The Perfect One Day Prague Itinerary

If you only have one day in Prague, the Czech capital, this itinerary will help make the most of your visit, with the essential things to see on a Prague day trip!

Within hours of arriving in Prague, I immediately understood why millions of visitors flock to this city annually. The architecture sweeps you into a fairytale world, with ornate Gothic towers and Baroque facades everywhere you look. 

Prague is a captivating city to delve into with loads to see, do and eat. If you’re planning your own visit, I’d recommend spending at least two days in Prague or more.

However, if you’re visiting as part of a coach trip, tour or self-guided road trip and can’t spend longer in the city, make sure you tick off the top spots. I’ve put together what I’d consider to be essential one day Prague itinerary – it hits all the highlights, including the Old Town and Castle District!

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One Day Prague Itinerary: Morning

Spend the morning exploring Prague’s old town! You could opt to join a guided walking tour, or make your own way around with some good old fashioned self-guided exploration.

Whichever way you choose, these are the key highlights of the Old Town:

Prague Old Town Square

As you stroll through the cobblestone streets of Prague’s old town, you’ll find yourself transported through history. Make your way past Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque structures and houses to the centre of the old town’s activity – the Old Town Square.

A central hub for the city since the 10th century, Staroměstské Náměstí is a vast square lined with stunning architecture.

Prague Old Town Hall

One of Prague’s most visited landmarks, the Old Town Hall was built in 1338, to house the city’s administrative functions. The complex consists of the historical halls, tower, and the Old Town Hall Chapel.

Opening Times: 10am-7pm (January-March), 9am-8pm (April-December)
Entrance Fee: 300 CZK

Prague Astronomical Clock

The Prague Astronomical Clock is a must-see on any visit to Prague! Found on the south side of Prague’s Old Town Hall, the medieval clock was installed in 1410. The astronomical dial represents the sun and the moon, and every hour on the hour, the clock puts on a show of moving figures, including figurines of the Apostles and a skeleton that represents Death.

Church of Our Lady before Týn

An unmissable pair of intricate Gothic spires tower over the Old Town Square, belonging to one of the Czech Republic’s most instantly recognisable buildings. The Church of Our Lady before Týn is a 14th century three-aisle basilica, dominating the skyline of Prague.

Inside, you’ll find a striking golden altar, intricate canvas paintings and a 14th-century Gothic fresco depicting Saint Jerome with a lion. There are 60 noted burials within the church, including some important figures in Czech history.

Opening Times: Mon-Sat 10am-1pm & 3-5pm; Sun 10.30am-12pm
Entrance Fee: Recommended 40 CZK voluntary donation

St. Nicholas’ Church

On the north side of the Old Town Square, you’ll find St Nicholas’ Church. This late Gothic style church was built between 1732-1737, and features an intricately decorated domed ceiling.

After a morning of upping your step count significantly, you’ll likely have worked up quite an appetite! Check out some of the best places for lunch in Prague Old Town below.

One Day Prague Itinerary: Afternoon

Charles Bridge

To kick off your afternoon in Prague, it’s time to walk across one of the world’s most beautiful bridges!

Karlův Most (Charles Bridge) is the oldest stone bridge in Europe. Stretching 500m across the Vltava river, 30 Baroque style statues line the bridge. Well-known figures in Czech history depicted here include King Charles of Bohemia, St. Vitius, and St John of Nepumuk. As you walk across, take in views of Prague Castle, the Old Town, and districts to the South and North.

Prague Castle

With just one day in Prague, you won’t have time to visit all the Prague Castle attractions in-depth. But it’s worth visiting even just to walk around the complex and take in the magnificent architecture!

If you’re interested in touring some of the Castle’s buildings, I’d recommend the Prague Castle Main Circuit Ticket, which will fit neatly into your one day visit to Prague. It costs 450 CZK (300 CZK concessions) and includes St Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St. George‘s Basilica & Golden Lane. Buy your ticket in advance to skip the line!

These are some of the buildings you’ll see inside the complex:

St Vitus Cathedral

This towering gothic cathedral sits at the centre of the Prague Castle complex. Inside, you’ll find numerous chapels and the tombs of Bohemian kings and Roman emperors.

Golden Lane

A passage of colourful former dwellings within the fortifications of Prague Castle. Notable writers and artists including Franz Kafka lived and worked in the Golden Lane up until WW2.

Old Royal Palace

Prague Castle’s Old Royal Palace building dates back to the 12th century, making it one of the oldest parts of the complex. Inside, the grand Vladislav Hall is used for events and ceremonies.

St. George’s Basilica

This Romanesque style church is one of the oldest in Prague, with an austere limestone interior, a stark contrast against the vibrant exterior.

Prague Castle Complex Opening Times: Mon-Sun 9am-5pm
(St Vitus Cathedral operates reduced hours of 12pm-5pm on Sundays)

Prague Castle Gardens

The Castle Gardens are a sprawling, multi-level expanse of manicured lawns, decorative staircases, charming terraces and colourful flowerbeds.

