33 Perfect Things to Do in Prague For First Time Visitors- 2024

There are a lot of absolutely awesome and essential things to do in Prague. How do we know? We’ve lived here for 6 years!

Most people associate Prague with stunning views of Prague Castle or walking across the historic stones of the gorgeous Charles Bridge. However, beautiful architecture is not the only thing the capital of the Czech Republic offers.

Prague possesses a wildly eclectic mix of history, culture, ambiance, nightlife, and beauty. Lovers of amazing architecture, green parks, historical ambiance, delicious beer, and incredible Gothic skylines will fall in love with Prague. 

And still, that’s not all that Prague has to offer. 

Things to Do in Prague

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Prague offers tourists a lot more than first might meet the eye. After exploring the spectacular beauty of the center we highly urge you to venture beyond.

With that in mind, we put together a list of things to do in Prague for a first-time visitor. Every single item on this list is either free or as close to free as you can get. Everything on this list should be done at least once.

Bear in mind that some of these locations and activities are rather obvious. Some will be crowded with tourists pretty much all year round. However, we’re very much of the opinion that some of the best parts of Prague lie off the beaten path. We are including a handful to add to your list of what to see in Prague as well. 

Alright, let’s get into it!

When we think of things to do in Prague one of the first activities that comes to mind is taking in the views from the Charles Bridge. This is an unforgettable experience that will doubtlessly stay with you for years to come.

Walking across the Charles Bridge is an absolute must for first-time visitors to the city. Yes, the bridge will be crowded with other tourists, but so what? We lived in Prague for years and visited the bridge numerous times. We never get sick of the views. And neither will you!

That’s why, out of all the sites to visit in Prague, the Charles Bridge is the absolute first one you will have to see!

The famous Charles Bridge spans the Vltava River and connects Old Prague Center to Mala Strana, which means “Little Side”. The bridge is protected by three imposing Gothic towers and is home to thirty Baroque-style statues and statuaries.

The Charles Bridge  (Karlův most in Czech) is almost 700 years old and took about 50 years to build. That’s pretty crazy, right? Think about that as you walk over its storied cobblestones.

The Charles Bridge is remarkable both day and night. As a result, it naturally draws large amounts of tourists in all but the quietest hours night. Stroll across the Charles Bridge during the day to take in the views. Return at night for the magical atmosphere and the sight of Prague Castle shining brightly. You’ll understand why we refer to Prague as a Disneyland for grownups.

Make sure you enter and climb the Old Town Tower Bridge for amazing landscape views. It’s totally worth the 110 Kč (around $5 USD) entrance to go up into these towers for a pristine view of Mala Strana. 

Explore Prague Castle

Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world. It is also the most renowned of all of the city’s many landmarks.

Set atop a hilly vantage point overlooking the Vltava River, the castle is a staggering work of architectural design. Its twin spire church, St. Vitus Cathedral, is especially impressive. It sports an abundance of arches, gargoyles, and massive Gothic spires that soar into the sky. The cathedral is what everyone pictures when they think of Prague Castle.

The park around the castle is peaceful, green, and magnificently landscaped. A walk amidst the leafy pathways while marveling upwards at the castle on a sunny day makes for an unforgettable experience. 

Check out our complete guide to visiting Prague Castle for everything you need to know about exploring this amazing work of wonder!

Visit Old Town Square

Prague’s Old Town Square is one of the most spectacular squares in Europe (it’s probably also one of the few that are actually shaped like a square, but that’s neither here nor there).

The square has seen centuries of history with some of its Gothic buildings dating back to the 14th century. This impressive square managed to survive World War II mostly unscathed, which is rare for European cities. Parts of it are so well preserved you might wonder if you took a step back in time.

During the high season and the winter holidays, the Old Town Square is crowded and festive, catering mostly to tourists. If you’re traveling on a budget in Prague don’t eat here as the restaurants are predictably overpriced. Instead, sip on a beverage purchased elsewhere, and take in the incredible architecture and ambiance of the city center.

If you are visiting in the winter months be sure to pick up a cup of mulled hot wine from the vendors around the square. It’ll warm you right up!

Check out our article on exploring Old Town Prague for some more tips on where you need to go when exploring this historic area for the first time!

Check the Time at the Astronomical Clock

The Old Town Hall Tower, constructed in the early 1400s, sits imposingly in the middle of the square. The tower is among the highest in the Old Town and houses one of Prague’s most identifiable icons, the Astronomical Clock.

Dozens of tourists flock to the clock every hour on the hour to see the mechanical relic put on a small show. We can honestly say that sticking around for the dancing mechanical dolls is not really worth your time if you are in a rush to discover the city, but it’s an amusing sight to see once in your life.

