Spending a weekend in Prague is the perfect amount of time to get a taste of the city and all of its medieval churches and fairytale-like charm. The best thing about Prague is that it is small enough that you can see almost all of the incredible sights over the course of a weekend, and you are not left feeling like you only saw a slice of the city.
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and one of the most sought-after and cheapest travel destinations in Europe. It is characterized by its ornate buildings, historic architecture, prominent beer culture, and affordable prices. This makes Prague a great city to visit for all types of travelers, whether your interests are in history and culture or simply drinking and having a good time!
It is easy to combine a weekend in Prague with a visit to Vienna or Budapest, which are both only a short train ride away.
The warm and welcoming atmosphere of Prague makes for the perfect weekend trip. So, if you want to spend a weekend in Prague check out everything you need to do, see, and eat during your stay!
How To Spend a Weekend in Prague
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Weekend in Prague: Day 1
The first day during your weekend in Prague is for exploring everything in the Old Town and East of the Vltava River. This day is packed with historic and cultural significance and is the perfect way to start your adventures. Plus, day one is full of stunning sites and classic things to do in Prague that will surely make you excited and eager for day two!
Admire the Old Town Square
Start the first day of your weekend in Prague at the historic and beautiful Old Town Square. It is best to start your adventures here bright and early because as the day goes on it gets extremely busy. And I think that ruins the authenticity and beauty of the whole area. The square is extremely large, and interestingly enough, it is the largest town square on the European continent! Therefore, you could spend quite a bit of time walking around and admiring its beauty.
Here you will see a ton of ornate buildings, the astronomical clock, and one of the main churches Prague is known for. The main church is a gothic Church known as ‘Church of Our Lady Before Tyn’, and is one of the most noteworthy sights within the Square. You will quickly see why Prague is one of the best gothic cities in Europe.
It is characterized by its black gothic spires that reach high in the air above the pastel-colored buildings. This church stands out like a sore thumb among the other buildings and its stark contrast is alluring.
The Old Town Square in Prague is one of the grandest squares on the continent and its beauty is almost overwhelming! From every angle, you will find a sight to admire and a building to gawk at. Spending some time here to admire and soak in its beauty is a must! Also, be sure to bring your camera as you will want to capture a few photos.
Check Out the Astronomical Clock
The astronomical clock is one of the main attractions in Prague and it just so happens to be located in the Old Town Square. This is one of the main jewels of the city and it is a wonderful combination of engineering and art that dates back to medieval times. The clock is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world, and the oldest one still operating.
The clock’s fame and draw are due to its impressive and unique functions. The astronomical clock tells the time and date and shows zodiac and astronomical information. In addition, the clock puts on a show every hour! Visitors are also welcome to climb to the top of the clock tower for some impressive views of the city.
Shop the Havelsky Market
The Havelsky Market is an open-air street market that sells souvenirs, fresh fruits, artistic crafts and more! It dates back to 1232 and is still standing to this day. The prices here, like the rest of the city, are quite low and picking up fresh food or a souvenir is a great idea.
Treat Yourself to a Chimney Cake Ice Cream
Getting a chimney cake (also known as Trdelnik) ice cream was one of the things I was most excited to do while visiting Prague, and it did not disappoint! This is the most famous sweet treat that Prague is known for and is sold all around the city. It is thin strips of dough wrapped around a wooden stick so that it is formed into a hollowed-out cone. Then it is glazed with sugar and grilled over open coals.
You can eat just the dough, or you can choose from the various combinations of ingredients to add to it. I chose to add caramel inside the cone and add icecream!
Explore the Streets
During your weekend in Prague, it might be easy to get caught up in just going to all the main sights. As a result, you may miss out on seeing some less known areas of the city. That is why I think it is super important to take a break from seeing the main sights to explore the city freely and with no direction. This way you may stumble upon some unique areas with fewer people, a cute cafe to get a bite to eat at, or anything else!
Have a Beer or Wine
One of the things Prague is most well known for is its drinking culture. The city is famous for its abundance of beer that is sometimes cheaper than water! If you drink, tasting some of the infamous beer is a must. Or, if you are like me and prefer wine, this is also an option!
If you are visiting in the colder seasons you can find warm mulled wine in various places which is delicious and is perfect for warming up in Prague fashion.
View Prague’s Jewish Museum
The Prague Jewish Museum is one of the most visited museums in the city and is actually spread out over various venues. One ticket gives you access to the Old Jewish Cemetery, four synagogues, and a gallery. All of these sites give you an insightful glimpse into the cities Jewish history.
Also in this area, is the well preserved Jewish Quarter that was kept in place because Adolf Hilter wanted it as a museum of an ‘extinct race’. Visitors are welcome to walk through the streets of the significant area which holds a strong historical meaning.
Enjoy Prague Nightlife
As mentioned, Prague is well known for its nightlife and people travel from around the world to experience it. Whether or not you are into nightlife, it is still an experience to be had as the scene is unmatched by any other.
The city boasts a wide range of clubs and bars, with so many that you are sure to find one that meets your night out desires. Some of the best in the city are as follows:
- Karlovy Lazne – This is a club with 5 stories and a different type of music is played on each floor.
- Cloud 9 – This is a more high-end bar/lounge that has a rooftop terrace with stunning views of the city.
