Leave the tourists behind and do Prague like a local with our ultimate insider's guide!
In this guide, you'll learn:
🏁 1. The Basics - Local currency and helpful travel apps
✈️ 2. Traveling to and from Prague by plane, train, bus, or car
🏢 3. What to expect in various Prague neighborhoods
📍 4. The main Prague sights
🚋 5. How to get around the city on public transportation
💬 6. Audio guide for essential Czech phrases
🍲 7. Tips on ensuring the best dining experience
🏨 8. Hotel recommendations
We created this guide to complement our "Prague Local Foodies", "Prague for Beer Lovers", and "Prague for Dreamers" guides, so be sure to check those out for a more intimate, bespoke experience in Prague.
➕ CURRENCY: The Czech currency is the Czech Crown Kč (CZK). The exchange fluctuates from 21-25 CZK = $1 USD. A few places in the center might accept Euros, but will generally overcharge you for them.
➕ PAYING BY CARD: Most shops, vendors, and restaurants accept cards and Google/Apple Pay.
➕ CHANGING MONEY: We don't recommend using exchange offices. They often advertise zero fees—but they take advantage of tourists by giving a very unfavorable exchange rate!
➕ ATMs: Choose an ATM connected to a bank. The ATMs attached to restaurants or shops will charge you much higher fees.
➕ MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNTS: If you are a frequent international traveler, we highly recommend having a multi-currency account such as WISE, to easily switch back and forth from dollars to euros to pounds to crowns, with minimal fees.
📲 HELPFUL MOBILE APPS
➕ Google Maps will get you around town by foot, car or public transit.
➕ Thatch: All Dream Prague & Co travel guide you purchase will appear on the same Thatch app map.
➕ Google Translate will help you read menus and signs. (It even has a real-time translate feature to help you read anything you point your camera at.)
➕ Currency Converter app for one the spot conversions from Crowns to your local currency.
➕ Wise for seamless and inexpensive online currency exchange.
Vaclav Havel International Airport has two terminals (Terminal 1: for non-Schengen destinations, and Terminal 2: for Schengen destinations.)
The Schengen countries include most of Europe, except for the UK and Switzerland.
Check out the link below to save money on cab fare by taking public transit into the city center.
Prague's main train station is very central and is accessible by the red "C" line metro.
You can buy train tickets there or online at the link below. We recommend trains for most destinations in Czechia and nearby international cities like Berlin and Dresden.
To buy a ticket online, follow the link to "ČD - České Dráhy", it is the most secure spot to get your ticket. You do not need to print the ticket, the train conductor will ask you for your online ticket and scan the QR code.
If you download the app, you can pay via Google Pay, Apple Pay, or a regular bank card.
Traveling by luxury bus in Czechia is quite different from your typical experience in the US. The seats are comfortable, they serve a beverage and snacks and on many of the bus companies, seats have individual screens for viewing movies or sitcoms. And the prices are very reasonable!
We recommend bus travel within Czechia and internationally to Vienna or Bratislava.
Get to the main bus station by metro—red "C" line or yellow "B" line metro to the station Florenc.
There are two main bus companies operating within The Czech Republic, offering domestic as well as international trips. You can buy tickets with both online.
REGIOJET
➕ plug in your departure (Prague) and destination
➕ double-check the departure: there are a number of other big bus stops around Prague, each connection will display which stop the bus leaves from -- for Florenc, choose "UAN Florenc"
➕ choose the type of service: Fun&Relax | Relax | Eco Standard
Services on board
❄️ air-conditioning
🥐☕️ snacks and drinks
🖥️ entertainment
🛜 wifi
🔌 power outlet
🚻 bathrooms
FLIX BUS
➕ plug in your departure (Prague) and destination
➕ double-check the departure: their buses generally leave from "UAN Florenc" or the bus stop in front of the "Main Railway Station"
Services on board
🛜 wifi
🔌 power outlet
🚌 extra space for you and your baggage
🚻 bathrooms
To but a ticket at the Florenc bus stop, it is also possible and very easy -- enter the main hall right next to the bus stop, the ticket windows are there. You can pay both in cash and by card. There are a few cafés and bistros so you can get a snack before or for your journey. Happy travelling!
