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Zizkov farmer's market
Photograph: Trhy na Jiřáku

The 31 best things to do in Prague

Don't miss our picks of the best things to do in Prague, from hipster hangouts to wacky theatre shows

Written by
Auburn Scallon
,
Jacklyn Janeksela
&
Yaren Fadiloglulari
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From its cultural offerings to its drinking scene, Prague is a very special place. This city is bursting with character, and new things to do are popping up all the time (like the new Pilsner beer tasting experience, now on our list). 

Discover beautiful parks, cracking beer gardens and some very good theatre, but make sure you leave some time to stroll Prague’s curious backstreets and admire its ancient buildings. From markets and restaurants to the magnificent Charles Bridge, here are the best things to do in Prague, picked by local writers.  

RECOMMENDED:
🍽️ The best restaurants in Prague
🪩 The best nightlife spots in Prague
🛍️ The best shopping in Prague
🏨 The best hotels in Prague 
🛏 The best Airbnbs in Prague

This guide was updated by Yaren Fadiloglulari, a writer based in Prague. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

What to do in Prague

Charles Bridge sits on the Vltava river, and is a spectacle to behold from afar, as well as the view from the bridge being mighty fine in itself. Back in the day, the bridge was the thing that connected Prague’s Old Town to its Prague Castle, so it’s a pretty important part of the city’s history. It’s also featured in a ton of poems and novels, because it’s just that nice. Plus, especially if you go early or late, it’s pretty empty, and it’s the perfect place for a romantic snap for the Insta. 

For the hustle and bustle of Prague, Wenceslas Square is the place. The square has historically held some of the city’s most important historical moments, including major protests. It’s also got that famous statue of St Wenceslas on his horse. Now, not only can you feel its history in the air, but it’s a great spot for shopping, with everything from cafés to clothing. Our top tip is to get the guided walking tour to learn more about the square’s fascinating history. 

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  • Attractions
  • Parks and gardens

Climb up to Letná Park and get yet another breathtaking perspective over Prague. In the past decade, Prague 7 (first-time visitors, take note: Prague is divided into sections and assigned numbers) has morphed from a sleepy residential neighbourhood into one that’s vibrant and full of cool boutiques and restaurants. Letná Park features a massive kinetic sculpture of a moving metronome; its foundation was once the base of an enormous Stalin monument torn down in 1962. Letná beer garden’s park benches and views of the Old Town across the Vltava are an after-work favourite among locals, dog walkers and international travellers. Note that despite the idyllic picnic setting, you’re not allowed to bring any food or drink from outside into the beer garden.

Dominated by the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, the ninth-century Prague Castle has been a seat of power for Czech emperors, kings and presidents alike. Exploring every corner of these massive fortifications would take an entire trip, so read up in advance and take your pick. Our favourite sights include the tiny houses of Golden Lane, the Romanesque façade of St George’s Basilica, and the manicured landscapes of the South Gardens. Not even to mention Alphonse Mucha’s striking stained-glass windows.

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  • Attractions
  • Historic buildings and sites

Passage Lucerna is where tourists flock to see one of David Černý’s most controversial sculptures – of a saint riding an upside-down horse – but there’s so much more to explore. The passage boasts a collection of shops, an early 1900s-style café, a well-preserved old cinema, a rooftop bar in summer, and a nostalgic ’80s and ’90s party every weekend at Lucerna Music Bar. The building itself was designed by the father of Vaclav Havel (the first president of independent Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic, after it split from Slovakia). It’s worth getting to know both Černý and Havel, as both men have left major impressions on the city as it is today.

  • Attractions
  • Historic buildings and sites
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Though Prague has no shortage of viewpoints and photo-worthy panoramas, the tourist crowds can get a bit annoying. If you’re the type of traveller who likes a little breathing room, head over to Vyšehrad. The hillside views are a bonus on top of its parks sprinkled with statues, a peaceful cemetery, an eye-catching cathedral, and one of the city’s best beer gardens. The red line (also called the C line) stops here – making it easy to access the fort’s gothic spires and relaxing grounds just off the banks of the Vltava.

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Jára Cimrman Theatre
Photograph: Martin Pilpach

7. Jára Cimrman Theatre

The Czech sense of humour is notoriously dry and occasionally quite dark. This makes translating some of the country’s most famous plays and novels quite the task, but one that Cimrman English Theatre tackles with a wink and cheeky grin. Think of the fictional Jára Cimrman as the Czech ‘Most Interesting Man in the World’ with a theatre in the Žižkov neighbourhood devoted to telling tales of his escapades. Performances take place in both Czech and English, so double-check the language when you buy tickets for an introduction to this local legend.

Another Prague sight that is both extraordinarily popular and justifiably so, the city’s 600-year-old Old Town Square is a spectacularly diverse mish-mash of attractions. Much of the Prague you’ll likely have seen in pictures is here – from the Astronomical Clock and the Church of Our Lady before Týn to the statue of martyred religious leader Jan Hus and the towering gothic spires of the main church. Be sure to catch a free walking tour, which will start at the square’s northern edge and unveil its dense, complex history. Visiting at Christmas and Easter provides extra charms, thanks to atmospheric seasonal markets.

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  • Attractions
  • Religious buildings and sites
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This cathedral is lovely, but what earns it a spot in history is its connection to the Czech resistance efforts against the Nazis in Bohemia (the Czech Republic has three regions, Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia). The basement of this building now houses a free museum complete with video installations, photos and war paraphernalia. Learn how a group of young Czech soldiers and dissidents carried out a plan to regain their sovereignty from one of Hitler’s top deputies, Reinhard Heydrich, known as ‘the Butcher of Prague’. The story is heavy-going, so prepare yourself; then visit the tombs of the brave men who risked their lives to help free Bohemia.

Rudolfinum
  • Music
  • Classical and opera
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Most exhibitions in the Rudolfinum Gallery (beneath the concert halls) are free; check their website for the latest programme. Don’t go up the steps to the main entrance, but curve around the side closest to the river where two sphinxes guard the door. Head upstairs for free exhibits or downstairs for Art Park, which is mostly for kids. If you want to brush up on art history, learn about famous museums worldwide or just experiment with art on your own terms, this is a brilliant place to spend an afternoon. If that doesn’t do it for you, slip into the Rudolfinum Café and flip through art books or have a whirl on the grand piano.

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