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We recently spent more than a week pet-sitting in Prague and loved our time there.
So much so, that we can comfortably say that Prague is currently our favorite European city. (Sorry Vienna – Katharina’s hometown 😁)
Katharina and I had both visited Prague many years ago and although we liked it neither of us fell in love with the city. To me, it felt too touristy and not a real city.
But during our most recent trip, we both gained a greater appreciation for Prague. It is such a beautiful city even when you are outside of the touristy downtown core.
It has impressive architecture, diverse attractions, amazing cafes, friendly people and lots of Czech and Vietnamese food at very affordable prices!
As budget travelers, we love that you can enjoy your time in a beautiful European capital without breaking the bank.
This personally curated 2-Day Prague Itinerary is designed to help you explore the city’s most iconic sights affordably, with hidden gems along the way. Perfect for a weekend trip!
What to Expect from this 2-Day Prague Itinerary
We are active DIY budget travelers and love to combine the city’s best attractions with off-the-beaten-path sights we find along the way.
Therefore expect our 2-Day Itinerary filled with personal tips, lots of free things to do and sights that are actually worth spending your money on.
You won’t find overpriced group tours, fine dining or AI-written nonsense here!
Whether strolling through historic neighborhoods, visiting sights or having local foods at local prices – we will show you how to experience the best of Prague on a budget in just 48 hours.
But be prepared for a lot of walking! Prague is a very walkable city and if you follow our suggested route and timetable you will be able to see more than 20 sights in 48 hours.
Just keep in mind that if you decide to go inside many attractions, you’ll not be able to cover everything on this itinerary. The timetable is set up without going inside any paid sights.
However, under each sight, we give recommendations if it’s worth going inside so you can choose what to prioritize and tailor this itinerary to your preference and budget.
Most of Prague’s sights are stunning from the outside, so I recommend choosing a maximum of 2 entries if you only have 2 days in Prague and are budget travelers like us.
Plus, we have included handy maps with routes you can save to your phone for free and follow to optimize your time. Let’s get started! 🧭
PRAGUE TRAVEL CHECKLIST
Here are sites we use and recommend for planning a trip to Prague. Check out our Travel Resources for all tips!
✈️ Find cheap flights to Prague on Kiwi.com
🏠 Get a free place to stay on TrustedHousesitters
🤩 Find the best hotel deals on Booking.com
✌️ Book attractions and tours on GetYourGuide
🚌 Book buses and trains to Prague on Omio
📲 Get data roaming free like a local with Airlo
✅ Book travel health insurance with SafetyWing
💌 For budget travel tips sign up for our Newsletter
Prague Itinerary – Day 1
We recommend spending the first day of your two days in Prague exploring the historic districts called Old Town and New Town with lots of Prague’s most popular attractions.
Finishing off the day with local cuisine and soaking up local vibes in Vinohrady, rated as the best neighborhood in the world by TimeOut Magazine in 2021.
It’s also the neighborhood we liked the most and stayed in during our Prague housesit. So we highly recommend including Vinohrady on your Prague itinerary.
Day 1 Prague Itinerary Map
On the free map below, we saved all places of interest, the walking route, restaurants, cafes and hotels we recommend and cover on this first day of your Prague itinerary.
It’s the actual route we have walked ourselves and fine-tuned while writing this itinerary. So if you are up for an active day, this is an excellent way to get the most out of your first day.
👟 This route is entirely walkable with 5-15 minutes between each sight.
🚃 One exception is between Vyšehrad Fortress (H) and Grébovka Park (I), which is a 30-minute walk. We recommend taking a tram (number 7 or 18) to save time and energy.
Tip: Click on the pins to see more details. To add this map to your Google Maps account, tap the star icon next to the map title on desktop or click the enlarge icon [ ] on mobile. Find it later in Google Maps > You > Maps on mobile or Google Maps > Saved > Maps on desktop.
8:30 am – Visit the Old Town Square Early
Most Prague itineraries, including this one, start at the Old Town Square for good reason. This beautiful part of the city has been at the center of life in Prague for hundreds of years.
Europe is full of beautiful squares but I think that Prague’s may be one of the prettiest. The edges of the square are surrounded by beautiful buildings in various architectural styles.
My one big tip for visiting the Old Town Square in Prague is to try getting there early!
That way you will:
- avoid the crowds
- enjoy taking photos in the beautiful morning light
- get the most out of your two days in Prague
On my first trip to Prague, I explored the Old Town Square during the middle of the day and it was full of tourists. Hordes of them!
So on this trip, I made sure to get to the main square just after sunrise and there was almost no one there.
It is a magical time to walk around the city as there are almost no tourists and you can truly appreciate the beauty of Prague without having to dodge a person every 2 seconds.
One interesting thing I noticed while walking around town was that it was a popular time to take wedding photos as you can see in my photo above.
