2 Days In Prague Itinerary: The Perfect Travel Guide
Prague has quickly become one of my favorite European cities, and from what I hear from many other travelers and visitors, I’m not alone! After visiting Prague this past Christmas and afterward obsessing over our time in the city, I have decided to put together a very complete 2 days in Prague itinerary sharing our favorite spots and activities, travel tips, and other helpful insights for those planning on visiting Prague soon! Whether you’re traveling to the Czech Republic during the summer or the winter, on a weekend getaway or as part of a longer trip, you will fall in love with the magic of the city.
Spending 2 days in Prague can definitely leave your days packed with activities... there’s a lot to do and plenty of places to see in a short span of time! With that said, two days in the Czech Republic’s capital is the right amount of time to get a feel for the city and see most of the well-known landmarks and destinations. Regardless of the amount of time you decide to spend in this iconic capital, you’ll probably wish you could stay longer and will want to come back over and over.
They say the best time to enjoy two days in Prague is during the spring or fall (for the mild temperatures and the cheaper prices), but in my opinion there’s no wrong time to visit the Bohemian capital. During the winter time, you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful Christmas markets and holiday lights that turn the city into a true winter wonderland. And in the summer, things like a river cruise make for perfect warm weather activities.
The Ultimate 2 days In Prague Itinerary
Day 1: Prague Old Town Square, Prague Castle and neighboring areas
STOP 1. Prague Old Town Square
There are many iconic sights throughout Prague, but probably the most popular area is the Old Town Square. There’s no better way to start discovering Prague than by heading there. Getting there during the early morning hours will help you beat the crowds and enjoy landmarks like the astronomical clock in relative peace. The earlier you get there, the better the chances to snap a picture in front of the beautiful clock by yourself. Trust me, this is one of those things that you DEFINITELY want to wake up early for... the crowds during the day can get crazy, even in the winter. The clock has an intricate show every hour, and there are several observation points to the plaza. You can always head to one of the rooftops of any of the hotels in the plaza, or go to the observation tower behind the clock. After snapping a few pictures and walking around enjoying the views of The Church of Mother of God before Tyn and Old Town Hall, stop in at the Bistro Monk cafe to enjoy a delicious breakfast.
STOP 2. Charles Bridge
The best way to really experience Prague in 2 days is by walking through the innumerable cobblestone streets when going from destination to destination. Although we did some research on Prague public transportation, we ended up not using it at all! I just love wandering around and having the freedoms to pop into any cute stores that catch my eye. We did just that going from the Old Town Square to the Charles Bridge. The walk itself took us approximately 15 minutes, though it may have been a bit longer due to a quick stop in Notre Patisserie, a great little bakery along the way!
There are many bridges along the Vltava river running through Prague, but the Charles Bridge is the most popular and also the most beautiful. The pedestrian bridge connects The Old Town area and the Prague castle area. It is well known for the astonishing sculptures and statues placed all along the bridge, the views of the city, and the three bridge towers. The bridge is the perfect route to take to see several of Prague’s most famous sights in a short amount of time.
Tip: If you are trying to beat the crowds, even if you decide not to follow this “2 days in Prague itinerary” step by step you’ll still want to get to the bridge very early. We crossed the bridge several times during our time in Prague, and the path was considerably more crowded in the late morning and afternoons (even though we visited during the winter).
In the morning, it took us approximately 10/15 minutes to cross the bridge, stopping along the way to admire the statues and to snap some pictures. In the afternoon, it took us approximately 20 minutes and we didn’t even take any pictures! The human traffic on the bridge was really busy, especially at the beginning and the end, which slows your walking down considerably.
STOP 3. Walk Through Little Prague Venice
A few minutes away by foot from the Charles Bridge, you’ll find the Čertovka or the “Little Prague Venice” as the area is known in English. This is definitely worth a visit, even if you decide just to quickly walk through. The small area features a beautiful canal surrounded by quintessential Prague houses, bars, and restaurants. It’s honestly very magical just to stand in front of the canals and take in the picturesque views all around. Spend a few minutes enjoying the uniqueness of the neighborhood and the colors of Prague‘s architecture before heading to your next destination…
STOP 4. Prague Castle
The Prague Castle is approximately a 15 minute walk from Little Prague Venice. Keep in mind that the walk to the castle includes steep hills and stairs, so you might want to wear comfortable shoes and take some breaks along the way. Luckily, you’ll be able to stop into some interesting stores (including several traditional wooden puppet stores!) or a cafe for some tea or a coffee.
Note: Prague is quite famous for its puppets, and you’ll definitely see several stores displaying interesting and intricate pieces. Some of the puppets seemed quite strange to me, but learning that puppet making is an ancient form of art in Prague helped me to understand some of the artists’ influences. I definitely learned some things I didn’t know before! And isn’t that one of the main reasons why we travel? To learn about new cultures and traditions and form our own opinions about what we experienced? I now have a new respect for the art of carving a wooden puppet by hand and all of the work that goes into it. This would make a great souvenir, but know that some can be very expensive! There’s a wide range, and you’ll definitely find something you like.
Once you reach the castle, there are tons of things to do in the area. These are some of the highlights... choose the ones you’re most interested in!
Watching the change of the guard, visiting the beautiful Metropolitan Cathedral of Saints Vitus, simply walking along the cobblestone streets, exploring the nearby vineyard grounds (which offer one of the best overviews of the city), and the famous Golden Lane (a beautiful street with painted houses and picturesque views). The Prague Castle is not just a single building, but rather a group of structures and places located in the same area. To experience every single place can take many hours, my advice is to decide what’s best depending on your budget and your interests. Keep in mind to book any necessary tickets ahead of time to skip the lines!
