehack, but rather not for this trip: To avoid crowds of tourists and make beautiful photos without people, come to the bridge before 8:00 am or late in the evening after 21:00.

Address: Karlův most, 110 00 Praha 1

11:00 — Mala Strana and Kampa Island

Mala Strana

Mala Strana, or "Malá Strana", is a historic district of Prague, located at the foot of Prague Castle, on the left bank of the Vltava River. The area is often called the "pearl of the Baroque" due to its architecture and cozy atmosphere.

What is special here?

• St. Nicholas Church (Kostel sv. Mikuláše) is one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in Europe with a magnificent dome and frescoes.
• Narrow cobbled streets with atmospheric cafes and ancient signs.
• Picturesque courtyards and hidden gardens where you can take a break from the tourist hustle and bustle.

Why visit?

• Feel the atmosphere of the real old Prague without the crowds of tourists.
• Admire the magnificent baroque architecture, preserved from the times of the Habsburg Empire.
• Enjoy the coziness of restaurants with traditional Czech cuisine and wine cellars.

Address: Velkopřevorské náměstí, 100 00 Praha 1

Kampa Island (Kampa)

Kampa is a small island on the Vltava River, separated from the Lesser Town by the Čertovka Canal. It is often called the "Venice of Bohemia" because of its picturesque views of the water, bridges and old mills.

The island was originally used as a place for mills and laundries, as the Čertovka Canal provided a steady flow of water. In the 20th century, Kampa became a popular walking destination for locals, and today it is a popular tourist destination.

What's special about this place?

• The bridge of lovers with locks, which is located on one of the Chertovka Canal.
• The John Lennon Wall, a symbol of freedom and protest against the communist regime in the 1980s, now covered with graffiti, quotes and portraits of Lennon.
• Sculptures by contemporary Czech artists, such as the famous "crawling babies" by David Černý.

Why it's worth a visit.

1. A stroll along Kampe is an opportunity to see Prague from a different angle, more relaxed and romantic.
2. There are fewer tourists, a cozy green promenade, lots of benches and great views of Charles Bridge.
3. A great place for a morning coffee or afternoon snack in one of the cafes overlooking the Vltava.

Lifehack: If you want to take beautiful photos of the Charles Bridge from below and from the side, go along the Kampa embankment.

Address: Velkopřevorské náměstí, 100 00 Praha 1 (center of Kampa at Lennon's Wall).

12:00 — Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)

Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world, covering an area of about 70,000 m². It is located on a hill above the Vltava River and is the main attraction of Prague, a symbol of Czech statehood and the residence of Czech presidents. According to legend, the name of Zlatý Úlá Street is linked to the alchemists who allegedly tried to create gold for Emperor Rudolf II. St. Vitus Cathedral houses the Czech crown made in 1347 for Charles IV.

It was founded in the 9th century by Prince Borživoj as a wooden fortress. In the 10th century, the first Christian church in Bohemia, the Basilica of St. George, was built here. In the XIV century King Charles IV greatly expanded the castle, turning it into the center of the Holy Roman Empire. Under Emperor Rudolf II in the XVI century Prague Castle became one of the cultural centers of Europe. After the destruction of the Thirty Years' War, the castle was rebuilt in the Baroque style. In the twentieth century, architect Josef Plečnik gave the castle a modern look, preserving the historic architecture.

What's special here?

• St. Vitus Cathedral (Katedrála sv. Víta) is the main Gothic cathedral in Bohemia, where kings were crowned and coronation regalia is kept.
• The Old Royal Palace (Starý královský palác) is the meeting place of Czech kings and is famous for the Vladyčná Hall with a Gothic vault.
• St. George's Basilica (Bazilika sv. Jiří) — the oldest Romanesque church in Prague from the 11th century.
• Zlatá ulička — a row of small colorful houses from the 16th century, where craftsmen, guards and alchemists lived. Franz Kafka lived in house No. 22.
• The Royal Garden (Královská zahrada) is a picturesque park with a view of the city, pavilions and fountains.

Why visit?

1. Experience the history of the Czech Republic for over a thousand years in one place.
2. See the main architectural styles of Europe: Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.
3. Admire the views of Prague from the castle terraces overlooking the Vltava River, Malá Strana and the Old Town.
4. Visit St. Vitus Cathedral, which impresses with its stained glass windows, including the famous window by Alphonse Mucha.

Tickets and website

• Tickets: from CZK 250 (~€10) for the main routes, including St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, and Zlatna Street.
• Buy online: hrad.cz

Address: Hradčany, 119 08 Praha 1

14:00 — Lunch in the Mala Strana neighborhood

Recommendations:

• Lokál U Bílé Kuželky — traditional Czech cuisine, average check ~250-350 CZK (10-14 €).
• Café Savoy — old Art Nouveau café, excellent desserts and hot chocolate.

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

15:30 — Petřín Hill (Petřín)

Petřín is a 327-meter-high hill in the center of Prague, covered with gardens, parks and historical buildings. It is one of the favorite places for tourists and citizens of Prague.