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🚘 Rental cars are available for hire at the airport and the main train station.
🚫 We recommend not driving within the city. You can get anywhere in the city by foot, public transit, or as a last resort, Uber or a taxicab.
🤔 If travel by car suits you best, here are a few things to know:
➕ VIGNETTE: You'll need to purchase a známka (vignette) to legally drive anywhere in Czechia, or pay a fine. Prices for 2023 ⏬
You can buy one online by following the link below ⏬
You can also buy it at gas stations near the border, but those will cost more. If you rent a car within CZ, the vignette will be included.
➕ STREET PARKING in Prague is mainly reserved for locals or short-term parking. There are pay meters, but we don't recommend parking there for more than a few hours.
There are different parking zones around the city. It takes a little bit of research; depending on the length of your trip and the location. But can be useful for longer-term parking as well.
➕ LONG-TERM PARKING: If your hotel or AirBNB offers parking, verify the cost, because they will often tell you the cost after you arrive.
To avoid any headaches and assure a hassle-free trip, we recommend leaving your car at one of the Mr. Parkit locations around the city. It is a very smooth process -- 1. make a reservation online, 2. gain access to the garage using your phone (or attendant), 3. park and leave (same process as #2). They have a phone number that is free of charge and are ready to help with any issues.
3. What to expect in the main Prague Neighborhoods:
🍨 Prague neighborhoods are like flavors of gelato—it's impossible to choose a favorite!
🌗 Some areas are best enjoyed in the daytime, some are better for nightlife. Some are better to sleep in, and some are better to drink and dine in!
📚 Our Local Foodie Guide and Prague for Dreamers Guide offer detailed plans in various neighborhoods so be sure to check those out (bottom of this guide)!
No traveler to Prague should miss Old Town. It's everything you ever imagined a real-life Disneyland to be, and more!
A word of caution: everything from hotels to meals to pints of beer will be more expensive in Old Town. The streets and squares are often bustling with tourists. At night the stag parties can get a little loud, so consider the environment if you plan to stay in Old Town.
That being said, Old Town is Prague at its most magical. Avoid the sights during the busy mid-day. Instead, spend an early morning sipping coffee in Old Town Square or twilight strolling the magnificent Charles Bridge.
MUST-SEE:
+ Astronomical Clock
+ Old Town Square
+ Our Lady before Tyn
+ The Old Jewish Cemetery (Jewish Museum Tour)
+ Paris Street
+ Charles Bridge
+ Musical concerts at various venues
New Town is just a stone's throw from Old Town and home to the famous Wenceslas Square (which is more like a large boulevard).
As with Old Town, New Town can be quite rowdy at night, so consider that if booking accommodation there.
We recommend:
+ Saturday morning farmer's market on the river bank at Náplavka
+ Wenceslas Square
Karlín is a long, grid of tree-lined streets dotted with cool boutiques, cafes and brucheries. We recommend sleeping in Karlín and visiting the more touristy areas during the day.
VIBE: Young professional / family / yummy mummy.
MUST-EXPERIENCE:
+ Vítkov Hill and statue of Jan Žižka
Vinohrady is ideal for getting a taste of local life. Known as the expat neighborhood of Prague, you can often hear multiple languages while sitting at a sidewalk bistro.
We recommend staying here and visiting the other areas of Prague during the day.
It's only 1 metro stop away from the National Museum (New Town) so you can be in the center in just a few minutes.
VIBE: Professional Expat, family, ice-cream colored 19th century architecture, prosecco, picnic.
Must-see:
+ Náměstí Míru and St. Ludmilla's Church
+ Riegrovy Sady (park)
+ Farmer's market at JZP (Wednesday - Saturday)
+ Prosekárna (prosecco bars!) cafés and bistros too numerous to name - be sure to download our Local Foodie Guide!
Vršovice is mostly a working-class neighborhood with a gem of a hipster area around the NYTimes-famous Krymská Street (bordering Vinohrady). We recommend going at night for micro-pubs and niche dining establishments. Be sure to download our Beer Lover Guide for more specifics.
Also, if you want relatively cheap accommodations, check out our rec in section 8: Hotel recommendations at the bottom of this guide.