It was quite funny walking around Prague just after sunrise and seeing brides and grooms dressed like they were going to a ball all over the place 👰♀️🤵♂️😁
Another reason to get up early!
But no matter what time you visit the main square it is a beautiful place to wander around and admire the picture-perfect architecture. I just think the earlier, the better.
Tip: For the best views of the Old Town Square you can go up the Town Hall tower which is also beautiful inside and lets you have a look inside the famous astronomical clock. Get a skip-the-line ticket to save time.
9 am – Listen to Prague’s Astronomical Clock
While at the Main Square, one of the main attractions to check out is the Prague Astronomical Clock.
This is a large colorful clock on the side of the Old Town Hall. It is called an astronomical clock because it not only tells the time but the position of the sun and the moon.
The clock has been operating for over 600 years since 1410, making it one of the oldest functioning clocks in the world!
I find it also one of the most anti-climatic tourist attractions in the world 😅
Every hour on the hour the clock puts on a ‘show’ where statues appear in the windows above the clock. The statues beside the clock also move around.
So huge crowds of tourists will gather every hour to watch the show that unfortunately only lasts about 45 seconds.
The astronomical clock is still an interesting sight and, amazingly, it has been operating for hundreds of years, which is besides its beautiful design its main attraction.
Tip: If you can, plan to be there on the hour but don’t worry too much if you aren’t as its quick performance is not the main highlight!
9:15 am – Sip Prague’s Best Speciality Coffee
After exploring Prague’s main square it’s time for morning coffee. If you are a coffee lover like us, you are in for a treat!
Prague is full of amazing specialty cafes and serves the world’s finest coffee beans. We liked it so much that we dedicated an entire blog post listing our favorite Prague cafes.
So if you would like to add more excellent cafes to your 2-Day Prague itinerary make sure to check it out or bookmark it for later. The cafes are in the area you will be sightseeing in.
The cafes closest to the Main Square we recommend are:
☕️ The Miners Coffee Old Town – is a very modern small cafe with several locations in Prague. They roast their beans, serve excellent coffee and have savory or sweet breakfast pastries. Opens at 8:30 am daily
☕️ Kolacherie – serves great coffee together with a traditional Czech pastry called Kolache. It’s a soft round dough with fruit, poppy seeds or cheese in the middle. We went for the most traditional one: sweet poppy seeds! Opens at 8:30 am on weekdays, 9 am on weekends
☕️ Coffee Cube – is a very small cafe that serves excellent coffee. They don’t have seats inside but if you follow this Prague itinerary you will be there early and should get one of their outdoor seats in the sun in summer. Perfect for people-watching. Opens at 8:00 am on weekdays, 10 am on weekends
10 am – Overlook the Old Town from Prašná Brána
A lovely short walk away from the main square is the Prašná Brána. This is another of Prague’s most iconic buildings worth checking out.
The Prašná Brána used to be one of 13 city gates into Prague. So it is an official border between the Old and New Town.
It is also known as the “Powder Gate” because it was used to store gunpowder for the city.
It is a beautiful tower with lots of details located right next to the beautiful Obecní Dům Concert Hall. So do check out both!
Tip: From 10 am on you can go up the Prašná Brána for a panoramic view over Prague’s Old Town. 186 stone steps lead up the way to reach the observation deck with statues and windows along the way.
10:30 am – Stroll over Wenceslas Square to the National Museum
From the Prašná Brána make your way to Wenceslas Square which is a 15-minute walk.
Wenceslas Square is one of the busiest pedestrian streets in Prague with lots of shops and therefore always packed with people.
I never enjoyed walking down Wenceslas Square that much. It is always packed full of tourists and most of the buildings and shops lining the square are not as beautiful or nice to visit.
But at the end of the square, is the National Museum, a beautiful old building that you have to see while in Prague.
In front of the museum, you can see the Statue of Saint Wenceslas. Have a closer look at it and take a photo because it’s an important clue for the next top thing to do on this Prague itinerary.
I recommend visiting Wenceslas Square to see the museum and the statue. However, I wouldn’t suggest spending too much time here, as the atmosphere isn’t as charming or inviting compared to other parts of Prague.
Plus, you have lots more things to cover on this 2-Day Prague itinerary!
Tip: If you are interested in visiting the museum you can get a ticket upfront here. It includes a self-guided audio tour that starts at the Old Town Square and leads you to the museum, along all the sights we have covered so far on this Prague itinerary.
11 am – Walk through the Hidden Lucerna Passage
The Lucerna Passage is an old-school shopping tunnel that leads to a quirky statue in front of a movie theater called Kino Lucerna.
The shops and decorations in the hallways will make you feel like you have stepped back into the 1920s, so it’s great to wander around for a bit.
But the star attraction is a statue of a man sitting on top of an upside-down horse hanging from the roof full of yellow glass windows.
This statue was created by famous Czech artist, David Černý. It is a parody of the Statue of Saint Wenceslas in front of Prague’s National Museum, which you have just seen.
