# Prague Travel Guide

> Plan your Prague trip with Old Town vs Lesser Town guides, beer tips, and a free AI itinerary generator from a Fora-certified advisor.

- Country: Czech Republic
- Canonical page: https://savvyjetsetter.ca/destinations/prague
- Last updated: 2026-04-11
- Author: Bobby Atwal, TICO-registered travel advisor (Fora Travel), Toronto — https://savvyjetsetter.ca/inquiry

## Overview

The best-preserved medieval centre in Europe. Gothic spires, baroque palaces, a 14th-century astronomical clock, and an Old Town Square that looks like it was CGI'd. Smaller and cheaper than Vienna or Budapest, and somehow still undertouristed in shoulder season. Best combined with a Czech beer education (Pilsner Urquell and the traditional pubs), which will ruin your relationship with most North American beer.

## At a glance

- **Best time to visit:** April-June and September-October are the sweet spots — mild temperatures, blooming parks, Gothic spires against blue sky.
- **How long to stay:** Three to four days is perfect. Day 1: Old Town Square, astronomical clock, Jewish Quarter.
- **Budget:** $50-90 USD/day (hostel in Old Town, goulash + svickova meals CZK200-350, tram). Prague is one of Central Europe best value cities.
- **Getting there from Canada:** Fly into Vaclav Havel (PRG) — 8 hours from YYZ via Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam. Bus 119 to Nadrazi Veleslavin metro station (CZK40), then metro A to Old Town.

## Best time to visit

**April-June and September-October** are the sweet spots — mild temperatures, blooming parks, Gothic spires against blue sky. July-August are hot and tourist-packed. December is magical for Christmas markets but bitterly cold. Late January and February are the cheapest (and most atmospheric) months if you don't mind sub-zero walks.

## Budget

**Budget:** $50-90 USD/day (hostel in Old Town, goulash + svickova meals CZK200-350, tram). Prague is one of Central Europe best value cities. **Mid-range:** $140-260 USD/day (4-star near Charles Bridge, beer hall dinners, castle tour, day trip to Cesky Krumlov). **Luxury:** $500+ USD/day (Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Augustine, private old-town tour, fine dining).

## Getting there

**Fly into Vaclav Havel (PRG)** — 8 hours from YYZ via Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam. Bus 119 to Nadrazi Veleslavin metro station (CZK40), then metro A to Old Town.

## Getting around

**Metro + trams + walking.** The historic centre is 100% walkable. Tram 22/23 is the scenic route — it climbs past Prague Castle. Buy a 72-hour pass (CZK330). Skip taxis from Old Town Square — they overcharge tourists.

## Quick facts

- **Airport:** Vaclav Havel (PRG)
- **Currency:** CZK (Czech Koruna, ~1 USD = 23 CZK)
- **Language:** Czech; English in tourist areas
- **Time zone:** GMT+1 (CET)
- **Plugs:** Type C/E, 230V
- **Visa (Canadians):** Schengen: 90 days visa-free
- **Tipping:** 10% at sit-down restaurants

## Where to stay

- **Old Town (Staré Město)** — The fairytale core with the astronomical clock, Old Town Square, and Jewish Quarter. Touristy but walkable to everything. Best for: first-timers, short stays.
- **Lesser Town (Malá Strana)** — Across the Charles Bridge below the castle — baroque palaces, hidden gardens, the quietest beautiful streets in Prague. Best for: couples, repeat visitors.
- **New Town (Nové Město)** — Despite the name, it's 600 years old — Wenceslas Square, department stores, the national museum. Less scenic, more functional, cheaper hotels. Best for: budget travelers, business trips.
- **Jewish Quarter (Josefov)** — Former Jewish ghetto inside Old Town with six historic synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery. Best for: history seekers, culture buffs.
- **Vinohrady** — Hip residential neighbourhood 15 minutes from Old Town with leafy streets, the best cafés and craft beer bars, and cheap rent. Best for: slow travelers, foodies.
- **Žižkov** — Gritty-alternative neighbourhood with the famous Žižkov TV tower and the most pubs per capita in Europe. Cheap and authentic. Best for: nightlife, budget travelers.

## Food and drink

- **La Degustation Boheme Bourgeoise** (Czech tasting / 1 Michelin) — Old Town. 7- and 11-course tasting menus featuring 19th-century Czech recipes. CZK3,500-5,000.
- **Lokal** (Modern pub / classic Czech) — Three locations. Gulas, svickova, and the best tank Pilsner Urquell in Prague. CZK200 mains.
- **Eska** (Modern Czech bakery-bistro) — Karlin. Michelin Bib Gourmand. Fermented bread, modern Czech small plates. The Karlin neighbourhood has become Pragues foodie quarter.
- **Field** (Modern Czech / 1 Michelin) — Old Town. Seasonal tasting with Bohemian ingredients. CZK3,800 tasting menu.
- **U Fleku (since 1499)** (Historic beer hall) — New Town. 500-year-old brewery with its own dark lager. Touristy but historically legit — oompah music nightly.
- **Sisters Bistro** (Czech sandwiches) — Dlouha street. Tiny chlebicky (open sandwiches) at CZK50-80 each. Quick, delicious, iconic snack.
- **Cafe Louvre** (Historic cafe (since 1902)) — Narodni trida. Einstein + Kafka hung out here. Breakfast, coffee, apple strudel, excellent people-watching.