Must-go:
+ Krymská Street
Easily accessible to the city center by the 22 Tram.
Hradčany is the castle neighborhood which is an absolute must-visit. It's high up on the hill, so staying here can be a bit difficult to access. The 22 tram will take you up to the top of the hill.
See our hotel recommendations in section 8 at the bottom of this guide.
VIBE: Regal, historical, epic views
MUST-SEE
+ Prague castle
The Free Republic of Žižkov (as the locals have christened their neighborhood) is an enclave of free-thinkers.
This traditionally working-class neighborhood has endless shady pubs that cater to hard-drinking locals—in fact, Žižkov is known as the most pub-dense neighborhood in all of Europe!
VIBE:
Alternative. Eclectic. Rough around the edges. As real as Prague gets (and for that, we love it!)
DON'T MISS:
+ Žižkov TV Tower (but really, how could you miss it?)
+ Jan Žižka statue on Vítkov Hill
+ Ducking into some random pub doorway for a pint and an authentic Prague experience!
Holešovice used to be a center of production and trade; even in the first half of the 20th century, the town's slaughterhouse and markets operated here (which, after all, have remained here to this day), as well as steam mills, a brewery, various factories, and a busy cargo port. Today most of these industrial buildings do not serve their original purpose; many of them have been renovated or adapted and found a second life as apartments, office complexes, studios of young artists, designers and architects or cultural institutions.
VIBE:
Artsy. Up and coming.
DON'T MISS:
+ National Technical Museum
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4. The main sights
These are the main Prague sights you won't want to miss. When you use multiple Dream Prague Guides, all of the indicated places in each guide will appear on your map. That way you can visit these big sights and then sneak away from the tourist traps to experience the hidden gems we've selected for you.
Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world!
It's also the only castle in the world once inhabited by a playwright president, Václav Havel.
Prague Castle is a must-visit for any literary traveler. We recommend reading 'To the Castle and Back' by former Czech President Václav Havel.
Entry to the main castle area and the main part of St. Vitus Cathedral is free. Paid tickets are required for more access. See the link below for info and ticket prices.
Charles Bridge is the oldest still-standing bridge in Prague, crossing the Vltava River. It is also a part of the "Royal Route" which begins in the Old Town and leads to Prague Castle. Its history takes you all the way back to the 14th Century when its foundation allowed for trade routes connections between the Western and Eastern parts of the Hungary Empire (today's Europe).
King Charles IV had this bridge built in 1357, shortly after the original Judith's Bridge was damaged during a flooding incident. What you might find intriguing are the 30 life-sized statues on the bridge, as if leading you across the river through an open-sky gallery. The statues are mostly depicting famous Saints from Czech history with many of them having strong symbolic meanings.
Today, Charles Bridge gets crowded with tourists and travelers visiting Prague. So our recommendation for you is to wake up early to capture the true peaceful beauty with your camera (without any other of those pesky tourists).
Naturally, there are many legends and urban myths connected with the construction of the Charles Bridge. The most famous legend is about builders adding raw eggs to a mortar to strengthen the bridge and assure for its long future.
Welcome to the center of Fairytale Prague! This square is truly not to be missed, but we highly encourage you to come early in the day or in the evening to avoid masses of crowds. At the top of every hour, the Astronomical clock does a little performance that's worth seeing (once). The longer you stand there waiting for it, the less impressed you'll be.
In the early evening, if you can, snag a table at one of the outdoor bistros and order a beer or glass of wine. You'll pay for the view...but what a view it is!
Definitely go into both Týn church and St. Michael's. They're both splendid and unique.
😎 VIBE:
Magical, fairytale, dense crowds (avoid during peak hours!)
👀 MUST-SEE:
+ Astronomical Clock
+ Our Lady before Týn church
+ St. Nicholas Church
+ Pařížská Street for window shopping
Wenceslas Square or "Václavák" (Vatz-la-vak), as the Czechs call it, is the main plaza of New Town.
In 1348, Bohemian King Charles IV founded the New Town of Prague. The plan included several open areas for markets, of which the second largest was the Koňský Trh -- or Horse Market.
It's more of a boulevard than a square, though in recent years the city planners keep pushing the cars further up the street and opening the bottom half for pedestrians. At the top of the square, you'll find the National Museum and good King Wenceslas on his horse. At the bottom, New Town's high street Na Přikopě. From the bottom, follow the crowd through the winding alleyway to the Astronomical clock.
The Dancing House (or Fred and Ginger) was designed by the Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić in cooperation with Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry.
The "Dancing House" is set on a property of great historical significance. Its site was the location of a house destroyed by the U.S. bombing of Prague in 1945. The plot and structure lay decrepit until 1960 when the area was cleared. The neighboring plot was co-owned by the family of Václav Havel, who spent most of his life there.
Grab a cocktail and enjoy the spectacular view from the rooftop GlassBar.
We locals hardly ever use taxicabs. Uber is available in the city if you need it. But we prefer Prague's metro, trams and buses—cheap, safe and convenient! Here's how to use them:
👉 Why do I see everyone getting on the metro/trams without paying or scanning anything?
Residents buy monthly digital passes on their mobile phones. Once on the metro/tram/bus, the occasional ticket inspector will show you their badge and ask you to produce your digital pass or physical ticket. If you do not have a valid ticket, you will be asked to pay 1000 Kč ($45) on the spot. They do not accept euros or dollars.
👉 Buy a ticket
Buy a ticket at a ticket machine inside a metro station and at occasional tram stations. Some accept payment by card, all accept coins. The tickets are not valid until you validate them in the stamp machine, so you can buy a few at a time and save them for later.
*Discounted “half-price” tickets can be used by persons from 60 to 65 years.
**Free travel: Children under 15 years and adults 65+ travel for free.
‼️ You must have your passport with you to prove you qualify for a discounted or free ride!
Some trams offer the possibility of purchasing a ticket onboard by card, but not all trams, so don't count on it!
👉 Validate your ticket
Validate your ticket in the yellow stamp machine you see on the bus/tram or before you go down into the metro (left photo). Your ticket duration starts upon validation.
**Your ticket is valid for any combination of metro/tram/bus travel during the time period listed on your ticket. You do not need to validate again after the first stamp.
Keep your ticket as long it's valid in case you are asked to produce it by a ticket inspector.
👉 Map your route:
The Google Maps mobile app will tell you the exact route to take to your destination, just select the public transit icon. Take note of transfers from one type of transportation to another.
👉 Choose your stop/platform
🚋 TRAMS & BUSES
Trams & buses arrive at street-level stops. The schedule will be listed at each stop and look like this:
Your current location will be bold and underlined. The next stop will be the one listed directly below it. If your destination is listed above your current stop, look for the tram stop on the other side of the street.
🚈 METRO
There are three metro lines in Prague: A, B & C. Each journey is a "local" and stops at every station unless indicated otherwise by an "X". To choose the correct platform in a metro station, look at these posted signs:
Your current location is indicated by the solid color circle and left/right arrows.
If your destination is to the left, go to the platform on the left. If your location is shown to the right, go to the right.
You can change from your current metro line to the other two metro lines, indicated by their colors and letters on this sign.
6. Essential Phrases
Earn the respect of the Czechs by using a bit of their language! Make sure you listen to the audio recordings of our co-creator, Radka. She is a Czech local in Prague and she has a few essential phrases you might find useful below.
🔊 Open to read and listen to Some Basic Czech Vocabulary
...there are many nuances that can cause confusion for a foreigner in a Czech restaurant. These tips will help you ensure a great dining experience:
📞 RESERVATIONS: Most restaurants (outside the touristy center) prefer that you reserve a table in advance, as they fill up quickly! All the locals reserve tables. Make a reservation a day (or at least a few hours) in advance, online, by phone, or in person. Most restaurant employees speak some English, and most have English reservation pages on their websites.
⏰ TIME LIMIT: A Czech server will not rush you out of the restaurant in an attempt to turn tables. You're free to stay and enjoy as long as you want. However, if you made your reservation for a specific length of time (as is requested on many reservation application forms) respect that agreement.
🥨 EXTRAS: Czech restaurants do not offer free "extras". Baskets of bread, tortilla chips, (bottled) water, and even condiments come with an extra nominal fee. And don't even think about free refills!
🎩 SERVERS: Czech servers have a reputation for brusqueness, which can be misinterpreted as rudeness. This difference is simply cultural. Czech people don't care for small talk, so a Czech customer would be turned off by a chatty server who asked "How is everything?" every 10 minutes. As long as our beer mugs are filled and our order is timely and correct, we consider that good service.
💸 PAYING: Tell the server "Zaplatim" (za-pla-teem = I will pay now) when you're ready to leave. If paying together as a group, the server will bring the card reader/cash wallet to your table. If paying separately, she'll ask you to pay individually at the register. They have no problem splitting bills.
👌 TIPPING: For bills under 300 Kč ($14), round up to the nearest 50 Kč. For bills more than 300 Kč, 10% gratuity is appreciated. If paying by card and you wish to tip, you must include the tip in the initial payment (there is no tip line for you to write an amount on your credit card receipt). If the server says your bill is 440 Kč, you can say "500, please" and she will charge your card for 500, which includes your 60 Kč tip.
🧞♂️ SPECIAL REQUESTS: Most Czech menus will have a list of allergens. Depending on the type of the restaurant (typical touristy pub vs. Gastro/culinary) many are not completely used to catering to substitution requests, and will often not allow you to swap side dishes from one meal to another. (No, you can't have fries with that pork knuckle, it only comes with pickled cabbage 🤷🏻♀️.) It never hurts to ask though!
🥑 VEGAN/VEGETARIAN: Typical Czech restaurant food is not vegetarian. At most, a Czech restaurant will offer vegetarians a plate of hearty fried cheese. Surprisingly though, Prague is one of the most vegan-friendly cities in Europe. Many non-Czech restaurants have vegan/vegetarian options. We list several of our best picks of vegan restaurants in Prague in our Prague for Dreamers guide. Scroll down to the very bottom to access it! ⬇️
Our Hotel Recommendations
There are plenty of beautiful boutique hotels in Prague, we selected the ones that stood out for us to make your Prague visit exceptional. All hotels are within walking distance of the main Prague historical sites.
Hotel Orion is a perfectly located hotel in the most prestigious and beautiful part of Prague called Královské Vinohrady. Their spacious rooms and suites with exceptional hotel services and an original Finnish sauna are waiting for your visit.
➕ Náměstí Míru
➕ Park Grébovka
🥐 Private kitchen
✨ Finnish sauna
The Czech Inn offers affordable private rooms and mixed-bed dorms. Perfect for solo travelers. It stands atop the famous Krymská Street, dotted with eclectic bars and independent shops. (Details in our Beer Lovers Guide!) Stay here if you want to be surrounded by the locals and away from the touristy center. Get a direct ride to the city center or Prague Castle by hopping on the 22 tram right outside the hotel’s door.
➕ Náměstí Míru
➕ Krymska Street (famous for nightlife)
🥐 A warm breakfast buffet is served daily in the brick cellar.
✨ In the evening, the bar features live entertainment, happy hour and light snacks.
NYX Hotel Prague is a design hotel featuring stylish interiors decorated with contemporary artworks from young artists. You cannot beat the location, within a minute's walk from Wenceslas Square.
All of the individually designed rooms feature large windows, unique design pieces, and bathrooms fitted with a rain shower. If you are looking for a budget place with a perfect location, you just found one!
➕ Wenceslas Square
➕ National Museum
➕ Prague Main Railway station
🥐 Breakfast included or to purchase
🧸 Skype booth and Xbox station in the game room
Miss Sophie's recently renovated hotel is right next to its sister hostel, Sophie’s Hostel. The design is chic and has great aesthetic appeal. The ambiance is calm and relaxing.
The hotel is well located -- just a 10-minute walk away from Wenceslas Square.
This hotel definitely fits the budget boutique category. Though there might be a lack of things to do at the hotel itself, you can benefit from all the standard facilities: free Wi-Fi, free local area maps, advice from friendly staff about places to eat and visit, luggage storage facilities, etc.
➕ National Museum
➕ Náměstí Míru
🥐 Breakfast to purchase next-door at Sophie’s Hostel
The Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa is located just a few steps from Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, amidst the picturesque streets of Malá Strana (Lesser Town).