The original statue has the horse standing up the right way and now you can see the upside-down version to compare!
The statue was created in 1999 and it is said that it represents the changes in power structures that were occurring in the Czech Republic at the time.
The Lucerna Passage is not a well-known tourist spot making it an interesting and off-the-beaten-path addition to your Prague itinerary many tourists miss.
11:30 am – See a Wild Franz Kafka Statue
The next stop on your Prague itinerary is the rotating Franz Kafka statue, another interesting piece of art created by local artist David Černý.
The statue is the head of a famous Czech author named Franz Kafka. The layers of the statue rotate to form and re-form the statue.
If it’s a sunny day you will see all the stainless steel layers sparkling in the sun. It’s really cool to watch!
The books of Franz Kafka often featured characters who struggled with their identities. So the moving head represents this struggle, really cool.
The statue has been in place since 2014 so it’s a relatively new attraction in Prague. I loved it and it was one of my favorite pieces of art in the city.
12 pm – Look at the Dancing House
After having a look at the Franz Kafka statue, I recommend walking straight to the waterfront and then towards the Dancing House, your next destination on this 2-Day Prague itinerary.
This section of the city by the river is very nice with beautiful architecture and people on boats in summer. I really enjoyed walking along here on a sunny day.
After walking for about 10 minutes, you will see an unusual building coming up. It was designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry and looks like it is about to fall over.
The Dancing House is supposed to represent two famous movie stars dancing. The glass section represents the woman while the solid section of the building represents the man.
I guess you really have to squint your eyes to see that because it was not obvious to me before reading up on it. Nevertheless, it is a cool building to check out!
Many people do not like the building because it is in stark contrast to the classical design of the rest of the buildings in the area.
But I quite liked it. There are thousands of classical buildings in Prague so I enjoyed seeing an experimental design in between.
Tip: There is a hotel, restaurant, cafe and glass bar in the Dancing House with a great view. But you have to pay entrance (200 CZK / 8 USD) or for pricey drinks and the reviews aren’t great. So I recommend getting up other buildings like the Prašná Brána instead.
1 pm – Eat Lunch at the Farmers’ Saturday Market
If you are following this 2-Day Prague itinerary on a weekend and Day 1 happens to be a Saturday then you have to check out the Farmers’ Saturday Market.
It’s on the river just past the Dancing House and a great place to get some local Czech food and beer if you like.
I recommend trying a typical grilled Czech sausage. The one we had there was honestly one of the best sausages I have ever had in my life!
Unfortunately, the market is only set up on Saturdays because there was a nice atmosphere and we loved strolling along the river checking out all the local stalls.
If the market is not on, walking along the river is still nice and the best way to get to the next destination on your Prague itinerary.
Tip: The market is only open every Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm, so be sure to arrive in time to not miss out on it.
2 pm – Enjoy Amazing Views from Vyšehrad Fortress
The Vyšehrad Fortress is a large fort located on top of a rocky cliff that has many interesting and unique corners to check out for free.
Stairs lead up to the fort where you can enjoy great views over Prague and the Vlalta River.
The buildings of Vyšehrad Fortress are not as spectacular as the Prague Castle which I recommend visiting on your second day of this 2-Day Prague itinerary.
But the views from the walls of the fort are some of the best I saw in Prague!
Vyšehrad is also free from the huge crowds the Old Town in Prague attracts, making it a peaceful and more off-the-beaten-path afternoon stop.
Tip: The Vltava River is a popular spot for 50-minute boat cruises which you could do instead of going up to the fortress.
Once you arrive at the fortress you will see a large gothic church. To the left of the church is a cemetery that is well worth visiting.
There are beautiful painted archways surrounding the cemetery and many impressive tombstones to look at.
Many prominent personalities of Czech culture, science, and politics are buried here, so you can see if you spot any familiar names.
The cemetery was my favorite part of visiting the fortress as I enjoyed its peacefulness and uniqueness.
One of the other best things to do at Vyšehrad is to check out the modern art sculptures that are spread out across Vyšehrad Park next to the cemetery.
They are an interesting contrast to the historic statues and sights of the rest of the Vyšehrad fortress.
Tip: This very affordable Vyšehrad Audio Guide will give you more context while walking around Vyšehrad’s sights. If you’d like to see the underground areas of the fortress you’d need to book a Casemates and Gorlice Hall Tour.
4 pm – Go into the Hidden Grotto in Grébovka Park
After going up the Vyšehrad Fortress or cruising the Vltava River, it’s time to explore a different area of Prague called Vinohrady.
The Grotto is a quirky free attraction in Vinohrady that I think you should add to your Prague itinerary if you love getting a bit off the beaten path.
From the Vyšehrad Fortress, it only takes 20 minutes to get here by public transport and it is a fascinating little area away from the crowds.
Since you will have done already quite some walking at this point, I recommend taking the tram number 7 or 18 for this journey. Otherwise, it’s a 35-minute walk.