## Day trips

- **Cesky Krumlov** (3 hr by bus) — UNESCO fairy-tale town on the Vltava. Castle, cobblestones, medieval charm. 3 hours by bus each way — long day but unmissable.
- **Karlovy Vary** (2 hr by bus) — Famous spa town with 12 thermal springs. Grand Hotel Pupp (Casino Royale). 2 hours by bus.
- **Kutna Hora** (60 min by train) — Bone Church (Sedlec Ossuary) decorated with 40,000 skeletons. Plus St. Barbara Cathedral. 60 min by train.
- **Terezin** (60 min by bus) — WWII concentration camp and fortress. A heavy but important day. 60 min by bus from Prague.

## Common mistakes

- **Only walking Old Town + Charles Bridge:** Thats one day. Prague rewards 3-4 days — Vysehrad, Karlin, Letna Park, Mala Strana are where locals actually live.
- **Ordering Budweiser:** Czech Budvar is the original. American Budweiser lost every trademark lawsuit. Order Pilsner Urquell, Staropramen, or Kozel instead.
- **Changing money in Old Town Square:** The exchange booths are scams with absurd rates. Use an ATM or a proper Exchange office with posted rates and no hidden fees.
- **Missing astronomical clock show:** Every hour, the 600-year-old clock in Old Town Square does a short apostles parade. Its cute, takes 40 seconds, and locals think its silly.

## Sample itinerary

### Day 1: Arrive + Old Town

- PRG arrival
- Old Town Square + Astronomical Clock
- Charles Bridge at sunset
- Dinner at Lokal

### Day 2: Prague Castle day

- Tram 22 to Prague Castle
- St. Vitus Cathedral + Golden Lane
- Strahov Monastery library
- Lunch in Mala Strana + Kampa Park

### Day 3: Jewish Quarter + Karlin

- Josefov synagogues + Old Jewish Cemetery
- Municipal House Art Nouveau tour
- Dinner at Eska in Karlin
- Cocktails at Hemingway Bar

### Day 4: Cesky Krumlov day trip

- Early bus to Cesky Krumlov
- Castle + tower climb
- Vltava raft or walk
- Return for U Fleku beer hall dinner

### Day 5: Vysehrad + departure

- Vysehrad fortress walk
- Letna Park beer garden lunch
- Last pastries at Cafe Louvre
- PRG departure

## Frequently asked questions

### How many days do I need in Prague?

Three to four days is perfect. Day 1: Old Town Square, astronomical clock, Jewish Quarter. Day 2: Charles Bridge, Lesser Town, Prague Castle at the top of the hill. Day 3: Vinohrady, Vyšehrad for the views, beer tour. Day 4: day trip to Kutná Hora (bone church) or Český Krumlov.

### Is Prague cheap?

Yes — one of the best values in Europe. A Pilsner Urquell in a traditional pub is 50-80 CZK (under $4). Meals at solid local restaurants run 250-450 CZK ($10-18). Hotels have gone up but are still cheaper than Vienna or Berlin. Bring koruna, not euros.

### Is the astronomical clock worth waiting for?

The show itself is 30 seconds of mild clockwork — honestly underwhelming. But the clock tower and face are beautiful. See it once, don't plan your day around it. The climb up the Old Town Hall tower next to it for the rooftop view is better value.

### Is Prague safe?

Very safe. Pickpockets in Old Town Square and on tram 22 (the castle tram) are the main risk. The classic scam is fake 'change money' street guys — always refuse and use ATMs. Avoid Wenceslas Square strip clubs — they're all rip-offs.

### Should I drink Czech beer?

Yes — Czech lager is arguably the best beer on earth, and it's produced a stone's throw from Prague. Drink it in traditional pubs (hospody), not tourist-oriented bars. Pilsner Urquell, Staropramen, Budvar (the real Budweiser) — they all travel badly, so drink them here. Order 'pivo prosím' (a beer, please).

## Plan this trip

- Have a TICO-registered advisor plan Prague (complimentary; the hotel pays the commission): https://savvyjetsetter.ca/inquiry?destination=Prague
- Free AI itinerary for Prague: https://savvyjetsetter.ca/plan?destination=Prague
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