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How To Spend 24 Hours in Prague

Prague has a lot of hidden depths, little alleys, secluded charms and little known secrets.

Today we won’t get into any of them.

Let’s say that you have a long layover. Or maybe you’re here on the last day of your visa?  Have no fear – you can still do a lot in 24 hours in Prague. In this article I will be giving you some advice on how to spend them in the most practical and fun-packed manner.

Of course, you can always go at a local pub, sample a few liters of local brews and sober up just in time for your flight. I would be lying if I said I think that is a bad idea and if you want to do just that, my mission here is complete. But if you want to experience more of the city instead, stick with me and keep reading.

The quick circuit

Starting point
Source: By the author

Little known fact – many of Prague’s most famous sights are quite close to each other, with a bunch of secondary ones in-between. What I am trying to say here is that the old town area is quite small and you can easily walk it in the span of an hour.

Let’s say that you start your 24 hour tour of Prague at 10 am, somewhere in the center. You can start by getting to The Powder Tower, which is conveniently close to the metro stop NámÄ›stí Republiky, continue down to Celetna street (a narrow, charming little street where you can soak your eyes in old architecture, vintage tourist cars and an international flow of humanity that threatens to swallow you whole). Walk for a few minutes and you will find yourself at Old Town Square – the favorite area of photographers for aerial shots.

Old Square
Source: By the author

There you can rest in the glory of  the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, which has a striking resemblance to the Disney Castle.  Turn to your left and you will feast your eyes on the Jan Hus Memorial, which commemorate the Hussite warriors and Protestants forced in exile during the Thirty Years War. Then let your eyes soar and soak the beautiful buildings all around – museums, residences, offices and churches alike share the influence of French renaissance mixed with the genius of Czech architects.

When you’ve had a good look you can turn around and continue towards the big crowd of tourists you are bound to see at the bottom of the square. This would be the Astronomical clock, recently renovated and shining in all of its glory. Stroll to it and if you are lucky, you will catch it at a full hour and see the angels singing and dancing.

Astronomical Clock
Source: By the author

The astronomical clock  is one of my favorite sights in Prague, as cliche as it has become. It represents the position of the sun and the moon and it displays many details related to astrology, as well as various saints, death itself and the Apostles.  There is a lot of myth and legend surrounding the old machine, the most popular of which that if the clock stops working due to neglect Prague will be struck by disaster. Hey, maybe that’s why they renovated it?

In any case, it is a must see attraction. You can also reach it directly from the main square, in case if you have lost your way. Just take the street on the left of New Yorker and keep going forward until you emerge at the bottom of Old Town.

Crossing the river

Charles Bridge
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Once you’ve enjoyed the views in Old Town you can continue walking through the small streets after the Astronomical Clock that will lead you to the crossing of Charles Bridge. Before you reach that landmark, you will be greeted by a lot of little shops offering a plethora of things, from freshly melted hot chocolate to massages, souvenirs and money changers. Whether you stop at any of them is up to you, but fair warning – it can get pricey. Whether you stop at any of the shops or not, be sure to enjoy the tiny, romantic streets and take pictures of the beautiful facades looming from each side.

And before you know it, there is the bridge. A lot can be said about Charles Bridge, but since we have limited time here suffice it to say: keep your eyes open, your camera up and your wallet close. It is a beautiful, historically and symbolically significant bridge, covered with statues made of black mortar, with golden elements shining under the afternoon sun. Artists, painters, musicians and performers offer a peak of their art to the general public, refreshing bridges of tranquility and peace through the crowd of tourists.

Malostranske Namesty
Source: Wikimedia Commons

When you’ve made your way to the other side of the river keep walking in the same direction until you reach the lively Malostranské námÄ›stí square.  It is cuddling in the facade of St. Nicholas Church, a grand and beautifully designed catholic cathedral, where you can enjoy silence, renaissance art and a serene splendor.

Now you are out of the church. The next hour is up to you – I would recommend to find a cafe or restaurant where you can have lunch. Beware, the area is rather touristy so be sure to check the prices before you go in.  I’d advise to have your lunch break in a different area, but since we are short in time, you can make do there with a bit of walking.  If you want to enjoy a medieval atmosphere, with a menu generally safe to international tastes, I can point you in the direction of the Medieval Tavern – U krále Brabantského. It is located on Thunovská 198 and you can get away with a decent meal for between 8-12 EUR.

Do you still have energy?

