I recently experienced the magic of Prague in 48 hours at the end of our Viking river cruise called The Cities of Light from Paris to Prague. I traveled with my husband, his sister, and our brother-in-law living in Texas. We’ve tried to take one special trip together each year to spend time with them. This trip was twice postponed during the pandemic so it was much anticipated!
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A whirlwind tour for history buffs, foodies, & culture vultures!
Prague in 48 hours is not merely enough time to experience the culture, architecture, beauty, and history, you can get an overview of one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and if you are like me, you’ll want to plan another longer visit.
Before my trip, I reached out to my Facebook group friends for suggestions and I read about excursions in Viator. I’ve included the excursions that we did along with some must-do suggestions from other travelers that we did not have time for. I have affiliate relationships which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you shop using my links.
Here are some of the must-see things to do in Prague in 48 hours.
Explore Prague Castle
We did a walking tour to just cover the highlights of this expansive UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the largest castle complex in the world.
It consists of a complex of churches, palaces, and courtyards from when the Czech monarchs ruled during the Middle Ages. We saw St Vitus Cathedral, the Basilica of St George, and the Old Royal Palace.
Our trip was only an overview of the outside of these magnificent structures. On my next visit, a full tour including the interiors will be first on my list. You can book a Prague Castle tour to go inside the buildings.
St. Vitus Cathedral
Old Royal Palace
Take a Walk Over The Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge is a medieval (14th-century) stone bridge that spans the Vltava River. I learned that is the oldest bridge still in use on the Vltava River and is the second-oldest bridge in the Czech Republic. It is a busy tourist spot.
The day we visited ( a Saturday) was very crowded, but it was still a must-see. The view of the Prague Castle, the statues on both sides of the bridge, and the view into the Old Town Square are worth it even if you only have to see Prague in 48 Hours. You may have to be strategic in the crowd by ducking and weaving but I was able to get some great photos.
Views from The Charles Bridge
Another Beautiful View from The Charles Bridge
Just a Few of the Statues on The Charles Bridge
One tip I read is to visit early at around 8 am to enjoy the bridge without the crowds.
Visit Old Town Square
You could not miss this gigantic banner as you walked from The Charles Bridge to Old Town. The Czech people are making their feelings known.
See the Astronomical Clock
This special clock has been entertaining visitors for over 600 years! It shows the positions of the sun, moon, Zodiak signs, and the planets on an ornate dial. Every hour on the hour, the clock comes to life and 12 apostles march around the top of the tower. You must time your visit to see it!
I was told you can book a behind-the-scenes tour to climb to the top of the clock tower but our visit did not allow enough time to do this.
Old Town Square is the historic heart of Prague. The square is bustling with activities, including street musicians, vendors, and performers. It is also an excellent place to sample traditional Czech food.
Beware of Pickpockets
We were told while looking up at the amazing Astronomical Clock, the pickpockets are on the prowl. You can see how crowded it was at noon. Fortunately, our group did not have any issues.
Beautiful Buildings
My head was on a swivel as we walked through Old Town.
The buildings were so beautiful. Many old buildings have stores or restaurants on the ground floor. It is the perfect place to stroll around, do some shopping, and enjoy a meal.
Try a Czech Beer
You must try a Czech beer. I’m not a beer drinker but I found it quite delicious. Czechs are known for their beer, and the city has a thriving brewery scene. Some popular breweries include U Fleku and Pilsner Urquell. You can also find plenty of charming beer gardens and pubs throughout the city.
Have a Chimney Cake for Dessert
A Chimney cake is made with layers of dough on a cylindrical spinning device. It is covered in sugar and then baked in an open fire. You will find them throughout the old town and they are delicious!
Walk Through the Jewish Quarter
There are 6 synagogues along with preserved historical buildings and landmarks as well as one of the oldest cemeteries in Europe. If you can do a guided tour, you will get the full scope of the stories and the history of the Prague Jewish community and their struggles. We only did a walk through but our guide did a great job of pointing out some highlights.
Go Window Shopping
The fashion district of Prague is located near the Jewish Quarter. It is a beautiful tree-lined street. We walked by luxury stores including Louis Vuitton, Hernes, Dior, and more. I was told there is typically a limited amount of inventory as the demand is not as great as in other European cities. That was ok with me, I’m with the “look but don’t touch” crowd at these stores.
Get Some Czech Currency
I was surprised to learn that the Euro is not the currency of Czechoslovakia. They have their currency called the Czech Koruna popularly called crowns. Small shops and restaurants and some boat tours want cash (crowns) so it is best to ask ahead or convert some Euros or dollars. We had no trouble using a Visa Card for everything we needed, but your experience might be different or the exchange rate might not be favorable.
