Prague in 3 days
Day one is the Castle and the bridge, day two is Josefov and Vyšehrad, day three is Kutná Hora by train. The same order the city page itself describes.
- How long
- 3 days
- Getting around
- On foot within each quarter
- Rhythm
- The Castle before noon
Day one follows the same line the city itself is described by: from Old Town Square, over the bridge, up to the Castle on the hill. Day two goes to the opposite side, into Josefov and up to Vyšehrad. Day three is for one day trip by train, and the nearest is Kutná Hora. With only two days, do the first two and lose nothing that can't wait for another visit.
The Castle and the bridge
The airport. Trolleybus 59 to Veleslavín station, then metro line A into the centre, about 30 min, one ticket at €2.05 (90-minute ticket) covers the change.
Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock. The 1410 clock is on the town hall's façade; the twelve apostles pass on the hour, free.
Karlova Street to Charles Bridge. Crossing it is free, past thirty Baroque statues; climbing the bridge towers is a separate ticket.
Kampa Island, right below the bridge on the Malá Strana side, free. A short stop by the Čertovka before the climb.
Lunch in Malá Strana — svíčková runs €8.98–10.21.
Prague Castle, the main circuit (the Old Royal Palace, St Vitus Cathedral, St George's Basilica, Golden Lane), €18.44. The courtyards and gardens are free and can be seen before you pay for the rest.
Strahov Library, a few minutes from the Castle: a view of the Theological and Philosophical Halls from the doorway, €7.79–9.02.
Nový Svět, a lane without a single souvenir shop, ten minutes' walk, free.
Petřín, by funicular or on foot, €10.25 for the tower. Late afternoon gives the best light for the view back across the river.
Josefov and Vyšehrad
The Jewish Quarter (Josefov). One museum ticket, €24.59, covers six synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery. Closed Saturday.
Lunch on the go — chlebíčky, open-faced sandwiches, €2.13–2.71.
A walk south along the river, through Nové Město, to the side of the city opposite the Castle.
Vyšehrad. The fortress, the park and the Slavín cemetery, where Dvořák is buried, are all free (free); the casemates under the ramparts are a separate ticket.
A view of the Vltava from the park, inside the bend the river carves below the fortress.
Dinner with a flekovský dark lager, €4.06.
Day trip: Kutná Hora
A train from the Main Station, train (Vysočina express) from the Main Station, about 50 min each way, a ticket from from €6.48.
The ossuary in Sedlec and St Barbara's Cathedral — the whole visit takes a full day.
The train back to Prague, dinner in town.
What to drop when you're running late
- Late start on day one? Skip Strahov Library and Nový Svět, and save them for another pass through Hradčany. The Castle and Petřín matter more.
- Only two days in the city? Leave out Kutná Hora and stretch day two's afternoon in Malá Strana instead of the trip.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
What gets dropped with only two days?
Day three, the Kutná Hora trip. The first two days carry everything essential: the Castle and the bridge, then Josefov and Vyšehrad.
What does the plan look like on a Saturday?
Day two is reversed. Vyšehrad in the morning, Josefov left for a day it's open, since it's shut on Saturdays.
Does anything need booking ahead?
Not for this plan. The Castle ticket can be bought online too, if you'd rather skip the morning queue.
Ready for Prague?
Where to next
Day trips from Prague
→An ossuary built from the bones of 40,000 people, a castle that once guarded the crown jewels, and a fortress…
Kutná Hora · 63 km
→A town that turned silver into coin and cathedral, while the village beside it turned bones into ornament.
How well does Prague suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
Front row for the next trip
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