FREE Prague off-the-beaten track: 25+ activities

1. Take the sightseeing Tram

If you visit Prague on a budget,  no need to pay hundreds of Czech crowns on a hop-on hop-off bus. A public transport ticket will be enough (and will make you feel like a local). I got you covered, you will find the pricing list of public transport below. 

Tram 23 is quite magical as it allows you to see many famous spots of Prague: Hop on at "IP Pavlova" and you can go all the way to the Prague Castle, passing by the Dancing House, the National Theatre, the Vltava River and the Petrin Tower.

Here is the price list for public transport: 

2. Enjoy the view from the heights

Vyšehrad's Castle

@remgo

This castle is often called the 2nd castle of Prague but is not to be forgotten. Many tourists visiting Prague for a few days do not have the time to visit both, but Visehrad deserves to be known as well. You will find yourself in a calm park overlooking the river and the whole city, with a beautiful citadel and one of the two oldest churches in Prague. It gives you a completely different view of Prague while being in a more quiet and peaceful environment. It is one of my favorite view points in Prague and every time I had friends of family visiting, I would always take them there. You have two ways to access it: 1. climbing a few dozens of stairs from the river side, or 2. stopping at metro stop "Vysehrad" (red line) and walking through the park

Add to

Details

Letna Park

@remgo

Without a doubt, my favorite viewpoint in Prague is Letna Park. I lived nearby for a few years and built so many nice memories there. From there, you enjoy an unbelievable view of Prague and all its bridges. From April to September, you can enjoy a nice drink at their beer garden while getting lost in the view that unfolds in front of you. Whether you walk around the park at night, in the morning or during the day, in the spring, the summer, the autumn or the winter, Letna always has something new to offer.

Add to

Details

Funicular to Petrin Tower

@remgo

Take the Funicular from "Uzed" tram stop and enjoy the scenery as you continue getting to the top of the hill. For an even higher view, you can climb the Petrin Tower. From there, I strongly recommend walking your way to the castle, It should take you less than an hour (unless you stop at one of the several beer gardens on the way). The path is very scenic and you will find many spots to take great pictures of Prague from the heights. Attention Please: the regular public transport ticket does not work for the funicular (unless you have a 24-hour ticket), you will have to buy a separate one that costs 60 CZK. Trust me, it is worth it ;)

Add to

Details

Riegrovy Sady View

@remgo

The park of Riegrovy Sady is not to be missed in the Vinohrady neighboorhood. Many locals and expats go there to grab a drink, sit down on the grass and enjoy the view of the castle. I recommend you to go when the sun goes down for a memorable experience.

Add to

Details

3. Search for Franz Kafka

The life of the Czech writer Franz Kafka is closely linked to the History of Prague during the 20th century. Visiting his museum will give you a lot of insights into his work and the life in the city at that time.

As you are exploring the city, here are two curiosities that you could stumble across:

Statue of Franz Kafka

@remgo

📍Right outside the Spanish Synagogue (Old Town)

Add to

Details

His Rotating Head

@remgo

📍Outside the OC Quadrio shopping center (New Town)

Add to

Details

4. Bike your way through Troja

This is one of my favorite activities every time I come back to Prague.

If you want to enjoy a break from the crowded center and be close to the nature, read on. 

You can easily rent bikes with the Rekola App, it is easy to register and very affordable (35 CKZ for 30 mn)

Rekola - Discover city with Rekola Bikesharing

www.rekola.cz

I recommend you to start around the "Nadrazi Podbaba" stop and continue along the river. Here are some stops along the way: 

Take the boat in V Podbabe

@remgo

A few minutes after Nadrazi Podbaba, you will find a tiny boat stop: wait for the cute boat and cross the river. Your bike adventure on the Troja side can start. You will be riding your bike by the river, crossing food and beer stands and overlooking the Troja vineyards. On the other side, you will also see the impressive International Hotel, symbol of the communist past of the city.

Add to

Details

Prague Zoo

@remgo

The Prague Zoo could be a great stop on your way.

Add to

Details

Art and Food ZOOna

@remgo

Feeling hungry and thirsty after pedaling so much? Welcome to an original place with food stands and drinks.

Add to

Details

Trojsky Bridge

@remgo

Finish your ride in the Holesovice neighborhood through the Trojsky Bridge (Trojsky Most)

Add to

Details

5. Get Lost in Holesovice

Holesovice is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Prague and I strongly recommend you to visit it if you want to spend some time away from the main tourist attractions and see an alternative side of the city.

In 2020, the Guardian even ranked it among top 10 Europe’s coolest neighborhoods. 

You will find trendy shops, cosy cafés, art galleries and a lot of street art. You will also be close to two major parks in Prague: Letna and Stromovka where you could loose track of time for hours. 

A good starting point is the tram stop "Strossmayerovo Namesti" which is in the middle of the neighborhood. 

Here are 4 places you should check out: 

Výstaviště

@remgo

The Prague Exhibition Grounds where a lot of cultural events and fairs take place every year. For example, I attended a few Drum and Bass festivals in one of the buildings, an outdoor ice cream festival and ran a Color Run there. You go there to: - admire the Industrial Palace, a beautiful art nouveau gem - see one the top sound and light shows at the Krizikova Fountain - start your stroll in the Stromovka Park

Add to

Details

Veletržní Palác

@remgo

Part of the National Gallery (with way less tourists), hosting the art of 20th and 21st century. They also have a cute café on the ground floor.

Add to

Details

BIO OKO

@remgo

This is an iconic movie theatre of Holesovice and one of the few cinemas in the city whose history dates back to 1940.

Add to

Details

Cross Club

@remgo

I could not talk about Holesovice without mentioning Cross Club. How to define it? It really is an hybrid place that gathers an art center, a café, a bar, a restaurant and an underground club at night. As soon as you enter, the robotic and industrial sculptures will take you to a new dimension. I probably had my best night out in Prague at Cross Club. It is now your time to explore it!

Add to

Details

6. Explore the Vinohrady and Zizkov Neighboorhoods

You will find very different vibes in Vinohrady and Zizkov even though they are close to each other. Both are great neighborhoods to explore outside of the Old and New Town.

Vinohrady will give you an Art-Nouveau and residential vibe.

Zizkov is a former working-class neighborhoods, full of cobblestone streets on a hilly ground. It is now full of pubs and graffitis and it will give you a more alternative and bohemian vibe. 

Here are 3 places to see when you walk around. My best suggestion here is for you to get lost on the way and see where the streets take you. 

Stop by the Jiřího z Poděbrad's Farmers' Market

@remgo

As you get out of the metro, you cannot not be surprised by the shape of the church that stands in the middle of the square. I will not spoil you and tell you what it looks like: you will have to find out by yourself ;-) Jiriho Z Podebrad (or J.Z.P as expats call it) is also famous for its farmers market that takes place four times a week. It is a great place to find local food from Czech farms.

Add to

Details

Žižkov Television Tower

@remgo

The Zizkov TV Tower is a very emblematic building of Prague. Pretty much anywhere you are in the city, you will see its shape somewhere in the horizon. If you walk nearby, you will notice black shapes on the tower, do not worry you will not be dreaming. For many years now, ten giant bronze babies are crawling on the tower. They are creations of David Cerny a Czech artist. There is no consensus about those babies in Prague: some call them ugly, others call them magical, creepy or artsy. I am curious to hear what you think :-) For a great view of Prague, you can take the lift and go to the top (almost) of the tower. You can even stay at the restaurant for a coffee or a meal.

Add to

Details

Žižkovský tunel

@remgo

Looking for a secret shortcut? Take the Zizkov Tunnel. 300 meters of tunnel under the Vitkov hill to go from Zizkov to Karlin (or the other way around). The entrance is next to Storm Club. Once you get to Karlin, I strongly recommend you to explore the area. With its cute cafés, great restaurants and art-nouveau architecture, it is becoming one of the hippest neighborhoods in Prague.

Add to

Details

7. Feeling like wandering around? 

Take a stroll on the Náplavka Riverbank

@remgo

📍Tram Stop "Palackeho Namesti" The Naplavka riverside has always been a go-to location for me, especially in the summer. As you walk along the dock, there are food stands, boats where you can stop and take a break or swans that get close to the shore and interact with visitors. Above all, it is a great location to sit down by the river, - alone or with friends - and take the time to enjoy the city. At the end of it, you can walk towards the steps that lead to the Vysehrad castle (see above).

Add to

Details

Go back in time in the Golden Lane

@remgo

Less than 5 minutes away from the castle, you will find this charming alley, built in the XVI-th century to host the guards working in the castle. The tiny houses will their colorful walls will take you back in time. You will also find some cute cafés: I recommend "Cafe U Vcekare".

Add to

Details

7. A bit of green in the city

Sip a glass of wine in Grebovka

@remgo

The Havlíček Gardens or Brebovka as the locals name it, is a beautiful park inspired by the Italian Renaissance, with lakes, pavilions and water cascades. Take a stroll in a park to feel out of this world and in your own fairy tale. You will also find vineyards and the Grébovka Pavillion that invites you for a glass of wine and a panoramic view of the city.

Add to

Details

Find the wilderness in Divoka Sarka

@remgo

📍Tram Stop "Divoka Sarka" One of the most "green" kept secrets of Prague. No need to leave the city to find a big nature reserve: there is Divoka Sarka (or Wild Sarka) on the way to the airport. Whether you are planning a full day hiking excursion, just want to have a picnic in the nature or rest by the pool in the middle of the woods, this is for you. You will be impressed by the diversity of landscapes: rocks, meadow, cliffs, woods, ponds or wild flowers.