You can ascend to the top of the Old Town Hall tower, which houses the Astronomical clock, for around 250 Kč. That price is a bit more expensive than other landmarks in Prague but it’s worth the price of admission, so make sure you pay the fee and go.

There are elevators for those who have a hard time climbing stairs, and the views from atop are SPECTACULAR. You’ll get a really good look at Our Lady Before Tyn Church and the rest of Prague’s magnificent Old Town in all directions.

Step Back in Time in Malá Strana

After you are done exploring Prague Castle take a walk down the hill to the Mala Strana neighborhood. Marvel at the historic cobble-stoned streets and the spectacular facades of the centuries-old buildings.

No matter what season you visit the city walking this neighborhood is one of the top things to do in Prague, so you are likely to run into many tourists on the main streets of Mala Strana.

Don’t be afraid to jump off the main thoroughfares to turn into a side street and follow your curiosity. There is much to be discovered in this gorgeous neighborhood beyond overpriced food and cheap souvenirs.

Notable Things to See and Do in Mala Strana –

• Walk Through Wallenstein Garden
• Memorial to the Victims of Communism
• Climb to the top of Petrin Tower
• Marvel at the Church of Saint Nicholas
• Drink a Beer at Strahov Monastery
• Relax at Kampa Park
• Visit the Franz Kafka Museum

Read our guide for more on the marvelous neighborhood of Mala Strana, Prague.

Stroll Down Wenceslas Square

The “Times Square of Prague”, Wenceslas Square is a busy consumer hub right in the center of the Prague 1 neighborhood. 

History buffs will appreciate the tumultuous and critical role Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) has played over the last century. Named after the patron saint of Bohemia, Saint Wenceslas, the square is part of Prague’s New Town (Nové Město) and is a recognized World Heritage Site.

While today it is a major center for business and retail, Wenceslas Square has been the historical site of many of the country’s most influential demonstrations, protests, and celebrations.

It is also home to the newly re-opened National Museum, which is the oldest museum in Prague, and the Czech Republic. 

There are a ton of tourist restaurants in the square that we think visitors are best served to avoid. The square is home to various nightclubs (and strip clubs) and becomes a bit raucous after dark. 

Admire the Views at Letna Park

Prague is easy on the eyes, and always leaves you wanting more. Head to Letenske Sady (Letna Park) for a unique view of the River Vltava and all of its bridges.

Perched above the city on a hilltop you can snap as many incredible pictures of Prague as your heart desires. Just be sure to go when the weather is nice to capture the city in all of its glory.

Letna Park is also home to one of the best beer gardens in Prague, aptly named the Letna Beer Garden. You can chill out here for hours. Drink amazing Czech beers, eat greasy Czech street food, and take in the stunning views of the city. Letna is one of the best places to enjoy a beer on a nice day, so make sure to put this on your list of things to do in Prague! 

Visit Petrin Tower and Petrin Hill

Petrin Hill is one of the most beautiful parks in Prague, hands down. Petřín Hill boasts the highest elevation of any of Prague’s green spaces at 320 meters above sea level. Getting up there can be a hike, so be sure to wear good walking shoes. If walking up hills isn’t something you enjoy feel free to take the funicular. It is which is included in the price of a normal public transport ticket. Lines might be long in high season, however. 

Petřín is home to five gardens in Prague so you will find no shortage of beauty here. You’ll also find an observatory and a mirror maze up here if you’re looking to get out of the sun for a bit.

And of course, Petřín Hill is also home to one of Prague’s most famous landmarks, the Petřín Lookout Tower. Built in 1891, the tower was inspired by the Eiffel Tower. The height of the hill plus the height of the tower itself make it the same height as the actual Eiffel Tower.

If you’ve made it this far up the hill, we recommend taking the stairs to the top of the tower – it is one of the best views of Prague you’ll be able to find. Just be sure to bring your camera and treat yourself to a beer at the bottom of the tower after all your hard work. You deserve it!

Enjoy Other Incredible Views in Prague

For more incredible views of Prague outside of Letna Park head to Petrin Hill. If it’s a nice day take a trip to Riegrovy Sady to catch views like the one above.

There is an awesome beer garden in Riegrovy Sady that is open all year round. We have spent many an evening there, and absolutely love it.

Other places with incredible views of Prague include the Dancing House, the Old Town Bridge Tower, the St. Nicholas Church Tower, Strahov Monastery, and the Zizkov TV Tower. 

Have a look at our article on photographing Prague for some great vantage points to capture incredible images! 

