3 Days in Prague: A Day-by-Day Itinerary

Get ready for one of Europe’s most magical city breaks. Prague packs Gothic spires, a castle complex on a hill, a medieval clock that still puts on an hourly show, and a river lined with bridges into a compact centre you can cross on foot in half an hour. Three days is a sweet spot: enough to see the big icons properly and still have time to wander cobbled lanes with no plan at all.

This itinerary suits first-time visitors, couples, families and anyone who likes a relaxed but full pace. Each day stays in one part of the city, so you walk more and ride less, with plenty of hills on Day 2.

At a glance

Day	Area	Highlights
1	Old Town and Josefov	Old Town Square, Astronomical Clock, Old Town Hall tower, Jewish Museum, Charles Bridge at dusk
2	Prague Castle and Malá Strana	St. Vitus Cathedral, Golden Lane, Lesser Town lanes, Kampa, Petřín Hill
3	New Town and Vyšehrad	Wenceslas Square, the river embankment, Vyšehrad fortress and views

Day 1: Old Town, Josefov and Charles Bridge

This is the day for fairy-tale Prague. You start in the square everyone dreams about, step into the city’s remarkable Jewish heritage, and finish on the most famous bridge in Central Europe as the lights come on.

Important: the Jewish Museum is closed on Saturdays and on Jewish holidays. If Day 1 falls on a Saturday, swap it with Day 3.

Morning

Head to Old Town Square (metro line A, Staroměstská, then about 5 minutes on foot). Come early, before 9:00, and you will have the Týn Church spires and the pastel facades almost to yourself.

The Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Hall shows its procession of the twelve apostles every hour on the hour between 8:00 and 23:00, according to Prague City Tourism. The show is short, so arrive a few minutes early and stand a little back from the crowd for the best view.

Then go inside the Old Town Hall and up the tower for a superb view over the rooftops. The basic ticket is CZK 350 (reduced CZK 230, family CZK 750). It is open daily 9:00 to 20:00 from April to December and 10:00 to 19:00 from January to March. Prague City Tourism is the only official ticket seller, on site and online, and it offers a 50% early-bird discount in the first hour after opening, so a 9:00 visit is the best value of the day.

Afternoon

Walk about 5 minutes north up Pařížská street into Josefov, the historic Jewish Town. The Jewish Museum in Prague is not one building but a set of synagogues plus the Old Jewish Cemetery, all on one ticket: CZK 600 for adults, CZK 400 for students under 26, CZK 200 for children 7 to 15, free under 6. The ticket is valid for 3 opening days and each site can be visited once. Allow 2 to 3 hours.

From 18 October to 31 December 2026 the museum sites open 9:00 to 16:30, and ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing. The Old-New Synagogue is run by the Prague Jewish Community with its own hours (9:00 to 17:00 in that period) and closes about an hour before the start of Shabbat on Fridays, so plan it earlier in the day. Check the museum site to see which venues your ticket covers.

Buy your ticket online on the official museum site to skip the queue.

Evening

Wander back through the Old Town lanes (about 10 to 15 minutes) to Charles Bridge. Crossing is free and open at all hours. For the classic postcard view, climb the Old Town Bridge Tower at the Old Town end: CZK 250, open 10:00 to 18:00 in October and November and later in summer (9:00 to 20:30 from June to September). Time your climb for the hour before sunset and watch Prague Castle glow across the river.

Day 2: Prague Castle and Malá Strana

Save your energy for this one. Today you explore the largest castle complex in the city, then roll downhill through the most romantic quarter of Prague and finish on a leafy hill with a view to remember.

Morning

Take the metro (line A) to Malostranská and walk up the Old Castle Stairs (about 10 to 15 minutes, steep), or ride a tram up to the Pražský hrad stop and walk down later. The Prague Castle grounds are open daily 6:00 to 22:00 and walking the courtyards is free.

For the interiors, the Main Circuit ticket costs CZK 450 for adults, CZK 300 for children, students and seniors, and CZK 950 for a family. It covers the key historic buildings, including St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica and Golden Lane. The cathedral is open to tourists Monday to Saturday 9:00 to 16:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 16:00, so do not leave it until late afternoon, and avoid Sunday mornings. The cathedral’s South Tower is a separate ticket (CZK 200 adult) if you want the climb.

Pick up tickets from the official castle ticket offices or the castle’s own website. Allow 3 to 4 hours, and arrive by 9:00 for the cathedral before the tour groups.

Afternoon

Walk downhill (about 15 minutes) into Malá Strana, the Lesser Town, with its Baroque palaces, steep lanes and the green dome of St. Nicholas Church. Stop for lunch here, then drift towards the river.

