How to Spend 3 Days in Prague

With three days in Prague, you have plenty of time to soak up the city’s atmosphere, see its most famous sights, learn about its rich history, and even head out of town and into the surrounding countryside. Here are a few ways to experience the very best of Prague in 72 memorable hours.

Day 1: See the City’s Sights

On your first morning in Prague, get your bearings on a guided walking or Segway tour that ticks off Prague’s major sights, including the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Old Town Square and Charles Bridge; some tours also include lunch and a river cruise. For the flexibility of independent exploration, a hop-on hop-off bus tour allows you to create your own itinerary, and you can combine it with a river cruise and a walking tour.

Spend the afternoon taking a closer look at Prague’s most important landmarks, such as Prague Castle’s sprawling complex of museums, churches, palaces, and gardens, which you can visit alone or on a private or group tour. If going independently, buying skip-the-line tickets ensures you don’t waste time waiting to get in.

In the evening, get a taste of traditional Czech music and dance at an entertaining folklore show. Most include a hearty dinner and unlimited beer and wine.

Day 2: Dive into Prague’s History and Culture

Whether your interest is in the history of Jewish Prague, the city’s experiences during World War II and the communist era, or the quality beer for which the Czech Republic is famous, today is the day to indulge those interests with an in-depth themed tour. Tours of Jewish Prague generally explore the old Jewish neighborhood, Josefov, as well as the Old Jewish Cemetery, synagogues, and sites associated with famous Jewish author Franz Kafka. WWII and communist-themed tours visit the old headquarters of the KGB, communist party, and Nazis, as well as sites where major events took place. And beer-themed tours swing by several local bars and breweries. 

Whether or not you’ve sampled some brews during the day, come evening you can toast your second day by embarking on a pub crawl through some of the city’s liveliest nightspots—most tours include drinks and some come with food as well.

Day 3: Head Out of Town

Thanks to the city’s central location and your ample time, there are many options for easy day trips from Prague. You can visit the charming town of Cesky Krumlov, whose historic center is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site; Kutna Hora to see its famed bone church; the spa town of Karlovy Vary; or even as far afield as Dresden, Germany, or Vienna, Austria. All are reachable on a full-day tour, which allows you to skip the hassle of renting a car or figuring out train timetables.

After a full day of exploring beyond the city limits, spend the evening soaking up the views of Prague’s twinkling city lights and floodlit castle on a cruise along the Vltava river. Many boat trips include dinner and drinks.