Prague has long held a reputation as one of the most cultured and glamorous cities in Europe. Founded during the Romanesque period, Prague played a central role in the fabric of Central European civilization during the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque eras. It later became the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia and the seat of a number of the most important Holy Roman Emperors.
It is perhaps during its time as the capital of Bohemia that Prague gained its reputation as a stronghold of unconventional thinking and style. Aside from the architectural remnants of long-dead stylistic eras, Prague is still known for its unconventional and quirky culture that make it a hotbed for arts and culture to this day. When you add Prague’s recent fame as a serious party destination to all the facts mentioned above, it is clear to see why the city is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in Europe. There is so much to do that you are really spoiled for choice!
Only got a weekend to cram it all in? In this article, we will take you on a tour of some of the things that you simply must not miss on a 48-hour trip!
Day One
Morning
The most obvious place to start your Prague adventure is in the Old Town. Here, you can peruse some of the city’s trendiest cafes, boutiques and bars, getting a feel for the vibe as you take in the atmosphere and more than few a picturesque statues and monuments.
The most majestic sight of all, however, is the Old Town Square. Here, you will find a selection of Prague’s most famous attractions, including the 600-year-old Astronomical Clock and the Jan Hus monument.
Afternoon
After walking around the Old Town, you are probably going to have worked up a bit of an appetite. Lucky, the city’s Jewish Quarter offers an affordable way to try the local cuisine. On the way, you can check out the six synagogues and enormous Jewish cemetery that hold the key to the neighborhood’s past and present. Make sure to visit the National Museum at the top of Wenceslas Square if you get the time.
Evening
Stick around Wenceslas Square for some of the best wining and dining options in the city. Once you have eaten, why not book a seat for a show at the National Theater or take a visit to Café Jericho, one of Prague’s most important bars for artists and writers down the years.
Day Two
Morning
Wake up bright and early to get to Charles Bridge before the tourist hordes descend on it in their droves. From here, you get an incredible view of the sunrise over the city that should cure your sore head if you have enjoyed a little too much of the local brew the night before.
Just over the bridge, you will find Malá Strana, also known as the Lesser Quarter where you can visit the Prague Castle to take a spot of breakfast.
Afternoon
If you have had enough of the crowd, why not head out to the lesser-traveled Žižkov district. Esteemed by locals as Prague’s most exciting neighborhood, Žižkov is decidedly working class. Here you will find the infamously ugly Television Tower, Jiřího z Poděbrad Square and the National Monument on Vítkov Hill. It makes a great stop for lunch if you are interested in finding out how the real inhabitants of the city live away from the tourists in the center.
Evening
Seeing as its coming to the end of your trip, you may as well go out with a bang. Undoubtedly one of the most interesting places to sample the local nightlife is Vinohrady. Located just south of Central Station, this neighborhood makes for a great place to start a pub crawl if you are that way inclined, of course.
Some of the bars that you should not miss out on include the wonderful Prague Beer Museum, Vinohradsky Parlament, Ali Lounge Bar and Riegrovy Sady Beer Garden. There is something for everyone here – just make sure that you do not drink too much and miss your flight out in the morning!
So, there you have it! Our definitive guide on what to do if you ever find yourself in Prague for forty-eight hours. But before you set off, make sure to arrange an ETIAS visa if you are a US or Canadian citizen, and you are traveling in 2021 or later. If you want to know more, here is an informative ETIAS visa to assist your application process.