Last Updated on 27th October 2022 by Sophie Nadeau
The bustling Czech capital, Prague is a city known for its Medieval architecture and buzzing atmosphere. Popular with all sorts of travellers – young and old, budget and luxury – Prague really does have something for everyone. In this itinerary, we will suggest how to spend the perfect one day in Prague itinerary.
The city is surprisingly walkable, so if you only have one day in the city, you should be able to see all of its highlights. Check out this guide to making the most of your day in Prague and see how much you can pack in! For even more inspiration, be sure to check out our very best Prague travel tips.
Is one day enough time in Prague?
As the capital of Czechia, Prague is a large city with plenty of attractions and even more to see. As such, you won’t be able to cover everything that there is to do in Prague over the course of 24 hours.
With that being said, if one day is all the time you can allocate to visiting Prague, then it’s better to go and get a taste for the city than forgo it altogether. The ideal amount of time to explore Prague is three or four days.
Suggested one day in Prague itinerary
Take a morning stroll in Letna Park
Letna Park (known in Czech as Letenské sady) is a popular spot in Prague for both tourists and locals, famous for its beautiful views over the city centre and River Vltava. It’s a great place for a morning walk, before beginning your exploration of the history and culture of Prague!
But for locals, Letna Park has a deeper meaning. The country was communist until 1989, when the Velvet Revolution took place across the whole of Czechoslovakia, which is modern-day Czech Republic and Slovakia. The biggest protests in the entire country took place in this park.
Plus, there used to be a huge statue of Stalin, the Soviet dictator, in Letna Park – it was unveiled in 1955 and was the biggest group statue in Europe at the time – but was demolished shortly after, in 1962! Today, attractions of the park include some of the best views of Prague old town and a metronome.
Walk up to Prague Castle
From Letna Park, you can easily walk up to Prague Castle. Dating back to the 9th century, it’s the largest ancient castle in the world! Before you go, you should know not to expect a Castle in the traditional sense of the world. Instead, Prague Castle is a big open area which is free to wander around, with a few paid for closed spaces.
It has a long history as the seat for Bohemian Kings and Holy Roman Emperors, and today it remains the office of the Czech president. It’s also the location of the Bohemian Crown Jewels, but they are kept in a hidden chamber!
You can enter the castle and explore its interior (it’s possible to pre-book your tickets here in advance to skip the line!), or if you don’t want to pay, just walk around the outside and take in incredible views of Prague city.
Alternatively, visit local favourite, Jelení Příkop, which is a small park just outside of the castle. This is known as ‘Deer Moat’ in Znglish and is somewhat of a hidden gem of Prague. One particular highlight includes a beautiful view of Prague Castle.
Explore the Mala Strana area
Also called Little Quarter, Mala Strana is an idyllic area of Prague. Sitting just below the palace, it’s famous for its baroque and Renaissance architecture, and it’s a great place to grab a coffee (Café Designum is always popular).
Here, you can visit the Church of St Nicholas which dates back to the early 18th century, the peaceful Wallenstein Garden and the John Lennon Wall which was created after his assassination.
Lennon became an inspiration to many peace-loving young Czech people and to this day, it remains covered with pacifist quotes, Beatles lyrics and graffiti referring to global causes.
There are a few bakeries in the Mala Strana area where you can grab a bite to eat, but St Martin’s is also a popular restaurant, serving tasty Mediterranean-inspired food.
Cross over Charles Bridge
Once you’ve fully relished this side of the city, it’s time to cross over to see the rest of it! In Prague, even crossing the river is a unique experience. The historic Charles Bridge (known as ) dates all the way back to 1357 – it was the only way that Prague locals had to cross the river until 1841!
The bridge offers incredible vistas back to Prague Castle. Plus, it has its own attractions – touching the St. John Of Nepomuk Statue is supposed to bring you good luck. It’s also usually full of buskers, artists drawing caricatures and people selling souvenirs. It remains a hubbub of Prague life, just as it did back in the Medieval period!