Located in Grébovka Park, the Grotto was created in the late 1800s. Apparently, during this time rich people had a fascination with building artificial caves.
So they created one in the park and it looks pretty cool to me!
There is a beautiful fountain in front of the Grotto and it is a peaceful place to admire for a few minutes with the row of colorful buildings behind.
You can also walk up some stairs through the caves at the top of the Grotto. It does not take long to explore but I really liked visiting as it is unique and much different from other attractions in the city.
5 pm – Walk through Vinohrady, Prague’s Best Neighborhood
Vinohrady is a hip neighborhood in Prague that is a great place to go for a walk, soak up local life or get something to eat.
We were lucky to get a housesit in Prague that happened to be in Vinohrady where we looked after a cute dog while the owners were on holiday.
At that point, we didn’t know much about Vinohrady, but it quickly became one of our favorite areas in the whole city.
This area of Prague is full of tree-lined streets with colorful buildings, local sights, hip restaurants and cafes that serve Prague’s best coffee.
Vinohrady is within walking distance to Prague’s Old Town and well connected by public transport, making it a perfect spot for staying the night in this area.
Tip: For more tips on what to do, where to stay, eat and drink coffee in Vinohrady, check out our Vinohrady Insider Guide.
6:30 pm – Have Local Dinner in Vinohrady
Vinohrady is very popular with expats and young professionals who add to the local vibes and make the restaurant and bar scene drive.
You will find many authentic national and international cuisines at affordable prices and plenty of options to choose from.
That’s why I recommend having dinner in this local neighborhood, away from the tourist crowds and overpriced restaurants of the Old Town.
Usually, I’d say to go for Czech dinner, but if you love Vietnamese food you are in for a treat!
During the communist era, many workers came from Vietnam to Prague and brought along their delicious cuisine.
So don’t be surprised if you see tonnes of great Vietnamese restaurants in Prague. Asian cuisine in general is very popular in this city.
🇻🇳 For Vietnamese cuisine, I recommend heading to ANAN Asian Restaurant. They serve excellent Pho at a great price and the waitresses were super friendly.
🇯🇵 Chiaki Restaurant – is a stylish and modern Japanese eatery in Vinohrady. We loved their colorful interior and variety of food dishes like sushi, sashimi, ramen, and teriyaki which are beautifully presented.
If Asian food is not your thing, I recommend checking out one of these great Czech Restaurants in Vinohrady:
🇨🇿 Hajnovka – is a cozy and comfortable restaurant serving traditional Czech cuisine, hearty dishes and international classics like burgers that are reasonably priced.
🇨🇿 Vinohradský Parlament Restaurant – is known for its dumplings and contemporary take on traditional Czech cuisine served to be put for your Instagram feed. It has a stylish design and is slightly more expensive compared to the other local spots on this list.
🇨🇿 Pivnice u Járy – is a traditional cozy Czech pub with an authentic and no-frills experience of hearty classics like goulash, dumplings, schnitzels and pork knee paired with freshly poured Czech beer.
At Czech restaurants, I always love to order the goulash which is full of flavor and a comfort food. It usually costs around 270 CZK (11 USD) so it is quite affordable.
7:30 pm – Watch Sunset in Riegrovy Sady Park
If you are visiting Prague when it’s not too cold, then I recommend finishing off your day by watching the sunset from Riegrovy Sady Park.
It’s the best spot in the whole city to see the sun go down. You can even see the Prague Castle in the distance!
Especially in summer, this park is an awesome local place to visit, as the beer gardens are full and there is often live music or events happening.
We did a housesit within walking distance of the park and spent almost every evening there. If the weather allows, it’s the perfect place to finish off Day 1 of your Prague Itinerary.
Otherwise, I recommend visiting one of Vinohrady’s wine bars before tucking into bed early because you will have another full day of activities ahead of you on Day 2 of this DIY Prague itinerary.
Prague Itinerary – Day 2
Halfway! Once again, I recommend starting early to have one of Prague’s most iconic sights to yourself and get the best out of your 48 hours in Prague.
Day 2 will take you to Prague Castle by crossing the famous Charles Bridge and will show a greener side of Prague in Letna Park.
We will spend the afternoon in the street of the beautiful Jewish quarter and finish off the day with a classic Czech Dinner and some local beer.
Expect quite some walking again! But by following our map, you’ll walk the most efficient way by maximizing what you can see in one day.
Day 2 Prague Itinerary Map
On the free map below, we saved all places of interest, the walking route, restaurants and cafes we recommend checking out on the second day of your Prague itinerary.
👟 It’s the actual route we have walked ourselves, expect to hit 20,000 steps!
🚃 No public transport is required between sights. But in the winter season (November 1 – March 31) we recommend taking tram number 1 or 25 between Nový Svět and Letná Park as the Prague Castle Gardens (sight E + F on the map) will be closed.
