Is 24 hours enough to truly explore everything the Czech capital has to offer? If you only have one day to experience the best of Prague, you can still get a taste of its incredible architecture, rich culture, and stunning views… not to mention the delicious food and beer! From Prague Castle to Charles Bridge and beyond, I’m breaking it all down with my local guidebook for a visit to Prague!

I’m with Prague I grew up there, and it always played a big role in my life as this beautiful post-communist city that very few people had ever visited. Nevertheless, every time we visited our family in the Czech Republic, I thought, this city is magical You can’t help but fall in love with the historic buildings, the endless history, and the delicious food. So many people have visited Prague that it has been voted one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Trust me: even if you only spend a day in Prague, you will fall in love.

Decades later, when I moved to Prague, I found myself in a unique situation: I didn’t actually know much about the city beyond the tourist hotspots. When Thomas, my fiancé, asked me where we should have lunch on our first visit to Prague, I had no idea. But now, having lived in Prague for more than two years, I can confidently say that I’m obsessed with Prague (even more than before, if that’s even possible), and I’ve compiled a list of all my favorite places in the city.. 

 

I spent every free second discovering the most magical parts of the city, from the historic cafes to the best walking tours. Here’s my local guide to planning the perfect one-day Prague itinerary.. 

Things to do in Prague: A local travel guide for a visit to Prague

Deciding to visit Prague is the easy part! After you’ve decided when to visit the Czech Republic, whether you want to visit Prague in winter or summer, the difficult part begins: planning your first 24 hours in Prague. There’s so much to discover in Prague that it’s hard to say what’s worth visiting – and what’s worth skipping.. 

So how do you choose what to visit in Prague? Well, there are some places you simply can’t miss (ahem, Charles Bridge). You should make sure you focus your trip on some of Prague’s biggest highlights in the Old Town area. Even locals like me still visit the Old Town to enjoy the beauty, history, and architecture.. 

Morning

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, or so they say, right? Take the tram to Karlín and head to one of my absolute favorite places, Eska. This bakery/restaurant is a Bib Gourmand award winner (recognized by the Michelin Guide) and, in my opinion, has the BEST kolache in town. The Moravian-style kolache is my personal favorite: it’s filled with jam and farmer’s cheese or tvaroh and is heavenly. They also have a whole range of other Czech pastries.. 

If you’re looking for something more substantial, head down the street to Etapa. This restaurant/bakery serves tasty and unique options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a limited menu. They also have a variety of delicious treats and a pleasant seating area.. 

Now that you’re all full, it’s time to begin a full day of sightseeing. First up: Old Town Square.. 

Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) 

The Old Town Square is perhaps one of the city’s most touristy spots, but it’s definitely worth a visit for a short stroll. This 12th-century square is home to the Old Town Hall, the Church of Our Lady before Týn, the Baroque Church of St. Nicholas, the Rococo Kinský Palace, the Gothic House by the Stone Bell, and the Jan Hus Monument. You can climb the stairs to the top of the Old Town Hall for a lovely view of the square.. 

Follow the pedestrian path down to the river (down Karlova Street, which will take you to the bridge). 

Clementinum 

Stop at the Clementinum before you reach the bridge. I never see anyone recommend the Clementinum, but it’s an absolute must-see! For a shorter trip, stop inside and buy a guided tour of the Baroque library and tower. Founded in 1722, the library, with its 20,000 volumes of mostly foreign theological literature, can only be visited as part of a guided tour. There are few places as magical as this library, and the view from the top of the tower afterward overlooks both Old Town Square and Charles Bridge. It’s my favorite view in Prague! 

Charles Bridge

When you’ve finished your tour, head down the street to Charles Bridge. Charles Bridge, perhaps the most famous landmark in Prague, is still worth a visit – even with the crowds. This Gothic bridge leads to Malá Strana, or “Lesser Town.” Once you’ve crossed the bridge, you can climb to the top of the Charles Bridge tower, and it’s well worth it! 

Insider tip: The bridge gets incredibly crowded! The only way to avoid these crowds? A sunrise walk. But if you leave the main road and turn left towards Restaurant Mlýnec, you’ll find a lovely viewpoint offering the perfect view of the bridge and Prague Castle.. 

Lunch 

Lunch is THE meal for Czechs. Many traditional restaurants have a limited menu with dishes prepared only for that day. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. However, this is more common outside of Prague these days.. 

Kuchyň

For lunch, cross the bridge and walk through Malá Strana. Head towards Prague Castle (the signs are excellent) and then towards Kuchyň, one of my favorite Czech restaurants in Prague. It’s located in the National Gallery in Prague, and the view from the terrace alone makes it worth the visit.. 

But even with this ostentatious view, this restaurant is not a tourist trap. Kuchyň – which literally means “Kuchyň” in Czech. Kitchen This means using local, high-quality ingredients to create classic Czech dishes. You’ll be blown away! 

Afternoon

Prague Castle

When you’ve finished lunch, head to Prague Castle (Pražský hrad). Prague Castle is enormous, and you won’t be able to see everything in one afternoon. In fact, it’s listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest ancient castle in the world. So, what will you visit when you go? These are my highlights:

  • The Old Royal Palace (Starý Královský Palác) 
  • The largest Christian building in the Czech Republic, the Roman Catholic St. Vitus Cathedral (Katedrala St. Vita)
  • Golden Lane (Zlatá ulička)

Petrin

Take a nearby bus or tram to Petřín, one of Prague’s best viewpoints. For a more traditional experience, you can walk for about 20 minutes to the funicular, which makes for a truly unique experience (make sure it’s running that day).

What is there to do in Petřín? Stroll through the park, enjoy the view… there’s even a mirror maze and a memorial to the victims of communism. At the end, take a moment to stop and enjoy the Petřín beer garden. It’s truly one of the nicest places to enjoy a drink and relax after a long and tiring day.

Dinner 

I have so many favorite places to have dinner in Prague that it’s difficult to choose just one perfect spot. At the foot of the hill is Café Savoy, a beautiful place with traditional Czech cuisine and delicious treats. It’s a lovely place to eat and is located opposite the National Theatre, which looks so pretty lit up at night.. 

If you’re looking for something unique, why not try… Kro Kitchen in Vinohrady? This modern restaurant in one of Prague’s trendiest neighborhoods is probably one of my favorite places for lunch and dinner, even though it’s a bit out of the way. The signature roast chicken and delicious side dishes are so flavorful and unique..