Prague, the enchanting capital of the Czech Republic, is often referred to as one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe and a great place to visit. So, how many days should you spend in Prague? This is the ultimate guide to visit Prague in four days.
Prague should be on everyone’s bucket list! With its rich history that dates back to the 9th century, and a plethora of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a trip to this gem promises a cultural and historical treat. So four days end up being a good way to see most of Prague’s highlights. It ended up being a favorite city of ours.
I’m sharing where we stayed and what we did on our four-day visit to Prague! Keep reading for tips, a video of Prague, and many pictures.
In the heart of the Czech Republic lies Prague, or Praha, the capital of Old Bohemia, and the former seat of the Holy Roman Empire. The city itself is a sublime mixture of the old and new, of East and West. It is a beautiful and captivating old city.
Is Prague Safe?
As of this writing, crime is relatively low in Prague. The stats for violent crimes and petty street crimes are lower than in the USA. We felt very safe walking around during the day and at night. Of course, taking precautions anywhere is important. The locals were very friendly and most everyone spoke English. I don’t know about you but communication in English gives me a sense of security.
Traveling abroad can be risky due to factors such as pickpockets, theft, taxi scams, etc. Remain aware of your surroundings (especially at night) and exercise common sense, to stay safe. Always ask your hotel front desk/rental home host for safety tips and neighborhoods to stay away from.
Hotel Stay in Prague
We stayed at the three-star Hotel U Tri Bubnu (above image). The hotel is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was originally constructed in the 15th century. The current nightly hotel rate is about $100-150 US. Of course, this depends on the time of year and what type of room.
The best feature of the hotel is its location which is 150 feet from the Old Town Square. All the beautiful sites and attractions of Old Town Prague are immediately accessible.
It is also just a 5-minute short walk to the Charles Bridge from the hotel. Link to the U Tri Bubnu hotel. It is an old plain hotel (15th century) but it has been updated. The free breakfast was very, very basic and like most older hotels in Europe, there are no elevators. The front desk is open 24 hours. For the price and location, we were happy!
We loved our stay in Prague. We are sharing the ultimate guide to visit Prague in four days to help you plan for your visit to a charming and beautiful city!
Day 1: Dive into Prague’s Old Town Square (Staré Město)
Your first day could be spent in the heart of the city center, the Old Town Square of Prague. The square served as a marketplace back in the 10th century. Today, the Old Town Square is often described as one of the most beautiful in all of Europe. This is the perfect place to begin as the square boasts some of the major attractions in Prague.
Astronomical Clock and Old Town Hall
Begin at this popular spot. Witness the clock’s hourly show and immerse yourself in the surrounding architecture. You can check out the clock face written in Hebrew. If you are a literature fan of Franz Kafka, you might care to stop for lunch at the Franz Kafka cafe and visit the author’s old home over the road, which is now a museum dedicated to his life and works.
On the Western edge of Josefov is the Old Town Hall, where visitors can find the famous Astronomical clock; this vast, colorful mechanism is built into the tower of the Old Town Hall, and as well as the time, great metal dials also display the seasons, phases of the moon, and houses of the zodiac.
When the clock strikes the hour, figurines of the 12 apostles parade for the audience through a small window at the top of the clock. We were inside the Astronomical Clock at the top when the clock struck on the hour. Viewing the 12 apostles through the window going around was pretty cool.
Take the time to tour the Old Town Hall. Tickets cost about $11 US and provide access to the tower, the inner workings of the clock, and the old government offices. Be sure to watch the apostles from inside the Old Town Hall at the top of the hour.
The top of the tower is the perfect spot to take pictures of the Old Town Square, especially of The Church of Our Lady. It’s a long walk to the top. There are ramps to the top which are easier than stairs. There is full wheelchair access with a glass lift that takes visitors up to the viewing gallery. We really enjoyed our view at the top and got a good feel for the layout of the city.
St Nicholas Church
The church is located at the entrance to the Old Town Square as we exited the Hotel U Tri Bubnu (where we stayed).The above image shows the interior ceiling.
It is a Hussite Church built originally in the 12th Century. It was demolished in the 1700s and rebuilt. The church is very ornate and beautiful. Entry into the church is free. The above picture shows the interior.
Jan Hus Memorial
As you exit the St. Nicholas Church, head straight to the Jan Hus Memorial (shown above) that dominates the old town square. Hus was a religious thinker, philosopher, and reformer who was burned at the stake in 1415. The memorial depicts Hussite warriors.
Eat at the Old Town Square
There are many choices for food in and about the square. Restaurants line the perimeter of the square near the astronomical clock and walking a block in any direction offers many options. We chose to grab a quick bite at a ham and sausage stand on the square. A plate came with a slice of bread and a sauerkraut and potato casserole. The hams are cooked on a spit over an open flame. Delicious but very simple.
Another day we ate at the pasta restaurant directly across from the Astronomical Clock. The food and service were very good!
You’ll find many street stalls and bakeries across the city making Trdelník which is a traditional Czech pastry. It’s a must-try when visiting Prague. It’s made from rolled dough wrapped around a stick, grilled until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Once it’s cooked, it’s often coated with sugar and cinnamon, giving it a sweet flavor. Watching it being prepared is an experience in itself. You can find this at the Old Town Square, so don’t miss out on tasting this delicious treat during your visit to Prague
Day 2: Prague E-Bike Tour and Shopping
E-Bike Tour
As with many of our travels to new destinations, we like to book a bike tour. It’s one of the best things we do. In Prague, we booked a 3-hour tour with Ebike Prague Tour through Viator for $55 US each.
