Prague, the "City of a Hundred Spires," is one of Europe's best-preserved capitals — a walkable maze of Gothic towers, Baroque domes and a castle that looks down over red rooftops. For Hong Kong travellers, it also pairs perfectly with Vienna, Budapest and Salzburg on a Central Europe private tour. Here is our 2026 guide to the best of Prague.
1. Prague Castle & St. Vitus Cathedral
The largest ancient castle complex in the world (Guinness agrees) sits above the Vltava River. Don't miss St. Vitus Cathedral's stained glass — including Mucha's famous window — the Golden Lane cottages, and the Changing of the Guard at noon. Arrive before 9am to beat the crowds. Tickets: CZK 250–450 (about HKD 85–150) depending on the circuit.
2. Charles Bridge
Walk across this 14th-century stone bridge lined with 30 baroque statues, ideally at sunrise when the mist rises off the river and the crowds are asleep. Legend says touching the plaque of St. John of Nepomuk brings good luck — and guarantees your return to Prague.
3. Old Town Square & the Astronomical Clock
Every hour, crowds gather beneath the 1410 Orloj to watch the twelve apostles parade past two tiny windows — the world's oldest astronomical clock still working. Climb the Old Town Hall tower for the best rooftop view in the city, then wander to the Jan Hus memorial and the twin-spired Týn Church.
4. Jewish Quarter (Josefov)
The Jewish Quarter contains Europe's most moving heritage sites: the Old Jewish Cemetery with its 12,000 layered tombstones, the Old-New Synagogue (Europe's oldest active synagogue, from 1270) and the Pinkas Synagogue memorial listing 80,000 Holocaust victims' names. Combined tickets around CZK 600.
5. Petřín Hill & Letná Park
Ride the funicular up Petřín Hill for a miniature-Eiffel-Tower view, or cross to Letná Park where locals sip beer overlooking the bridges. Both are cheap and perfect for golden-hour photos.
What to Eat & Drink
- Svíčková — marinated beef in creamy root-vegetable sauce with cranberries and bread dumplings; the national dish. Try it at Café Imperial, an Art Nouveau landmark.
- Goulash in a bread bowl — hearty Czech comfort food, well under CZK 300 in Old Town pub-style restaurants.
- Trdelník — the cinnamon chimney cake; ice-cream-stuffed versions are touristy but fun.
- Czech beer — the birthplace of Pilsner. A half-litre of Pilsner Urquell in a proper pub (Lokál Dlouhááá is the classic) costs around CZK 65–90 — often cheaper than water.
Getting Around
Václav Havel Airport is 17km from the centre; the Airport Express bus or an official taxi (roughly CZK 600–800) reach Old Town in about 30 minutes. In town, metro, trams and the funicular share one ticket system — a 90-minute ticket is CZK 40, a 24-hour pass CZK 120. Most sights in Prague 1 are walkable; tram 22 up to Pražský hrad is the scenic route to the castle.
Where to Stay (Real Picks & Typical 2026 Rates)
- Luxury — Art Deco Imperial Hotel (Na Poříčí 15): landmark Art Nouveau building with hand-painted tiles and the renowned Café Imperial; typical doubles from roughly €140–190/night.
- Luxury — Hotel U Prince (Old Town Square 29): a restored 12th-century building directly on Old Town Square facing the Astronomical Clock, with a rooftop terrace; typically €180+/night.
- Mid-range — Áurea Legends (Eurostars) (Národní 13): boutique hotel in an 1864 building steps from the historic centre; typically €100–140/night.
- Mid-range — Unitas Hotel (Bartolomějská 9): a converted Jesuit convent 250m from Charles Bridge; typically €110–150/night.
- Budget — Miss Sophie's Downtown (Opletalova 39): stylish 4-star rooms and studios near the National Museum; typically €70–100/night.
Rates vary by season — spring and September–October are high season; book 2–3 months ahead for the best value.
Best Time to Visit
April–June and September–October offer mild weather and fewer crowds. December's Christmas markets at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square are magical but cold (expect –5 to 5°C). July–August is peak crowd season.
Plan Your Private Tour
Prague anchors our multi-day Central Europe private tours, which can combine Prague with Vienna, Budapest, Salzburg and Munich — with private car, driver-guide and hotels arranged to your pace.
🚗 See our 10 Days Germany–Austria–Czech Private Tour →
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