3 Days in Prague — The Ultimate First-Timer's Guide

Prague is the prettiest city in Central Europe and one of the cheapest. Three days is enough to see the major districts, eat a lot of duck and dumplings, and drink some of the world's best beer for under $2 a pint.

This itinerary keeps you on foot most of the time — Prague's center is compact and walkable.

Day 1: Old Town & Jewish Quarter

Morning (8am): Start at Old Town Square before it fills up. See the Astronomical Clock strike on the hour (8am or 9am is least crowded). Climb the Old Town Hall Tower (~250 CZK / $11) for the best square view.

Walk through the Týn Church courtyard, then explore the lanes east of the square.

Mid-morning: Jewish Quarter (Josefov). The combined ticket (~500 CZK) covers six sites:

• Old-New Synagogue (Europe's oldest active synagogue)
• Pinkas Synagogue (Holocaust memorial — 80,000 names on the walls)
• Old Jewish Cemetery (12,000 visible gravestones stacked over centuries)

Sobering, essential.

Lunch: Lokál (yes, a chain, but the best mid-priced Czech food). Goulash, svíčková, fresh-tap Pilsner. ~250 CZK.

Afternoon: Walk to the Charles Bridge — go around 4pm when day-trippers are leaving and golden hour kicks in. Cross slowly. The statues are baroque masterpieces. Watch out for buskers and pickpockets.

Sunset: Letná Park — across the river. Climb up for a panoramic view of all the bridges over the Vltava. Letná Beer Garden is the best in the city.

Dinner: U Modré Kachničky (the Blue Duckling) for duck and game, or Café Imperial for a grander setting. Reserve.

Day 2: Prague Castle & Lesser Town

Morning (8am): Take Tram 22 to Pohořelec. Walk downhill through Strahov Monastery (the library is one of the most beautiful rooms in Europe — ~120 CZK).

Continue to Prague Castle (Pražský Hrad) — the largest ancient castle complex in the world. The "Circuit B" ticket (250 CZK) is enough:

• St. Vitus Cathedral — go inside, see the Mucha stained glass
• Old Royal Palace
• Golden Lane (with Kafka's tiny blue house)

Allow 2-3 hours.

Lunch: U Černého Vola ("At the Black Ox") — a genuine Czech pub right next to the castle. Cheap beer, simple food. Cash only.

Afternoon: Walk down to Malá Strana (Lesser Town):

• St. Nicholas Church (baroque masterpiece, 100 CZK)
• John Lennon Wall (free, on Velkopřevorské náměstí)
• Kampa Island for a leafy break

Late afternoon: Vrtba Garden (75 CZK) — terraced baroque garden tucked behind a wall. Almost nobody knows about it.

Evening: Funicular to Petřín Tower (mini Eifel Tower replica, 220 CZK for the funicular + tower). Sunset over the city.

Dinner: Mlejnice for Czech classics in a wooden cellar (~400 CZK) or Field for a Michelin-star experience (~2,500 CZK).

Day 3: Vyšehrad, Cubist Buildings, Beer

Morning: Vyšehrad — the second Prague castle, 90% of tourists skip it. Take metro to Vyšehrad station. Visit:

• Basilica of St. Peter and Paul
• Cemetery — Smetana and Dvořák are buried here
• Casemates and ramparts — best views of the Vltava

Allow 2 hours.

Late morning: Walk north along the river to Dancing House (the Frank Gehry building) and then to the Cubist architecture along Neklanova street — Prague is the world capital of cubist buildings.

Lunch: Eska in Karlín — modern Czech, Michelin-recommended, ~600 CZK for lunch menu. The bakery is incredible.

Afternoon: Karlín is Prague's hippest neighborhood. Walk around. Coffee at Můj šálek kávy or Kafe Karlín.

Late afternoon: Beer pilgrimage:

• U Tří Růží for their house-brewed pale ale
• Vinohradský Pivovar if you want to walk further

Beer is ~50 CZK ($2) for half a liter. Cheaper than water, usually.

Evening: Classical concert in a church. Try Klementinum Mirror Chapel or St. Nicholas Church. ~500 CZK. 1 hour, perfect ending.

Farewell dinner: Manifesto Market (food hall, casual) or La Degustation (Michelin 1-star Czech tasting menu, ~3,500 CZK).

What to skip

• Communist-era walking tours unless you have a 4th day — too much for 3 days
• The "Sex Machines Museum" — yes, it's a thing, it's bad
• Tourist-trap restaurants near Old Town Square with menus in 8 languages
• Horse carriages — overpriced and bad for the horses

Practical tips

• Currency: Czech Koruna (CZK). 1 USD ≈ 23 CZK. Cards accepted almost everywhere.
• Public transport: 30 CZK for a 30-min ticket, 120 CZK for 24 hours
• Tipping: 10% is standard
• English: widely spoken, especially in the center
• Climate: Cold and snowy December-February; ideal May-September
• Daily budget: $40-80/day mid-range, $150+ for fine dining + central hotel

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