Planning a quick trip to Prague? The storybook feel of this extremely unique and historically rich city makes it a perfect destination for a weekend escape. Whether you’re hoping to explore the Prague Castle (which you must do!), sip local beers, or wander through centuries-old neighborhoods Prague has it all. From soaking up the sunset and live music on the Charles Bridge to catching panoramic views from some of the surrounding wineries, here’s how to make the most of your 48 hours in Prague.
Currency
The Czech Republic (Prague) does NOT operate on the Euro! The currency of the Czech Republic is the Czech Koruna. Many hotels and restaurants will accept Euros, but at a higher exchange rate. Be sure to take cash out at an ATM or pay in the local currency on your travel credit card.
Where to Stay
There are a handful of fun, lively, and safe neighborhoods to stay in Prague. You can’t go wrong with any of the ones I’ve listed below. It’s all about where you want to be located. Prague itself is a pretty walkable city, so no matter where you stay, you will be able to get around quite easily.
Malรก Strana
Malรก Strana, or Lesser Town, is a great area to stay if you’re visiting Prague for the first time. Staying in this area will put you right below the Prague Castle and in close proximity to the Charles Bridge. There are great restaurants and shops in this area and a plethora of Hotels and Airbnbs.
Here is an Airbnb that I stayed in a few years ago during one of my trips to Prague. This was a stunning apartment in a fabulous location. It seems like the property is not accepting reservations right now, but I’d message the host or find something similar nearby!
Hostels: Hostel Little Quarter (most of the other good hostels are on the other side of the river – keep reading!)
Mid-Range/Comfortable Hotel: Hotel William, Hotel Pod Vezi
Luxury Hotels: Augustine Hotel, Mandarin Hotel
Starรฉ Mฤsto Old Town Historic Center of Prague
Across the river from Malรก Strana is the historic center of Prague. This is where you will find the iconic Astronomical Clock, the Tyn Church, and the Old Town Hall. This is a very lively and historic area of Prague, but in the peak months it is very busy. I recommend staying near this area during the shoulder seasons and low seasons, unless you love being around the crowds and tour groups. ๐
Hostels: Hostel Homer, Hostel Orange
Mid-Range/Comfortable Hotel: Hotel Liliova, Aurus Hotel
Luxury Hotels: The Grand Mark Prague, Hotel U Prince by BHG
Novรฉ Mฤsto (New Town)
Just south of Old Town is New Town! This is where I stayed on my very first visits to Prague (and one of my first ever solo trips) and I loved being in this area. It’s very easy to walk up to old town, and easy to Uber over to the Prague Castle. I’d recommend staying in this area or in Malรก Strana if you are traveling to Prague in the high season. This neighborhood winds back up behind Old Town too, so there might be some overlap in hotels when you’re searching.
Hostels: Hostel Downtown (this was my first experience in a hostel and I’ve been hooked ever since. I had a crystal clear view of Prague Castle from my room and it even lit up at night. Staying here was a memory I will never forget and I highly recommend this one!), Sophie’s Hostel is another great one.
Mid-Range/Comfortable Hotels: Mosaic House Design Hotel, K+K Hotel Fenix
Luxury Hotels: Andaz Prague by Hyatt, The Manes Boutique Hotel
Day One in Prague
Now that you’ve booked your accommodation, let’s get into how to spend your 48 hours in Prague!
Prague Castle
Assuming you have a full day ahead of you, start with a walking tour of the Prague Castle. Yes, I said “tour”! I don’t always love to book guided tours, but for the Prague Castle, I highly recommend it. The tour guides at the castle are able to give you access to different areas of the castle grounds that regular tourists can’t enter. I didn’t know that upon booking my tour, but once I learned that information I was so glad to have seen the castle this way. I’d give yourself about 4-5 hours for this castle. This will easily take up half of your day.
Did you know that the Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle complex in the world? It’s like a mini city once you get inside and it dates back to the 9th century! The Czech president still lives at this castle, so its history spans well over 1,000 years.
Here’s the exact tour that I would recommend for the Prague Castle. My favorite part of the tour is always the Cathedral and Golden Lane.
Grab Lunch Near the Castle or in Malรก Strana
On your way out of Prague Castle, you will walk down Starรฉ Zรกmeckรฉ Schody. About halfway down this street is Fรผrstenberg Garden Coffee. This isn’t necessarily lunch (especially after walking miles at the castle), but you can grab a snack and a drink and get unbelievable views. This is one of my favorite spots in Prague.
