Always wanted to see Prague but never got around to it? Pay a visit this summer and make the most of what this beautiful Eastern European city has to offer. The Czech capital is famed for its gothic architecture, quaint Old Town Square, medieval city streets and it’s delicious local beer. With a medieval Old Town and lively New Town, there’s plenty to keep you busy for a fun-packed two days. Not only is it cheap, compact and easy to get around, but the nightlife and local cuisine is also awesome. In the summer months, temperatures reach highs of 26 degrees celsius, making it a warm and enjoyable summer trip. We’ve created the ultimate guide on how to spend 48 hours in Prague in the summer, including where to eat, the best sights and attractions, beautiful parks, our favourite beer gardens and of course, where to stay…
Top tip: The currency in Prague is Czech Kurona (CZK) and it can be quite confusing to get your head around. For example, €10 in Kurona is 251.42 Kč. Make sure you work out a practical budget before your visit...
Where to stay?
The Czech Inn
When you touch down in Prague, head to one of its best hostels, The Czech Inn. This swanky design hostel in a hip area of Prague offers modern dorms rooms, private rooms and a lively hostel bar in the cellar (that sells Czech beer, cocktails and hosts live DJs and hostel events). Don’t miss the Happy Hour from 6pm-8pm either.
Located in the trendy Vinohrady neighbourhood in a 19th century building, the hostel is set amongst plenty of bars, restaurants, beer gardens and parks with the best tramlines on its doorstep (so getting around is super easy).
If you have time, we recommend taking the free walking tour that departs from the hostel where you’ll get to see some of the city’s main sights. It’s a great way to get your bearings on the first day. Nearest tram: Krymská
DAY 1
Admire Old Town Square
It makes sense to start at Prague’s charming and medieval Old Town Square, the perfect place to give you your first glimpse of the city. Getting there from the hostel is easy, just walk to the Krymská tram stop which is 1 minute walk away. Get the 22 tram to Vypich and get off at Národní třída (in 7 stops) and from there, the Old Town Square in just an 8 minute walk. The total journey time is around 20 minutes.
When you arrive at Old Town Square, soak up the bustling atmosphere and make sure to check out the wonders of the Astronomical Clock. When the hour hits, experience the clock come alive with magic. This is the oldest functioning astronomical clock in the world today.
You’ll also find the beautiful Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn on Old Town Square, the main church of the city topped with four old spires.
Walk across Charles Bridge
Next stop is Prague Castle. To get there, walk over the famous Charles Bridge (which is a short walk away from Old Town Square). Crossing over the Vltava river, this bridge is a historic bridge that was completed in the 15th century and it’s a must-do in Prague. Every day, tourists walk across the bridge which is rumoured to be haunted.
Connecting two sides of the city, it’s an easy way to get from one part of Prague to the other. From Charles Bridge, benefit from beautiful views of the city over the water. It’s the second oldest bridge in the Czech Republic.
A taste of royalty at Prague Castle
After a leisurely 18 minute walk across the bridge and through the city, you’ll reach Prague Castle. This 19th century castle is a UNESCO World Heritage monument and one of the largest castle complexes in the world. Open to visitors, we recommend buying tickets to go inside and get a little taste of more than thousands’ of years of Czech royal history. There are different tours of the castle available to the public.
We recommend getting tickets to Tour A (350 CZK/€13.92/£11.86) which will give you access to Old Royal Palace, exposition The Story of Prague Castle, Basilica of St. George, Golden Lane, St. Vitus Cathedral and Rosenberg Palace. Golden Lane is a charming 15th century street, part of the castle grounds that’s been preserved and used to house Rudolf II's castle guards. It’s fascinating because you can walk into some of the houses and see how they lived. In the summer you’ll be able to walk through the pretty Royal Garden.
Lunch and beer at Strahov Monastery
Time for a traditional Czech lunch at the Strahov Monastery. Just a 13 minute walk away from Prague Castle, this monastery is home to a fantastic 14th century brewery and restaurant in a picture perfect location. Sit outside on the terrace and tuck into a hearty meal and Czech beer while enjoying sweeping views over the city under the sunshine.
Prague is famous for its golden, frothy beer (in particular Pilsners) so you simply must enjoy some brews while you’re here. Serving up traditional Czech dishes such as beef goulash, roast sausages, pork knuckle, cold meats, ribs, pork schnitzel and beef sirloin, there’s plenty to choose from if the knuckle isn’t to your taste. The beer menu is noteworthy about this place - try the amber beer or an IPA. This is a really relaxed restaurant where you can rest your feet and sit for a few hours.
Views from Petrin Tower
Once you’re filled up on meat and beer, it’s time to make your way to Petrin Tower. This is an observation deck and lookout tower that stands at 63.5 metres tall (where you’ll be rewarded with some of the best city views). The tower is a pleasant 12 minute walk from the Strahov Monastery where you’ll walk through green parkland until you see the tower that resembles a mini Tour Eiffel. To get to the top, pay 60 CZK (for an adult ticket) and an elevator will take you straight up to the lookout deck. Or climb 299 steps if you fancy some cardio to burn off some of that lunch! The views over Prague are best on a clear day where you’ll get to see the highest peak in the Czech Republic, Snezka.
Riegrovy Sady beer garden
Another beer stop! Riegrovy Sady is a beautiful park, not far from the hostel, home to a pretty beer garden that’s away from the tourist track. To get there from the Petrin Tower, make your way back to the Vinohrady neighborhood via tram. You’ll have to take two trams to get to the park: from Petřín get the LD tram to Újezd and then change for tram 22 to Náměstí Míru. The park is just an 11 minute walk from here. Grab a Czech beer from Mlíkárna (the little Czech pub inside the park) and enjoy your drink on the bench seating or find a nice spot in the park and admire the views from the hilltop. This is a prime spot in the city if you’re looking to get off-the-beaten track and hang out where the locals relax.
