3 Days Prague Itinerary
Are you going to visit Prague in 2, 3 or 4 days and are wondering what to do there? Here is a proposal of itineraries and activities to discover the Czech capital.
Prague is a big city, but nothing like London or Berlin. The most touristic places are close to each other and can be easily reached on foot.
The various hills and charming cobbled streets make riding a bike in Prague more difficult unless you have some practice.
Public transport works very well: Numerous, regular and punctual. They will allow you to leave the hypercentre to discover the great life of the inhabitants of Prague.
Table of Contents
Our itineraries to visit Prague in 2 or 3 days
These itineraries in Prague will suit you:
- If you are coming to Prague for the first time,
- If you can walk around 10 km a day (or take the tram or metro).
- If you enjoy visiting museums and monuments as much as shopping or relaxing in a park, in a café or drinking a beer.
- If you prefer, like in love, to make the pleasure last rather than to “see” the most famous places as quickly as possible.
- Oh and I forgot you hate tourist places without interest.
Several steps for offline consultation on Google map:
- Check that you have the Google map application installed on your smartphone / tablet, otherwise download it from your usual app store (Apple store or Google play).
- Download the offline map of the city you are visiting.
- From your phone / tablet click on the “square” at the top right next to it, this will open the route in Google Map.
- In the menu in the form of 3 small dots, you can reduce the legend of the map to make the whole more readable.
Day 1: New Town > Old Town > Old Jewish Quarter
From the beautiful art nouveau station to the viewpoint from the Clementinum over the Old Town of Prague, this is a day out for lovers of architecture, art and history.
Prague Central Station.
Prague is full of Art Nouveau buildings and the Central Station (Hlavni Nadrazi) is one of the most beautiful. Its location behind busy thoroughfares deters many travellers. Wrongly. The station has been renovated recently and is worth a visit.
Wenceslas Square
We reach the old horse market of the New Town of Prague. This long square lined with art nouveau buildings is one of the strongest symbols of the Czechs’ quest for independence. 1848, 1968, 1989. All the strong moments of the life of the country resonate there.
Passage Te Ta
The New Town is a Swiss cheese with many passages. On the way to point C, you will find nice shops, pleasant cafes, the oldest cinema in Prague and even a king hanging on a dead horse. The anti-hero of Wenceslas Square. Sculpture by David Cerny, Czech artist and polemicist.
Havleske Trziste.
Before arriving at point D, another enigmatic work by Cerny: “The Metamorphosis” by Kafka (Socha Franze Kafky). Havleské Trziste is an open-air market in the Old Town of Prague, it’s quite touristy but you can find quality food there. It’s time to buy a fruit or two.
Then we come back for a few minutes to the start of Wenceslas Square to take Na Prikope, one of the city’s most art nouveau streets. We turn and we pass by one of the 3 operas of Prague : Stavovshé divadlo.
Forman’s “Amadeus” was partly filmed there. A little further on is the House of the Black Madonna, one of the finest examples of cubist architecture in the world. It’s also a nice shop, a nice museum and a nice café. You will guess the powder tower, one of the medieval traces of Old Prague on your right.
Municipal house.
Here is one of the most surprising monuments of Prague. It is both a performance hall, a brasserie, a café, a restaurant… The interior classified Art Nouveau is to die for.
Old Town Square
Through narrow streets we will reach the old market square of the Old Town. It is one of the most touristic places in Prague. Here you will find the old Town Hall and its panoramic tower, the statue of Jan Hus, a precursor of the reform, the Church of Our Lady of Tyn, the astronomical clock, palaces and quite a few tourist traps…
Spanish Synagogue
Leaving the square you enter Josefov, the old Jewish quarter of Prague. After the destruction of the ghetto by the local Hausmann, it became one of the most chic districts of Prague. The most impressive synagogue in Josefov is the Spanish Synagogue.