Prague Castle
Source: By the author

If the answer is yes, then you can walk to Prague Castle and sneak in a quick tour. The small circuit takes 3 hours and you can find more information .  If you’ve started this trip around 10, then you should be able to have gotten to the castle by 2, which would leave you walking out of the premises around 5, all tired and awe inspired. That would be a good time to take a pause and visit the first visible Czech tavern and wash off the dust with a few beers.

But maybe that’s not your thing? Alternative course of action then. Walk to Petrin Hill and pick up some soft/alcoholic/anything drink on the way and rest under the apple trees. You will be seeing a stunning view of the castle in all its glory + the added bonus of Prague’s rooftops and spires spreading out in front of you. Petrin is a good place to be both during the day and in the night, during any season (other than the muddiest part of autumn), so have no fear.  If you have time and desire you can also climb to the top or take the lift (it is accessible with a public transport ticket). On the top you can find a small beer garden, a mirror maze and my personal recommendation – a replica of the Eiffel tower that has a beautiful view of the city.

An alternative to Petrin would be to trace your steps back and walk to the center for some souvenir shopping. A personal recommendation – you can go to Havelská street, which is famous for its open market. I was surprised to find that the prices are very decent, given that it is so central. It is your typical market, selling traditional Czech food and drink, souvenirs, trinkets and whatnot.  I’d advise you to first take a good look at all the items and walk end to end, before deciding to buy anything. As it was the case with me, as soon as I found a very nice lighter with Prague castle etched on the side, the same lighter was waiting for me at 20% less price two stalls down. Don’t make the same mistake.

Once you are done with shopping, it is all up to you. Go for dinner, or even swing by to Petrin hill – it is gorgeous in the night time, too.  You could take a very pretty, albeit ambiguous picture of the castle illuminated and framed by the dark sky.

Petrin Hill – Castle in the night
Source: By the author

Getting late

You’ve walked through old square, saw the castle, saw the city from Petrin and even hunted down a nice dinner somewhere. It is around 8-9 pm and you are unsure what to do. Well, we started this trip at 10 am and you have 24 hours in Prague. This means that you have a flight/train/bus early tomorrow, which leaves you with two options: go home and rest or stay strong and experience a bit of that famous Prague nightlife.

If you opt for the second, the easiest choice would be to stick to the center and visit a club like Nebe – a popular spot with tourists and exchange students.  I can sense how half of the audience is frowning at that description – fear not. You can also go out for a chill evening of cocktails and calm, high end atmosphere  at the infamous Balcony Bar on Jungmannovo nám. 17. And if that is too high end for you, just go for the middle ground – lose yourself in the little Prague streets, until you find a place of your liking. Late night walks through the city can be very romantic. Maybe you could walk to the river and see the castle lit up? It is a sight to behold, especially when you bring a couple of beers and find a free bench, away from all the bustle of passing tourists.

Rudolfinum
Source: By the author

A good place for that would be the area around the Rudolfinum. It is located in the Jewish quarter, on Alšovo nábř. 12. The building is truly gorgeous, a 19 century venue for concerts, galleries and exhibitions.  Of course, at night would be closed but it is still a sight to behold. I like to use it as a starting point for evening walks, as it is right next to the river and is easy to find. Walk along it and soak your eyes in the golden rooftops lit up by lanterns, the soft glow of statues and bridges, the humming of the late crowds and the distant music from boats cruising the river.

Riverside
Source: By the author

If you want to meet some people, I’d say check the hangouts at Couchsurfing. Couchsurfers are very active in Prague and there is a good chance you will find some event, usually full of international people. In the old days there used to be several weekly gatherings – if you’re lucky you might catch one.

A lot can be done in Prague during the night. For some activities the less I say the better, but what I would do in your place would be to simply walk. Walk and soak the atmosphere, that tingling feeling of opportunity and excitement and follow your heart (or your thirst) to the nearest bar. Adventure is waiting for you! The night is yours for the taking! Whichever option you choose, make the most of it. It is up to you, as long as you wake up in time for your flight!

Parting words

And that is how you spend 24 hours in Prague. I hope that you found this helpful – bear in mind that this short guide by far doesn’t cover everything there is to be seen in the old capital. However, it will take you through some of the most major locations and reveal a lot of the city’s beauty. And if you find yourself with a bit more time, we at Discover Walks would be happy to provide you with a guided tour and take away all that pressure of having to plan and go places by yourself in a small amount of time. If not, well, we wish you a good trip – don’t forget to try trdelnik!