STOP 5. Lunch
Whenever you decide it’s time to eat, I recommend either stopping at a grocery store and having a picnic around the vineyard grounds (during warmer months) or heading over Cafe Savoy. This restaurant is approximately 20 minutes by foot from the castle, but the delicious lunch menu that they offer is totally worth the walk. The ham croissant and the chicken salad are amazing!
STOP 6. Walk along the river/ River Cruise in the sunset
Once lunch is over, it’s time to keep exploring the city by foot! Walking along the river or exploring the streets of Malá Strana is always a good idea. If you are traveling to Prague 2 days in the summer, grab an iced latte and relax while strolling through the streets. In the winter, you’ll find hot chocolate at one of the many cafes in the area (I recommend Kofárna Café) and also from many street vendors.
Tip: There are two small river islands nearby, Dětský Island and Střelecký Island, where you can go and enjoy some relaxation. One of them, Dětský Island, even has a park for those traveling to Prague with kids.
To end the first of these 2 days in Prague, I recommend a Sunset river cruise. I am definitely a fan of river cruises, especially at sunset. I think they have a special way of showing you the city from a different light (literally!). As always, I recommend not only checking those traditional sightseeing river cruises but also looking under airbnb experiences, as I often find better deals and prices there.
Tip: If watching a sunset is something that doesn’t really interest you, then you might want to just finish your first sightseeing day with the 1st destination of our second day...
Day 2: Dancing house, The Jewish Quarter, Prague National Gallery and more…
STOP 1. Dancing house
Start your 2nd morning of your two days in Prague by heading to one the most unique sights in the city: the Dancing House! The building is quite well known, and is very different from the rest of Prague. The city is famous for its old Art Nouveau, Baroque and Gothic architecture, so this ultra modern design stands out and makes for a really cool picture!
Spend a few minutes admiring the building and taking fun pictures before continuing to the next destination...
STOP 2. Wenceslas Square
The square is approximately 15 minutes by foot from the Dancing house, and it’s one of the main areas in the New Town of Prague. You'll be able to try some great street food from the numerous stands in the area, including amazing fresh potato chips. You’ll also see the characteristic Prague red tram trains that run through the square.
Note: If you want to learn about the fascinating Czech history and you are a fan of museums, you can find the neoclassical Czech National Museum at one of the end of the boulevard. You’ll also enjoy some amazing vistas of this area of the city. It’s worth a stop, especially if you want a break from walking from area to area.
STOP 3. The Jewish Quarter
From Wenceslas Square to our next destination, the Jewish Town, is approximately another 15 minutes by foot. The Jewish Town is one of the most popular parts of Prague, due to its long and meaningful history. To enter the Jewish quarter, visitors must pay a fee of 25 euros. The quarter includes the Old Jewish cemetery and six synagogues, including one of the oldest synagogues in Europe. You can also purchase entrance to just specific areas instead of the whole quarter, which will be cheaper. The whole tour of the quarter will take approximately 2 hours.
STOP 4. Convent of St Agnes (includes a convent, a monastery and the Prague National Gallery)
Steps away from the Jewish Town, you’ll find the Convent of St Agnes and the adjacent National Gallery Prague. The convent of St. Agnes was the first Gothic building of Bohemia, and is the final resting place of King Wenceslas. The whole complex offers a fascinating walk through Prague’s history and culture. There’s no better way to end your tour of Prague in 2 days than by visiting St Agnes. The adjacent National Gallery features fascinating rotating exhibitions, and entry is free for those under 26!
STOP 5. Dinner
Once you have experienced most or all of the incredible Prague attractions we have put together in this “2 days in Prague Itinerary”, it's time to grab some dinner. There are many places to eat delicious and traditional food in Prague, including the many street carts serving hot-dogs and dumplings. If you want to enjoy a truly amazing meal, my two absolute favorite restaurants in Prague are Wine O´Clock Shop and Zdenek's Oyster Bar.
The tiny Wine O´Clock Shop is an Italian inspired tapas restaurant serving some really delicious food. It’s a really special experience: with only about 10 seats, you’ll have a very personalized and intimate meal. If you are lucky enough to grab a seat at the bar, you’ll get to watch the chef preparing the food! The small size of the restaurant makes it perfect for having longer conversations with the owner and staff about the food menu, wine selections, or just the ideas behind the restaurant. Just make sure to book your table in advance, as the place is always extremely busy! If you don’t have a reservation, make sure to be there exactly at 5’oclock when they open the doors to have any chance of getting a table. Even then you might not get one, but the food and ambiance are well worth the effort.
Zdenek's Oyster Bar is on the Michelin guide, and you’ll definitely see why: the wine and oysters at this restaurant/bar are super. The menu goes way beyond that, offering everything from pigeon to beef tartare to my favorite: mussels! The Czech Republic is a landlocked country, so finding fresh seafood is difficult. If you have a craving, definitely check this place out!
Travel Tips you might need for your 2 days in Prague ITINERARY
Hotels Tips
For those looking for hotel recommendations, I highly recommend the Hotel Paris Prague. This hotel has a very characteristic Art Noveau style, and it's perfectly located in the Old Town and within an easy walk of most attractions. It’s an incredible building, and worth a visit even if you aren’t staying.
GENERAL RECOMENDATIONS
For those visiting Prague for the first time, you might want to focus most of your time on the more iconic places I have listed in our 2 days in Prague Itinerary.
For visitors planning to visit more than one museum or attraction during your 2 days in Prague (probably everyone!), you can find options like the Prague Card and the Prague City Pass to help you skip the lines and save money. They have discounts for public transportation as well!
If you are in Europe enjoying some time off, head to our European travel section to discover some other amazing cities and destinations in the old continent.
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Besitos from Praha,
Laura
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