2 days in Prague: Ultimate Itinerary

Prague looks and feels like a city barely touched by the passage of time. Probably because it is, since it was barely damaged from the World Wars, leaving its beautiful 17th century gothic and baroque architecture still intact. Prague is a stunning city with plenty to see and do no matter how long you stay there. I’m here to show you how to plan the perfect 2 days in Prague, the City of a Hundred Spires.

Here’s How to Make the Most of 2 Days in Prague

2 days in Prague – Know Before You Go

The official currency of the Czech Republic is Czech Crown (CZK). Some places will accept Euros as well, but many only take Crowns. Even if you are able to use Euros, you will most likely get your change back in Crowns. 1 CZK = 0.04 U.S. dollar; so 100 CZK is about $4 dollars The official language in the Czech Republic is Czech. Czech is spoken by about 96% of the population. Most Czechs speak good English, especially in Prague. Prague is a big tourist destination. This means that there will be crowds at the big attractions, and with crowds comes pickpocketing. Be extra vigilant at popular areas like the Charles Bridge and Old Town Square. As always, I recommend a cute crossbody purse to keep your stuff close by.

Is 2 days in Prague enough?

Although this charming city will make you want to stay forever, this ultimate Prague itinerary will show you that there’s lots of things to do even if you only have 2 days in Prague.

Day 1: Old Town and Charles Bridge

You should try to spend the majority of your first day exploring the Old Town area and the nearby Charles Bridge. You can do this on your own or arrange a walking tour.

Charles Bridge

You absolutely have to walk along the most iconic bridge in Prague. King Charles IV commissioned the bridge to be built over the Vltava river, and it was completed at the beginning of the 15^th century. Since then, it has stood the test of time, surviving the elements, World Wars, and the constant masses of tourists who cross the bridge every day. This bridge was originally called Stone Bridge or Prague Bridge, but the name Charles Bridge became more popular and widespread in the 19th century. If you walk across the bridge, you’ll notice 30 different Baroque statues of saints. These are actually replicas of the originals. I guess not everything stood the test of time after all! I suggest you visit the bridge first thing in the morning if you want a chance to take some pictures and enjoy the views without being surrounded by hundreds of tourists. But it does get livelier later in the day and vendors selling jewelry, caricatures, portraits and other art set up stations along the bridge.

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Astronomical Clock

The Prague Astronomical Clock is located in the Old Town Square, and tourists come from far and wide to see the oldest astronomical clock still ticking. Built back in 1410, it became a symbol of Prague. Tourists swarm in front of the clock to catch the hourly show, “The Walk of the Apostles.” It plays from 8am to 8pm and shows figurines of the apostles and other moving sculptures shaking and dancing around as they move through the windows. The show is less than a minute long and very overrated in my opinion. There is a small entry fee to access the top of the clock tower if you want to see the hustle and bustle of the Old Town Square from above.

The different symbols on the clock represent the phases of the moon, the seasons, and some Christian holidays.

Old Town Hall

Most people just look at the Old Town Hall from the outside on their way to view the Astronomical Clock. However, it’s worth more than just a passing glance. You can visit the inside and climb the tower for great views of the city. You can also arrange tours for the rest of the building, including the underground cellars which were used as dungeons in the past.

The Church of Our Lady Before Týn

When I first visited Prague, I thought this church was Prague Castle. It’s an easy mistake to make as this is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Old Town. It’s been the main church of Prague since the 14th century, and its spires tower over the buildings in the Old Town. Unfortunately you can’t take pictures inside, but the outside is picturesque enough to satisfy anyone.

The Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter is home to various historical Jewish buildings including the oldest active synagogue in Europe. The Old New Synagogue was built in the late 13th century. After a long history of fires and destruction, it remains standing strong, a testimony to Jewish contributions to Prague. Including the Old New Synagogue, you can find five other synagogues and an old Jewish cemetery in the Jewish Quarter.

The Dancing House

Although its picture can be found all across Instagram, there’s not really much to see other than the building itself from the outside. This neo-baroque style of architecture is also called the Fred & Ginger House because it’s modeled after the dancing duet Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. As with everything in Prague, this building has an interesting past. The house that used to be there was destroyed from the U.S. bombing of Prague in 1945.

The stone building on the right is the man, and the glass building on the left is his female partner.

Museums

There are also lots of museums to visit in the Old Town.

For art lovers, the Czech Cubism Museum is a stark contrast to the Gothic and Baroque architecture in the rest of the Old Town. Don’t miss the only Cubist lamppost in the world! It’s tucked away behind Wenceslas Square.
For history buffs, The City of Prague Museum traces the fascinating history of Prague since the Middle Ages.
For tech junkies, The Apple Museum has more than 450 Apple products from 1976 to the present.
For the kids or the kids at heart, The Lego Museum is creative and colorful fun for the whole family.
For the sweet tooth, the Choco Museum is a great place to indulge.
The Beer Museum and Sex Machines Museum definitely aren’t for the kiddos, but they’re popular among the older crowds.
If you want to learn about Communism and how it impacted the Czech Republic and Eastern Europe, then visiting the Museum of Communism is a must. The museum highlights stories and photos of Communist life and what it was like living through the Cold War.

