Hi, I’m Cynthia. I’ve lived in Prague for almost 10 years and today I’m sharing the perfect 3-day itinerary for anyone planning to visit Prague on a budget.
If you are planning a trip to Prague this winter or next summer, bookmark this post so you can refer to it later.
In this post, I’ll cover
- 14 budget and free activities in Prague, and how much they cost.
- Cheap places to eat while you are in the city
For money-saving tips in Prague, read this post before planning your trip. That said, here’s your perfect 3-day Prague itinerary:
Day 1
Start your day with breakfast at a local cafe like Cafe Louvre.
It’s a 100-year-old cafe located in the New Town area of Prague. Although heavily frequented by tourists, Cafe Louvre is quite affordable. It is great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Or just drinks with friends.
Cafe Louvre has a 4.5-star rating and an average meal price of $6.
Take a free walking tour to learn about the Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock.
The old town square is home to the Astronomical clock. It was built in the Middle Ages and has 3 dials that show the time and location of the sun. The clock show happens every hour on the hour. Free-walking-tour-prague offers tours around the old town in English for free. Each tour lasts for 2.5 hours, just remember to book for your spot ahead.
Tip: Climb the clock tower for fantastic photos of the old town. It costs just 300czk or 14usd.
Walk across the iconic Charles Bridge.
The Charles Bridge is the oldest stone bridge in Europe, built between 1357 and 1402. It links the old town with the Prague Castle neighbourhood. It has one tower on either end and several sculptures arranged on both sides of the bridge. And of course, the Charles Bridge is free to visit.
Tip: The Charles Bridge draws in millions of visitors all year round. The best time to visit is early in the morning, to beat the crowds. You’ll get great views of the city and river. And less bombed photos.
Explore the charming Jewish Quarter with its historic synagogues and Old Jewish Cemetery.
The Jewish Quarter in Prague is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s home to the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe, the Old-New Synagogue, and the remarkable Old Jewish Cemetery. It’s a short walk from the Old Town. If you are on a budget, you can wander around the Jewish Quarter for free. But to enter the historical monuments, you will have to spend at least 500czk or 20usd.
Tip: You can also find free walking tours in English that cover the Jewish Quarter.
Have lunch at Lokal
A local favourite for cheap and delicious Czech food and beer. Lokal has a 4.4-star rating and an average meal price of $10. You can find several locations around the city. Old town, New Town, Andel, Karlin and Zizkov.
Visit the John Lennon Wall
In the afternoon, you should take a stroll to the John Lennon wall. It’s a colourful mural covered in Lennon-inspired graffiti and lyrics. Created shortly after the death of John Lennon in 1980, this cultural gem is a symbol of love, peace, and resilience. The best time to stop by the Lennon Wall is at sunrise. You’ll have it all to yourself.
Tip: Visitors are allowed to write on specific parts of the wall. Feel free to leave your mark and take your photo on the John Lennon wall.
End your day with a stroll through the Kampa Island neighbourhood and its galleries, parks, and gardens.
Kampa Island is an oasis in the middle of old Prague a place to explore discover art and grab some amazing photos. you can picnic with friends, walk its romantic lanes, photograph ducks and swans, and visit an outstanding museum of modern art.
Tip: For the most beautiful views of the island, you can rent a rowboat or take a romantic steamboat cruise on the Vltava River for less than 20 USD. And you can get a 10% discount if you book online.
Day 2
Start your day with a picnic breakfast in the beautiful Grebovka Park
Grebovka is one of the hidden gems of Prague, known only by locals. It’s an oasis of relaxation close to the city centre. It’s got a man-made cave, a vineyard, a hundred species of exotic plants and trees, and a beautiful view of the southern part of Prague.
The Prague is located at the edge of the charming Vinohrady neighbourhood.
Head to Malá Strana, the charming neighbourhood below Prague Castle.