Tip: Click on the pins to see more details. To add this map to your Google Maps account, tap the star icon next to the map title on desktop or click the enlarge icon [ ] on mobile. Find it later in Google Maps > You > Maps on mobile or Google Maps > Saved > Maps on desktop.
9 am – Cross the Charles Bridge
Day 2 of our Prague itinerary starts at the iconic Charles Bridge which is, after the Old Town Square, the second most common place in Prague to get stuck in crowds.
So I recommend getting here before 9 am to enjoy the morning light and have this sight to yourself. We found that from 10 am on, it would get very busy, especially on weekends.
The Charles Bridge is a beautiful statue-lined bridge that connects the Old Town of Prague with the Prague Castle.
The bridge was built in the 1300s and for many years it was the only bridge connecting these two parts of the city.
It is a beautiful bridge to walk across and gives you awesome views of Prague Castle, the Old Town, and the other bridges down the river.
A great place to take photos! 📸
Fun Fact: The statues along the Charles Bridge are all replicas. The originals were put in place in the 1700s. But they were removed to protect them from the elements. You can see some of the originals on this Casemates Tour at Vyšehrad Fortress which was an optional part of our Day 1 Prague itinerary.
10 am – Explore ‘Second Old-Town’ Malá Strana
Once you arrive at the other side of the Charles Bridge you are in Malá Strana which means “Lesser Town“. But this is definitely not the lesser part of Prague!
The Malá Strana is almost like a second Old Town in Prague. In some ways, I liked Malá Strana even better than the actual Old Town.
When you walk around Malá Strana you will find yourself in narrow cobblestone streets with beautiful architecture.
But without the trashy bars on the other side of the river that attract many bachelor parties on weekends. We came across at least five during our visit!
One of the reasons Malá Strana is so quiet and peaceful is that most of the embassies in Prague are located here, leaving less space for restaurants, bars, and attractions.
11 am – See the Colorful John Lennon Wall
Once you are in Malá Strana, head to the colorful John Lennon Wall which is free to see.
This is a wall covered in graffiti that has a painting of John Lennon buried deep underneath.
Since the 1960s locals would write messages on this wall speaking out against the communist regime controlling the country.
After John Lennon, one of The Beatles’ lead singers, died in 1980 a painting of him appeared on the wall. This was because he spoke about peace and unity which many people wished for during the communist era.
Once the painting appeared the wall became known as the ‘John Lennon Wall’ and has been the site of many protests over the years.
Today you are still allowed to write your own message on the wall, as long as it is related to peace and love.
The John Lennon Wall is interesting if you know the meaning behind it. But if you don’t like graffiti, you could also skip it as part of your Prague itinerary.
12 pm – Wander around Prague Castle
After the John Lennon Wall, it’s time to finally go up to the Prague Castle. It is a fairly steep climb up but the streets are beautiful!
Prague Castle was built in the 9th century and covers a huge area of 70,000 m2 (750,000 sq ft). According to the Guinness Book of World Records, it is the largest ancient castle in the world!
That’s because the castle is not a single building. But a collection of palaces, courtyards, monuments, churches and gardens.
It almost feels like you are walking around the center of a small town. So expect to explore a wide range of buildings and areas, not a typical fairytale castle ❌🏰
It is free to enter the grounds of the castle and have a look around which can easily take up an hour of your time!
If you’d like to enter any buildings and certain areas of the castle, you will need to buy a ticket 🎟️
The free Castle areas are:
- Castle Grounds and Gardens
- Front section of the St. Vitus Cathedral
- Changing of the Guard at 12 pm daily
- Golden Lane after 5 pm
- Royal Garden with Queen Anne’s Summer Palace
- Deer Moat Park
The paid Castle areas are:
- Old Royal Palace
- St. George’s Basilica
- Full interior (altar and crypt) of St. Vitus Cathedral
- Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower
- South Gardens
Tickets are available for different circuits, depending on what you want to see but you will have to get into the queues for each one.
Alternatively, you can get an all-in-one skip-the-line ticket with an audio guide here. This covers the main circuit of the castle, including all entrances to the paid areas listed above.
It’s worth it if you want to save time and enter all areas. If you only want to enter 1 or 2 paid areas, it’s cheaper to queue and buy them on-site.
We went for the completely free option and only wandered around the free areas. We had just been inside some castles in Austria and gave this one a skip.
But if you’ve never been to a castle, then it’s definitely worth splurging on the entrance ticket!
If your budget allows go for it, otherwise I recommend exploring all the free areas and watching the Changing of the Guards at 12 pm daily, which reminded us of the one in London 💂
But don’t worry if you miss it – it’s just a nice little addition to your free Prague itinerary.
To us, the most impressive part of Prague Castle was the sheer size of the area and the gothic-style St. Vitus Cathedral.
The Cathedral is the second largest building on site after the Old Royal Palace and is known to be the most iconic and stunning structure in the complex for good reason!