State Opera House

Right outside of Old Town Square, you can find another beautiful building in Prague – the State Opera House. It was originally called German Theater when it was built in the 19th century. It currently houses about 300 performances per year.

Other unique spots to visit include Wenceslas Square, the head of Franz Kafka, and a tour of Klementinium Library for a great view of the city. I have lots of unique spots to visit in my IG guide to Prague.

Day 2: Prague Castle and Malá Strata

For your second action-packed day in Prague, put your walking shoes on! This busy day is best spent crossing the bridge to explore the Prague Castle and the Malá Strana district.

Prague Castle

This magnificent castle is not only a UNESCO heritage site, but it’s also the largest castle complex in the world. You can explore the grounds and watch the changing of the guards at noon. Tickets are valid for two days (the day of the purchase and the following day), so you can come back if you didn’t get enough the first day. This came in handy for me when I visited because it poured down rain the day we were planning on seeing the castle, so we just went back the next day.

The Old Royal Palace

Built in the 9^th and 10^th century, this is the original residential area of the castle. Just about every king and emperor who lived here made adjustments and extensions to the building, giving it a mixture of different styles.

St. Vitus Cathedral

Along with the Old Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral is also inside the castle complex. In fact, it’s often mistaken for the castle from afar. It’s the largest and most important church in all of Prague. It’s also the burial site of the former Czech kings and where the crown jewels are kept. While you’re in the complex, be sure to Czech out St. George’s Basilica and Golden Lane. If you want more information about any of these places, the official castle website will tell you everything you need to know.

Malá Strana

After a busy morning sightseeing around the castle area, it’s time to head down to Malá Strana. In the ‘Lesser Town,’ you’ll get to see the other side of Prague – the modern side. This includes things like the John Lennon Wall, some of David Cerny’s weird baby statues, and the Memorial to the Victims of Communism. There’s lots of great spots to eat here, too.

John Lennon Wall

The John Lennon Wall is another popular tourist spot in Prague. It was a normal wall before legendary Beetles’ member John Lennon passed away in 1980. Then, the youth of Prague grieved his passing by pouring their hearts out on this wall. It was covered in graffiti with messages for Lennon – a man who fought for freedom against the Communist Regime. Most of the original messages are long gone now, but tourists still flock to make their own mark on the wall.

The Petrin Tower

Petrin Tower is Prague’s mini Eiffel Tower. You can take the funicular cable car up to the top or burn some more calories and get to walking! The tower is almost 200 feet tall. It sits at the summit of Petrin Hill, which is over 1000 feet high, so it’s a lot taller than you might originally think! The park is cute area to explore and admire views of the city.

Štvanice Island

Visiting this little island is one of my favorite things to do in Prague. Not only does it have gorgeous reflection views of the Old Town, but it’s also where a few of the swans appear to have migrated from their old spot. Many people also come here to feed the nutria. They’re called river rats, but I don’t think that’s an appropriate name for these beaver-like critters. They’re super friendly and will come right up to you. You can also rent a paddle boat nearby and paddle your way around this little island.

Letná Park

Head over to Letná Park on the other side of the castle if you still haven’t had your fill of great viewpoints. From here, you’ll see bridges upon bridges over the rivers. Now maybe spending your day in a museum isn’t your thing. Or maybe you’re a no-nonsense traveler who woke up at the crack of dawn to fit all this in and you’ve still got some time leftover. Either way, here are some suggestions for fun activities to do in the afternoon and evening.

Food Recommendations

The first time I visited Prague, I was coming after studying abroad for four months in Seville, Spain. At that point I was a little worn out from international cuisine and seriously missing food from home, so I ate pizza for a week straight. I wish I was lying, but it was on the same street as my Airbnb, and I couldn’t resist! My second time in Prague, however, was a little more adventurous. My favorite meal was a pork tenderloin braid with garlic and melted cheese sauce from Restaurace Mlejnice. Make a reservation online in advance. Right around the corner is Pizzeria Giovanni which has good Italian food, and Buon Gusto also has really good pizza.

Try roasted duck and potato dumpling while you’re in Prague, too. Almost everything Czech restaurant has them both. I tried several trdelniks. These yummy chimney cakes made out of dough from a roller or stick. Then, they’re covered in sugar and stuffed with a filling, usually whipped cream or ice cream. Just be careful because the ice cream tends to leak out the bottom! The best one I tried was from Trdlokafe because it was made with caramel flavored ice cream. Yum! Chimney cakes actually originate in Hungary, so if you’re looking for a more traditional Czech dessert, try a buchty or kolache. I took a cooking class on Airbnb experiences to learn how to make authentic kolaches, and they were delicious!