Saint Agnes Convent
This is one of the most interesting museums in Prague provided you are open-minded and have enough humor to appreciate Gothic art. Otherwise part of the former convent can be visited for free.
Then the path leads past the other synagogues and the Jewish cemetery which you can visit if you don’t mind the gates to the amusement park. You will pass the Town Hall and the municipal library before arriving in front of the former Jesuit college.
Clementinum
The Clementinum was a Catholic educational institution created to reduce opposition from the Reformed Hussites associated with Charles University in Prague. If you haven’t understood anything: Catholic versus Protestant. A superb library and above all a panoramic view from the astronomical tower. You will discover the Old Town but also the districts behind the river planned for a visit the next day: Mala Strana and Hradcany.
Enjoy your evening in one of the many traditional Czech restaurants in Prague’s Old Town.
Length of the route: 5 km.
Day 2: Mala Strana > Hradcany and the castle
We reach the heights of Prague in search of new viewpoints and through many parks. On the program one of the most beautiful churches in Europe, one of the largest castles in the world and some more secret corners.
Charles Bridge
Here we are, ready to cross the bridge and reach the Mala Strana district . The morning before the crowds arrive is a good time. The Gothic building adorned with Baroque statues is one of the most romantic places in Prague. At the end of the bridge, turn left and reach Kampa Park. There is the Kampa Museum, some weird sculptures by Cerny (again) and a nice view of the bridge (again).
Lennon Wall
You will first cross the lovers’ bridge, a small footbridge lined with padlocks. Then you will guess a multicolored and happy wall. It’s the Lennon Wall. A tribute to the Beatles singer dating back to communist times. A veritable game of cat and mouse between the authorities and Lennon fans as a form of peaceful resistance to the regime.
Wallenstein Garden
Mala Strana is one of the greenest districts of Prague. You will pass the Vojanovy Sady orchard park to reach the Wallenstein Garden. Peacocks, curious fountains and stern statues await you there.
Saint Nicholas Church
The church is the heart of the district. It is one of the most beautiful baroque churches north of the Alps, ie outside of Italy. Panoramic view from the tower and concerts are held there regularly. It’s quite incredible.
Strahov Monastery
Then begins the ascent through the baroque palaces to the forecourt of the castle and its monstrous statues of giants. You are on one of the most beautiful streets in the world. Keep going and you will reach Strahov Monastery.
It hosts magnificent libraries and a cabinet of curiosities but above all the most extraordinary view of Prague (in the courtyard of the monastery on the right in the direction of the restaurant then find the vineyards or the Bellavista ).
If you are a beer lover, the Strahov microbrewery produces Saint Norbert in the area.
Saint Vitus Cathedral and Prague Castle
We go down towards the castle passing by the Notre Dame de Lorette church, an important place of pilgrimage at the time when religion was important in the Czech Republic.
Further on the charming district of Novy Svet, the old district of the workers of the castle. Small houses, quiet streets and gardens far from the aristocratic splendor.
Two national museums precede the castle: Sternberg and Schwarzenberg. Then you enter the first courtyard of the castle guarded by soldiers in uniform. The cathedral, the golden lane and the parts accessible to the public will follow.
Letna Park
Then come out of the castle through the royal garden. You will continue through a park to the Letna Garden where several places await you to have a drink and to discover one of the most beautiful views of Prague (and yes still).
Length of the route: 10 km.
Day 3: The Islands > Vysehrad > Vinohrady > Zizkov
We have an appointment with real life and with the inhabitants of Prague. We will take a bit of history and legend along the way.
National Opera
From 1620 to 1919, power in Prague and over Bohemia was held by the city’s German minority. The construction of this opera by crowdfunding of the Czech inhabitants is a strong symbol of the struggle for independence.
Islands of the Vltava
On your right before crossing the bridge, you will see the banks dotted with barge bars. Not the worst place for an evening drink. Return to Mala Strana on the side of beautiful and pleasant cafes like the Savoy or the Lounge cafe.
