Prague
Prague deserves 3–4 nights — enough for the Castle district, Old Town and the Jewish Quarter, Charles Bridge at sunrise and sunset, and at least one unhurried evening in a proper beer hall. Base yourself in Old Town, Malá Strana, or Vinohrady — all walkable or a short tram ride to the center. Its compact, best-preserved-in-Europe historic core means you'll cover a lot on foot. Budget roughly $45–75/day per person before accommodation.
Prague has a reputation as one of Europe's most beautiful capitals, and for once, the reputation undersells it. It survived the 20th century's wars with its medieval and Baroque core almost entirely physically intact, which means the golden spires and red rooftops in every postcard shot aren't a rebuilt facade — they're the real, centuries-old thing. Here's how to actually see it, without losing a day to the crowds at the Astronomical Clock.
How many days do you need in Prague?
Three to four nights is the sweet spot. One day for the Castle district (Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Golden Lane), one for Old Town and Charles Bridge, one for the Jewish Quarter and a proper beer hall crawl, and a fourth day either for a slower pace around Vinohrady and Petřín Hill, or as a springboard for a Český Krumlov day trip. Two days works if you're pressed for time, but you'll be moving fast.
Which neighborhood should you stay in?
| Neighborhood | Best for | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town (Staré Město) | First-timers who want everything on foot | Central, touristy, can be loud at night near the square |
| Malá Strana (Lesser Town) | Quieter charm, castle views | Cobblestoned, romantic, close to the Castle and the bridge |
| Vinohrady | A calmer, more local base | Leafy, residential, excellent restaurants, 10–15 min tram to center |
| Žižkov | Nightlife and craft beer on a budget | Edgier, cheaper, great pub scene, a bit further out |
Prague's public transport (trams, metro, buses) is cheap, frequent, and genuinely excellent — a 24-hour ticket runs around 120 CZK (about $5.50). You don't need to stay directly in Old Town to have an easy trip; Vinohrady or Žižkov save money and still put you 10–15 minutes from the center.
What's actually worth seeing
- Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral — the largest ancient castle complex in the world by area; arrive right at opening (9am) to get ahead of tour groups.
- Charles Bridge at sunrise — the same bridge that's shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists by 10am is nearly empty and genuinely magical at 6–7am.
- The Jewish Quarter (Josefov) — one of Europe's best-preserved historic Jewish quarters, with six synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery packed with centuries of layered headstones.
- A proper beer hall — not a tourist-trap chain, but a real Czech pivnice serving Pilsner Urquell or a local craft brew straight from the tank.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Exchanging money at a currency booth in Old Town Square or near the Astronomical Clock — the posted rate is almost never the rate you actually get; use a bank ATM or a pre-loaded travel card instead.
- Hailing a random taxi off the street. Use Bolt, Uber, or Liftago (all reliable in Prague) — they show the fare upfront and have largely ended the city's old meter-tampering problem.
- Trying to see the Castle, Old Town, and the Jewish Quarter all in one day. Each deserves its own morning or afternoon — rushing all three turns a highlight into a blur.
Stay in Old Town, Malá Strana, or Vinohrady — all walkable to the center
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