Add to

Details

Sit by the river on Kampa Island

@remgo

Right off Charles Bridge, you will find Kampa Island with a beautiful park and an art museum. You can sit on a bench and peacefully look at the river while being away from the crowds of tourists.

Add to

Details

8. Feeling Adventurous? 

Go under the statue of the upside-down horse

@remgo

📍Inside the Lucerna Passage

Add to

Details

Ride the Paternoster, the lift that never stops

@remgo

📍Inside the Lucerna passage Ride this curious (and free) lift that does not stop. It is worth the thrill as you can access the rooftop of the Lucerna passage once you reach the last floor. Will you be adventurous enough to stay inside the lift and see where it takes you?

Add to

Details

Look at Prague from a paddle boat

@remgo

📍Boat stop "Vyton"

Add to

Details

Play boardgames at Bohemia Boards & Brews

@remgo

A very nice place to play boardgames with family and friends. They have an extensive collection of games in Czech and English along with a pop corn machine and snacks. If like me you are not good at understanding new games, the staff is very friendly and will teach you how to play.

Add to

Details

Become a Bobsleigh champion

@remgo

📍 "Bobová Dráha Prosek" - 12 minutes walking from the Metro Stop "Prosek" Want to have a fun outdoor activity off-the-beaten track? No need to be an athlete or wait for the winter to try bobsleigh, this attraction will give you a good dose of adrenalin. The track is 780-meters long and has many loops and curves for you to feel like a champion. They also have a restaurant and a terrace where you can eat Czech food and enjoy the stunning view over the city.

Add to

Details

9. Relax, it is part of the experience

Apollo Spa at the Corinthia Hotel

@remgo

In a nutshell: Peaceful spa and 360 view of Prague. When I was working in Prague I was lucky to have what was called a "Multisport card" that gave me a free access to this spa. I could not count how many times I went there on weekends to relax and enjoy the view.

Add to

Details

1O. Discover unique Museums

Illusion Art Museum Prague

@remgo

Close to Wenceslas Square, this museum is a fun way to play with your senses and have a break from cultural activities. I promise you a lot of laughters, surprises and a trip through Czech History.

Add to

Details

Get mind-blown at the National Technical Museum

@remgo

You know you are approaching the museum when you can see a big airplane on top of the building. This museum is huge and you can easily spend half a day inside looking at their 14 exhibitions (permanent and temporary). From transportation to astronomy going through television, architecture and design, you literally become a witness of technical evolutions.

Add to

Details

What did you think of this guide?

I'd love to hear from you, do not hesitate to send me a message on Instagram (@remgou).

Feel free to:

🎙️Tell me what you think about the places that appear in this guide

🙏 Leave a review

❤️Contribute with a small tip

😎Share this guide with a friend

For more off-the-beaten-track content about Prague, you can find more guides on my Travel page. 

Remi Gourmel

Prague - Top 20 Restaurants

After living in Prague for 5 years, I am thrilled to share with you my top recommendations for great food in the city. Prague has so much to offer when it comes to food: from a local canteen to eat like a local, to a fancy dinner with a view, you came to the right map. Whether you want traditional Czech cuisine or food from all over the world, with meat or vegan/vegetarian options: I got you covered. You will find: 🍴 24 restaurants that I personally recommend (+ 1 bonus restaurant at the airport) 🌍 A selection of Czech, European, Latin, Asian and Vegan/Vegetarian places 💲 Restaurants for all budgets and occasions This map will show you many places where I used to go when I lived in Prague, included some I wished I had known much sooner. Be sure that I will take you away from the touristy and expensive restaurants to show you the real Prague. You will also find the nearest public transport stop for each restaurant in order to help you organize your days. I hope you enjoy it! If you’d like a more extensive or tailored recommendations, feel free to reach out: IG @remgou

$5.00

5.0

(2)

Map

Remi Gourmel

Prague - Top 30 Cafes & Cocktail Bars

When I was living in Prague I started a quest to find the best cafes and cocktail bars in Prague. This guide is the summary of places that I still really enjoy after five years living in Prague. You will find: ☕️21 cafes and coffee shops 🍸10 special cocktail bars (the last one will surprise you) 🕶️ Places where you can get breakfast, cocktails and great food throughout the day 🥰 A mix of cosy , laidback and upscale atmospheres for all budgets 🍃Delicious options for vegans and vegetarians ✍️Detailed explanations for every single place Unlike what I often hear, there can be great customer service in Prague. Come with me on a journey where you feel welcome and attended by friendly staff. Most of the listed places speak English so do not worry about learning Czech. I hope you enjoy it! If you’d like a more extensive or tailored recommendations, feel free to reach out: IG @remgou

$5.00

5.0

(2)

Map

Best,

Rémi