Is Prague Worth Visiting? Yes! What to Know Before You Go

Are you wondering if Prague is worth visiting? I think so, and I’m going to tell you why!

Prague is a gorgeous city, boasting stunning buildings, a lovely river, and winding cobblestone streets. You’ll be captivated by the city’s history, delicious cuisine, and beautiful views.

You can stroll through the medieval Old Town Square, cruise along the Vltava River, marvel at world-class museums, and enjoy amazing food, wine, and beer. 

Prague is a dream destination for anyone who enjoys architecture, history, music, art, good food and drinks, and venturing off the beaten path.

Prague has so many things to see, do, and experience. Often, travelers to Prague find that they don’t allow enough time to enjoy this gorgeous city. 

Here are 14 great reasons to visit Prague!

Is Prague worth visiting?

There’s so much I love about the capital city of the Czech Republic!

I’m going to tell you why I think visiting Prague is a great idea and what to do to set yourself up for a great experience!

Why visit Prague?

What’s so great about Prague? Here are some of the best reasons to visit Prague. 

Prague’s Historic Center

Prague’s city centre is charming. Some visitors think it looks like its out of a fairy tale, with cobblestone streets, church spires, and architecture from medieval times to the present day.

Unlike many European city centers, Prague escaped being bombed during World War II. Prague’s historic center is a Unesco World Heritage Site. 

Spend time wandering the cobblestone streets of the city center or take a walking tour. Enjoy the Old Town Square, with Prague’s famous astronomical clock—be sure to see it at the top of the hour!

Prague castle 

Prague Castle complex is the largest castle complex in the world. The iconic Prague Castle, built in the 9th century, served as the seat of power for the kings of Bohemia and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. 

Now that Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, the castle serves as the official residence and offices of the President of the Czech Republic. 

When you visit prague Castle, tour the inside of St. Vitus Cathedral, and climb to the top of the tower for the breathtaking views of the city.

The castle grounds also feature several smaller churches, art galleries, and gardens. You’ll also want to see the Golden Lane, a street full of small historic homes, now used for museum exhibits and shops. 

You can take a guided tour of the castle during the day or, even better, take a nighttime tour of the castle that focuses on alchemy, astrology, and legends.

The Charles Bridge

Construction of the Charles Bridge began precisely at 5:31 a.m. on July 9, 1357. King Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia, believe that the palindrome (135797531) would strengthen the bridge. 

The Gothic stone bridge is famous for the 30 Baroque statues and sculptures that were added in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Most of the statues are of saints. Some statues are replicas, with the originals being preserved in the National Museum. 

The best time to see the Charles Bridge is at sunrise. It’s totally different during the day when it’s packed with vendors and tourists. 

For the best view of the Charles Bridge, climb the Old Town Bridge Tower.

The Jewish Quarter

Prague’s Jewish Quarter, Josefov, is perhaps the oldest and most significant Jewish neighborhood still in existence in Europe today. 

The neighborhood’s history goes back to the 10th century. In the 13th century, Prague’s Jews were ordered to live in a designated area which became the Jewish Ghetto. 

During the 16th Century, the Jewish community in Prague flourished. During this time, a rabbi created the legendary Golum of Prague, a mystical creature said to be a protector of the Jews. 

Over the years that followed the Jewish people of Prague experienced waves of persecution, restrictions, increased tolerance, an expansion of Jewish intellectual life, followed by mass deportations of Jews from Nazi-occupied Prague in 1939. The Jewish Museum preserves some of the artifacts from people who died during this time. 

After World War II, the Jewish Quarter became a place of remembrance, as well as a home for the remaining Jews of Prague. I found the museum, synagogues, and old Jewish cemetery deeply moving, and I would recommend taking a Jewish Quarter walking tour to get a more complete history of the community. 

Prague’s Culture of Resistance

Prague has a long history of resistance, from the Hussite Rebellion in the 15th century, against the Catholic Church’s corruption to the Velvet Revolution in 1989, which brought a peaceful transition from the communist regime to democracy.

Public protests in the Czech capital reflect the Czech people’s values of freedom and tolerance, as well as their skepticism of authoritarian rule. 

All around Prague, you’ll see evidence of this culture of resistance.  Wenceslas Square is the site of modern protests in Prague.

You’ll see statues and memorials around the city that pay tribute to historic figures who called for change. The John Lennon Wall is an artistic symbol of the power of protest in Prague. 

To learn more about the Czech people’s struggles and bravery, take the Wars and Totality walking tour. You will be surprised by what you learn about the Cold War!