For a real meal, there’s a great traditional Czech restaurant called Restaurace U Mlynรกลe below the castle.
Explore Malรก Strana
Spend some time exploring Malรก Strana. It’s such a cute and unique area that feels stuck in time. I always find myself stumbling upon live music in this area, too.
For dinner, I suggest making a reservation at Kampa Park (photo to the left). This restaurant sits below Charles Bridge and has a breathtaking view of the bridge! Make sure to get a table by the window with a view if you can. The food here is fantastic, too. Time you dinner to take place during the sunset hours. It will be a highlight of your trip.
Walk Charles Bridge at Night
Charles Bridge is a place that has to be experienced at sunset and at night. It is truly magical when the sun goes down. See the bridge lit up and enjoy live music as you stroll this pedestrian-only bridge. Charles Bridge has been standing for over 650 years and is the oldest bridge in Prague. There are 30 statues lining the bridge that will take your breath away. Walking Charles Bridge is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Nightlife
If you’re into the nightlife scene in Prague, you will have no shortage of options. Prague is such a vibrant city when it comes to their nightlife. I find that the further east you go in Europe, the crazier it seems to get. Prague nightlife starts no earlier than midnight and most of the clubs in Prague have a small cover fee.
If you’re looking for a chill jazz vibe, try JazzDock on the river or AghaRTA Jazz Club in Old Town Square.
For a fun pregame vibe try Anonymous Bar or Las Adelitas. A Mexican restaurant in Prague might sound crazy, but when dinner is over and the bar starts getting busier, this place lights up. I’ve started some of my best nights here.
Clubs: Epic, Roxy, Lucerna Music Bar, and Karlovy Lazne.
Day 2 – Explore Prague by Foot
Since you spent the first half of your 48 hours in Prague at Prague Castle and in Malรก Strana, day two is the perfect time to explore Old Town Prague and New Town. Since Prague is pretty walkable, I’d allow this to be a leisurely day of exploring.
If you want to see a certain museum, like the National Museum or if you want to do a Jewish Walking Tour, then I recommend scheduling that in the afternoon of this second day after spending a few hours exploring.
Breakfast at Cafรฉ Louvre
Start your morning at Cafรช Louvre. This historic cafe opened in 1902 and was frequently visited by some of the best minds in Prague, including Albert Einstein. The cafe itself is absolutely beautiful on the inside and you can feel the history within its walls. The coffee and food at Cafรฉ Louvre is very good and is the best way to start a long day of walking!
Walk Towards Old Town Prague
From Cafรฉ Louvre, start walking leisurely towards the Historic City Center. I’d search the Astronomical Clock in your maps and walk in that direction. Pop your head in and out of the local shops, grab another coffee, and stop for photos. This walk will cover some of the major streets. You can also see the Sigmund Freud statue here.
Once you reach the Astronomical Clock and the Historic City Center, you’re in the main heart of the city. When you search for photos of Prague, this is what you’ll see. Often, there are farmers markets or events happening in the old square.
Behind the Tyn Church there are some good restaurants and breweries. I love wandering around this area and finding local restaurants. Make sure you also walk a little bit east to see The Powder Tower.
Letna Beer Gardens
After you’re done in Old Town Prague, cross the river and head over to the Letna Beer Gardens. After a busy day on foot exploring some of the more crowded areas of Prague, this is a great place to unwind, soak up the sun, and enjoy fresh beer and some quiet! You will get panoramic views of Prague from this spot. Spend time up here reflecting on all that you’ve seen so far in this magical city.
Sunset River Cruise
If you’ve read a few of my other city guides, you’ll know by now that I love a river cruise in Europe! I think it’s the best way to see a majority of the sites in most European cities, especially if you’re tight on time. In Prague, you will float under the Charles Bridge and you will be able to see the Prague Castle and other major landmarks lit up at night. It’s always a highlight when visiting Prague and it’s the best way to close out a bucket-list trip.
48 Hours in Prague – A Weekend Guide
I hope you enjoy your upcoming trip to Prague! Whether you’re exploring the city solo or going with friends and family, Prague has so much to offer and will no doubt leave you wanting more. Thanks for reading this guide and let me know if I missed any of your favorite Prague spots in the comments!