1 pm – Get Village Vibes and Lunch at Nový Svět
Nový Svět is a pretty cobblestone street with colorful buildings west of Prague Castle. It is a cute little area to stroll around away from the crowds of the main castle complex.
We were almost the only ones there! So I feel like many visitors must miss it.
I really liked exploring Nový Svět because it suddenly felt like you were walking around a small village rather than being in Prague.
There are also a couple of nice cafes and a restaurant here. So it is a great place to stop for a rest after all the walking that you have done so far.
Since the restaurant in Nový Svět offers fine dining, which is not our thing, I recommend getting a coffee, sandwich or soup of the day at Kavárna Cafe instead.
There will be more food options coming up on this Day 2 Prague itinerary! But if you need a refuel at this point, this cafe is a solid option in a cute location.
2 pm – Stroll through Prague Castle Gardens
After visiting Nový Svět the next stop on your Prague itinerary is Letná Park. You can either get there by taking a tram (25 minutes, number 1 or 25) or on foot (40 minutes) through the free Prague Castle Gardens.
The Prague Castle Gardens consist of:
- Deer Moat Park (free)
- Royal Garden with Queen Anne’s Summer Palace (free)
- South Gardens (part of the Prague Castle ticket)
If it’s the summer season (April 1 – October 31) I recommend choosing to walk. In the winter season (November 1 – March 31) the Prague Castle Gardens are closed, so the best way to reach Letná Park is by tram.
The walk from Nový Svět to Letná Park takes about 40 minutes and is nice on a sunny day. Most of the walk is through beautiful parks and there are some interesting buildings to check out.
So if you like walking I highly recommend it – the parks are all part of the free Prague Castle areas to visit!
One of the parks is called the Deer Moat because one of the emperors of the Prague castle introduced deer into the area so he could go hunting. As kings and emperors liked to do back in the good old days.
A tunnel was also built in the park in the 1780s. This tunnel has been turned into a beautiful walkway connecting two parts of the park. I highly recommend checking it out!
While walking to Letná Park you should also stop at Queen Annes Summer Palace in the Royal Garden.
This beautiful building was completed in 1560 and has unique views of the Prague Castle and a free art exhibition inside.
Did You Know? Unfortunately, Queen Anne was never able to enjoy her Summer Palace. The Palace was built by Ferdinand I of Habsburg for his wife Queen Anne. But she died in 1547 and the palace was only completed in 1560.
3 pm – Enjoy Great Views from Letná Park
From Queen Anne’s Summer Palace, it is an easy walk to Letná Park.
This is one of the biggest parks in Prague and has great viewpoints over the Vltava River and the Old and New Town of Prague.
You will see why Prague is nicknamed “The City of a Hundred Spires” with the spires of its churches, towers, and historic buildings rising up everywhere.
It also has a big beer garden that is popular with tourists and locals. So it is a good place to sit down with a cold drink if it is a hot day and enjoy the view.
Just remember to bring cash! The beer garden does not accept cards and there is only one ATM with high charges nearby.
Other than that I recommend heading to the Prague Metronome in Letná Park for its uniqueness and city-river-views.
A metronome is a device used to mark time in music, producing a regular, ticking sound to help musicians maintain a steady tempo while playing.
The giant metronome in Letná Park, however, is a symbolic art installation rather than a functional musical tool installed in 1991 by artist Vratislav Novák.
It stands on the former site of a massive Stalin monument, representing the passage of time and the changes Prague has undergone.
It’s a popular spot for locals, couples and skaters to hang out, enjoy the views and have some drinks. It felt like an urban spot you would find in Berlin with graffiti on its surrounding massive walls.
4 pm – Withness History in Prague’s Jewish Quarter
From the Metronome in Letná Park, it’s a 15-minute picturesque walk over the Czech Bridge into the Jewish Quarter of Prague.
This area is nestled between the Vltava River and Prague’s Old Town Square where you started your Day 1 on this 2-Day Prague itinerary.
The Jewish Quarter dates back to the 10th century when Jewish merchants and settlers first arrived in Prague. Over time, the area became a ghetto as Jewish residents were confined to this part of the city due to discriminatory laws.
Despite the challenges, the Jewish community thrived culturally and intellectually, becoming an important center of Jewish life in Europe.
In the late 19th century, much of the ghetto was redeveloped in an Art Nouveau style and renamed Josefov after Emperor Joseph II, who introduced reforms improving conditions for Jews.
Today the Jewish Quarter is practically one big open-air museum with the following sights:
- Old Jewish Cemetery
- Pinkas Synagogue
- Old-New Synagogue
- Spanish Synagogue
- Jewish Museum
- Maisel and Klausen Synagogues
- Franz Kafka’s Birthplace
To go inside most of these sights you would need to get a ticket, including the cemetery.
If you are not interested in its history, I recommend just wandering around the streets admiring the architecture as we did.
