Prague is an enchanting city with a fabulous history, Czech culture, and social scene. Look no further than this perfect itinerary for 2 days in Prague to see the highlights of the “City of a Hundred Spires”.
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DAY ONE | 2 DAYS IN PRAGUE ITINERARY
Free Walking Tour of Prague Old Town
For short 2 days in Prague, starting with a walking tour is a great way to go to give you a good feel of the city, get inspired with Czech history, and see if there are any highlights you’d like to see in more detail for the rest of the trip.
Old Town Square Prague
Prague’s Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí in Czech) is the heart of the city that has seen many historical events dating back to the 10th century but now is awash with tourists looking to learn about days gone by. With a unique mix of architecture, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in different cities as you spin around and examine the different influences.
Jan Hus Memorial
Located in the centre of Prague’s Old Town Square is the Jan Hus Monument which celebrates the 14th-century Hussite reformer, Jan Hus. He criticised the corruption of the Catholic Church, named a heretic, and was burned at the stake in 1415. His sermons later became the basis of reform across many parts of Europe and the symbolic monument was completed on the 500th anniversary of Jan Hus’ death.
Prague Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock
Established in 1338 as the administrative seat for Prague’s Old Town, it is now used for ceremonies. Consisting of five medieval houses decorated with an astronomical clock, a gothic bay window, and a large rectangular tower with tremendous views over Prague.
I won’t lie, I was mesmerised by the capabilities of the Prague Astronomical Clock or Prague Orloj! The medieval mechanical gem was installed in 1410 and is thought to be the third oldest in the world and the oldest one that still working to this day.
The Astronomical dial shows the position of the sun and moon, the calendar with medallions represents the months of the year and the ‘Walk of the Apostles’ happens every hour, on the hour from 9 am-9 pm where the 12 Apostles and other figures move including the skeleton of Death making the final gong. Crowds gather in preparation to get a good view of the show.
What else to look out for Prague’s Old Town Square
- The Prague Meridien is a brass strip set amongst the cobbled stones that worked in conjunction with Marian column to cast a shadow to show high noon. This was in place from 1652 to 1918 when the column was taken down in a demonstration.
- The House at the Minute, where Franz Kafka lived at the end of the 19th century, is a typical example of Czech Renaissance townhouse architecture with sgraffito facade depicting biblical and mythological scenes.
- Kinský Palace is a Rococo building, formerly a palace to the Kinský family until 1945 and now a National Gallery Prague.
- House of the Stone Bell was built in the 14th century and is located next to Kinský Palace. This Gothic building was hidden behind a Baroque facade for many years and has now been reconstructed to its’ former glory. The building now shows exhibitions for Prague City Gallery.
- Štorch House (At the Stone Virgin Mary) was built in 1897. A fine example of Neo-Renaissance architecture with its murals of Saint Wenceslas painted by L. Novak.
- Týn Church (Church of Our Lady before Týn) is a 14th-century Gothic church with beautiful unsymmetrical towers 80m high that make this a prominent landmark in Prague.
- St. Nicholas Church is an impressive Baroque church that I visited again during my 2 days in Prague.
Other points of interest on the Walking Tour of Prague Old Town
- House of Golden Melon is a cultural heritage monument built in the Gothic era but renovated in the 19th century in Renaissance style and is now used as an event space.
- Stumbling Stones can be found across the city and around the world outside the last residence of Jews incarcerated in concentration camps. Stumbling Stones is an art project by German artist, Günter Demnig.
- Jewish Quarter is a formerly walled ghetto with religious sites and museums depicting the plight of the Jews. The area, known as Josefov, is compact and well-preserved.
East Goulash in Strahov Monastery
Strahov Monastery Brewery, Klasterni Pivovar, is astone’s throw away from Prague Castle. Whilst the monastery was founded in 1142, it was only in the 17th-century, was this set up a professional brewery by the abbot.
The building was restored and reopened in 2000, with the former carriage-hall now as a microbrewery. The restaurant and courtyard are the perfect resting spots to test out some of their finest creations. Guláš in Strahov Monastery Brewery is a famous dish that you must try paired with their Saint Norbert craft beer.
Walk over the Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge is one ofthe most famous landmarks in Europe. This stone Gothic bridge that connects two popular Prague districts, the Old Town and Lesser Town (Malá Strana), and is the oldest bridge still standing over the Vltava River.
