Prague holidays

A city where ancient castles, cubist museums, and world-class jazz clubs all connect via one of Europe’s great rivers. A holiday to Prague will not disappoint. The Czech capital has always been good at preserving the past, but these days it has an eye on the future with new parks, bike trails and a food scene that has twice the flavour (and half the price tag) of its neighbours.

Prague holiday highlights

© Copyright Thomas Bekker.

Skyline spires

Prague is so pretty you’ll want to see it from every possible angle. Luckily this is the ‘City of a Hundred Spires’, so there are plenty of viewing points. Just be prepared for the stairs to the top. Old Town Hall Tower is one of the most popular places for photo ops on holidays to Prague. Petrin Tower is good for panoramas over the entire city and beyond.

Musical highs

The classical music scene in Prague is one of the best in Europe. Daily concerts are held across Old Town, often in palaces and churches. Look for both large symphony events, as well as more intimate string quartet performances. Time your holiday to Prague for the Spring Festival in May to enjoy an international programme of opera, chamber music and dance.

Breweries and beer gardens

You’ll find cheap beer down every cobblestone street in Prague. But for a proper introduction to the city’s favourite drink, try the Pilsner Urquell Experience. Discover how pilsner is brewed, learn its history and enjoy a glass or two in a lively beer hall. On sunny days, there’s no better place to be than Letná Park’s panoramic beer garden.

Prague: Know before you go

Language

Czech

Currency

Czech koruna (Kč)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST)

High season

July – August

Low season

January – February

Find the best time to go to Prague

Weather in Prague

March – May: Spring weather can be a little unpredictable. But you’ll generally have warmer, sunnier days starting around May, with average highs of 19°C. The city gets busy over Easter, so book in advance.

June – August: Summer is the busiest time to visit, offering reliably warm weather and a festive atmosphere. Prague’s parks, patios and beer gardens are buzzing with life.

September – November: Temperatures stay warm well into September, but expect more cloudy days and rain as the month goes on. Autumn foliage makes Prague look extra pretty.

December – February: Winter temperatures hover around freezing. But there are plenty of Christmas markets and cosy pubs to warm you up.

Events in Prague

Masopust (February or March): A traditional celebration held before the beginning of Lent. Expect costumed performers, folk music, Czech dancing and a food market in Karlin Square.

Prague Spring International Music Festival (May to June): This summer event brings world-renowned orchestras and classical ensembles to some of the city’s most beautiful venues.

Summer Shakespeare Festival (June to September): Fans of the Bard won’t want to miss Europe’s largest open-air Shakespeare festival. Enjoy iconic plays in the stunning grounds of Prague Castle.

Christmas markets (November to January): Visiting over Christmas? It’s practically a rite of passage to sip mulled wine and hunt for treasures at Prague’s festive markets. The main ones are at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square.

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The best neighbourhoods in Prague

Old Town

The Old Town is the best neighbourhood to stay in Prague if you want to have the historic sights on your doorstep. It’s a small area full of towers and palaces, with narrow back streets leading to pretty squares. Hotels in the Old Town are full of character, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants with traditional Czech menus — just keep in mind that those around Old Town Square have higher prices.

Good for: History, monuments, cafes

New Town

Despite the name, Prague’s New Town is over 600 years old and has a mix of architectural styles, with modern developments sitting beside Renaissance buildings. This is the best area to stay in Prague for first-time visitors. It’s livelier than the Old Town and home to some of the city’s top restaurants, shopping centres and bars. Have a drink on the viewing terrace of the Dancing House, a building that resembles a couple dancing.

Good for: Nightlife, shopping, entertainment

Karlin

This former industrial hub is now a hip residential district, with independent galleries and coffee shops lining the leafy streets. Riverside walks along the Vltava will fuel your appetite for Karlin’s trendy wine bars and bistros. Hotels and apartments here are popular with travellers looking for cheap holidays to Prague.

Good for: Cafes, art galleries, riverside walks

Things to do in Prague

Old Town Square

Family friendly things to do

One of the best things to do with family in Prague is ride the car-shaped pedal boats on the Vltava River. Children also love the Astronomical Clock show, which runs hourly from 9am to 11pm. The best view is from the Old Town Hall tower — you’ll need a ticket to enter. To see the city in miniature, the Czech Repubrick LEGO museum is stacks of fun.

