Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic and is located in the heart of Europe. It's a beautiful and historic city, known for its stunning architecture, charming cobblestone streets, and rich cultural heritage.
Even though it's not possible to see all of Prague in just one day, it's possible to see some of its most famous attractions.
In this post, I'll be sharing a one-day itinerary in Prague that lets you see the city's popular tourist attractions and highlights in one day. This itinerary is definitely doable since this is based from my experience.
The best thing about this itinerary is that a lot of the attractions here are free and you can get to these places just by walking except for the first stop, which is your starting point.
A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Prague
Since this is a walking tour, I'd highly advise wearing comfortable shoes. Prague is a very walkable city but it's not practical to wear uncomfortable footwear given that many of the streets are lined with cobblestones.
Now let's get to the itinerary.
Prague Castle
Start your day at Prague Castle, which is the largest castle complex in the world. I've made a more detailed guide for visiting the castle complex in a previous post. It also has a guide on how to get to the castle.
Since Prague Castle is the largest complex in the world, I'd recommend spending a few hours exploring its various courtyards, gardens, and palaces. Be sure to see St. Vitus Cathedral, which is located within the castle complex and is a major tourist attraction in Prague.
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| St. Vitus Cathedral |
Tickets to the castle complex cost €15 and this gives you entry to all of the attractions in the complex, including the Old Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George's Basilica, and the Powder Tower. Students and senior citizens can get tickets at a discounted price. You can also get them online here to skip long lines.
Waldstein Garden
The Waldstein Garden, or Valdštejnská zahrada, is a beautiful Baroque-style garden and just a short walk from Prague Castle. It was originally created in the 17th century as part of the nearby Wallenstein Palace and is one of the oldest gardens in Prague.
The garden is known for its perfectly manicured hedges, flowerbeds, and fountains. You can explore the garden's many paths, walkways, and terraces, and admire the sculptures and architectural features that are scattered throughout. Admission is free.
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| Waldstein Garden |
Mala Strana
Mala Strana, which means "Lesser Town" in Czech, is a historic neighborhood in Prague located on the left bank of the Vltava River, directly opposite Prague Castle. The area is characterized by its charming cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and stunning views of the city.
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| Mala Strana, also known as "Lesser Town" |
While in Mala Strana, make sure to check out St. Nicholas Church, which is a Baroque-style church dating back to the 18th century, known for its stunning frescoes and intricate interior design. If you want scenic overlooking views of Prague, I'd recommend climbing the bell tower of this church. Tickets cost around $8. It's a steep climb but the views are worth it.
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| overlooking views of Mala Strana from the bell tower of St. Nicholas Church |
Lennon Wall
The Lennon Wall is a famous landmark in Mala Strana. The wall was originally a regular wall, but after John Lennon died in 1980, a group of young people painted a portrait of him and added lyrics from his songs as a way of expressing their grief and desire for freedom.
Over the years, the wall has become a symbol of peace, love, and freedom. It's covered in colorful graffiti, art, and messages of hope, inspiration, and unity. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own spray cans and add their own art or messages to the wall.
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| Lennon Wall |
Charles Bridge
Constructed in the 14th century during the reign of King Charles IV, Charles Bridge is a historic bridge in Prague that spans the Vltava River and connects the Old Town and Mala Strana neighborhoods. It's one of the most popular and iconic landmarks in the city and is known for its stunning views, romantic atmosphere, and beautiful statues.
Statues, which were added in the 17th and 18th centuries, lined both sides of the bridge. The statues depict various saints, religious figures, and historical figures, and are considered to be some of the finest examples of Baroque-style sculpture in the world.
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| Charles Bridge lined with Baroque-style statues |
Old Town Square
Known as Staroměstské náměstí in Czech, Old Town Square is a historic and vibrant square located in the heart of Prague's Old Town. It's one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, known for its beautiful architecture, historic landmarks, and lively atmosphere.
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| Prague Old Town Square with the Jan Hus Memorial in the center |
Don't miss out on some famous attractions in the square. One of which is the Astronomical Clock which is a famous medieval clock tower located in the Old Town Hall. This clock features intricate moving figures and a daily display of the 12 apostles. Another famous attraction is the Jan Hus Memorial, which is a statue of the Czech religious reformer Jan Hus, located in the center of the square.
The Church of Our Lady before Týn is another famous attraction in the square. It's a Gothic-style church with striking twin spires, dating back to the 14th century. One of the most recognizable landmarks in Prague, its unique design was influenced by the French cathedrals of the time.
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| a view of Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock and the Church of Our Lady before Týn |
If you have time, take a tour of the Astronomical Clock and an underground tour of the Town Hall. You can get an all-inclusive tour that lets you visit the Gothic chapel and the historical state rooms, get a peek at the inner mechanism of the astronomical clock, and descend into the extensive underground space.
Wenceslas Square
The last stop is Wenceslas Square, which is a bustling pedestrianized area lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. You can end your day here and grab a cup of coffee or a bite to eat after a long day of walking, and just enjoy the sights of people going about the city. This square is also home to the National Museum.
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| Wenceslas Square |
Prague CoolPass
If you're staying for a few days in Prague, I would recommend getting the Prague CoolPass. It's a digital pass that gives you free access to over 70 of the city's best attractions, museums, tours, and cruises, plus discounts on shopping, tours, restaurants, and other activities.
Once you've purchased the pass, you just need to save the QR code on your phone and you get to access a huge range of the top attractions including Prague Castle, the National Museum, Prague Zoo, the Jewish Museum and synagogues, and many more. You can also enjoy a 2-hour bus tour and choose one of four sightseeing cruises from Prague Boats included in the CoolPass.
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| taken on Charles Bridge |
Prague was truly a vibrant city, filled with art and stunning architecture, and I enjoyed my visit there even though it was quick. It's one of the cities that I'll want to come back to and I'd highly recommend adding it to your travel bucket list.
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