Visiting Prague: Your practical guide

Czechia is well known for its abundance of beautiful architecture and the sheer quantity of castles scattered throughout the landlocked nation. The capital city of the Czech Republic, Prague (or Praha as it is known in Czech), is located in Central Europe and makes for a great vacation destination with its abundance of museums and mouthwatering dining options.

If you’re considering visiting the Czech Republic, here are some Prague travel tips as well as some things you should know before visiting Prague.

Prague travel tips

There are many activities when visiting Prague

Prague has so much to offer, some of which come at no cost. For example, you don't have to pay to explore the town square, the Prague Castle grounds, or Vyehrad. It's also free to observe artists at work on the Charles Bridge or simply enjoy the beauty of the structure and all the other stunning bridges spanning the Vltava River. You can also watch the apostle statues parade as the Prague Astronomical Clock strikes in this beautiful city.

Don’t use dollars or euros as payment

The Czech Republic still does not use the Euro despite being a member of the European Union. The Czech koruna or Czech crown continues to be the official currency. Before you travel to Prague, try to use a currency converter to check out the exchange rate. You can also visit the exchange offices when you get there.

Explore Prague on foot

In less than an hour, you can go from Vyehrad at one end of the city center to Prague Castle at the other. There is a lot to see on foot, from narrow streets to expansive vistas, the town hall tower.

However, take public transport if you want to avoid walking everywhere. It is both cozy and reasonably priced. Most places you'll want to see are connected by buses, metros, and trams. For a few bucks per day, it will get you throughout the city to fully experience Czech culture.

Be wary of Prague taxi drivers, though as they might try to scam you by using a rigged taxi meter, charging more money, or taking a longer route.

Learn some Czech phrases

English is frequently spoken by those who live or work in Prague's tourism areas. Most of the time, menus and museum information boards will also be translated into English. It's worth having the Google Translate software available on your phone to help you speak Czech, or in case there's ever a situation when you're having trouble being understood.

Use common sense when you visit Prague

Prague is a largely safe city with low rates of violent crime and well-maintained streets. However, be extra cautious with your stuff and exercise the same caution you would at home; pickpockets have been known to prey on tourists in crowded areas, particularly on trains and trams. In case of an emergency, call 112, and you will reach an English-speaking operatory.

Czech food is great

You're in for a treat if you've never eaten Czech cuisine. You should prepare yourself for hearty meals that typically include meat, Czech dumplings, sauce, or cabbage. You can also try traditional Czech dessert such as buchta, a Czech sponge, or sheet cake cut into square pieces and served in square chunks. These yeast rolls come with various fillings, most often jam or plums.

Water costs more than beer

So why buy a pricey pint of water when you can get a beer for pennies? Prague actually consumes the most beer per capita worldwide—more than 156 liters annually. This includes children and old people.

Russian dolls are not local souvenirs

These Matryoshka dolls are sold in many gift shops, often deceiving tourists into believing they are local trinkets. If they were, they would probably be called Czech dolls...

There’s more to Prague than the city center

Most visitors to Prague spend a lot of time in the city center and seldom venture outside the Old Town and the Charles Bridge. Even Prague's less well-known neighborhoods are stunning.

Jiho z Podbrad Square is an excellent place to spend some time because it has a laid-back atmosphere and eateries that are unquestionably more affordable. Additionally, there are nice boutiques to peruse.

Don’t try to see everything at once

It can be difficult to prioritize and choose what you want to do each day of your trip to Prague because there is so much to see and do. However, if you try to see everything at once, you'll undoubtedly be disappointed and constantly put yourself under pressure. Instead, focus on a few parts of the city and take the time to get to know them well. Plus, you'll have an excuse to return to Prague later if you have not seen everything.

Explore the beaten path

Prague has a lot to offer if you're looking for museums, quiet parks, or hidden chapels that few tourists know about.

The remains of the city's oldest chapel are located within the walls of Prague Castle, along with a statue of Wenceslas riding an upside-down horse. These two sites are among the best-kept secrets of the city.

Prague is great for vegans

The number of meatless options spread out throughout the city could surprise you. There is something for every vegetarian diet, from formal sit-down restaurants to vegan junk food bars serving dishes like no-fish fish and chips and plant-based burgers.

It is a melting pot of culture

Prague is a city where people from the most diverse backgrounds come together. The contrast between old and new characterizes the capital of the Czech Republic. A wide variety of people assimilate everywhere. Prague has enabled the coexistence of many societies and has been the scene of significant historical contacts. With more than 1 million inhabitants, it's the biggest city in the country.

Do you need a visa to travel to the Czech Republic?

Depending on your country of origin, the purpose of your trip, and the length of your stay, there may be different entry requirements for the Czech Republic. Visitors from some nations don't need a visa to enter, while citizens from other nations must apply for a Czech Republic Schengen Visa.

For instance, in order to enter the Czech Republic without a Schengen visa, citizens of the 62 countries that comprise the Schengen Zone will need to get an ETIAS authorization.

You can use our handy Visa Checker tool to find out which visa you will need to enter the country, otherwise our customer service team are available 24/7 to answer your queries.