Many of its streets are lined with boutiques and beautiful buildings that had a “wow effect” on me. But do keep in mind that the free areas are very limited in comparison to the paid ones.
Tip: If you are planning on entering the sights get a skip-the-line ticket (valid for 3 days) to save time. Hours: 9 am – 7 pm (summer), 9 am – 4:30 pm (winter), closed on Saturdays.
6 pm – Fuel Yourself with Czech Dinner
If you have followed this itinerary so far, I promise you will be hungry at this point. We were for sure!
So I recommend refueling with a typical Czech meal and beer for dinner at some of the nearby unique restaurants in Prague’s Old Town.
🇨🇿 U Pivrnce – is great if you would like to visit a hip restaurant serving tasty Czech food. It has low ceilings covered in graffiti and artwork which creates a cool atmosphere. If you are visiting on a Friday or Saturday you may want to make a reservation. It can get busy and on some days you will be turned away without a reservation.
🇨🇿 Lokál Dlouhááá: I have no idea how to pronounce the name but they serve great authentic food at a reasonable price next to beer tanks. It’s not a local spot, so be prepared to see lots of tourists. But I liked the fast service and vibes. You also get given a hilariously big card to count how many beers you have drank – we only made it to one!
7 pm – Optional Evening Activities
After dinner, we took a tram back to our housesit in Vinohrady to relax and spend time with the dog we looked after.
But if you still have some energy and money left or are looking for unique things to do in Prague at night to round up your trip, here are some cool ideas:
🏰 Go on a Prague Castle Night Tour
👻 Walk haunted streets on this Evening Ghost Tour
🍽️ Join a Medieval Dinner with Unlimited Drinks
🛳️ See Prague from the water on an Evening Cruise
🍻 Relax in a Traditional Beer Spa
🧊 Have a drink in the Ice Pub Prague
That brings us to the end of my 2-Day Prague Itinerary. Keep reading below for insider tips on how to get around Prague, arrival details and where to stay affordably to finetune your trip.
Where to Stay in Prague
For spending a weekend or 2 days in Prague I recommend staying centrally in one of these beautiful neighborhoods:
- Old Town (Staré Město)
- New Town (Nové Město)
- Lesser Town (Malá Strana)
- Vinohrady
You will find plenty of accommodation options here and be easily connected to all major sights or transport hubs.
For budget travelers like us, we have listed top accommodation options below 100 USD a night for you in any of these neighborhoods.
Budget Tip: Prague Petsitting
When we were in Prague we stayed for free for 10 days because we were petsitting.
While traveling around the world we love to petsit. You get to look after cute pets while staying in areas you would not consider or could afford if you were paying for accommodation.
There are not many petsits available in Prague and it’s a competitive city but if we can score a housesit there, so can you! 🙂
The website we use for finding petsits is TrustedHousesitters. I recommend getting the Standard or Premium membership over the Basic one as those will allow you to set up notifications if a sit becomes available.
Without that function we would not have been able to get this sit in Prague, it was gone in literally 5 minutes!
A way easier European capital to get a housesit is London, so if you are just starting out I recommend trying to find one there first.
Tip: Get 25% off any membership with code HAPPYHEALTHYNOMADS
Prague Hotels
Below are a few affordable Prague Hotels in good locations to explore the city.
🏨 Hotel Claris – is a basic old hotel in Vinohrady, my favorite part of Prague. Rooms start around 65 USD so it is hard to beat for price.
🏨 Vincanto Rooms Old Town – has large spacious rooms right on the edge of the old town. It is an easy short walk into the old town and rooms start around 100 USD.
🏨 Rose Suites and Rooms – is another great option with rooms starting at 61 USD. It is located on the edge of Vinohrady and will take about 20 minutes to walk into the Old Town.
🏨 Chill Apartments – is great if you would prefer your own apartment with a kitchen to cook. They have beautiful apartments starting at 96 USD per night.
Find the best budget hostels in Prague on Booking.com. Compare prices now here:
Prague Hostels
Prague is a great place to be a backpacker as there are many affordable and high-quality hostels. I have listed below my favorites.
🛌 Plus Prague – is one of the cheapest hostels in Prague. Dorms start at 15 USD per night. But the hostel has a wide range of facilities. There is an indoor swimming pool, gym, kitchen, pool table and more. It is a very good value considering the price.
🛌 Little Quarter Hostel – is another budget hostel starting at 17 USD per night. It has a 9.2 on Hostelworld from over 2450 reviews! The location is also awesome as it is located right next to the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.
🛌 Elf Hostel – is a great hostel if you want to socialize and meet other backpackers. The beds also have curtains which is something I am always looking for in a hostel bed. Dorms start at 22 USD per night.
We always use Hostelworld for our hostel stays. Check out the best deals here:
How to Get Around Prague
When you are exploring the old areas of Prague the best way to get around is by walking. One of the reasons Prague is such a popular city with tourists is that the beautiful streets are so pedestrian-friendly.