Stroll Around Wallenstein Garden

Wallenstein Garden (Valdštejnská zahrada in Czech) is a fabulous Baroque masterpiece situated near the base of Prague Castle. It is not the most secluded and serene of the many gardens and parks in the neighborhood, but it is definitely one of the more stunning parks in Mala Strana, Prague.

While Wallenstein Garden is worth visiting for the views of Prague Castle alone, the park is also home to Wallenstein Palace, a serene Koi pond, and some really sweet statues. All of that combined makes this garden/park a beautiful and tranquil place to leisurely stroll through.

And oh yeah, the garden is home to a couple of white peacocks. These magnificent birds stroll around as if they own the place, and in a way, they do!  As always, please don’t feed or touch the animals, and enjoy the incredible beauty of this wondrous garden!

Note – Wallenstein Garden is closed between mid-October and early April, so only those visiting in the Spring, Summer, and early Fall will get a chance to experience this awesome gem of a garden!

Have a Czech Beer. Or Three.

The Czech Republic has the highest per capita consumption of beer in the world. The country has an absolute love affair with beer. And why not? They make damn fine brews.

Prague offers so many opportunities to sit down and have a cheap cold pivo (Czech for beer) that anyone visiting would be remiss not to try at least a pint. Find yourself a nice spot with a good view, either by the river or in a square somewhere and order one of Prague’s many world-renown beers.

Regardless of where you consume your beverages drinking beer is definitely on the list of things to do in Prague. Na Zdravi (which means “to health” and is how you say cheers in Czech)!

Check out our list of the best places to drink delicious beer in Prague, and create your own beer tour of the City of 100 Spires!

Our list of the best pubs and bars in Prague should help you guys out as well.  

Enjoy Arts and Culture in Prague

What kind of art are you interested in? Whatever the answer, Prague probably has a museum devoted to it.

From a museum devoted to the history of the city to sculptures, there is something for everyone.

There are some really cool art installations all over Prague. Our favorites include the alien babies on Kampa Island. The Memorial to the Victims of Communism at the base of Petřín Hill is worth checking out. And the giant transforming Franz Kafka head outside the Quadrio shopping center is incredible! 

Additionally, Prague has a National Theater, Ballet house, and an Opera house. Whatever your cultural desire may be you’ll be able to satisfy it here. It’s safe to say that lovers of cultural exploration will find a ton of things to do in Prague.

Check out our article on the best museums in Prague for more information on all the great places you can visit during your time here, and how you can explore a whole bunch of museums for free!

Take a Group Tour

We aren’t the world’s biggest fans of group tours, we prefer exploring things at our own pace. However, if you are in a city for a short period of time an organized tour can really help you learn a lot, quickly, and can therefore come in handy. If you want to learn a lot in the shortest time possible a tour should be on your list of things to do in Prague. 

We put together a list of tours in Prague that we think might benefit a first-time visitor. Below is a short summary of a few of the most exciting tours you might want to consider. For a full list check out our guide to the best tours in Prague.

• Prague Ghosts and Legends Tour – Learn about folklore and local legends as you explore a bit of Prague.
• Czech Beer Museum Tour in Prague – For the beer lovers out there. Learn all about beer…while drinking it!
• Prague Old Town, New Town, and Astronomical Clock Tour – Comprehensive tour of Prague’s biggest tourist attractions.
• Kutna Hora and Bone Chapel Tour Day Trip From Prague – A 8 hour tour to the fascinating Kutna Hora, which is about 40 minutes outside of Prague.

Hop on a Tram and Ride

Prague has an excellent system of public transportation, using trams, metro, and buses that make getting around the city super easy. The best way to see parts of Prague you might otherwise miss is to hop on a tram and ride it out in any direction.

Prague’s network of trams is the third largest in the world, following Moscow and Budapest. It is one of the oldest in Europe. In fact, the very first trams were pulled by horses and date back to the year 1879. Today, the extensive network consists of 25 daytime routes, 9 night routes and 1 historic route. It also stretches over 500 kilometers and transports over 300 million passengers per year.

We recommend riding a random tram to watch the city slowly pass by. Alternatively, if adventure isn’t your thing, we recommend riding either the historic 91 or 23 Prague trams. These tourist trams take you through some of Prague’s most important landmarks.

So if you are a first-time visitor make sure to add at least one tram ride to your things to do in Prague list!

Eat Out in Prague

Prague seemingly never stops giving and it’s certainly the case when it comes to food. Not only do you have countless options when it comes to Czech delicacies a cuisine, but the city also offers a surprising abundance of international fare.

Read our recommendations on great places to eat with our guide to the 20 best restaurants in Prague!

Additionally, the city has a growing vegetarian scene with over over 50 vegan restaurants alone.

