Prague survived World War II largely intact, which means it is the only major Central European city with its full medieval and Baroque architecture still standing. Walking across the Charles Bridge at 6am, with mist on the Vltava River and Prague Castle glowing above, is one of Europe's great experiences. And because the Czech Republic uses Czech Koruna rather than Euro, it remains significantly cheaper than Paris, Vienna, or Amsterdam.
Prague in 3 Days: Itinerary
| Day | Area | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Old Town & Jewish Quarter | Old Town Square astronomical clock, Jewish Cemetery and Synagogues ($20 combined), Josefov |
| Day 2 | Prague Castle & Malá Strana | Prague Castle complex (world's largest castle by area), St Vitus Cathedral, Malá Strana golden lanes, Charles Bridge at 7am |
| Day 3 | New Town & Vinohrady | Wenceslas Square, National Museum, Vyšehrad fortress, Vinohrady café district |
Czech Beer: What You Need to Know
The Czech Republic drinks more beer per capita than any country on earth and has been doing so for 700 years. Czech pilsner (Pilsner Urquell was invented in Plzeň, 90km from Prague) is the original lager style that the world copied badly. Drinking a fresh tank beer at U Fleků (brewing since 1499) or a half litre of unfiltered Pilsner Urquell at a traditional Czech hospoda for €1.50 is not just tourism — it is cultural education.
Prague Budget
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel/hotel/night | $20–40 | $70–130 |
| Food/day | $20–30 (pubs and Czech restaurants) | $40–70 |
| Beer/evening | $8–12 (4 beers) | $15–25 |
| Activities | $20–35 | $40–60 |
| Total/day | $68–117 | $165–285 |
Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world by area (70,000 square metres). St Vitus Cathedral inside it took 600 years to build (1344–1929). The view across the city from the castle walls at sunset is the best free panorama in Central Europe.
Day Trips from Prague
- ›Český Krumlov (3 hours): A perfectly preserved Renaissance town in the Bohemian countryside. More beautiful than most cities.
- ›Kutná Hora (1.5 hours): Home to the Sedlec Ossuary — a church decorated with 40,000 human bones into chandeliers, coats of arms, and garlands.
- ›Karlovy Vary (2 hours): Famous spa town where Beethoven, Goethe, and Peter the Great took the waters.