Head back to the hostel for happy hour (or a coffee)
After a few beers, walk back to the hostel (a 20 minute walk) from some well deserved rest. Hang out in the hostel cafe or enjoy the daily Happy Hour at the basement bar that runs from 6-8pm. If you feel like changing your clothes for dinner (and a potential night out), head back to the room, give your phone some charge and once you’ve refuelled on energy, it’s time to grab a tasty and affordable dinner.
The hostel cafe is trendy with a contemporary interior and one hell of a menu!
Dinner at Ferdinanda
Ferdinanda is a really great Czech restaurant, 13 minutes away from the hostel (via tram 13 to Muzeum and a 5 minute walk on the other end). Serving up delicious Czech comfort food and good portion sizes, this is one of our favourite casual dining spots in the city. This place is known for its enormous and perfectly tender pork knuckle so we recommend ordering this with a side of fries.
Party at Duplex
Experience Prague’s nightlife and hit the local clubs. If you’re looking to party and experience some of Prague’s nightlife, then Duplex is one of the best clubs in the city (and it’s just a 5 minute walk from the restaurant). Being one of Prague’s most famous clubbing experiences with a rooftop bar, it’s definitely a club to experience if you want a night out. With live DJ’s, themed nights and an awesome line-up of entertainment, you can see what’s on and buy tickets online .
DAY 2
After you’ve cured that hangover with the free hostel breakfast, it’s time to explore some more of Prague.
Lennon Wall
The first stop of the day is the Lennon Wall, a massive wall in Prague that’s been dedicated to John Lennon and the Beatles through graffiti and colourful art. One of the most Instagrammable spots in the city, the best time to visit is in the morning when there are less crowds. This is a free attraction in the Czech capital, just 24 minutes away from the hostel via tram 22 from Krymská station where you stay on for 10 stops. Get off at Hellichova and the Lennon Wall is just a 5 minute walk.
Explore Prague’s Jewish Quarter
Prague has a long history of Jews living there, and part of the city was heavily affected by the Nazi regime. Prague’s Jewish quarter (also known as Josefov) is located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River, a beautiful area that has been preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk around the Josefov, pop into the local kosher restaurants and cafes for a coffee and soak up the peaceful atmosphere. In almost every corner, there is a somber reminder of the past.
Learn all about the history of the Jews at the Jewish Museum, one of the oldest Jewish museums in Europe. Here, you’ll find cultural artefacts, archives, books, judaica and Czech and Jewish histories.
So what else is there to see in the Jewish quarter? Home to several different Synagogues, it’s definitely worth popping in to one or two. The Spanish Synagogue and the Old-New Synagogue are probably the most famous ones in the area. You simply must visit the Old Jewish Cemetery too (where you’ll find almost 12,000 gravestones of significant Jewish figures and the local Jewish community).
Lunch at Mlejnice
After you’ve explored the Jewish Quarter, make your way to Mlejnice for a comforting lunch. Mlejnice is a local favourite located in Old Town Square and just a 4 minute walk from the Jewish Museum. We love this cosy little Czech restaurant, especially for its famous beer goulash (one of the best meals we’ve had in Prague) complemented perfectly by a glass of red wine. The goulash is served in a massive bread bowl which makes the dish super Instagrammable. The interior is charming and rustic; you don’t get more Eastern European than here.
National Memorial to the Heroes of the Heydrich Terror
Once you’ve indulged in your beer goulash, time for some more history - but this time, somewhere off-the-beaten-track. After lunch, enjoy a 23 minute walk along the pristine streets of Prague until you reach the National Memorial to the Heroes of the Heydrich Terror. This monument is one of the most highly rated sights in the city dedicated to the resistance Czech fighters who were killed by the Nazi regime during WW2 for assisinating SS-Obergrupenführer Reinhard Heydrich (Hitler’s favourite general). They came into battle against 700 Nazi soldiers at this church and crypt where they tragically died. Inside the crypt, you’ll be able to see where they fought and learn more about the brave Czech paratroopers and how they worked to keep Czechoslavakia safe from the Nazi regime. This is one of the stories from WW2 that is much less talked about; but still so interesting and worth a trip.
Take photos in front of the Dancing House building
Next stop: Naplavka! But before you end the day at Prague’s hipster riverside hangout, make a quick stop to the Dancing House which is en route. Just a 3 minute walk away from the National Memorial to the Heroes of the Heydrich Terror, the Dancing House is another one of the city’s most Instagrammable locations. The building is an example of architectural genius and the quirkiest structure in Prague, famous for its squashed-looking exterior. One of the cities newer buildings, it’s actually a hotel designed by the Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić and Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. Don’t forget to take some pictures.
Sunset drinks and seafood at Náplavka riverside
Naplavka is Prague’s buzzing waterfront on the banks of the Vltava river, a popular hang out for the city’s young locals. Spend the whole evening eating and drinking around Naplavka; there are so many food & drink options. Located under the Jiráskův bridge, there are several bars and riverfront restaurants, as well as boat bars to choose from. You can even grab some street food from one of the food trucks, bring your own bottles of beer and chill out on the riverside with your feet dangling above the water watching the sunset.
In the summer, Naplavka comes to life with live music, a buzzing atmosphere, dancing and a riverside party vibe. It can get quite busy in the evenings, so we recommend stopping by for an early dinner and some drinks while the sun goes down - then head back to the hostel bar for a proper party.
Top tip: If you visit on a Saturday, the Naplavka farmer’s market is open, the perfect stop for lunch if you’re in the area.