Stunning architecture

When it comes to architecture, Prague has it all: Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neo Classical, Art Nouveau, Cubist, Functionalist, Socialist Realism, and Contemporary.

Whether you prefer modern or medieval buildings, you’ll find fantastic architecture in Prague. Learn more by taking a guided tour about Prague’s architecture from Gothic to Modern or about Prague’s 20th century architecture!

Prague’s Parks

Prague has many beautiful, expansive parks and green spaces. Whether you want to picnic, take kids to a playground, admire formal gardens, or explore forests, there’s a park for you. 

Letna Park, overlooking the Vltava River, is the place to go for picnics, walking, and skating. A giant metronome replaced a statue of Stalin, symbolizing the passage of time. Letna’s beer garden is one of the most picturesque spots to enjoy a beer as you look out over Pragues’ rooftops. 

Petrín Hill and Petrin Park, offer panoramic views of Prague. There’s a miniature Eiffel Tower, a fun mirror maze, a rose garden, and orchards. 

Kampa Park features a great view of the River Vltava and the Old Town. There lots of quirky art, including the Babies statues and the yellow penguins.  

Buy a simple picnic at a grocery store or bakery and enjoy a picnic in a park, away from the tourist crowds. 

Museums of art and culture

No matter what you’re interested in, Prague probably has a museum about it.  

​There are any number of art museums, such as the National Gallery (with multiple locations), DOX Center for Contemporary Art, the Mucha Museum, Lobkowicz Palace (at Prague Castle), and Galerie Rudolfinum.    

If you’re a history buff, you can learn about many different historic time periods. Don’t miss the National Museum of the Czech Republic, the Museum of Communism, and the Story of Prague Museum.

You might also want to check out the National Museum of Agriculture, the National Technical Museum and the National Film Museum.

And explore Prague’s literary scene at the Franz Kafka Museum and the Vaclav Havel Library.

Music lovers will find concerts of classical music on offer throughout Prague, as well as festivals featuring a variety of music genres throughout the year. You might also enjoy the Czech Museum of Music.

Markets and Festivals

There’s always a lot going on in Prague. No matter when you visit, you’ll find a variety of events to choose from. 

Expect to find food festivals, beer and wine festivals, concerts and live music, film festivals, special art exhibitions, and so much more! If you like to shop, you’ll find farmers markets, flea markets, and, of course, Christmas Markets.

Delicious Food

You might be surprised to know that Prague has incredible food. Whether you’re looking for Czech classics, like goulash and dumplings, deep-fried cheese, Prague Ham, and Kulajda (Czech mushroom soup).

Typical Czech cuisine is likely to be made with fresh, locally grown fresh produce. 

Take a food tour to sample the best foods Prague has to offer. Your guide will take you to the best spots in Prague that you’d never find on your own!

Prague also has some gorgeous cafes and an excellent coffee culture, so make time for a coffee break each afternoon. Check out bakeries like Bake shop, Arctic Bakehouse, Chloe’s Cafe, and Cafe letka. 

By the way, it’s customary to tip 10% to 15% at restaurants at Czech restaurants. 

You’ll find lots of stalls in tourist areas where you can buy a chimney cake or trdelnik full of ice cream or whipped cream. However, these aren’t actually traditional Czech treats! While you might want to try one because they’re so cute, be sure to try authentic Czech kolaches, round pastry disks filled with fruit jam, poppy seeds, or cheese. 

When you’ve had your fill of Bohemian food, try some Vietnamese, Thai, or Indian food. 

Beer & Wine

Many people think Czech beer is the best in the world. Pilsner was invented here, after all.  You’ll find plenty of beer gardens in Prague where you can test this theory.

You can also go on a pub crawl of historic Prague pubs, a Prague microbrewery tour, visit the Prague Pilsner Urquell Museum, or indulge in a Beer Spa!

But you can also sample lots of delicious Czech wines. Take a wine tasting tour walking tour of Prague or take a tour of vineyards actually in the city of Prague, or spend a half day exploring the Czech countryside, learning about the wine making process, and enjoying a picnic lunch in a vineyard.

Public transportation

It’s easy to get around Prague’s city center by foot, but you’ll also have plenty of public transportation options. Prague has a metro, tram lines, busses, and ferries.

Be sure to buy a ticket before getting on and validate your ticket (or do contactless payment onboard)! There are tram and metro stations right by the main train station, so you can probably take public transportation to your hotel if you don’t want to take a cab. 

Day Trips

If you want to explore beyond Prague, take a day trip to explore a nearby town!

