8.29.2026 – 9.1.2026 || Prague | Czech Republic
I first visited Prague 24 years ago during an amazing trip where my friend and I zipped through 15 European countries in just 42 days. We were backpacking and keeping it super budget-friendly. This time I was excited for a more laid-back vibe, actually exploring the sites instead of just passing them by, and enjoying meals at nice restaurants instead of grabbing quick bites at bars. Here’s how we spent three awesome days in Prague before making our way to Budapest and Krakow.
We had an overnight flight from Washington, D.C. to Brussels and then connected to Prague. We arrived at the Fairmont Golden Prague around noon, hoping to drop off our bags and explore. Booking through Elizabeth at Souvenir & Far had its perks, including a complimentary coffee in the lobby while our upgraded room was being prepared for an early check-in, along with some sweet treats to welcome us to Prague. We enjoyed the location in Old Town along the river and Kafka Brasserie for breakfast and Golden Eye for drinks on the rooftop.
Sisters Bistro was a great spot for for vegetarian open face sandwiches before heading to the Old Town Square.
Prague’s Old Town Square features a stunning clock tower that adds a touch of historical charm to the area. The square also features several churches and numerous restaurants and shops where I picked up postcards and started scoping out potential souvenirs.
We were eager to leave the crowded square and go to the Charles Bridge for our first view of the castle. We explored Mala Strana on the river’s west bank but began to feel tired from the overnight flight. The boat tours started to look quite appealing.
We bought two tickets from Prague Boats for a tour leaving in ten minutes and headed straight to the top deck.
It was a relaxing way to view the sites from the water, offering a unique opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the surroundings that we would explore for two more days.
In a city renowned for its beer culture, I stumbled upon a hidden gem, the one and only champagne focused bar, 9Kozi Champagne.
Our first meal in Prague introduced us to Czech cuisine at Krcma, a rustic restaurant where I ordered salad, cabbage, and dumplings, unaware that Czech dumplings are boiled bread. The marinated cheese and garlic soup with toasted bread were the stars of the meal.
We took a tram from Old Town to Prague Castle. I was eager to see the castle grounds since we missed them on my first visit. We walked around the courtyards and St. Vitus Cathedral.
We walked down Golden Lane, checking out the small homes and exhibits that showed what it was like for guards, goldsmiths, and other workers in the 15th and 16th centuries. After exploring the Royal Garden, we watched the changing of the guards ceremony.
The line to enter St. Vitus Cathedral was very long, so we bought a ticket to climb the Great South Towers, which has 287 steps, for the view. We saw the Fairmont and Old Town and began to get our bearings.
We stayed in Mala Strana for lunch at an Italian sandwich shop called Pane & Dulce. I enjoyed the homemade spritz in a can but am still dreaming of the panini sandwiches we had in Florence. Those were amazing.
We took a tram to the Holešovice neighborhood and went to the DOX Center for Contemporary Art. The main exhibit is the Gulliver Airship, a wood and steel structure on the rooftop that is used for reading and literary events.
We hopped back on a tram and headed to the Letna neighborhood to check out Zahradky Letna, the biggest beer garden in Prague. The views of the city from up there were amazing, making it the perfect spot to chill after a day exploring.
One of the highlights was the Pilsner Urquell original beer experience in Old Town. It included an audio guide and tastings. I was surprised to learn that Pilsner Urquell uses three Czech pour styles, from little foam to almost all foam. The experience was modern and very informative for someone who prefers champagne and wine over beer.
Similar to Sisters Bistro, Liberske Lahudky was a great find for vegetarian open face sandwiches for lunch.
A beer bath was not on my Prague bucket list, but they were everywhere, tempting visitors with a unique experience. Curious, we decided to try it out. Letna Beer Baths offered a one-hour beer or wine session that was said to be relaxing and refreshing. Soaking in red wine extract didn’t sound as appealing, so we chose the beer option. The experience started with a 25-minute soak in a warm beer bath. After that, we moved to a salt cave for another 25 minutes, enjoying the calming light and the healing benefits of mineral salt, which is thought to help with respiratory issues and skin health. While it was a nice way to relax, I still prefer traditional spa treatments like massages and facials.
Two other notable restaurants that are unpictured are U Telleru in the Vinohrady neighborhood, where they offer traditional Czech cuisine with a modern twist, and Pivovar U Sup in Old Town, a brewpub that offers a large selection of house-made beers paired with local dishes even if it was mostly tourists.
After three fun days in Prague we headed to Budapest next. Check out what we did by visiting my Budapest page.
Question: For those who have visited Prague, what’s the one hidden gem or local spot you think every traveler needs to experience?