Petřín Gardens

Time permitting, you might want to head over to Petřín Hill, one of the largest urban parks in Prague offering spectacular views over the city. Due to it’s out-of-the-way nature, can often be less crowded than the narrow streets of the city’s more urban areas.

The park is also home to Petřín Tower, a five-times-smaller replica of Paris’ Eiffel Tower.

John Lennon Wall

Heading back towards the river from the Castle District and Petřín Hill, swing by Prague’s most iconic piece of street art.

Artistic tributes began to appear on this wall after John Lennon’s death in 1980, as a mural of peace. Over the years, artists have added to the walls with pieces inspired by the messaging behind the wall.

One Day Prague Itinerary: Evening

If your day trip to Prague also includes the evening, check out some fun ways to spend the night! Discover unique bars and informative tours, or treat yourself to a spa treatment or dinner cruise.

Bars in Prague

Anonymous Bar – a Guy Fawkes/V For Vendetta themed cocktail bar that offers creative, interactive and delicious cocktails. Make sure you book in advance, as there’s rarely room for walk-ups.

Absintherie Jilská – trying absinthe in Prague is a unique experience worth having! Absintherie Jilská is a cosy hole-in-the-wall spot offering this legendary drink in neat or cocktail form.

U Vejvodů – if you’re looking for more of a relaxed pub vibe, U Vejvodů is spacious, lively and has a menu of light bites and bar snacks.

Nightmare Horror Bar – a shrine to all things horror in popular culture, grab a cocktail in this spooky underground horror bar!

Night tours in Prague

If you’re looking for something to do at night in Prague that doesn’t involve drinking, why not take a night time walking tour?

Explore Prague’s subterranean passageways with an underground tour; hunt down the city’s spooky past on a ghosts and legends tour; or learn about mysterious alchemy with a night tour of the Castle District.

Dinner Cruise

Experience the floodlit magic of Prague, with a three hour dinner cruise along the Vlata River. Pass by highlights including Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, while enjoying a buffet dinner of hot and cold dishes.

Evening Beer Spa

As a treat on my birthday weekend in Prague, we booked an hour-long beer spa experience at Bernard Beer Spa. The ideal way to relax after a busy day exploring the city, most beer spas in Prague are open until 10pm.

Read more about what to expect from a Prague beer spa and book your experience.

Prague City Guide

Language: Czech, but English is spoken very predominantly in tourist areas.
Currency: Czech Koruna (CZK)
Cards? Many attractions, restaurants and bars in the city center take card and contactless payments – however, I’d recommend having 500-1000 CZK in cash on hand.

Where to eat in Prague

If you’re only in Prague for one day, I’d recommend finding somewhere to eat near your key destinations, to avoid taking up too much sightseeing time.

Restaurants in Prague’s Old Town

Bistro Monk  (££) – relaxed spot for all day breakfasts and lunch dishes
Sad Man’s Tongue (££) – fun burgers in a retro-vibes bar
Restaurace Mincovna (££) – affordable old-fashioned restaurant with traditional cuisine.
U Tety Heleny (££) – casual café with quick service and warming dishes
Lehká Hlava (££) – fully vegetarian restaurant with gorgeous décor. Read our full review here!

Restaurants near Prague Castle

Restaurace U Mecenáše (££) – traditional Czech dishes at one of Prague’s oldest restaurants.
Restaurace U Labutí (££) – reasonably priced Czech lunch dishes, close to the castle entrance.
Vegan’s Prague (££) – cosy vegan eatery with great views from the terrace.

Street food and fast food in Prague

If you want to maximise sightseeing time during your day in Prague, street food is a great speedy lunch option.

When we visited, there were various stalls in the Old Town Square selling traditional Czech and international street food dishes. Perfect for grabbing a bite and sitting on a bench for some people-watching while you eat!

You’ll also find plenty of fast food kiosks dotted around the Old Town streets, serving sausages, pizza, burgers and more. If you’re craving something sweet, make sure to try a trdelník! This eastern European chimney cake is a rolled pastry, often filled with ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.

Where to stay in Prague

If you’re on a self-guided Europe road trip, you may want to book an overnight stay. We stayed in Salvator Boutique Hotel, a vegan-friendly boutique hotel just off Wenceslas Square. Other places to stay in Prague’s Old Town and castle district incude:

Dream Hostel (£) – clean, modern New Town hostel with dorms and private rooms
White Wolf Hostel (£) – dorm rooms in a charming Old Town hostel
LH Vintage Design Sax (££) – boutique hotel in the Castle District with retro style décor
MOOo Hotel  (££) – modern rooms in a fully refurbished Art Nouveau building
Prague Boutique Residence (£££) – old world charm with modern amenities

More Prague Travel Guides:

• Two Days in Prague: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary For First Timers
• Best Beer Activities in Prague: Brewery Tours, Tastings + More!
• Why You Should Visit a Beer Spa in Prague
• 20+ Of The Best Free Things To Do In Prague
• Speculum Alchemiae: Prague’s Hidden Underground Alchemy Lab
• Nightmare Horror Bar, Prague