DAY TWO | 2 DAYS IN PRAGUE ITINERARY
Have breakfast in Cafe Louvre
This may seem strange to dine in a French-inspired restaurant in Prague but Cafe Louvre is a must-visit.
Opened in 1902, it has been frequented by Albert Einstein, and Franz Kafka. The decor and retains the elegant cafe vibes, attentive staff and the breakfast totally hit the spot.
Hunt for crazy art and sculptures in Prague
As a big fan of unusual art, Prague is the perfect place to find it. Check out The Idiom in Prague Municipal Library, Hanging Man (Sigmund Freud), and the Head of Franz Kafka by David Cerny.
If you want to discover some of the crazy sculptures in Prague, I recommend you make a list of their locations before you go for you to see them whilst you are self-guiding in your 2 days in Prague.
Visit the Jewish Quarter
After the brief overview of the Jewish Quarter (Josefov) on the Old Town Walking Tour, I felt this area is deserving a morning to explore in more detail.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
- Jewish Quarter is located in Praha 1
- Open every day except Saturday and Jewish holidays: Summer 9 am-6 pm, Winter 9 am-4.30 pm
- Buy tickets for individual sites or a day ticket to cover all
Pinkas Synagogue
The Pinkas Synagogue was built in 1535 making it the second oldest synagogue in Prague. It is a memorial to the 77,297 Jewish victims of the Shoah from the Czech lands. The names painted on the walls are a stark reminder of the horrific genocide in WWII.
On the first floor of Pinkas Synagogue, there is a permanent exhibition dedicated to children imprisoned and incarcerated at Terezin Ghetto. In secret, a Jewish Art Professor at the camp schooled the children helping them express their emotions through poems and drawings. Their work was hidden in a suitcase undiscovered by the Nazis and is displayed at the Pinkas Synagogue. Quite an emotional exhibition.
Old Jewish Cemetery
Enter the Old Jewish Cemetary by the Pinkas Synagogue where 100,000 Jews are buried between 1439 to 1787. You may wonder why the cemetery is jam-packed with 12,000 tombstones in a small area and not particularly well-laid out.
Prague Jews were not permitted to be buried outside the ghetto, and the Jewish faith does not allow moving the dead. For this reason, the deceased were buried on top of each other over the years creating about 12 layers, hence why the cemetery can be seen rising above the ground.
Old-New Synagogue
The building of the Old-New Synagogue was completed in 1270 making this the oldest building in the Jewish Town and one of Europe’s oldest synagogues that is still in use today. The Gothic structure is simple in design with two naves in the interior. Legend has it that the remains of the Golem are to be found in the attic of this synagogue, this area is restricted to visitors.
Maisel Synagogue
This Renaissance Synagogue was built in 1592 by Mordechai Maisel, mayor of the Jewish community. It was destroyed by the ghetto fire in 1689 and after several attempts to rebuild, it was finally replaced with the neo-Gothic version of the Maisel Synagogue in 1893-1905.
Maisel Synagogue is now a museum displaying artifacts, textiles, manuscripts, and books from the Bohemia and Moravia Jews between the 10th to the 18th centuries. It is laid out in chronological order so if this is of interest, give yourself enough time to read how their plight unfolded.
Spanish Synagogue
Dating from 1868, the Spanish Synagogue was the last house of prayer built in the Jewish Quarter. It is described as the most beautiful synagogue in Europe and you will see why when you enter. The eye-catching gold and detailed Moorish design with glowing stained glass are inspired by the Alhambra in Granada. Definitely worth a visit!
Nest to the Spanish Synagogue, have a look at the surreal statue of Franz Kafka by Sculptor Jaroslav Róna.
See Little Venice and the Lennon Wall
Branching from the River Vltava, the canals of Little Venice are a delight to wander around with the Baroque houses and medieval mills. As you cross the bridges in this charming, lesser-known neighborhood, check out the love locks, one of the many cities where romantic gestures from couples are displayed. You can take a cruise through the Devil’s Channel to see the sights from the water’s perspective and hear more about the history.
Cross the Čertovka Water Wheel Bridge to find the John Lennon Wall. You can’t miss it with the collection of tourists but the bright display of graffiti with Beatles song lyrics is pretty cool. Following the murder of John Lennon in 1980, an image of the singer was painted on the wall, and ever since it has become a place for political marking through the revolution. Now the Lennon Wall is a symbol of love and peace where you are invited to contribute along with artists making this a forever-changing piece of art.
Explore Kampa Park
Kampa Museum
This modern art gallery focuses on Central European but predominantly Czech artists. Located in the restored Sova Mills, there is an outdoor exhibition with unique sculptures which is free to wander around. The indoor exhibition with a large collection from František Kupka has an entry fee attached, the work is top class so I’d recommend it!
Giant Crawling Babies
Just outside the Kampa Museum are David Černý’s Giant Crawling Babies which seem to act as climbing frames for kids. The bronze sculptures look pretty strange but if you like controversial works of art, they’re definitely a must-see.
Yellow Penguins
Created by Cracking Art Group in collaboration with Kampa Museum, you can spot 34 yellow penguins which light up at night. Made from recycled materials, the message is about the issue of climate change and how wildlife habitats are being threatened.
Other points of interest in Kampa Park
- Werich Villa was once the home of Czech actor and writer Jan Werich who lived in this 17th-century mansion for 40 years until his death in 1980. After being severely flood-damaged in 2002, it is now renovated acting as an arts centre, and holds regular exhibitions and performances.
- Lichtenstein Palace (Lichtenštejnský palác) belonged to the Princely Family of Liechtenstein and was the first large Baroque building in the city of Prague. The stunning location is the venue for concerts, ballets, and operas.
Rooftop beer in Prague is a must
You really are spoiled for choice with roof-top bars in Prague and my chosen one was T-Anker. You can reach the bar via the lift in the shopping mall Kotva. The terrace is ginormous, the biggest one in Prague, and luckily, got a table at the edge to make the most of the fabulous views of the Old Town and Prague Castle.
Whilst having a huge range of bottled beers from around the world, T-Anker supports microbreweries with some fine affordable Czech beers. You will pay a little more here I found than in other places but that view is worth a few extra korunas!
Located nám. Republiky 656, 110 00 Staré Město // Opens 11 am
Traditional Czech lunch at Mlejnice restaurant
With rave reviews, the Mlenjnice Restaurant seemed like the obvious choice to sample Pork Knuckle, a traditional Czech dish. You will find this rustic eaterie down a side street in the Old Town. The interior is authentically decorated with old farm machinery. Most importantly, the quality of the food was top notch and my mission to try the Pork Knuckle was a big success! If you are looking for a more vegan experience in Prague, there are loads of restaurants to choose from!
Located Kožná 488, Staré Město, Praha 1 // Open 11am-11.30pm
Watch the sunset from Rieger Park
Sunsets never get boring! Head to Rieger Park (Riegrovy sady) in the Vinohrady district for a stunning sunset behind Prague Castle. The park has many wooded areas and grassy meadows but the hill makes this the perfect place to rest your weary feet and watch the magic happen as the sun sets behind Prague Castle.
The gardens in Rieger Park date back to 1904 and were mostly vineyards. There is a classical 1920s lookout tower that has been renovated and is now a restaurant. Enjoy some of the Czech ale whilst you wait from the Riegrovy Sady Beer Garden, what’s not to like?
Located in Praha 2 // Beer garden opens daily from noon-2 am (April-October)
Nightcap at Illegal Beer Pivotéka
We didn’t go looking for the Pivotéka Illegal Beer, it is conveniently located across from our final resting place at DREAM Hostel Prague in Praha 1.
OK don’t get the wrong idea, this bar is definitely above board. The name derives from the Czech prohibition days and the simple decor certainly sets the scene. It’s a small establishment with 2 rooms, 1 with a bar and the other housing 6 tables. They serve top-class IPAs at super cheap prices and the friendly staff is more than happy to talk you through their craft beers to find one to suit your taste. We got sucked in and managed to try and few, it would be rude not to! When in Prague….
Located at Ve Smečkách, Nové Město // Open daily from 5 pm
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FAQs to Visit Prague in 2 Days
Where to stay in Prague
The Old Town of Prague is the most centrally located and is one of the most popular areas for first-timers along with New Town and Mala Strana.