- Duplex – This is a famous club located in the center of the city, it is located on the top floor of a building and offers great views. There is a bar area for more chill drinks and an upstairs club.
- Terasa U Prince – This is a rooftop bar with the best location in the city. It is located right in the Old Town and offers the best panoramic views in Prague.
Weekend in Prague: Day 2
The second day during your weekend in Prague is for crossing the Vltava River and checking out all the sights and attractions over there. This way everything is in the same area and you don’t have to travel far distances. Plus, depending on how fast/slow you explore and what you do, you may still have time to go back and check out even more of the Old Town!
Walk Across Charles Bridge
The Charles Bridge is another must-see when visiting Prague. It is a gothic-inspired bridge that crosses the Vltava River and is complete with 30 baroque statues erected for various saints and patrons of the time. The bridge’s construction began in 1357 and was complete in the 15th century.
This bridge is extremely beautiful and its gothic architecture is unique and worth looking at, however, I highly suggest you visit this bridge in the early morning. As the day goes on it gets extremely busy with tourists and vendors which really ruins the experience.
Head to the Prague Castle
The Prague Castle is one of the most beautiful attractions in Prague to venture to. The castle was built in 880 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of beauty and history. This castle covers 70,000 square meters and is the largest castle complex in the world!
The castle is located on a hill across the Vltava River and overs stunning, panoramic views of all of Prague. The walk to the top covers quite a few stairs but is totally worth it, plus the entrance is free. More so, the architecture of the castle and sites within it are ornate and absolutely stunning. Spend some time walking the castle grounds and find all of the special treasures it holds.
View St. Vitus Cathedral
St. Vitus Cathedral is an ornate, gothic structure located within the Prague castle. This cathedral was constructed over a span of 600 years starting in 1135. It is one of the most important structures in Prague as a place of religious ceremonies and royal coronations.
The exterior of the cathedral is beautifully constructed and is complete with religious murals, ornate designs, and black spires. More so, visitors are permitted to enter the church and explore its interior! Since St. Vitus Cathedral is located on the 70,000 square meters of land that makes up the Prague castle, viewing it and entering it is very accessible.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by all there is to explore on the castle grounds I suggest you take a guided tour. This will show you all you need to see and provide you with rich and insightful information.
Enjoy a Drink with a View
The best thing to do in the Prague castle is to admire the views of the city from the top of the bank. There are various places to view the city from, but the best way to enjoy the views is with a nice drink and snacks. Luckily, there is a restaurant called Villa Richter, which is located inside the winery on the castle grounds. The restaurant offers the most stunning panoramic views of Prague and serves delicious food.
The outdoor terrace has the best views and the whole atmosphere is beyond enchanting. This is the perfect place to enjoy a local wine made from the winery, and some small bites! Also, despite the exquisite location, the prices here are pretty reasonable.
This restaurant is the best place to sit at in the whole city. As the views, food, and atmosphere are unmatched. If you do one thing in Prague it should be stopping here after exploring the castle.
Wander Through Malá Strana
Mala Strana is the picturesque cobblestone area that makes up the base of the Prague castle. This area is full of narrow streets, pastel-colored houses, and a ton of restaurants and pubs. It is the perfect area to explore after walking down from the castle for some calm and authentic explorations. The best part about this area in Prague is that it is less busy than the Old Town area. Therefore, exploring feels less like walking in a crowd and more independent.
There is no shortage of things to do in Mala Strana from the Lennon Wall to Cafe Savoy and beyond. However, it is most enjoyable to simply walk around the quaint streets and admire the beauty that is Prague.
View The John Lennon Wall
The John Lennon Wall is a celebrated piece of Prague culture that has been attracting visitors since the ’80s. The wall is full of unique artwork, inspirational messages, and of course, John Lennon’s face. People are welcome to add their own touch to it, as a result, the wall is constantly changing and evolving.
However, the wall is not what I initially expected. It is a lot smaller than you’d think and is pretty hard to find – so be sure to use google maps to this location.
Additional Information on Prague
When to visit Prague
The best thing about Prague as a travel destination is that it is great to visit all year long. There is no bad time to visit the city, and each season comes with its own special things to do and see.
Of course, the summer has warmer weather, but this comes with more tourists. While the winter has cooler temperatures and fewer tourists. If you don’t mind cooler temperatures I would suggest heading to Prague in the shoulder seasons of April – May, and September -October.
Where to stay in Prague
The most important thing while choosing accommodation with just one weekend in Prague is the location. You want to be in the city so exploring and getting around is easier and convenient. Therefore, the best places to stay in Prague with the best locations and within three budget ranges are as follows:
Budget
Moderate
Luxury
Evidently, a weekend in Prague will show you a ton of the city’s beauty, charm and enchantment. You will without a doubt fall in love with the welcoming atmosphere of the city and the abundance of culture it holds. If you are contemplating planning a visit to Prague, I highly suggest you do it. There are few cities as beautiful as Prague.
Sam is the creator of the travel blog and brand Sam Sees World. She is a full-time traveler, digital nomad, photographer, and adventurer. With a passion for exploration, she has been travel blogging since 2018, sharing insights from visits to over 50 countries. She lived in Amsterdam for 5 years but has embraced a fully nomadic lifestyle for the last 2 years, continuously journeying from the Swiss Alps to surfer towns in Australia. Join her as she shows you the beauty of our world through her lens & words.