After Grebovka, take a metro to one of the most historic sections of Prague, Mala Strana. This neighbourhood sits below Prague Castle. Wander the Royal Road, that past kings took on their way to their coronation. Enjoy the views of magnificent medieval houses, remarkable palaces, and churches while walking on the narrow cobblestone streets.
Visit the Prague Castle complex.
The castle towers over the city and is absolutely worth a visit. Its 70,000m square area houses a wealth of architectural gems, including beautiful palaces and the amazing impressive St. Vitus Cathedral. The castle also has charming gardens and breathtaking views of the city.
You can walk the castle grounds for free, but the 30 USD ticket is worth it to see the interior of St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane, and more.
Tip: The best time to visit the Prague Castle grounds is after 6 pm. You will meet fewer crowds and the warm sunlight is perfect for great photos of the city and the grounds.
Have lunch at Pork’s
Pork’s restaurant is popular with tourists but with decent prices and very huge portion sizes. They serve pork dishes paired with beer, wine, and cocktails. You absolutely have to try their famous signature meal, the pork knuckle. Pork’s has a 4.7 star rating and the average price for a meal is 15 USD. But chances are you might not finish it.
In the afternoon, visit the Vrtba Garden
A beautiful Italian-style Baroque garden with great views of the city. The Vrtba Garden is a short walk from the Prague Castle. The garden offers fantastic views of the city. To get into the garden, you have to enter through its gate on Karmelitska Street. Tickets for the garden cost a little above 5 USD.
Explore the Petřín Lookout Tower for panoramic city views.
Prague’s mini Eiffel Tower was built in 1891. The steel framework stands 208 feet tall and towers over the city, providing some of the best panoramic views. You can get there from the Prague castle by walking through the Petrin gardens, or by taking a funicular ride from street level. Aside from the lookout tower, Petrin Hill also offers gardens, a carousel, cafes, and other activities.
The lookout tower costs just 10 USD, while the other areas of the hill are free.
Tip: Access to the Petrin lookout tower is free on the first Monday of the month.
Day 3
Visit the Wenceslas Square
Begin your day early with a sunrise walk through the main square in New Town. The National Museum is a good starting point. After being closed for a 5-year upgrade, it has become one of the best attractions in the city. The museum has so many interesting artefacts, stories, displays, and art to enjoy. You need at least 2 hours to cover the entire museum. An entry ticket to the Museum costs just 13 USD.
Once you are done at the museum, you can walk down the square and do some shopping.
Tip: Climb to the top of the museum for an excellent view of the old town.
Have lunch at Jidelna Svetozor
Another hidden gem that tourists don’t know about. Jidelna Svetozor is a cheap cafeteria-style diner with delicious Czech dishes that taste homemade. It’s literally hidden under the Svetozor passage, down in the basement. The average price for a meal per person is 5-8 USD. That’s right, $5 meals in 2024! Jidelna Svetozor has a 4.2 star rating.
In the afternoon, visit the Dancing House.
Designed by Frank Gehry, the Dancing House is a modern architectural landmark famous for its shape. It sits on the location of an apartment building that was bombed by the US in 1945. It’s a popular spot for tourists. It even has its signature picture pose. You’ll find a gallery, cafe, and restaurant in the Dancing House. The most exciting place inside the building is the terrace on the top floor with unique panoramic views of Prague and the Vltava River. There is no entry fee, you just need to buy an overpriced drink so you don’t look weird.
Tip: The best time to enjoy the panoramic views from the dancing house is just before sunset.
Rent a paddle boat and enjoy the views of the city from the river.
After leaving the Dancing house, take a 10-minute walk to Slovanksy Ostrov to rent a paddle boat. Paddling around the Vltava River is a fun exercise that offers unique views of the city, especially on a hot summer day. The rental costs about 6 USD per person.
End your trip with a stroll along the Vltava River and through the Naplavka.
Walking through the Naplavka at night is always very relaxing. There’s a handful of bistros and pubs offering good Czech food and beer. You could also just enjoy the scenery, taking photos of the castle and surrounding landmarks.