Cross the little bridge onto Kampa Island (about 10 minutes from Malostranské náměstí). It is a quiet park right under Charles Bridge, with views of the Vltava and the bridge arches. The colourful Lennon Wall is a two-minute walk away.

Evening

Finish on Petřín Hill. Great news: the Petřín funicular is back. It restarted trial operation with passengers on 22 September 2026 after reconstruction, running daily 7:00 to 22:15 every 10 minutes, according to the Prague Public Transit Company. A single ride costs CZK 100 (CZK 90 in the PID Lítačka app), and it is included with a 24-hour or 72-hour Prague transport ticket. Because it is in trial operation, check the DPP site on the day.

At the top, the Petřín Tower gives a 360-degree view across the whole city: CZK 250, open 9:00 to 18:00 in October and 10:00 to 18:00 from November to March.

Day 3: New Town, the river and Vyšehrad

Your last day is a lovely mix of big boulevards, riverside air and a hilltop fortress with some of the finest views in Prague, without the crowds of the castle.

Morning

Start at Wenceslas Square (metro lines A and C, Muzeum). This long boulevard is where modern Czech history was made, and the grand National Museum building closes it at the top. Walk down the square and through the arcades and passages of the New Town towards the river (about 15 to 20 minutes).

Continue south along the embankment to the Dancing House, the curvy 1990s building on the riverbank, then follow the Vltava past Rašínovo nábřeží.

Afternoon

Carry on to Vyšehrad (about 20 to 25 minutes on foot along the river, or metro line C to Vyšehrad station). This ancient fortress on a rock above the river is free to visit all year round. Walk the ramparts, admire the twin-spired basilica and visit the cemetery where Dvořák and Smetana rest. The views over the Vltava from the walls are some of the best in the city.

The Infocentre (open daily 10:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 18:00) sells tickets for guided tours, including the casemates and the Gorlice hall. Check prices on the official Vyšehrad site.

Evening

Head back into the centre by metro (line C from Vyšehrad to Muzeum takes just a few stops). Spend your last evening in the Old Town or Malá Strana: a slow dinner, a classical concert in one of the historic churches, or one more walk across Charles Bridge, which is at its most magical late at night when the day crowds have gone.

Getting there and getting around

From the airport. Václav Havel Airport Prague is linked to the city by public transport buses that leave from stops right in front of Terminals 1 and 2. You need a regular Prague public transport ticket, bought before boarding.

• Trolleybus 59 to Veleslavín train station (about 15 minutes), then metro line A into the centre. This is the fastest public transport route, according to the airport.
• Bus 100 to Zličín (about 18 minutes), then metro line B.
• Night buses 907 and 910 reach the centre in about 45 minutes.
• Airport Express (AE) runs directly to Prague Main Railway Station in about 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Regular public transport tickets are not valid on it: buy the ticket from the driver or at the Visitor Centre. Check the current fare on the transport provider’s site.

Tickets are sold at the Prague Public Transit Company counters in the arrival halls (Terminal 1 7:00 to 21:00, Terminal 2 9:00 to 21:00), from ticket machines in both terminals and at the bus stops, and in the PID Lítačka app. Most machines accept contactless cards.

In the city. Metro, trams, buses and the Petřín funicular share one ticket system (PID). Prices, as listed today:

Ticket	In the PID Lítačka app	Paper ticket
30 minutes	CZK 36	CZK 39
90 minutes	CZK 46	CZK 50
24 hours	CZK 140	CZK 150
72 hours	CZK 340	CZK 350

For this plan, a 72-hour ticket is the easy choice: it covers the airport buses 59 and 100, all metro and tram rides, and the Petřín funicular. Validate a paper ticket when you first board or enter the metro, as validity starts from then. Children aged 6 to 15 travel free with proof of age, and visitors 65 and over travel free too.

Where to stay

• Old Town (Staré Město): the classic choice for first-timers. You can walk to almost everything in this plan, and evenings are lively. It can be noisy and is the priciest area.
• Malá Strana (Lesser Town): romantic and quieter at night, right below the castle. Great for couples. Expect hills and cobblestones, so it is less ideal with heavy luggage.
• New Town (Nové Město): around Wenceslas Square and towards the river. Good metro links (lines A, B and C all cross here), a wider choice of prices, and a short walk to the Old Town.
• Vinohrady: a leafy residential area with cafés and parks, a few metro stops from the centre. Good for longer stays and travellers who like a local feel.

Budget

These are the main costs from official sources for one adult following this plan. Meals, accommodation, flights, concerts and shopping are not included.

