Prague in 2 days: a first-time itinerary on foot

Two days is just right for a first visit to Prague. The historic centre is compact and split neatly by the Vltava river: the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter on the east bank, the castle and the Lesser Town on the west. Give one day to each side and almost everything is walkable. The plan suits most travellers, though the second day involves a fair amount of climbing.

Day 1 morning: Charles Bridge at sunrise

Start on Charles Bridge as early as you can manage. Begun in the fourteenth century under Emperor Charles IV, the stone bridge is lined with some thirty baroque statues of saints (most of those on the bridge today are copies; several originals are kept in museums). By mid-morning it fills with visitors, street artists and musicians, but at sunrise you'll have it almost to yourself, with the castle rising above the river.

Day 1 late morning: Old Town Square

Walk east through the narrow lanes to Old Town Square, framed by the twin Gothic spires of the Týn Church and the pastel façades of merchants' houses. On the side of the Old Town Hall, the medieval Astronomical Clock, first installed in the early fifteenth century, puts on its short show of moving apostles on the hour through the day. Arrive a few minutes early for a place to stand. The Old Town Hall tower, which has a lift, gives one of the best views over the square's rooftops.

Day 1 afternoon: the Jewish Quarter

A few streets north lies Josefov, the old Jewish Quarter. Several of its historic synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery, with its crowded, tilting gravestones, are covered by a single combined ticket, and the richly decorated Moorish-style Spanish Synagogue is part of the same circuit. The Old-New Synagogue, among the oldest working synagogues in Europe, is run separately, so check whether your ticket includes it. The Jewish Museum sites close on Saturdays and Jewish holidays, so plan this day around them. Allow at least two to three hours.

Day 1 evening: by the river

Head back to the river at dusk, when the castle and St Vitus Cathedral are lit up above the water. The embankment south of Charles Bridge and the bridge itself both give the classic view. Then find a traditional pub for dinner: Czech cooking is hearty (roast pork, dumplings, goulash) and the local lager is served fresh from the tank in many places.

Day 2 morning: Prague Castle

Cross the river and climb to Prague Castle, one of the largest castle complexes in the world, which has been the seat of Bohemian kings and Czech presidents. You can walk up the steep Nerudova street or the Old Castle Stairs, or take the tram up the hill and walk down later. The castle grounds are free to enter, but the main buildings are on a combined circuit ticket. Don't miss St Vitus Cathedral, with its Gothic vaults and stained glass, the Old Royal Palace and the tiny, colourful houses of Golden Lane. The changing of the guard at the main gate takes place on the hour during the day. Arrive early: queues for the security check build quickly.

Day 2 afternoon: Malá Strana and Petřín

Wander down through Malá Strana, the Lesser Town, a quarter of baroque palaces, churches and red roofs. The domed St Nicholas Church is the local landmark, and in the warmer months several palace gardens below the castle open to visitors.

Then climb Petřín Hill, on foot through its orchards or by the funicular, which is part of the city's public transport network. At the top, the Petřín lookout tower, built in 1891 and loosely modelled on the Eiffel Tower, gives a panorama over the whole city.

Day 2 sunset: Letná Park

For sunset, head to Letná Park, on the plateau north of the Old Town. Its viewpoint looks down the Vltava, with bridge after bridge crossing the river, and there's a popular beer garden under the trees. From there it's a short walk down to the Old Town for dinner.

What to book ahead

• Prague Castle circuit tickets: available on the day, but buying online saves one queue in high season.
• Jewish Museum: combined tickets can be bought online, which helps on busy summer days.
• Dinner on a Friday or Saturday: popular pubs and restaurants in the centre fill quickly, so reserve if you have a favourite in mind.

Adapting the plan

• Rain: swap Petřín for the National Museum or the Municipal House, whose Art Nouveau interiors can be seen on a guided tour.
• Slower pace: take the tram up to the castle and the funicular up Petřín, and skip Letná.
• A third day: add Vyšehrad, the old fortress on a rock above the river, or a day trip to Kutná Hora.

Getting there and around

The airport is linked to the city by public buses that connect with the metro, and by taxis and ride-hailing. In the centre you'll mostly walk; trams and the metro cover longer distances, and a single ticket or day pass works on both. Wear shoes with good grip: the cobblestones are uneven and slippery when wet. Czechia uses the koruna rather than the euro, and cards are widely accepted.

Where to stay

For a two-day visit, the Old Town or Malá Strana put everything in this plan within walking distance, while New Town is often better value and still central. Our guide to where to stay in Prague compares the neighbourhoods. Check the exact street before booking, as rooms on the busiest lanes of the Old Town can be noisy late at night.

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Cover photo: Roman Boed from The Netherlands, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons