Where to actually go in Prague

Lokál Dlouhááá

Pub · Old Town

A long beer hall known for very fresh tank Pilsner and Czech classics like svíčková and fried cheese.

Best for: a cheap Czech dinner with beer

Price: $ — a half-litre roughly $3–4; a meal roughly $8–12

Best time: dinner

U Medvídků

Pub · Old Town

A historic beer hall, one of the few central places serving original Budvar.

Best for: beer and Czech food

Best time: evening

U Fleků

Pub · New Town

A brewery pub since 1499 serving its own dark lager; very touristy, still a classic.

Best for: a big beer-hall night

Best time: evening

Heads up: Waiters bring shots of liqueur you did not order and charge for them; say no.

Café Louvre

Cafe · New Town (Národní)

A grand 1902 café where Kafka and Einstein once sat.

Best for: a classic café breakfast

Best time: breakfast or afternoon

Kantýna

Restaurant · New Town

A butcher-shop canteen in an old bank: order meat at the counter, eat standing.

Best for: a meat-heavy dinner

Best time: dinner

Prague Castle

Sight · Hradčany

The huge castle complex with St. Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane. The grounds are free; the interiors need a ticket.

Best for: the big Prague sight, views over the city

Price: $ — roughly $12–21 for the main circuit; student discounts exist

Best time: morning

Charles Bridge

Walk · Old Town / Malá Strana

The statue-lined medieval bridge. Packed by midday, magical at dawn. Free.

Best for: the classic Prague walk, photos

Best time: sunrise or late at night

Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock

Sight · Old Town

The medieval square with the astronomical clock show every hour. Skip the overpriced cafés around it.

Best for: the centre of Prague, free

Best time: on the hour

Letná Park beer garden

Viewpoint · Letná

A hilltop park with a cheap beer garden and the best view of the bridges over the river.

Best for: a cheap sunset beer with a view

Best time: sunset

Náplavka

Area · New Town riverbank

A riverside embankment of floating bars and boats; Saturday farmers' market by day.

Best for: a cheap riverside drink

Best time: evening (seasonal)

Petřín Hill

Viewpoint · Malá Strana

A wooded hill with gardens and a mini-Eiffel lookout tower.

Best for: a view and a walk

Best time: afternoon

Vyšehrad

Viewpoint · Vyšehrad

An old fortress on a cliff above the river, with a quiet park and cemetery.

Best for: a calm sunset away from crowds

Best time: sunset

Jewish Museum (Josefov)

Museum · Josefov

Synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery on one ticket.

Best for: history

Best time: morning

Klementinum Library

Sight · Old Town

A baroque library hall and astronomical tower, seen on short guided tours.

Best for: a beautiful library

Booking: Tour times only.

Best time: guided tour

Karlovy Lázně

Club · Old Town (by Charles Bridge)

A five-floor club by the bridge, each floor a different genre. Very touristy, very popular with students.

Best for: a big, easy club night

Best time: after midnight

Žižkov and Vinohrady bars

Area · Žižkov / Vinohrady

Residential districts said to have more pubs per head than anywhere in Prague, with local prices.

Best for: a cheap local pub crawl

Best time: evening

Hemingway Bar

Cocktail bar · Old Town

Prague's best-known cocktail bar, strong on absinthe and rum.

Best for: a top cocktail

Booking: Book online about 48 hours ahead; queues form at weekends.

Best time: evening

U Zlatého Tygra

Pub · Old Town

A famous old Pilsner pub with a living-room feel; tables are often reserved by regulars.

Best for: a classic Czech pub

Best time: afternoon

Cross Club

Club · Holešovice

An industrial, steampunk-styled club and venue built from scrap machinery.

Best for: a cheap, alternative club night

Best time: after midnight

Roxy

Club · Old Town (Dlouhá)

A long-running club in a crumbling former theatre.

Best for: a central club night

Best time: after midnight

Palác Akropolis

Live music · Žižkov

Called the city's best live-music club, with a pub upstairs.

Best for: a gig

Best time: evening