See the Astronomical Clock
Another Medieval attraction in Prague is the astronomical clock on the Old Town Hall, which dates back to 1410 AD. Not only does it tell the time, but you can also see sunrise and sunset times, moon cycles and ancient Czech time.
Plus, it’s a stunning clock to admire and photograph! Prague medieval clock itself was installed as early as 1410, meaning that it’s the oldest astronomical clock still functioning to this day, and the third oldest clock of its kind in the world. Purchase your Prague Astronomical ticket in advance.
Prague Old Town Square
The Astronomical Clock is located in Prague’s Old Town Square, which is the oldest square in the city, dating all the way back to the 12th century! Other spots that are worth visiting are:
The Church of Our Lady Before Týn: One of the most striking Gothic churches in all of Prague. The church dates back to the Middle Ages and has been one of the most important churches in Prague since the 14th-century.
Rococo Kinský Palace: Now an art museum, this was formerly one of Prague’s palaces. The history of the National Gallery building dates back to the mid 18th-century and today houses over 13,000 works of art from all corners of the globe.
Memorial stones of Czech Lords: These lords were executed in 1621 and their memorial stones are in the centre of the square. In total, there are 27 tombstones visible in the town square.
Prague meridian: This used to mark high noon when Prague relied on its own time. Indeed, it was the case for most countries to have their own time and this can be seen in various cities today, including in the form of the Paris meridian today.
Explore Wenceslas Square
The heart of Prague’s “New” Town (although it dates back to the 14th century!) Wenceslas Square is not so much a square, but actually a large boulevard full of shops, restaurants and bars. Named after the statue of King Wenceslas riding a horse, the boulevard was originally used as a horse market in around 1348.
Since then it’s been a site for protests and demonstrations and remains one of the main places where you can get a glimpse into traditional Czech local life. At Wenceslas Square, you’ll find the national museum, which is the perfect place to take in local history. Plus, the Prague Opera is just around the corner!
For dinner, head to Francouzska Restaurant, which is located in the Municipal Building and dates back to the 14th century! It’s a fine dining restaurant serving French and Czech food. If you prefer to find some specific dietary options, be sure to check out our guide to the best vegan food in Prague.
Take an evening boat cruise
The best way to end your day in Prague is undoubtedly from the water. Prague is a stunning city any time of day, but many people think it’s at its best during the evening when it is bathed in soft lights. And what better way to see a darkening Prague than from the River Vltava?
A variety of boat cruises traverse the river every evening (and throughout the day too!). Bookable in advance, some of these cruises offer a one-hour scenic tour of the river and others provide a three-course dinner. Check out a Prague by night dinner cruise here.
Attend a Medieval Dinner
One of the more convivial evenings you can have in Prague is to attend a medieval dinner with unlimited drinks (beer, wine, soft drinks). There are a number of different specialty diet menus available, including vegan and gluten-free options.
This experience will allow you to enjoy medieval style music and performances. In terms of food, there is a 3 or 5 course meal option. Check prices and availability here.
Where to stay in Prague
Old Town Square Apartments. If you want to have your own space, the Old Town Square Apartments are perfect. Choose from a studio or an apartment sleeping up to 10 people, and have your own kitchen, dining and lounging space! Check prices and availability here.
Hotel Mala Strana is a grand accommodation option close to Prague Castle. Enjoy the deluxe rooms which are furnished to perfection as you stay here! Check prices and availability here.
Hostel Downtown is a great option if you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodation as it is very affordable and includes free breakfast. Check prices and availability here.
The Medieval city of Prague is a delight for any kind of travel style. If you only have one day in the city you can still pack a lot in, although I’ve no doubt that you’ll be back for more!
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Claire is a take-life-by-the-horns kinda gal whose travels have taken her all over the world. Favorite countries so far: New Zealand and Peru. When she’s not traveling you’ll find her blogging about life as a millennial expat, working on her first novel, and eating her way through Strasbourg. Follow Claire on Instagram.
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