We had a private tour with a guide. He was very knowledgeable and informative. He was from the Czech Republic and spoke fluent English. We rode to all the sites that are mentioned in this post and it greatly added to our daily itinerary plans. We rode along both sides of the Vitava River, throughout Old Town and Lesser Town, through Letna Park (above image), and over Charles Bridge.
Shopping
Lots of choices when it comes to shopping. The streets around the Old Town Square are full of shops and boutiques of all varieties and all prices. There are high-end fashion shops and old quaint antique stores. We just wandered around and took in all the sites!
Stop and explore what looks interesting to you, but you don’t have to wander to far from the square. There is quick food like pizza by the slice and other tasty fast food dishes and bars near the square.
Day 3: Jewish Quarter and Charles Bridge
Jewish Quarter
This Jewish Quarter is a good place to start this day. Networks of backstreets lined with trinket stores, cafes, and bookshops open out onto grand courtyards and ancient synagogues. The oldest of these Synagogues, ambiguously named the Old New Synagogue, boasts a heritage that dates back to the same time as the Second Temple of Jerusalem and is reckoned to be one of the very oldest Synagogues in the world.
Old Jewish Cemetery & Jewish Museum: Unveil the city’s Jewish heritage. The nearby Spanish Synagogue is a testament to the rich history of Jewish culture in Prague.
Charles Bridge
The Charles Bridge is one of the city’s most famed attractions and the best place to stroll. This stone bridge marks the ancestral path from Prague Castle on the North Western shore across into the city itself and was the scene of the Bohemian army’s last stand when the Swedes invaded in 1648.
Like most of the rich, gothic architecture of the city, the bridge is decorated predominantly in black and gold, and all along its length tower the statues of various saints and other holy figures. This bridge is a must-visit on our Ultimate Guide to Visit Prague in Four Days
In stark contrast to this grand solemnity, during the day the wide walkway of the Charles Bridge often finds itself host to musicians and street performers of all kinds. We like to collect original local art from street artists and the bridge offers many choices. We purchased two small pieces that depicted the Charles Bridge from local artists.
John Lennon Wall
The Lennon Wall is a 5-minute walk from the Charles Bridge. Following the murder of Lennon in 1980, an artist painted an image of Lennon and some lyrics. Since then, many artist and others painted their own tributes to the Beatles who were considered heroes to the Czech youth. Since 2019, only approved artists can now paint on the wall.
Klementinum Library
The Klementinum Library (above image) is a 5-minute walk from the Charles Bridge. It houses the National Library of the Czech Republic. There are over 20,000 rare books and over six million documents. The library was established in 1781 in the Baroque style. A 45-minute tour of the library and building cost about $13 US.
Visitors are not allowed to walk through the library but view it from inside a doorway. Pictures are allowed, but no flash photography. It’s a beautiful library. The tour includes other unique items such as an astronomical globe
. A highlight is a journey to the top of the viewing tower. There are incredible views of Prague from all four sides and especially of the Old Town.
Day 4: Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral
These stunning sites are located on the opposite side of the Vitava River in the Lesser Town also known as malá strana. They are a 20-minute walk from the Old Town Square or 17 minutes from the Charles Bridge. You can tour the inside of both sites with the purchase of a circuit ticket for about $10 US. Plan to spend several hours touring these two sites.
Prague Castle
Built in the 9th century it is the largest castle complex in the world with over 70,000 square meters of space. It is the most popular attraction in Prague with over 4 million visitors annually. It is the official office of the President of the Czech Republic.
St. Vitus Cathedral
The cathedral is located within the castle complex. Construction of the Gothic cathedral began in 1344 and took nearly 600 years to complete. Many Czech kings are buried in the crypt and the cathedral houses the crown jewels.
The cathedral is truly magnificent. Visitors can ascend the Great South Tower for breathtaking views of Prague. Cathedral tickets can be purchased here. A guided tour is a good way to experience the cathedral and its rich history.
Vitava River Cruise
Finish the day with a cruise. It’s a great way to see the city from a different angle. Cruises vary in price from $15 US to $75+ US depending if it includes a meal. It’s a fun and relaxing way to end your fourth day and gaze one last time at the historic city.
Venture Outside the City
If you have enough time, it is well worth leaving the bustle and diversity of Praha behind you for a day trip to explore further into the rural lands beyond. About an hour East of Prague by train, for example, lies the town of Kutn Hora.
Along with some breathtaking architecture, a truly fascinating Alchemy museum, and some very comfortable cafes and bars, Kutn Hora has one of the last remaining ossuaries in the world – an ossuary being a place of worship built out of human bone. Not sure about that one?
History of Prague
Prague was founded by Princess Libue, the youngest daughter of the ancient Slavic ruler Krok. It is told in local legend that Libue took a potion made from hallucinogenic mushrooms, and received a vision that instructed her to build her castle on the high ridge that overlooks the winding Vltava river (the longest river in the Czech Republic).
Whether or not there’s any truth in the myth, the Prague Castle at Hradcany stands there to this day, flanked by the black buttresses of the cathedral of St. Vitus, overlooking the city below.
The castle compound itself includes churches, chapels, concert halls, and gift shops, and you could easily spend a whole day up there, taking in the rich culture, as well as the magnificent views of the city.
Final Thoughts on Prague
- We found the best time to visit Prague is September to October. The weather is perfect and the crowds are smaller.
- Prague is not the type of city to spend a day or two and run off to your next destination. There is too much to experience. For us, the four-day itinerary worked great.
- Prague promises a great time, interesting things at every corner, and memories for a lifetime.
- Please comment below for any tips or questions you might have on The Ultimate Guide to Visit Prague in Four Days
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