Prague city breaks

Many Prague holidays begin in the old town, where medieval streets lead to the historic Old Town Square. If you're here for a quick weekend visit, put the Astronomical Clock, Church of Our Lady before Týn, the Jan Hus Monument and St Nicholas Church at the top of your agenda.

If you’re on a more leisurely schedule, delve further into the maze of centuries-old lanes, where coffee shops and bars are set among historic buildings, monuments and churches.

Wander into neighbouring Malá Strana, across the Charles Bridge, for a less touristy feel and great restaurants and bars. Prague’s top tourist attraction, the Prague Castle, is by Malá Strana, too.

If you're here to imbibe as much culture as beer, catch a performance at the State Opera House or one of the dozens of theatres and explore the impressive architecture – Prague more than lives up to its nickname of the City of a Hundred Spires.

After you’ve taken in Prague’s famous sights, dive into the city’s craft beer scene. Its brilliant little bars and leafy beer gardens ensure you’ll go home smiling (and possibly swaying slightly). Staré Město (Old Town) has plenty of bars and clubs, but the locals tend to party in Žižkov, just outside the city centre.

Budget hotels and an endless supply of inexpensive beer used to be the reason for the legendary Prague city break. Nowadays, there are fewer hostels and more boutique hotels, and luxury shopping is on the rise as well. But if you're planning a budget trip, there are still plenty of cheap breaks to Prague.

Balmy in spring, hot in summer and sometimes even blanketed in a festive layer of snow in winter, Prague is a city for all seasons.

As with many popular European destinations, you find the best deals outside of school summer holidays. If you can handle the crowds and bumped-up rates, though, summer is a fun time to visit for festivals and afternoons in the beer gardens. Average temperatures peak at around 23C.

For pleasant weather and fewer tourists, spring and autumn are the best months to travel. April and May, with average high temperatures around 14–18C, have perfect walking conditions if you like exploring on foot.

December is all about the Christmas markets, while January and February are cold (temperatures dip below freezing at night) and dark. This is the best time to find cheap city breaks to Prague and to explore the historic sites with fewer crowds.

With its ancient castles, Baroque bridges and multiple museums, Prague has one of Europe's most appealing old towns. But there’s more beyond the city’s historic centre, so do take the time to explore further afield using the city’s efficient public transport system.

Prague Castle

Topping the list of Prague tourist attractions is this spectacular medieval castle, which dates to around 880 and is the largest castle complex in the world. Visit Prague Castle to see St Vitus Cathedral, the National Gallery and St George's Basilica. It’s also currently the seat of the President of the Czech Republic.

Attending a classical music concert or the Summer Shakespearean Festival at the castle are two of the more popular activities for both visitors and locals.

Charles Bridge

For a romantic stroll, consider the 14th-century Charles Bridge, with its 16 arches and 30 Baroque statues of saints. Admire the river view from the centre of the pedestrianised bridge, which links the old town to the Malá Strana neighbourhood.

For a small fee, you can climb the bridge's towers to get a higher vantage point. It can be busy during the day, especially in summer, so aim to visit early in the morning or at dusk.

Old Town Square

Top of your itinerary should be Old Town Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and possibly the most famous spot in the city. It’s also a great starting point for walking tours.

As you explore, you’ll see St Nicholas Church (there are two in Prague – the other is in Malá Strana), the Church of Our Lady before Týn and the intricate 15th-century Astronomical Clock. There’s also a statue of martyr Jan Hus. Big festive markets pitch up here over Christmas and Easter.

Veletržní Palác

The Trade Fair Palace (Veletržní Palác), part of the National Gallery Prague, is a must-see. Home to hundreds of pieces of artwork by the likes of Picasso, van Gogh, Renoir and Klimt, it's one of Europe's premier modern art galleries.

Pay for entry at the National Gallery and you’ll also have a week’s worth of access to the five other permanent exhibitions in places such as Kinský Palace and the Convent of St Agnes of Bohemia.

Letná Beer Garden

When planning your microbrewery tour, make sure you include a stop at Letná Beer Garden. In a city jam-packed with fabulous bars and pubs, this is still a standout location – a glorious green space with a relaxed vibe and an incredible view across Staré Město (Old Town).

Pick from a range of styles and breweries, from the ubiquitous Pilsner to more acquired tastes, find a table under the trees and take in the views.

For families

For families not on a tight budget, Malá Strana is a great spot as it is close to the big tourist attractions: Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, St Nicholas Church, Kampa Island and John Lennon Wall.

Vinohrady is also a good pick for families – it’s much quieter than Malá Strana but is still within easy reach of the city centre. It’s home to many young families and has lots of cafes and restaurants.

Holešovice, a quiet neighbourhood close to the Letná and Stromovka parks as well as the Trade Fair Palace, is another good option.

For travellers on a budget

Žižkov has plenty of budget hotels, as well as restaurants and pubs priced for locals rather than tourists. It’s one of the city’s coolest neighbourhoods and easy to get to from the city centre. New Town (Nové Město) is a good option as well, with cheaper accommodation than the neighbouring Staré Město but is still within walking distance of many attractions.

Holešovice is one of the cheapest areas in Prague and popular with backpackers. Staying here puts you near Stromovka Park, Letná Beer Garden and cool galleries and restaurants.

For food and drink

Nové Město is fun for foodies, with loads of international restaurants – think Japanese and Tex-Mex, Indian and Thai, French and Czech – as well as plenty of microbreweries.

For Czech food on the cheap, check out the dining scene in Žižkov. Meanwhile, Holešovice has the famous Letná Beer Garden and many others like it, as well as local and international restaurants and food stalls. Visit the daily Holešovice Market for affordable fresh produce.

For nightlife

Žižkov is said to have more pubs per square metre than any neighbourhood in Europe, making it a top spot for nightlife. This is where the locals party, probably because it’s less touristy than the many bars and clubs of Staré Město (Old Town). For lots of craft beer bars and student hangouts, stroll down Bořivojova Street.

Nové Město also has good nightlife, especially around Wenceslas Square, and Vinohrady has a strong LGBTQ+ scene.

For culture

Stay in Staré Město to be closest to the city’s main cultural attractions and historic sites, including the Church of Our Lady before Týn and the Old Jewish Quarter. Malá Strana is also loaded with sights – it’s right by Prague Castle and St Nicholas Church.

If you’re looking for somewhere a little cheaper, Nové Město has more budget options without drifting too far from the city’s main points of interest. The Trade Fair Palace, part of the largest art collection in the country, is in Holešovice. It’s ideal if you’re into culture but want a cheaper, quieter neighbourhood.