A short history of Prague
Look up at the hill above the Vltava. Prague Castle has stood there since the 9th century, and Bohemia has been ruled from it ever since. Inside the grounds you can visit St Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane.
The man who did most to shape the city you see today is Charles IV, 14th-century King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor. He founded Central Europe's first university in 1348, and work on the bridge that bears his name began in 1357. The astronomical clock on Old Town Square, which draws a crowd every hour, dates from 1410.
In 1618 a few royal officials were thrown out of a castle window, and that Defenestration set off the Thirty Years' War. The Prague Spring of 1968 was crushed by Soviet tanks, and in 1989 mass Velvet Revolution protests filled Wenceslas Square. When Czechoslovakia split peacefully in 1993, Prague became the capital of the Czech Republic.
Prague neighbourhoods
From the park on Letná hill you see the Vltava bridges lined up one after another, and in summer its beer garden gets busy. The giant metronome at the edge of the park swings where a Stalin statue stood until 1962.
Hradčany goes quiet in the late afternoon once the tour groups leave, and you can walk the lanes around the castle up to the Strahov Monastery and escape the crowds. Vyšehrad has old fortress walls above the river and the cemetery where Dvořák is buried, so head there if you're after a view.
Holešovice has the DOX contemporary art centre and galleries. Younger visitors looking for a local Prague will feel at home here. Smíchov, with its shopping centres and brewery, shows the everyday side of the city.
Where to stay
- Old Town (Staré Město): Near Old Town Square and Charles Bridge, the most central spot in the city.
- Malá Strana: Below Prague Castle, romantic and calm with baroque streets.
- New Town (Nové Město): Around Wenceslas Square, with strong metro and tram links.
- Vinohrady: A leafy, calm residential area with good cafés and fair prices.
- Žižkov: Packed with bars and pubs, budget-friendly and local.
- Karlín: A revamped, quiet area with modern restaurants.
When to visit Prague
From late November to early January, Christmas markets fill Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square and the smell of mulled wine hangs over everything. Winter is cold, between -2 and 4 °C, with short days. Hotels fill up again during market season, while January and February are the cheapest time of year.
The most balanced months for walking are May, June and September, at around 15-24 °C. July and August bring days above 25 °C, Charles Bridge gets packed shoulder to shoulder, and prices climb.
If you like classical music, the Prague Spring festival opens every year on 12 May and runs into early June. Evenings turn cool in both spring and autumn, so throw a jumper in your bag.
Food culture in Prague
In Prague, beer isn't just what comes with the meal, it's the main topic at the table. Pubs pour Pilsner Urquell fresh from the tank, and old beer halls like U Fleků still brew their own.
Lunch is the main meal of the day. On weekdays many restaurants offer a cheap polední menu of soup and a main course, and dinner is eaten between 6 and 9 pm. The food is hearty. Svíčková is beef in a creamy sauce, there's goulash, and vepřo knedlo zelo is pork with cabbage, all served with knedlíky dumplings. Fried cheese (smažený sýr) is on almost every menu. The trdelník sold on tourist streets isn't actually a traditional Czech pastry.
Bread and cover charges can turn up on the bill, so have a look before you pay. Rather than leaving a tip on the table, people usually add it when they pay.
Prague trip budget
Prague is still good value next to the Western European capitals, though Old Town prices narrow the gap a little. If comfort comes first, set aside 8,000 CZK a day or more in 2026. A mid-range hotel and restaurant meals come to 3,500-5,500 CZK, and staying in a hostel and eating in pubs you'll get by on 1,800-2,800 CZK. All of these are per person, accommodation included.
The currency is the Czech koruna. Some tourist spots take euros, but at a poor rate, so pay by card or in koruna. A 90-minute public transport ticket is about 40-50 CZK and a 24-hour ticket around 150 CZK, and you need to stamp a paper ticket when you first board. The castle ticket covering the interiors runs about 450-500 CZK. Half a litre of beer in a local pub is 60-90 CZK, more in the Old Town.
The castle courtyards, Charles Bridge, the view from Letná Park and a walk on the Vyšehrad ramparts won't cost you anything.
Prices are approximate as of October 2026.
Build your route on the Prague map