Prague – the city that feels like stepping into a Baroque fairytale, where every bridge, tower, and cobblestone alley whispers centuries of history making it a true European gem. It was my first visit to Prague and at first, I thought it would be just another European city with old buildings and cobbled streets. But….. Prague completely stole my heart with its easy, modern rhythm that makes you want to slow down, stroll through its beauty, sit by the Vltava River, and just be.
Known as “The City of a Hundred Spires,” Prague is calmer — and honestly, so much safer and friendlier than places like Paris. It is a living, breathing UNESCO World Heritage site, a cultural jewel that somehow managed to dodge the worst of 20th-century conflicts, leaving its original grandeur breathtakingly intact. No wonder its one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and I totally fell in love with it!
You’ll find yourself marveling at the colossal Prague Castle complex, getting lost in the medieval maze of the Old Town Square {with its fabulous food scene}, and strolling across the iconic Charles Bridge, with stunning views of the city and river. It’s a city of high romance and deep history — offering a seamless blend of grand monuments and effortlessly chic urban living.
If you’re planning your first trip, aim for spring (April–June) or autumn (September–November) — perfect weather, fewer tourists, and that magical, postcard vibe everywhere you go. December is stunning too if you love Christmas markets and don’t mind a little chill.
In this guide, I’ll share the must-see landmarks and a few lesser-known gems that made me fall in love with Prague even more.
Best things to do in Prague
1. 🏰 Prague Castle: one of the largest ancient castles in the world with a massive complex of palaces, churches, and gardens, dominating the city skyline. The entrance to the castle grounds is free.
2. 𖣑 Charles Bridge: Stroll across this 14th century iconic stone bridge, a symbol of Prague’s history, adorned with 30 Baroque statues and offering views of the Vltava River. If you have a little extra time, climb the Old Town Bridge Tower at the start of the bridge — the view of Prague Castle from the top is absolutely stunning.
3. Lesser Town (Malá Strana): Between the Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, is this beautiful Baroque quarter, featuring quaint streets and grand churches.
4. Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock: The historic heart of Prague, always bustling in action with performances, surrounded by spectacular architecture and the famous 600-year-old clock — the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one that’s still in operation. Climb the tower for epic views!
5. Vintage car tour: The cool retro car tour in Prague is a unique and fun experience. We took a 40 minutes tour riding through the most famous monuments of Prague and learnt interesting facts about local history.
6. Jewish Quarter (Josefov): One of the best-preserved Jewish ghettos in Europe, featuring historic synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery. Its a nice stroll and is adjacent to the northern part of the Old Town.
7. Petrin Hill & Observation Tower: Prague’s answer to the Eiffel Tower. A short hike (or funicular ride) rewards you with some of the best views in town — especially at sunset.
8. Dancing House: This curvy, modern building stands out among Prague’s old-world architecture. Nicknamed “Fred and Ginger,” it’s one of the city’s most Instagram-worthy spots.
9.🌹 Vrtba Garden: Part of the Vrtbovský Palace, this hidden oasis with terraced greenery and views of Prague Castle is the oldest Baroque gardens of Prague. You’d love to take a stroll and get some beautiful pictures here.
10. Kafka’s Spinning Head: A modern twist in a medieval city. This giant kinetic sculpture of Franz Kafka’s head — made of 42 rotating metal layers — reflects Prague’s mix of old soul and modern creativity. Hypnotic to watch!
Pro tip: Prague is best explored on foot — wander without a plan, and you’ll stumble upon hidden courtyards, cozy cafes, and some of the most beautiful street views in Europe. I absolutely loved walking around the city – stumbling upon views that looked straight out of a painting!
Vegan Restaurants in Prague
Prague is a great city for vegan and sustainable travelers and here are some eco-friendly
- Maitrea (Fine Dining/Zen Atmosphere) — This vegetarian cafe has an expansive vegan menu. They have excellent vegan versions of Czech classics (Goulash, Svíčková) and international cuisine. Its tucked just off the main square in Old Town. They customsied Jain options for me and the food was incredible. Loved the vibe of the cafe too, very earthy and calm.
- Dosa Dosa (Indian vegan dosa place) — Craving Indian comfort food in Prague? Head to Dosa Dosa in Lesser Town for a hearty vegan meal. From classic dosas and tofu scrambles to kimchi bowls and Vietnamese salads, their menu goes way beyond just South Indian flavors — perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a wholesome breakfast (inlcuding the classics like pancakes and tofu scramble).
- Chutnej Vegan Kitchen and Cafe (artsy, modern bistro) — Known for creative, flavorful, high-quality dishes, often with international inspiration. Near Letna Park (north of the river, great for an alternative walk).
- Share Cafe (cozy Café & Bakery) – Perfect for breakfast, brunch, light lunch, and superb vegan cakes and pastries. Its near Old Town/New Town border.
- Bistro Pod Kavalírkou (casual Buffet/Bistro) — Fully vegan, offering hearty daily menus and international dishes.
- Loving Hut – This worldwide vegan food chain has a lot of restaurants around Prague. I didn’t visit Loving Hut in Prague, but in most cities they always customised Jain vegan options for me.
If you are a dessert lover like me and want to try the traditional vegan Chimney cake in prague or are craving a vegan gelato, here’s where you can find them:
- Traditional Czech Trdelník (iconic chimney cake) – There are many chimney cake shops in Old Town that offer vegan chimney cakes like Little Chimney and Sweet Dreams.
- Creme de la Creme (artisan gelato shop) – They have one of the best vegan gelatos in Prague including flavors like salted caramel, which btw was yum. They have several branches, I tried the one near Charles Bridge/Old Town (Husova Street branch).
Where to stay in Prague
Prague is a great city for vegan and sustainable travelers and here are some eco-friendly hotels in Prague that you can consider for your stya, including aone with vegan cafe right at the doorstep.
- Mid-budget: Salvator Superior Apartment or Salvator Boutique Hotel is the perfect place vegan-friendly hotel in Prague in mid-range. They serve vegan breakfast and the Salvator Apartments even has Share Vegan cafe right outside.
- Luxury: The Julius Prague right outside he Old Town for a spacious, modern, apartment-style stay has spacious room, vegan-friendly breakfast options and music-themed Aria Hotel Prague in Lesser Town are two great sustainable hotels in Prague. They’re not vegan but quite vegan-friendly.
Essential Tips for Your Trip
- Currency: Euro is not the official currency of Czech. You need to carry Czech Koruna (CZK) when traveling to Prague. All major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere in Prague and you can find currency exchange service providers easily anywhere.
- Public Transport: Excellent, efficient, and cheap. Buy a time-based ticket (30-min or 90-min) and validate it once before your first use. Uber and Bolt also work in Prague.
- Language: While Czech is the official language, English is widely spoken in all tourist areas and the vegan restaurants mentioned.
- Reservations: It is highly recommended to book a table for dinner at popular vegan spots like Maitrea and Chutnej, especially on weekends. And if you follow special diet, for instance Jain diet like me, it would be a good idea to inform the restaurant in advance so you have more options since they’ll prep for you in advance.