Kutna Hora—This UNESCO world heritage-listed medieval town is just an hour train ride from Prague. You can visit the Sedlec Ossuary, a fascinating church of bones. This Kutna Hora tour has a guide to show you around the city, explain the history, and take you to a medieval silver mine.

Cesky Krumlov—Visit the Czech Republic’s second largest castle complex at Cesky Krumlov and explore the city’s charming Old Town. This tour has the best stories about the castle and town.

Bohemia and Saxon Switzerland—On this full-day tour, you’ll experience the best scenery in the region! You’ll explore the village of Hrensko; see Pravcicka Gate Europe’s biggest natural sandstone arch (featured in the Narnia movies, like Cathedral Cove, New Zealand); and ride a gondola-style boat over the Kamenice Gorge. This is a day trip you won’t forget!

Prague is relatively cheap

While many places in Central Europe are less expensive to visit than Western Europe, travel to the area isn’t as cheap as it once was. 

Prague travel was once known to be really inexpensive. American dollars went far against the Czech koruna. However, in recent years, as is the case in lots of places, costs have risen. While you might find that Prague still isn’t extremely expensive, don’t expect it to be the great deal it once was. 

​If you want to keep prices down, travel in the off season, consider buying a Prague visitor pass, or look free museums.

And never change money on the street. Get your cash from an ATM at a bank and let your bank calculate your exchange rate, so you get the best deal. The Czech Republic uses Czech koruna (or crowns), not euros.

Are there reasons not to visit Prague?

The biggest complaints about Prague all stem from the city’s popularity!

The downside to Prague being a fabulous European city is that everyone wants to visit. As a relatively small city, packed with tourist attractions, Prague is often accused of catering to tourists so much that its true culture has gotten overshadowed. 

Here’s how to make the most of your visit to Prague:

Wander outside of the tourist areas

The best way to avoid feeling stuck in a tourist trap is to skip the main tourist attractions in favor of the neighborhoods, restaurants, and places favored by Prague residents. 

Spend some time in the Old Town Square, check out the Astronomical Clock, and take in the atmosphere, and explore Prague Castle. But don’t just stay in the tourist areas!

Instead, explore the rest of the city (even beyond the New Town and Lesser Town). Once you get outside of the touristy areas, you’ll find lovely parks, amazing restaurants and bars, and a plethora of cultural events to choose from.  

(Definitely don’t eat at the restaurants in the Old Town Square! In fact, don’t eat at any restaurants where the menu has been posted in English and other languages.)

Don’t visit in the summer

Because it’s such a popular tourist destination, Prague is packed with tourists in the summer months, especially July and August. The best time to visit Prague is during the fall or spring to enjoy the city with fewer crowds. 

If you don’t mind cold weather, visit Prague in the winter months, when snow complements the historic buildings. Visit in December for the Christmas markets. 

Use Common Sense

​Prague is actually a relatively safe city. However, there are common dangers and scams tourists should know about.

Wherever there’s a crowd, there are pickpockets. The number 22 tram that runs through the Old Town is frequented by pickpockets making easy marks of tourists, so keep your valuables close. 

If a restaurant brings a drink or snack before you’ve ordered, know that it’s not a free gift–the cost will be added to your bill. You have every right to refuse food or drinks you didn’t order, but if you consume them, you’ll have a harder time disputing your bill.

Taxi drivers are notorious for not turning on their meter, so negotiate a price before getting in a cab. Or call an Uber, where your fare is more transparent. 

Be careful if you plan to go to a club or out drinking. Take all the precautions you’d normally take, like going with friends, not leaving your drink unattended, and not trusting friendly strangers. 

​Basically, in Prague, as everywhere, use common sense. 

Final Thoughts on If Prague is Worth Visiting

Prague is an absolutely beautiful city, full of rich history, charm, and quirkiness. As you can guess from reading this, I do think Prague is worth visiting!

With incredible history, a well-preserved city center, great architecture, fascinating museums, and beautiful gardens, there’s so much to do in this city!

Add in the excellent local cuisine, famous beer, and delicious wine, and you’re almost guaranteed to have a great time!

I think the best way to approach a visit to Prague is to find a balance between visiting the charming historic city center sites and exploring the quirky, less touristy parts of Prague.

Your trip will be more interesting and memorable if you can do both!

Knowing what to expect in Prague will help you make the most of your visit there, so that you have a good time!

If you’re deciding whether you should add Prague to your must-see list of major European cities, this blog post should help you decide. 

​If you’re ready to plan your trip, check out my 2-day Prague itinerary.