In the Middle Ages, the hill was used as a quarry for the construction of city fortifications. The name Petřín comes from the word petra (Latin for "stone"). In the 19th century, the hill was landscaped and turned into a park for walking. In 1891, the Petrin Tower was built for the Jubilee Exhibition and became a symbol of the hill.

What's so special about this place?

• Petřínská rozhledna (Petřínská rozhledna) is a smaller copy of the Eiffel Tower, built two years after its opening in Paris. The height of the tower is 63.5 meters, but thanks to its location on a hill, the observation deck is almost at the same height as the top of the Eiffel Tower above sea level.
• Mirror Labyrinth (Bludiště) — an entertaining location with curved mirrors and a mirror corridor, a fun stop for tourists with children or groups of friends.
• Rose Garden (Růžový sad) — in summer hundreds of rose varieties bloom here, creating colorful photo zones.
• Štefánik Observatory (Štefánikova hvězdárna) — a working astronomical observatory with telescopes for observing the sun and the night sky.
• The Hunger Wall (Hladová zeď) is a 1.2 km long medieval wall built under Charles IV in the 14th century as a fortification, but also as a way to give work to the poor during famine.

Why it's worth a visit.

1. Climb the Petřín Tower for a panoramic view of the whole of Prague, including Charles Bridge, the Vltava River, Prague Castle and the Old Town.
2. Stroll through quiet, shady alleys, relax from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the birdsong.
3. Have a picnic in the park overlooking the historic center.
4. Enjoy the non-tourist Prague — there are many locals vacationing with their families.

How to get there?

• On foot (~20-30 min ascent) from Malá Strana or Prague Castle.
• By funicular Petřínská lanovka(with Prague transportation tickets, cost ~60 CZK, about 2,5 €), departs from Újezd street.

Tickets

• Entrance to the park is free of charge.
• Climbing the tower — ~150 CZK (6 €).
• Maze — ~90 CZK (3,5 €).

Address: Petřínské sady, 118 00 Praha 1.

17:00 — Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí)

Wenceslas Square is the main commercial, cultural and historical artery of Prague, located in the Nove Mesto district. Despite the name "square", its shape is more like a wide boulevard 750 meters long and 60 meters wide.

The square appeared in the 14th century by order of Charles IV as a horse market (Koňský trh), where horses and agricultural products were sold. In 1848 the square was renamed in honor of St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia. During the 20th century, Wenceslas Square became the site of key events in Czech history:

• In 1918, Czechoslovakia's independence was proclaimed here.
• In 1968, during the "Prague Spring" protests against the invasion of Warsaw Pact troops took place here.
• In 1989, the Velvet Revolution began here, which led to the fall of the communist regime.

Wenceslas Square is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the historic center of Prague. The square features a memorial to Jan Palach, a student who committed self-immolation in 1969 to protest the occupation of Czechoslovakia.

What's special about this place?

• The Monument to St. Wenceslas, a statue on a horse by Josef Myslbek, erected in 1912, is a symbol of national pride.
• The National Museum (Národní muzeum) is a majestic neo-Renaissance building built in 1885-1891, recently completely restored.
• There are a huge number of stores, hotels, cafes and restaurants on both sides of the square. Luxury boutiques as well as popular chain brands can be found here.

Why visit?

1. Walk around Prague's most famous square, where all of the city's life is concentrated: business, tourist and cultural.
2. See the National Museum, the most important building in the Czech Republic, which houses collections of history, art, mineralogy and natural history.
3. Feel the spirit of freedom and change that has reigned here since the Velvet Revolution.
4. Enjoy an evening stroll, when the square is beautifully illuminated and the lights of shop windows come alive.

Address: Václavské náměstí, 110 00 Praha 1

Dinner

1. Vytopna Railway Restaurant — a unique restaurant with a mini railroad, on which trains bring drinks to the tables.
   Cuisine: Czech and European, large choice of beer.
   What to try: pork ribs, Czech duck, specialty light beer Vytopna.
   Average check: 350-500 CZK (14-20 €) per person.
   Address: Václavské náměstí 56, 110 00 Praha 1 (right on the square).
2. Restaurace Mincovna is a stylish restaurant in modern Czech style with an open kitchen.
   Cuisine: Traditional Czech cuisine in modern presentation.
   What to try: svíčková (beef in cream sauce with dumplings), veal goulash, apple strudel.
   Average check: 350-450 CZK (14-18 €) per person.
   Address: Staroměstské náměstí 7, 110 00 Praha 1 (5-7 minutes on foot from Wenceslas Square).
3. Café Louvre — legendary café from 1902, where Franz Kafka and Albert Einstein visited.
   Cuisine: Czech and European classics, desserts, large selection of wine and coffee.
   What to try: goulash with dumplings, specialty Louvre cheesecake, Viennese schnitzel.
   Average check: 300-450 CZK (12-18 €) per person.
   Address: Národní 22, 110 00 Praha 1 (5 minutes walk from the square).

Conclusion

One day in Prague will allow you to see the most: from the Gothic towers to the cozy streets of Malá Strana. The main thing is to start the day early, buy tickets online and enjoy the beauty of the city without rushing.

Prague route map for 1 day