Lodging the docks to the next bridge, you will come to the “Dancing House” (Tancici Dum). One of the examples of modern architecture in Prague.
Cyril and Methodius Church
During the Second World War, Czech and Slovak resistance fighters killed Reinhard Heydrich aka “Protector of Bohemia and Moravia”, Himler’s right arm and one of the highest Nazi dignitaries.
After blind reprisals, betrayal and some interrogations, the Nazis surrounded the resistance fighters hiding in the church crypt. 6 hours of shooting later, rather than surrender, the resistance fighters turn their last bullet against themselves.
Vysehrad Castle and Saint Peter and Paul Basilica
On the way to Vysehrad you will pass the Prague Botanical Garden, for plant and flower fans. Vysehrad is a magical place for Czechs. It is here that Libuše the daughter of Count Krok is said to have prophesied the founding of Prague.
Another legend: The valiant Horymír unjustly imprisoned and soon rescued by his horse Šemík. Vysehrad is a beautiful church, a cemetery populated by artists, notables and a few ghosts. And a beautiful view of Prague Castle behind the Vltava.
Vinohrady – Francouzska (Vrsovice)
Once past the two parks: Folimanka and the owl Havlíčkovy sady, the drop and the steps, you are in one of the most pleasant corners of the Czech capital.
On and around Krymska Street, many cafes, bars, restaurants and independent shops are a delight for locals, expats or not. Here no monuments or particular attractions apart from life 🙂
Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Going up through the gardens and art nouveau buildings of the Vinohrady district, you will come to the surprising church in Jiřího z Poděbrad Square.
The few cafes and bars in the square contribute to a village atmosphere.
Zizkov Tower
Here you are in front of the monstrous intergalactic tower of Prague. You’ve never seen such a construction and the natural reaction leans between awe and fascination.
The view from below is almost more impressive than the panoramic view inside. Here you are in the Zizkov district, a former working-class district of Prague with the largest number of bars and expats. You should be fine.
Length of the route: 10 km.
Day 4 in Prague: Karlin > Holesovice
The north of Prague is the old industrial district that has become an “arty” district through conversion with the brilliant museum of modern art, the very good Dox contemporary art center, the mind-blowing Cross Club and a few other good reasons to visit. take a look.
Map of Prague: All the places in the tourist guide
Find all the places in the guide to visit on the map of Prague: Hotels according to your budget, monuments not to be missed, surprising museums, romantic parks, unusual bars and cafes, concert halls and clubs to go out, vintage shopping…
Accommodation in Prague
When it comes to major touristic cities in Europe, you can usually expect sky-high prices. But in Prague, that’s not the case.
Depending on what you’re used to, you’ll find Prague to be very affordable, and maybe even cheap. And the same goes for accommodation!
Just to give you an idea, you can easily stay at a lovely 4-star hotel for $100 (USD) per night! So in other words, it’s almost necessary to splurge on a nicer hotel than you might usually book. For me, personally, I choose to stay at Prague’s best 5-star properties for around $200-300 per night.
Best (Affordable) Luxury Hotels in Prague
- Aria Hotel Prague: located in Lesser Town; this is my favorite hotel in Prague and one of the best hotel stays I’ve ever experienced!
- BoHo Prague Hotel: located in Old Town
- Alchymist Prague Castle Suites: located in Lesser Town
- Golden Well Hotel: located in Lesser Town
Best Mid-Range Hotels in Prague
- Dancing House: located in the City Center; this hotel is an architectural masterpiece and Prague icon!
- Hotel Pod Věží: located in Lesser Town
- Bishop’s House: located in Lesser Town
Best Budget Accommodation in Prague
- Miss Sophie’s New Town: located in New Town
These are my top recommendations, but if you’re still looking, you can find more amazing deals on Prague accommodations HERE. Most of them offer free cancellation, just in case.