Shopping

The shopping in Prague is some of the best in Europe, so remember to leave plenty of room in your suitcase. Treat yourself to high-end fashion in the pedestrian-friendly Na Prikope Street. Or hunt for Old Town treasures at Havel’s Market, and haggle over cheese on Saturdays at the Naplavka Farmers Market.

Take in the culture

The museums in Prague are a great starting point for discovering a different side of the city. Learn the secret of eternal youth in the Museum of Alchemy, and get an idea of what life was like during the communist regime at the Museum of Communism. For frescoes and centuries-old manuscripts, visit the Strahov Library — keep an eye out for the dodo bird in the Cabinet of Curiosities.

Nightlife

When it comes to nightlife in Prague, you’re spoiled for choice. Party with live club DJs at Roxy and SaSaZu, or work your way through the cocktail list at the Hemingway Bar. To see some of the world’s top jazz musicians in action, head into the ancient vaults of the AghaRTA jazz club.

Places to eat

Traditional Czech dishes are easy to find in the Old Town, but restaurants in Prague are about more than goulash and dumplings. Sample Korean chicken and tacos at the Manifesto Market food stalls in Andel, or slurp Vietnamese pho at Karlin’s Ngo Restaurant. Satisfy your sweet tooth with ‘trdelnik’ (sugar and cinnamon pastries) at Cafe U Kajetana near Prague Castle.

Free things to do

There are plenty of free things to do in Prague. There is no entry fee for some attractions, including the Army Museum Zizkov and the Church of Our Lady Victorious, a famous pilgrimage site. And you don’t need a ticket to explore the grounds around the Prague Castle. Listen to an open-air summer concert in the Wallenstein Gardens on Thursdays — go early and check out the mysterious Dripstone Wall stalactite grotto.

Plan your holiday to Prague

Budget

With a few simple steps, cheap holidays to Prague are easy. Consider visiting in the off-season, pick accommodation outside the centre, and get around on foot. Grab a cheap dinner for 220 Czech koruny (Kč) and a cold Czech beer for about Kč60. Short taxi rides can start at around Kč160. But you’ll save more using the city’s great public transport.

Day trips from Prague

Prague is the perfect base for exploring the wider Bohemian region. Take the two-and-a-half-hour bus ride to Český Krumlov to see its pastel-coloured buildings, cobbled streets and 13th-century castle. Other popular day trips include the eerie Sedlec Ossuary in Kutná Hora and the wild valley of Divoká Šárka. Both are accessible by public transport in an hour or less.

Getting around Prague

Prague’s metro and tram network makes getting around easy. Use the Litacka app to check schedules and buy tickets, which range from 30-minute rides to three-day passes. Taxis work great for short trips, but a car hire is only useful for day trips — there’s no need for one in the city.

FAQs about Prague holidays

A weekend break to Prague gives you enough time to see all the main sights. Stay a couple of extra days if you want to venture out of town for castles and countryside strolls.
Prague is generally seen as safe, but it's always a good idea to exercise some caution wherever your travels take you. Be aware of your surroundings, particularly in crowded places, and make sure your valuables are secure. Also stick to official transport services whenever you can during your holiday to Prague.
Your city break in Prague can differ in price based on anything from your travel dates to where you stay. To find the best deals on Prague flights and hotels, stay flexible with your departure plans and keep an eye out for sales and discounts.
With temperatures peaking at 27ºC (81ºF), July is the hottest month in Prague.
While on your city break in Prague, you'll hear the locals mostly speaking in Czech.
Whether you're interested in history, food, or anything in between, there are endless things to do in Prague. Prague Castle and Charles Bridge are just some of the reasons this city's worth checking out.
January brings the coolest weather for a Prague holiday. Plan your trip then and you'll find lows of -8ºC (18ºF).
The Czech koruna (CZK) is what you'll be spending on general expenses and excursions during your trip to Prague.
The rainiest month is June, which has an average rainfall of 11 cm. But don't let a drizzly day ruin your Prague trip — there's still plenty to do indoors like shopping for unique finds, wandering through museums, or hanging out in cafes.
Summers in Prague are balmy but busy, so come in spring or autumn for ideal temperatures and smaller crowds. It’s chilly in winter, but this is a great time for cheap holidays to Prague and getting festive at the Christmas markets.
The tap water in Prague is treated and safe to drink. You can fill up your water bottle at the public fountains, which you’ll find in streets and parks. Tap water isn’t always free in restaurants — you might want to buy a beer instead.

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