The hotel is housed in four former bourgeois houses, the oldest of which, "Dům u Ježíška" (House by the Infant Jesus), has served various purposes and owners over the past five centuries.
➕ Lesser Town
➕ Prague Castle
➕ Charles Bridge
🥐 Breakfast to purchase
✨ Private spa & fitness
🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ friendly
The house acquired its baroque shape during 1705–1727 when it was owned by a famous architect, Jan Blažej Santini. Be enchanted by authentic wooden ceilings, ribbed vaults, wall fresco paintings, or the functional sundial placed on the facade in the inner block.
➕ Prague Castle
➕ Nerudova Street
➕ Strahov Monastery
🥐 Breakfast optional
Modern design combined with nature. This hotel is situated just a few steps from the Florenc Bus station and easy walking distance to the city center from the North-West part of the city.
➕ Florenc Bus station
➕ Náměstí Republiky (square)
➕ Powder Tower
🥐 Breakfast included
✨ Fitness Center
Modern design, historic charm. Located in the heart of Prague amid a historic row of 19th-century buildings, this boutique-style hotel’s welcoming guest rooms fuse refined design with deluxe comfort and flawless service, welcoming travelers from all over the world for business, leisure, or family stays.
➕Old Town Square
➕ Jewish Quarter
➕ Powder Tower
🥐 Breakfast to purchase
✨ Fitness Center
The 5* NH Collection Prague Carlo IV is a splendid Neo-Renaissance palace, located on the Senovážné náměstí 13 in the center of Prague. Just a ten-minute walk from Old Town Square.
You can explore the city’s numerous monuments and museums, while inside the hotel is one of the city’s most luxurious wellness spas.
➕ Masarykovo train station
➕ Old Town Square
➕ Náměstí Republiky
🥐 Breakfast included or to purchase
✨ Private Spa & Wellness and Fitness Center
History & design of timeless elegance.
Situated in the center of Prague, next to the Vltava River embankment, and within a 15-minute walk from Wenceslas Square and the Old Town Square, THE MANES Boutique Hotel Prague features modern interior and stylish rooms.
➕ The National Theatre
➕ Dancing House
➕ Charles Bridge
➕ Old Town Square
🥐 Breakfast included or to purchase
✨ Fitness Center
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Want the best Prague experience?👇
🌈 Are you a traveler who wants an elevated experience? Ditch the tourist traps and let us take you on 4 inspirational tours through our favorite places in this magical city.
🥐 For the best dining experience, don't risk it with "traditional" Czech restaurants drawing the dusty masses of tourists. Check out our food guides for a much tastier and more pleasant experience!
📞 Would you like a Prague itinerary more tailored to your specific requests and preferences? Book a Dream Prague consultation and we'll help you create an unforgettable adventure in the Golden City.
🍺 Are you ready to experience the best of Prague's beer scene? Get the whole presentation of different types of beer, the best local breweries to get them, and even a little beer etiquette!
Welcome! I'm Jen Preston (@jen.dream.prague), a California native living in Prague, Czechia for the past 11 years and founder of the YouTube channel Dream Prague. I make videos about Prague living, Czech culture, and the quirks of Czech people. (love them!)
👯♂️ I've teamed up with some amazing Prague-based creators to create the ultimate Prague experience for you!
🌈 Radka Čejkova (@vegan.radka) is a local Czech who's also lived in Ireland and Thailand and knows the secrets of Prague like no other. She's a vegan and book lover and also the genius behind our "Prague for Dreamers" guide, so be sure to check it out!
🥘 Vanessa Blaho (@vanessa.eats.prague) is a California native living in Prague for the last 9 years. She is an international foodie scouring the European continent for the best bites, and sharing them with you in our "Prague for Local Foodies" Guide.
🍺 If it's beer you're after, Jen's (@jen.dream.prague) got the guide for you: "Prague for Beer Lovers." And we're not talking touristy pub crawls—she'll take you to the finest establishments in the city serving world-famous Czech beer and some of the insider spots to sample some of the Czech microbreweries' newest creations.
📞 We also offer bespoke travel consultations if you'd like us to help recommend a trip to meet your wildest dreams, so get in touch!
