Your digital welcome book in Prague

Welcome to Prague, the golden city

Prague really is the one European capital you shouldn't miss. Outstanding value for money, breathtaking architecture and history, and a wealth of local recommendations.

Sightseeing made easy

To make sightseeing as easy as possible, we really do recommend getting the City Pass. It is valid for 30 days and gives you discounts in shops as well as a guided tour of the old town, a one-hour cruise and entry tickets to the city's most popular attractions. And if you are a real fan of guided tours, you can also join a very thorough three-hour walking tour of the city free of charge. All you need to do is book your place on the Civitatis website.

Starting your visit

The ideal starting point for exploring the city is Old Town Square. Plenty of colourful buildings, watched over by the Church of Our Lady before Týn, give you a perfect taste of what the city has to offer. Charles Bridge is one of Prague's best-known spots and offers one of the finest sunrises you'll ever see. Old Town Square is lovely early in the morning, just after the bridge, because with no crowds around this is when you'll enjoy it most. Wandering through Prague also means, on top of being surrounded by all those orange rooftops, discovering neighbourhoods of every kind.

The must-see sights

The city's unmissable landmark is Prague's astronomical clock. If you have a head for heights, climb to the top for a breathtaking view over Prague. We really do hope it won't be under renovation when you visit. Still on the subject of famous cultural landmarks: Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral. Don't miss Golden Lane with its little colourful houses. Then carry on exploring this district along Prague's street-art lane and the John Lennon Wall.

Water activities

If you love being on the water, do make a detour to Archers' Island. Paddleboarding, pedal boats: it really is the place to spend a good time simply drifting about and laughing.

Going out

There are local recommendations galore in this very lively capital. If you get the chance, and of course if it's your sort of thing, treat yourself to a night out dancing. When it comes to nightlife, Prague has nothing to envy other capitals.

Local specialities

As for its food, Prague, like many big cities, offers a particularly wide choice of restaurants and local recommendations. We'll let you pick your own favourites. That said, you can't spend a few days in the Czech capital without trying the famous trdelník. It's a sweet dough baked over hot coals and then rolled in sugar, hazelnut or cinnamon. Delicious! And if we can point you to just one café, head for the Grand Café Orient for a good coffee and a classic Czech pastry.

Historical and cultural sights

If you're looking for history and culture, you must visit the Jewish quarter of Josefov. Today it is a smart district full of hotels and small shops, but many years ago it was the ghetto: this is where the city's entire Jewish population was concentrated. We also recommend heading up Petřín Hill and climbing to the top of its observation tower. Here too, a beautiful view of Prague awaits you.

Strolling the back streets

Finally, let the narrow lanes lead you towards more traditional, less touristy neighbourhoods that are full of character. Prague is, it's fair to say, the perfect blend of a buzzing capital and the authenticity of a village.

Our walk around Prague ends here, and we hope we've given you a taste for discovery. Do share your impressions with us, we love hearing what you think. And don't forget to fill in your welcome book with all your local recommendations for the city, and feel free to borrow a few of ours from the article.