How to Quickly Convert Currency Using Your Smartphone
Just type in your search for example “1000 CZK to USD” and you will see your answer – in this case today the answer is $46.16 USD.
Suggestions That We Did Not Have Time For
Dancing House (Tancici Dum)
I’m told the building stands out for its modern design in a city filled with Gothic architecture. It was designed by Frank Gehry along with Vlado Milunic and completed in 1996. The top floor is open to the public.
Klementinum Library
It has been called the world’s most beautiful library. it was first opened as part of a Jesuit University in 1722 and is a stunning example of Baroque architecture. Don’t miss seeing the ceiling frescoes.
The Funicular
The funicular takes you from the Lesser Town district to the top of Petřín Hill. It is a fun and scenic way to see the city.
The National Museum sits in a stunning building in Wenceslas Square.
Relax in Letná Park. I’m told it is a popular gathering spot for young people to play music and there are incredible views of the city.
Take a boat tour along the Vltava River.
See the views from the Petrin Tower. You will see it sitting up on a hill. It looks just like the Eiffel Tower. and is the same height. You can enjoy the views from the base of the tower or buy a ticket and go to the top.
Places to Eat in Prague
These recommendations are near the Charles Bridge:
Kampa Park – serves seafood and international cuisine.
Mlýnec – serves modern Czech cuisine made with seasonal ingredients.
Restaurant U Modré kachničky – upscale atmosphere with traditional Czech cuisine, including their famous roast duck.
Atelier Kalina – serves international cuisine and has vegetarian options as well
Hergetova Cihelna – serves international cuisine and has an extensive drinks menu.
Porks at the base of the Charles Bridge
More recommendations from my Facebook group:
A good Italian Restaurant – La Piccola
Have coffee and dessert at the famous coffee house called Imperial Café.
Getting Around in Prague
Prague has a convenient and reliable public transportation system, and there are several types of transportation available to get around the city. Here are transportation options in Prague:
Metro: The Prague Metro is made up of three lines, and it is the fastest and most efficient way to get around the city. The trains run from 5 am to midnight, and they arrive at their stations every 2-3 minutes during peak hours.
Trams: The tram system in Prague is one of the largest in the world, and it covers most parts of the city. The trams operate throughout the day and night and run every 4-10 minutes during the day.
Buses: Prague has an extensive bus network which complements the tram and metro. The buses connect the areas that are not served by the trams or metro. The bus lines run from 4 am to midnight, and they operate on a schedule ranging from 5-15 minutes apart.
Taxi: Taxis are widely available in Prague, but it is important to only use licensed taxis, or use ride-hailing apps. It is not recommended to hail a taxi on the street.
These are the main mass transportation options available in Prague. I’m told that the public transportation system is affordable and efficient, making it easy for visitors to get around the city. Because we were part of a Viking tour, we did not use any of these on our trip.
Where to Stay in Prague
We stayed at the Prague Hilton which was arranged for us as part of our Viking trip. It was clean and modern and had several restaurants. Right outside was a small mall that had a grocery store, pharmacy, a few shops, and what we would call a beauty supply store.
The location was not that convenient if you wanted to walk around The Charles Bridge or Old Town but there were plenty of cabs right outside.
Other Hotel Recommendations
Here are other recommendations from my Facebook friends. I did not look at prices this time because I knew our hotel was included.
Hotel Appia has breakfast included and is within walking distance of Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge.
The Art Deco Imperial Hotel is next door to the Cafe Imperial which is a top-rated restaurant in Prague with a stunning interior.
Hotel U Prince – This boutique hotel is located in the heart of Prague’s Old Town Square and offers beautiful views of the square and the Tyn Cathedral. It features historic rooms, a rooftop terrace, and a restaurant serving traditional Czech cuisine.
Grand Hotel Bohemia – This Art Nouveau-style hotel is located in the center of Prague and features elegant rooms, a spa, and a restaurant serving Czech and international cuisine.
The Emblem Hotel – This modern hotel is located in Prague’s Old Town and features stylish rooms, a rooftop terrace, and a restaurant serving Czech and international cuisine.
Hotel Leonardo Prague – This boutique hotel is located in the heart of Prague’s Lesser Town and features elegant rooms, a spa, and a restaurant serving Czech and international cuisine.
Me and My Hubby – Tired and Happy!
Have you seen Prague in 48 hours or another major European city? Do you have any tips to add to my post?
I would love for you to follow along to read about the other wonderful places we visited on our trip. I plan to post more over the next few weeks including a review of our river cruise on the Viking Ida. Our trip started in Paris, we spent 2 days in Normandy touring the battlefields of World War II, a visit to Giverny-Monet’s Garden, and then a magnificent sail down the Moselle and Rhine Rivers.
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