Last updated: August 2, 2023, by Antoine
The Czech Republic is known for its stunning architecture and numerous castles scattered throughout the landlocked country. Located in Eastern Europe, the capital of the Czech Republic is Prague (called Praha in Czech), making it the perfect weekend getaway with plenty of museums to visit and delicious cuisine to savour. Here’s the ultimate guide with the best Prague travel tips you should know before your first visit.
For more inspiration, be sure to check out our guide on how to spend the perfect day in Prague.
#1 Prague is perfect for a weekend getaway
If you’re looking for a place with amazing architecture, a fantastic foodie scene, and plenty of cultural institutions worth frequenting, know that Prague is easy to access, a great place to explore over a few days, and one of the best weekend getaways in Europe.
It also has excellent transport links to other parts of Europe and beyond (including international airports and rail connections), making it easy to reach Prague within hours from many popular tourist destinations such as London, Paris and Amsterdam. You can access it.
#2 Prague is a great destination for vegans!
What particularly surprised me during my visit to Prague was the number of meat-free options dotted throughout the city. From vegan junk food bars serving things like fish-and-chips and plant-based burgers to more formal sit-down menus, there’s something for every veggie diet. Check out my vegan guide to Prague for more recommendations.
#3 Avoid eating in Prague city center
Like many tourist cities in Europe, such as Amsterdam and Venice, avoid eating in the city center when visiting Prague. In particular, avoid places whose menus have lots of pictures and words translated into five languages. Instead, go back a few streets and you’ll find much better quality food at a much lower price.
In this regard, it’s also worth remembering that many of the open-air cafes and bars along the Vltava charge for a beer, which is probably worth it if you plan on watching the sunset over a beer.
#4 Don’t try to see everything in one visit
When exploring Prague, there are so many things to see and do that it can be difficult to prioritize what to visit on each day of your vacation. That being said, if you try to see everything, you’ll definitely be disappointed and feel like you’re constantly being rushed.
Instead, choose to focus on a few areas/districts of the city and take the time to get to know them inside out. Even if you don’t see everything, you’ll have an excuse to return to Prague at a later date.
#5 Wear comfortable shoes
Prague is a naturally walkable city, and may be one of the easiest cities to explore on foot in Europe. Therefore, comfortable shoes are a must. High heels may be pretty, but they don’t go well with cobblestone streets. This summer, he bought me a pair of sandals like this that go well with my summer dress. Otherwise, check out these chic boots.
#6 Book your accommodation early
Prague has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination, especially in recent years, and as a result, the best accommodation always sells out quickly. We therefore strongly recommend that you book your accommodation in Prague well in advance.
On a recent visit with friends, we stayed in the Old Town area of the city, close to many of the city’s main attractions and only had to use public transport a few times. If you’re currently looking for somewhere to stay, this boutique hotel is ultra luxurious and this budget hotel has a great location and great reviews.
#7 Prague’s currency is Czech Koruna
Although the city is often referred to as “the heart of Europe”, the currency in Prague (and indeed the whole of the Czech Republic) is the Czech crown, not the euro. That said, as the Czech Republic is part of the European Union, it is legally obligated to adopt the euro at some point in the future.
Euros are accepted in tourist areas, but the exchange rate is often not the best, so you’re better off using kroner. Many places take cards, but it’s good to carry a little cash with you to buy small items such as snacks and drinks when you’re out.
#8 Beware of common tourist scams
Of all the mistakes you can make in Prague, this one (or more) of the most common tourist scams is probably the one. With tourism numbers on the rise, it’s no surprise that the number of tourist scams targeting visitors to Prague has increased over the last few years.
One of the most common tourist scams in Prague is overcharging by taxi drivers, so use public transport where possible and always agree on the fare before getting in a taxi.
Another major trick to scam tourists is “Prague Ham”. You walk past a kiosk and see ham advertised at a seemingly low price. However, the small print hides that this price is actually “price per 100 g”.
#9 Beware of ATM fees and bad exchange rates
We’ve already detailed some of the most common tourist scams in Prague, but the most common scam deserves a mention in itself: “0% commission” money exchange offices all over the city. Of course, as is common when traveling, these scams seem too good to be true… and they are.
The actual exchange rate is terrible, so any potential savings in fees are lost due to the poor exchange rate. It is equally common for scammers to hang out near currency exchange offices, luring tourists in by offering them seemingly good exchange rates and then handing over currency that is no longer usable.
Finally, before withdrawing cash from an ATM, always check the exchange rate and whether there is a fee for withdrawing cash. ATMs will often try to encourage you to withdraw a much higher amount than you need, further depleting your funds. Never use EuroNet ATMs.
#10 Beware of pickpockets
While Prague is generally a safe city for tourists (usually as safe as your hometown), pickpocketing and other petty crimes are quite prevalent, especially in tourist-heavy areas of the city.
There are some areas, such as Prague Castle and the Old Town area, where you need to be extra careful with your belongings. It is recommended to wear a crossbody bag like this one rather than a backpack, as is often the case in Europe.
#11 When is the best time to travel to Prague?
If you want to experience the best of Prague in terms of charm and weather, it’s worth remembering that the city is absolutely fascinating to explore all year round: every season has something new to explore, from snow-covered rooftops in winter to strolling through fountain-filled parks in summer.
That said, winters can be particularly cold, and summer temperatures often exceed 30 degrees, so plenty of hydration and rest are essential. Therefore, if you are looking for the best climate and the best prices, the shoulder months are definitely the best time to visit Prague.
#12 Prague has a lot of wonderful scenery
Whether you’re interested in photography or just love getting a great bird’s-eye view of the city from above, Prague has many great viewpoints from which to view the city from above. Some of the best viewpoints in Prague include the view from the top of the Old Town Hall Tower and from Prague Castle itself.
#13 You can stay at the Dancing House in Prague
If you want to see one of the best photo spots in Prague, you should make time to see the Dancing House. What’s more, this building, with its focus on quirky modern architecture, is now a hotel where you can book a stay. Find out more here.
#14 Explore secluded Prague
Whether you’re looking for a secret church that few visitors know about, a little-known museum or a quiet park, Prague has this and more.
Some of the city’s best-kept secrets include the statue of Wenceslas riding an upside-down horse and the ruins of Prague’s oldest church within the walls of Prague Castle.
#15 Prepare a universal travel adapter
If you’re traveling from outside mainland Europe, you’ll definitely want to bring a universal travel adapter like this one to keep all your electronics charged on the go. This is especially important because the city is so beautiful, you’ll want to take lots of photos with your phone or camera.
#16 Take at least one day trip from Prague
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and discover more of what Prague has to offer, consider taking at least one day trip from Prague. Popular day trips from the Czech Republic include Cesky Krumlov and Kutna Hora.
#26 Do not rent a car in Prague
If you’re planning a trip to Prague, try not to rent a car (unless you’re taking a day trip out of the city): public transport in Prague is generally safe (watch out for pickpockets), convenient, efficient, and very affordable.
Many parts of Prague can be easily explored on foot, and to get to further parts of the city you can take the bus, tram or metro. Renting a car is expensive, has high parking fees and is generally not a good idea for getting around the city.
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Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, when she’s not chasing sunset photos or eating sweets, she runs solosophie.com. She travels as much as possible, splitting her time between Paris and London. Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube channel.