Click here to read our Vegan Guide to Prague on our sister site, Veggie Visa.

Plan a Night Out in Prague

Bars, cafes, lounges, beer gardens, jazz bars, pub crawls, dance clubs, underground clubs, casinos, strip clubs…Prague has every single type of venue you can think of when it comes to nighttime entertainment.

As a first time visitor you probably won’t venture outside of the Center much, but trust us when we tell you that Prague’s nightlife extends well beyond the confines of Prague 1. And as it happens, we wrote a guide about that as well! So check that out, and go party!

When in the center start off with a beer or mixed drinks at Chapeau Rouge (pictured above), which is a famous three floored bar/club/underground music venue right near Old Town Square.

Or check out U Vejvodu Pub & Beer Hall Restaurant. It’s got a great relaxed atmosphere, you can get a pint of Pilsner for under $1.70, there are always pretzels on the table, and the bartenders seem like they’ve been around for ages.

Most clubs don’t start going till about 1:00 AM, but if you get there before midnight there is rarely a cover charge. Let loose…just leave your valuables locked up in your hostel/hotel/rental apartment.

We have experienced absolutely zero crime during our time in Prague. However, as with any other location, pick-pocketing and petty theft does occur, so use common sense whilst enjoying your night out.

For more information check out our guide to Prague nightlife, which includes the best bars and clubs in Prague!

Visit a Beer Spa in Prague

We often get asked by people arriving in Prague for the first time if we recommend visiting a beer spa. The answer is yes. And no. We’re conflicted. Let us briefly explain. 

Despite what it sounds like a beer spa treatment does not consist of submerging yourself into a vat of pure golden brewed pilsner. You bath in that concoction of hops, yeast, and herbs. These are said to have various positive effects on skin and physical health. 

The average beer spa treatment lasts about a half hour to an hour. During that time you can drink as much beer as you want during the session. Some beer spas may add other perks like massage treatments or saunas.

If you fancy the idea of bathing in herbal water while drinking all the beer you can hold inside of you, visit a beer spa. 

Read more about beer spas in Prague here. 

Get Off the Beaten Path

Exploring outside of traditional tourist zones can be a challenge when visiting a city for the first time. Thankfully Prague has a great public transportation system of trams, metros, and buses to make getting around the city easy.

Now all you need is a list of places to go, and some wanderlusting feet to take you there. No worries, we’ve got you covered on the first part. Check out our article about getting off the beaten path in Prague and exploring the Prague that most tourists never get to see!

For a more specific dive into the lesser-seen (by tourists) areas of Prague, you can check out our guide to Zizkov, one of our favorite neighborhoods in Prague. How much do we like Zizkov? Enough to live here for over a year!

Take a Day Trip from Prague

There are a TON of things to do in Prague. However, if you are in town for longer than a few days we highly recommend you take some time to see a bit of the Czech Republic outside of its capital.

There are many places to go, like the fairy tale town of Cesky Krumlov pictures above, so we wrote this handy guide detailing a bunch of different day trips from Prague just for you guys! 

You can also take day trips from Prague to explore 11 of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites you can find in the Czech Republic. Read the linked article for much more information!

Want to explore the Czech Republic by car? Compare the best car rental rates in the Czech Republic here!

Visit the Prague Christmas Markets

If you are visiting Prague in December and you like all things festive and Christmas related, you’re in luck. Prague in December is home to many a Christmas market, from huge ones in Old Town Square to small intimate markets in areas like JZP. 

December in Prague is filled with festive lights, mulled wine, Christmas trees, traditional Czech street food, and bright decorations. If exploring Christmas markets strikes your fancy add it to your list of things to do in Prague. Make sure to do so in December as markets close soon after Christmas.  

For more on Prague’s Christmas markets, and on markets elsewhere in the Czech Republic have a look at our mega guide to Xmas markets in Prague. 

Where to Stay in Prague

Looking for a great place to stay? Check out our complete guide to where to stay in Prague which includes a neighborhood guide.

Also, take a gander at our best hotels in Prague guide.

If you’re on a tight budget our guide to the best hostels in Prague can help keep costs down!

Here are our top choices of where to stay in Prague:

• Luxury Hotel in Prague – The Alchymist Grand Hotel & Spa Prague
• Boutique Hotel in Prague – Vintage Design Hotel Sax
• Hostel in Prague – Czech Inn

And there you have it folks. Our guide to all the wonderful things to do in Prague. As you can see we put a lot of time into exploring this city. We hope you do as well.

As always, safe travels and we’ll see you on the road! If you are visiting Prague, feel free to drop us a line either let us know you are coming! Maybe we can have a beer or three!

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