Prague is definitely one of the gems of Europe– and for good reason. Its picture-perfect city center is eminently walkable, having retained much of its historic charm (and largely spared during World War II.)
There are ample places to walk around, or to take a seat and enjoy the ambiance, and its compact size makes it easy to explore over the course of a weekend. It’s easy to see why so many visitors are absolutely enchanted by this city, and you certainly will be, too!
The area where Prague is located has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with the first Celtic settlements appearing around the 4th century BCE. By the 9th century CE, the region came under the control of the Premyslid dynasty, and Prince Bořivoj founded the first fortified settlement on the site of present-day Prague Castle around 880.
Prague became the seat of Czech rulers and the capital of the Duchy of Bohemia in the 10th century. Under the 30-year reign of King Wenceslaus I, Prague experienced significant growth and became an important trade center.
The 14th and 15th centuries were marked by the reign of the revered Charles IV, who transformed Prague into a magnificent imperial city. He founded Charles University, one of the oldest universities in Europe, and initiated the construction of the iconic Charles Bridge. You’ll likely hear his name over and over again during your visit, so it’s a good idea to remember him!
In the 15th century, Prague played a central role in the Hussite religious movement led by Jan Hus– another name to remember. The Hussites’ protests against the Catholic Church eventually led to the Hussite Wars, which brought significant upheaval to the city, commemorated in a large statue in the main square.
During the Renaissance period, Prague flourished culturally and artistically. Many magnificent buildings, including the Old Town Hall with its famous astronomical clock, were constructed during this time.
By the 17th century, Prague was under Habsburg rule. While it had lost some of its regional political importance, the Czech national identity grew over the next few centuries, promoting Czech language, literature, and identity and leading up to the creation of Czechoslovakia in 1918 and independence to the Czech area. Prague became the capital of the new republic.
Prague played a significant role during World War II, but as above-mentioned, it largely escaped the physical destruction experienced by many other European cities. After the war, Czechoslovakia fell under Communist rule, which lasted until the peaceful Velvet Revolution in 1989, a series of protests and demonstrations against the Communist regime. Led by dissident figures such as Václav Havel, the protests resulted in the downfall of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia.
In 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into two independent countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Prague became the capital of the newly formed Czech Republic, who joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004.
Even today, Prague has maintained its status as a major cultural hub. The city hosts numerous international festivals, including the Prague Spring International Music Festival and the Prague International Film Festival (Karlovy Vary). Its theaters, galleries, and music venues continue to showcase a vibrant cultural scene.
Getting There
You will likely fly into Prague’s international airport, named after the country’s first post-Soviet prime minister, Václav Havel. From the airport, it’s easy to get to the city center via buses, trains, or a ride-share. Ride-shares are the most direct option, and usually cost less than 20€.
Since Prague is so walkable, staying anywhere in the city center is a good idea. Keep in mind that Prague is a very popular destination for stag and hen parties, so if you want a quiet night’s sleep, it’s a good idea to look for hotels that don’t allow them.
The Perfect Weekend in Prague
While pretty small in size for a European capital, Prague is packed with fun things to do, and easily accessible on foot. Here are our top tips for a wonderful weekend in Prague.
Explore Prague's historic center:
- Start in the Old Town Square. Admire the beautiful Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock and witness the hourly show when the clock comes to life, with figures in motion and chimes ringing.
- Note: we heard people saying this is lame, and while it’s true that it only lasts for a few seconds, it’s really important to keep in mind how mind-boggling this was to engineer at the time it was built!
- Explore the Josefov, the Jewish Quarter of Prague. Visit the Jewish Museum, which includes several synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery, and the ceremonial hall. This area is significant for its historical and cultural heritage.
- Walk along Wenceslas Square, a vibrant boulevard lined with shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. It is a hub of activity and often the site of cultural events and demonstrations.
- Tour the breathtaking Klementinum Baroque library, but keep in mind you can’t go inside, you can only see it from a viewing area. While it’s important to protect the priceless old books, it’s a bit hard to see– we wish we would’ve known this in advance.
- Check out a string quartet in the Klementinum complex’s Mirror Chapel. Our evening also featured an opera soloist and an organ player, and was a wonderful experience.
Your next set of destinations lie across the iconic Charles Bridge. Adorned with statues and offering breathtaking views of the Vltava River, the bridge is lively with street artists, musicians, and vendors.
Once across the bridge, check out Lesser Town, our favorite part of town. Lesser Town is one of the city’s oldest and most picturesque districts, founded as a market settlement and trade route connecting Prague Castle with the Old Town back in the 13th century.
Over the centuries, it became a preferred residential area for nobility and wealthy merchants. While here, don’t miss:
- The stunning Baroque architecture dominating the area. The neighborhood features numerous palaces, churches, and mansions built in the Baroque style, including the magnificent Wallenstein Palace, St. Nicholas Church, and the Church of Our Lady Victorious, home to the famous Infant Jesus of Prague statue.
- The Vrtba Garden, also in the Baroque style and a total hidden gem.
- Lesser Town Square (Malostranské náměstí), surrounded by colorful buildings and lined with outdoor cafés. The square is also home to the Baroque-style Church of St. Nicholas.
- Petřín Hill, which offers an expansive park areas, a miniature Eiffel Tower, and breathtaking views of the city.
- The Lennon Wall, a symbol of peace and freedom during the communist era inspired by John Lennon and the Beatles. Note: while worth a peek, we found this really overhyped.
- Kampa Island, connected to Lesser Town by the Charles Bridge. Kampa Island is a small picturesque island in the Vltava River. It features picturesque houses, gardens, art installations, and a scenic waterfront promenade.
- Walk up to Prague Castle, which is (surprisingly enough) the largest ancient castle complex in the world. Explore its stunning architecture, visit St. Vitus Cathedral, stroll through the Royal Garden, and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
Recommended Reading
While in Prague, be sure to check out some traditional Czech cuisine, particularly if you’re a meat-eater. Try classics such as goulash, svíčková (marinated beef with creamy sauce), and trdelník (a sweet pastry that is actually originally Hungarian), and of course, Czech beer– pilsner Urquell is a good local brand to try, and you’ll find it absolutely everywhere.
We really recommend doing a free walking tour. While in Prague, we participated in two tours offered by Free Walking Tour Prague: the Old Town and Josefov tour with Krzysztof and the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle tour with Teresa. Both were fantastic, offering so much knowledge and history, and fun as well. Like other free tours, you tip what you wish at the end.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to a weekend in Prague. For more Eastern Europe content, check out our guides to Hungary.