Item	Typical cost
72-hour public transport ticket (app / paper)	CZK 340 / 350
Old Town Hall tower (basic, 50% off in the first hour)	CZK 350
Jewish Museum ticket (adult)	CZK 600
Old Town Bridge Tower	CZK 250
Prague Castle Main Circuit (adult)	CZK 450
St. Vitus Cathedral South Tower (optional)	CZK 200
Petřín Tower	CZK 250
Petřín funicular	included in the 72-hour ticket
Vyšehrad grounds	free

Doing everything above comes to roughly CZK 2,250 to 2,450 over three days, which is where the CZK 450 to 1,100 per day for sights and transport comes from. Skip a tower or two and it drops quickly: the Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, the castle courtyards, Kampa and Vyšehrad are all free.

Practical tips

• Entry rules: Czechia is in the Schengen area. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality, so check the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs page on Schengen visas and the 90/180-day rule before you book.
• Money: the currency is the Czech koruna (CZK), not the euro. Cards are widely accepted.
• Early starts pay off: the castle and the Old Town Hall are far calmer before 10:00, and Prague City Tourism sites offer a 50% early-bird discount in the first hour after opening.
• Closing days: the Jewish Museum is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. St. Vitus Cathedral opens to tourists only from 12:00 on Sundays.
• Shoes: cobblestones and hills everywhere. Comfortable, grippy shoes make Day 2 far more enjoyable.
• SIM and data: EU roaming rules cover SIM cards from other EU countries. Visitors from elsewhere can buy a local SIM or an eSIM before arrival.
• Buy official tickets: for Prague City Tourism sites such as the Old Town Hall, tickets bought from unofficial sellers may not be valid.

Heads-up: what to watch out for

Prague is a joy to explore, and a few simple habits keep it that way. These tips come from the UK government’s travel advice and the official sites listed in our sources.

• Pickpockets in the busy spots: petty theft is common on the metro and buses from the airport, on trams up to Prague Castle and in crowded tourist areas. Keep your phone and wallet zipped away, and if something is stolen, report it in person at a police station within 24 hours to get a crime number for insurance (the station at Jungmannovo náměstí 9 is open 24 hours).
• Street taxis and fake cabs: the UK advice says it is safer to use a major taxi company than to hail one in the street, and to check the rates shown on the side of the car. Avoid unmarked cars offering rides, which are known to overcharge. Easy alternative: the airport buses and the metro.
• Never change money on the street: cash offered by street changers is often counterfeit. Use a bank, an official exchange office or a bank ATM, and take care at cash machines.
• Fake police officers: be wary of plainclothes “police” who ask to see your money or passport. Offer to go to the nearest police station with them, or call 112 to check who they are.
• Bars, clubs and drinks: there is a risk of drink spiking, so do not accept drinks from strangers or leave yours unattended. Some clubs use consumption cards with steep penalties if you lose them, so keep yours safe and check charges before ordering.
• Trams have right of way: trams cannot stop quickly and have priority even on zebra crossings. Look both ways at every track, and cross only at pedestrian crossings on a green signal, as jaywalking can be fined.
• Validate your ticket: inspectors patrol the network and can issue an on-the-spot fine of CZK 1,000 (rising to CZK 1,500 if unpaid). Stamp a paper ticket when you board or enter the metro, or activate it in the PID Lítačka app before you travel.
• Carry your passport and know the drug laws: carrying ID is a legal requirement in Czechia. All drugs, including cannabis, are illegal, with long jail sentences possible, and rowdy drunken behaviour can lead to fines or arrest.
• Check closures before you go: the Jewish Museum is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays, and the Petřín funicular is in trial operation after reconstruction, so check the official sites on the day.

FAQ

Is three days enough for Prague?

Yes. Three days covers the Old Town, the Jewish Quarter, Prague Castle, Malá Strana and Vyšehrad at a comfortable pace. With a fourth day you could add a day trip or a museum day.

Do I need to book Prague Castle in advance?

It is not essential, but buying the Main Circuit ticket on the castle’s official site saves queuing, and arriving by 9:00 gets you into St. Vitus Cathedral before the groups.

What is the cheapest way from the airport to the centre?

A regular public transport ticket on trolleybus 59 (then metro line A) or bus 100 (then metro line B). A 72-hour ticket bought at the airport covers this ride and the rest of your stay.

Is the Petřín funicular running?

Yes. It restarted trial operation with passengers on 22 September 2026, daily 7:00 to 22:15. It is included in 24-hour and 72-hour Prague transport tickets. Check the DPP site on the day of your visit.

When is the best time to visit Prague?

April to June and September to October bring pleasant walking weather and lovely light. December is magical too, with Christmas decorations, but expect shorter opening hours and cold days.