But if you want to travel longer distances Prague also has excellent public transport. There are trams, buses, trains and metro lines that will take you anywhere you want to go in the city.
Using public transport in Prague is super simple thanks to the free PID Lítača App. All you have to do is search for where you want to go and then buy your tickets.
The ticket will allow you to travel on public transport for a certain time period. You can either buy a ticket just before you want to travel or set a timer for when it should get activated.
You can watch a 50-second video on how to use the app here:
How to Arrive in Prague
Prague is well-connected with other major cities in Europe. The easiest way to arrive in Prague is by train, bus, car or plane. I highly recommend taking the train!
By Train
We arrived in Prague on a direct train from Vienna, which took just about 4 hours and cost around 20 USD per person one-way when booked a few weeks in advance through Trainline.
Train connections in this part of Europe are excellent and quite comfortable.
You can choose to reserve a window seat, a cabin, or even a table, making it easy to get some work done or simply relax and enjoy the view.
If you’re arriving in Prague by train, finding your way to your accommodation is straightforward.
The main train station is located near the edge of Old Town and Vinohrady, making it just a short walk or a quick public transport ride to many destinations.
We were able to walk to our housesit in Vinohrady from the main train station in about 20 minutes, which already gave us a taste of Prague’s charm and beauty.
Tip: Search for train tickets to or from Prague on Trainline or Raileurope. Both are great sites to find cheap tickets. As far in advance you book them, as cheaper they are!
By Plane
To get into Prague from the airport, you can take an airport express bus, taxi, Uber or public transport. I recommend taking public transport or the airport express bus to keep the budget low.
🚌 Airport Express Bus – is one of the best ways to get into Prague’s City Center. The bus leaves from the airport every 30 minutes and takes 40 minutes to arrive at Prague’s Main Train Station. Tickets cost 100 CZK (4.50 USD) and can be bought at the airport.
🚍 Public Transport – if you want to spend as little money as possible, you can take the public bus number 907 or 910 into the city. They take 45 minutes and you can buy the ticket on the PID Lítača App for 40 CZK (1.80 USD).
🚕 Taxi/Uber – the airport has an official taxi service, and you’ll find the taxi stand outside of the arrivals area. Look for the AAA Taxi or Fix Taxi signs, as these are reputable companies with fixed prices. The 20-30 minute ride from the airport to the Old Town costs around 600–700 CZK (25–30 USD). Alternatively, you can use Uber, Bolt or Liftago.
What’s the Best Time to Visit Prague?
To me, Prague is a perfect place to visit all year round. Every season has pros and cons, so the best time to visit Prague comes down to your preference.
We love the sun, so we only visited Prague in summer on all our trips. Our housesit took place in June, which had some rainy and sunny days, hovering between 20-23°C (68-73°F).
Peak summer (July and August) can get very hot and crowded, as these are the hottest months in Prague and attract the most tourists.
If you want to avoid crowds, peak prices and the heat, late spring (April-May) or early fall (September) are ideal.
If you love festive vibes and don’t mind the cold, December is perfect for the Christmas markets!
Are 2 Days in Prague enough?
Seeing the highlights of Prague in 2 days is definitely possible especially if you follow our 2 Day itinerary that is set up to see as much as can in 48 hours. It will be a busy weekend though with lots of walking!
So if your time and budget allow, I recommend staying for at least 3 days. This way, you can slow down a bit, join a tour or go inside some attractions – and don’t walk the soles off your shoes 😄
We stayed for 10 days and enjoyed the mix of sightseeing, working, living like a local, wandering the streets and people-watching from Prague’s best cafes.
We could have easily stayed longer and are already planning to visit Prague again!
PRAGUE TRAVEL CHECKLIST
Here are sites we use and recommend for planning a trip to Prague. Check out our Travel Resources for all tips!
✈️ Find cheap flights to Prague on Kiwi.com
🏠 Get a free place to stay on TrustedHousesitters
🤩 Find the best hotel deals on Booking.com
✌️ Book attractions and tours on GetYourGuide
🚌 Book buses and trains from Prague on Omio
📲 Get data roaming free like a local with Airlo
✅ Book travel health insurance with SafetyWing
💌 For budget travel tips sign up for our Newsletter
Have Fun on Your 2-Day Prague Itinerary!
Prague is such a beautiful city and I think it definitely lives up to the hype.
The city has so much to offer and has the perfect blend of culture, beautiful architecture and affordability – perfect for budget travelers and nomads like us.
I hope my 2-Day Prague Itinerary helps you have an awesome trip and make the best of your time. If you want more tips about Prague or Europe city itineraries check out our other blog posts below!
READ ALSO
- 11 Best Speciality Cafes in Prague not to miss
- Insider Guide to Prague’s Best Neighborhood
- How to Spend 2 Perfect Days in Vienna
- What to See & Do in 48 Hours in Amsterdam
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