BUDGET – DREAM Hostel Prague is a new and quirky residence that feels more like a boutique hostel. Located next to Wenceslas Square, you are 2 km away from the centre of Prague and the Jewish Quarter.
Read my Review of Dream Hostel Prague / Independent Reviews / Best Prices at Dream Hotel Prague
MID-RANGE – Hotel Elite Prague is a 4-star Baroque townhouse offering room with antique furniture and hand-painted wooden ceilings. There is a restaurant with a courtyard terrace, spa, hot tub, and sauna. The hotel is located a 10-minute walk from Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, and Charles Bridge.
LUXURY – Aria Hotel Prague is a music-themed residence giving you all tastes from Beethoven to Blues. This 5-star boutique hotel is located in the historical Mala Strana quarter in the historic centre of Prague.
Tours in Prague
You will never be short of things to do with 2 days in Prague with a range of tours to cover culture, history, food and drink and some amazing day trips that will make you wish you were staying longer!
- Small group Sedgeway Tour of Prague
- Prague Ghost Tour: Dark Shadows of the Old Town
- 2-hour Lunch Cruise on the Vltava River, Prague
- 3-Hour Alternative Walking Tour of Prague
- Prague Beer Bath with Unlimited Beer
- Day Trip from Prague: Bohemia & Saxon Switzerland Full-Day Tour
- Day Trip from Prague: Kutná Hora & Bone Church Excursion with Lunch
- Adrenaline-seeking adventures in Prague
How to reach Prague
- Find amazing flight deals with Skyscanner
- Explore the bus and trains on Omio
- Hire your own wheels with Discover Cars
- Go on a group tour to Prague with G Adventures
Best time to go to Prague for the weather
Prague is an all-year-round destination, although it depends on your preferred weather conditions and if you are opposed to crowds.
Generally, before and after summer are the best times to go. The weather from mid-April to May and September to mid-October is mild with a glimmer of sun. There will be fewer crowds and lower accommodation costs.
If you’re visiting Prague in the summer, you can expect glorious sunshine, more crowds, and the costs to hike up in the peak season.
Winter is fabulous in Prague to see the Christmas markets and get in the festive mood. Expect very cold weather though, this tends to keep visitors at bay in January and February so you can get some great deals on accommodation.
Best time to go to Prague for festivals
- JANUARY – Short Film Festival
- FEBRUARY – Malá Inventura
- MARCH – FebioFest, Prague’s international film festival / Irish Music Festival on St. Patricks’s Day
- APRIL – On 30th April, celebrate Čarodějnice, or Witches’ Night, an old Czech tradition with bonfires in public parks, drum circles, and plenty of food and beer.
- MAY – Prague Beer Festival
- JUNE – Prague Spring International Music Festival / Minibrewery Festival at Prague Castle
- JULY – Prague Proms is held in concert halls and open-air venues across the city throughout July / Prague Folklore Days to enjoy folk dancing and Czech culture.
- AUGUST – Prague’s Pride Festival / Castle-Château Night is held at castles to bid goodbye to summer.
- SEPTEMBER – Prague’s Burgerfest is the largest festival of burgers and barbecue in Europe.
- OCTOBER – A 3-day event celebrating fashion and design with Designblok / See Prague light up for 3 nights during the Signal Festival.
- NOVEMBER – On 11th November, start drinking wine at 11:11 and eating the traditional dish of goose at the Feast of St. Martin / 17th November marks the Velvet Revolution protest in 1989, and Czechs celebrate the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day with a candle-lighting ceremony in Wenceslas Square.
- DECEMBER – Christmas Markets throughout the month / New Year’s Eve is a big party!
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5 comments
I love how detailed this post is about visiting Prague! Such a helpful resource! Also love the little map thing, so easy to find things 🙂
So happy you find this a useful resource for your Prague travels, the map does make it super easy!
Looks like a fabulous itinerary! I’d esp love to visit a brewery! I am sure the beer is fantastic!
This is a fantastic itinerary for one of my favourite cities. All the more so, as there is so much to see, so it’s hard to condense everything into a two day itinerary. Another cool place in the city to check out would be Vyšehrad, the medieval fort south of the centre, which offers a nice slice of local history.
I walked my little socks off to cram all this into 2 days. I would be delighted to go back and explore more of the city as I really enjoyed it so your recommendation of Vyšehrad is on the list!