Travel Tips for Prague, Czech Republic

Cost: € (very affordable)

Safety: 4/5 for solo female travellers

Prague is quite a unique city that is worth visiting for its rich history, culture, art, food and nightlife. With romanesque chapels, Gothic cathedrals and Baroque palaces and gardens, the city’s architecture is so diverse and beautiful.

The city has lots to offer so I would recommend visiting for 3 days, however consider booking for longer if you are planning day trips. I felt mostly safe throughout my trip, but I would not recommend staying out too late at night.

How to get there

You can fly direct from Dublin to Prague Airport via Aer Lingus and Ryanair. The flight length is 2 hours and 25 minutes. You can also fly from Shannon but there will be a stop-over. 

As I was already in Berlin in Germany, I travelled via Deutsche Bahn train from Berlin Hbf to Prague hlavní nádraží (the main station). The journey took about 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Language, Currency & Weather

The official language in Prague is Czech, however I managed just fine speaking English. The Czech Republic’s currency is the Czech koruna.

Summer is statistically the wettest season in Prague, but temperatures range between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius. In winter, the weather is quite cold, with temperatures ranging between 2 and -3 degrees Celsius.

Therefore, I would recommend bringing warm clothing during winter, and rainproof clothing no matter what time of year you visit.

Public Transport

Prague has an extensive public transport network that is quite reliable, however I found it a little confusing to navigate. Run by the Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy, it includes the metro, trams, buses, night service, funiculars and ferries.

To pay for transport you will need to buy a ticket before boarding the service using the ticket machines at service stops. If you do this, you need to stamp your ticket when you enter the service, otherwise you may get a fine. 

It is not necessary to stamp the ticket if you purchase using the contactless option located on trams, buses and at metro stations. I learned this after my trip, hence why I found the services confusing!

It’s important to point out that at pedestrian crossings, trams always have the right of way, so take extra care when exploring the city.

To get between the airport and the city centre, you can travel via the metro Line A and then the 119 bus.

Where To Stay

Prague is a very affordable city, so it is possible to find excellent accommodation for a decent price.

For something in the city centre, I would advise you to book Grandior Hotel, Grandium Hotel or Grand Majestic Hotel.

Hotel Adler, Majestic Plaza Hotel and Hotel Meteor Plaza are also fantastic options. 

There are lots of hostels in the city, including Prague Dream Hostel and White Wolf House Hostel. 

Where To Go & What To Do

Prague is a magical city full of character, with no shortage of things to do. I started my trip off with a guided walking tour and it began on Maiselova Street, not far from the famous Astronomical Clock. The guide then brought us along the Charles Bridge, where we looked at its varied statues and sculptures, watching the Vtlava River underneath. After this we travelled towards Prague Castle, stopping along the way at Hradcany. The castle is amazing, and the views of the city are incredible.

After the tour, I stopped by Klementinum near the Charles Bridge, and toured the Baroque Library and tower. The John Lennon Wall is also nearby, behind a small church courtyard. It started shortly after he was killed in 1980, and you are encouraged to draw on the wall. 

I crossed over the bridge again to explore the Old Town Square a bit more. I visited the Church of Our Lady before Týn, the statue of Jan Hus and the gothic spires of the main church.

In the late afternoon, I opted for a boat cruise along the Vltava which was a fantastic way of seeing the city. However if you are partaking in this activity I would advise you to dress warm!

In my opinion, when visiting Prague, Wenceslas Square is the place to be. This square has the famous statue of St Wenceslas on his horse, and has held some of the city’s most important historical moments. It has many shops and cafés, so it’s a great place to people watch. While there, stop by the Main Post Office which is almost open 24 hours a day and is incredibly pretty.

I visited Malá Strana (the Little Quarter) and Wallenstein Garden, which is known for its bronze statues and owls. I also popped by the Vrtba Garden which is equally as beautiful but tricky to find (it’s located along an alleyway off Karmelitská Street).

I would also recommend visiting the National Theatre buildings, and try book a famous ballet or opera show while you’re in the city.

Travel to the city’s Josefov area, where Prague’s Jewish Quarter sits. Visit the Jewish Museum (Židovské muzeum) and the Maisel Synagogue, the Spanish Synagogue, the Pinkas Synagogue, the Ceremonial Hall and the Klaus Synagogue. 

For a day trip, I travelled to Terezín Concentration Camp on a guided tour. I saw the Terezín Small Fortress, the museum, and toured the site of the concentration camp and the barracks.

What & Where To Eat

Czech food isn’t exactly as popular as the food in other European countries, however it is not to be overlooked. Most traditional dishes feature meat, meat and more meat, but they are delicious.

While in the city, I vowed to try a pork schnitzel (I visited Café Savoy), beef goulash (I stopped by Restaurant Mlejnice) and grilované klobásy (I tried one at one of the many sausage stands at Wenceslas Square).

While you’re in the square, visit Pilsner Urquell for a tour and some yummy beer tasting. Na zdraví (cheers)!

One of the Czech Republic’s most well-known farmer’s markets is located all around Jiřího z Poděbrad square. I would highly recommend visiting here for a stroll, trying some fresh fruit and apple strudel.

For breakfast, I stopped by SmetanaQ for coffee and medovník (this is a honey cake). This place has fantastic views of the Vltava River.

In the evening, I visited Vnitroblock for a drink. This cool spot is quite laid back, and has a café, restaurant, flower shop, cinema and designer shops.

Have fun in Prague!