There are some cities in the world so beautiful that I’m willing to brave any number of crowds, tourist traps & scams to experience it.

… Prague is one such city.

Oft hailed as one of Europe’s most gorgeous capitals, I’ll admit it’s a destination with its faiiiiir share of tourist adoration. And with it, ample quirks and traps that can can catch first timers off guard.

Visit Prague without any prep and you may well find it overrated and underwhelming. I promise though, if you put in the work, you’ll still be able to discover the magical Prague that’s peddled from every postcard and Pinterest board. I’ve been lucky enough to visit the city multiple times, so in this post I’m sharing all the top must-knows before your first visit… from money matters to weird ham scams (yes, really!)

I hope you find it helpful.

1. Prague is a wonderful year-round destination

First, let’s tackle when to visit. I am super lucky that I’ve been able to visit Prague in 3 out of 4 seasons and can confirm it is stunning in all of them…

The downside? It’s pretty much always busy, with no true ‘off-season’. My personal preference is for Autumn though, with crowds relatively scarcer than summer and Christmas time, plus plentiful foliage to make those historic cityscapes really pop.

Controversial opinion: While I often see Prague hyped up as a great Christmas market destination, I think the markets themselves are just okay, with the majority of their magic just coming from the gorgeous historic backdrops. If you want a classic Christmas market experience with amazing food and shopping, I do have to say that Germany or Austria might be better places to look, but you can read about my visit to Prague’s Christmas markets to make the decision for yourself.

There are also some lesser known Easter markets in Prague as well that look cute.

2. Plan your visit for mid-week to avoid the worst of the crowds

Prague is one of THE most popular weekend trip destinations in Europe, especially for bachelor/bachelorette parties (or more accurately, stag dos and hen dos from the UK!). If you want to avoid large numbers of rowdy crowds, then I would strongly suggest planning for a mid week trip if you have that flexibility.

Prices will, of course, also be lower if you do it this way.

3. Stick to Districts 1 & 2 to be in walking distance to Prague’s main sights

To help you get your bearings, Prague officially has 22 administrative districts, but honestly, the vast majority of the main sights can be found in Prague 1 and Prague 2, which includes the tourist hotspots of Staré Město (Old Town), Malá Strana (Lesser Town), and Nové Město (New Town).

If you want to easily walk everywhere then I would advise staying within this area, though of course, prices are gonna be higher and it’ll be very busy and possibly loud if you’re staying by any busy nightlife spots. 

If, however, walking everywhere isn’t a huge deal, public transport is very efficient in Prague and you’ll have very quick and consistent links to the center so long as you’re close to a Metro station.

Just keep in mind that Prague is built on several hills, so you might want to double check any accommodation locations closely so you’re not constantly trekking up big hills to get back to your bed every day.

4. The local currency is CZK (Czech koruna or crowns)

Very important tip: make sure you familiarize yourself with the currency and the exchange rate before you go to Prague.

A lot of the time, when tourists get scammed in Prague, it’s because they’re new to the city, and unfamiliar with the currency, so they don’t quite register when prices don’t make sense. The best thing to do is have a rough conversion rate in your head for your local currency so you can gauge on the fly how much things are actually costing you. 

In a pinch you can use a currency converter app as well – the calculator app on iPhones have this built in. 

5. Check out the Honest Guides YouTube channel for lots of great advice

I have done my best in this guide to summarize the most important must-knows for your visit to Prague. But if you really want to deep dive into research, the Honest Guide YouTube channel is run by two locals and it’s just next level! Definitely be sure to give them a watch for more specific info on certain aspects of travel in Prague. 

6. The cheapest way from the airport to the centre is by public transport

If you aren’t travelling with much luggage, generally the most affordable route from the airport to the city centre is hopping on the trolleybus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín station where you can hop on the green metro line (Line A).

This will only cost you 40 CZK but involves a transfer and, of course, lugging any bags you have around.

A more direct option would be the Airport Express bus which costs 100 CZK one-way, as well as shared airport shuttles.

Honestly though, if you’re travelling with more than one person, often it’s cheaper to just book a taxi or private transfer. Legitimate taxis aren’t too expensive in Prague so you might find it’s worth the extra cost for a direct ride to your accommodation. I would recommend this if you have a lot of luggage or a bigger group. With Bolt, it’s about 500 CZK from the airport to the centre, which is only about 20 euros so it’s not bad if you’re splitting it. 

7. Beware of taxi scams 

Sadly, they can be quite common in Prague, which is why you need to take certain precautions.

For instance, it’s always a good idea to order rides through an app like Bolt, Uber or Liftago, which is a local Czech app.

This way, you have a paper trail which minimizes your chances of getting scammed, along with a price estimate that gives you a better idea of what to expect.

Otherwise, if you just grab any taxi off the street, you could fall victim to rigged meters and unclear pricing. A quick search on Google, will revel many stories of this happening, so order through an app whenever possible. 

And speaking from personal experience, they love to target drunk tourists who don’t know better, so don’t forget this advice after a few beers as well!

8. The center of Prague is very walkable, but there are some streets to avoid

Not only is Prague one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, it also boasts the advantage of being highly walkable, with gorgeous little streets and facades all around the Old Town and beyond.

This is why I’d suggest you walk as much as you possibly can.

Buuut, as you skip and frolic your way through the city’s most scenic streets, do beware that there are some streets in the tourist core that are filled to the brim with tourist traps and crowds. So, I’d avoid them when possible and choose alternate routes instead. Karlova Street, in particular, is pretty awful, and honestly, I’m not a big fan of Wenceslas Square either.

9. Public transport is based on an honour system, but don’t forget your tickets!

While public transport in Prague is very efficient and well-run, it does have some intricacies that can catch first-timers off guard, so listen up. 

First off, in Prague there are no ticket barriers at the Metro station and bus drivers don’t check your tickets when you board – instead, it’s an honour system where you buy and validate your own ticket, and only need to present it if an inspector asks to see it. 

You can buy single tickets for 30 minutes, 90 minutes, 24 hours and 72 hours, with the same tickets being valid for buses, trams and the metro.

You can easily buy tickets digitally through the PID Litačka app, but you can also get them at ticket machines, information centres, train stations and even through machines on board trams and buses if you have a contactless card. I would advise getting a ticket before you board though, just in case the machines aren’t working.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Buying a ticket is not enough – you need to validate your tickets properly in order to avoid a fine.

Tickets purchased on board buses and trams are activated already at the point of purchase, but tickets bought from ticket machines and information centres need to be stamped properly once at a validation machine, and tickets bought on the app need to validated well in advance of boarding. The app actually doesn’t validate your ticket for a minute or two, so make sure you give yourself a good window of time for the activation to go through.

If you plan to use public transport more than three times a day, getting a 24 hour or 72 hour ticket through the app, depending on the length of your trip, probably makes the most sense, and eliminates the need to constantly buy and validate single tickets. 

10. Make sure you have mobile data

Of course, to use all these apps and tips I’m recommending, something you can’t go without in Prague is mobile data, because trust me… you’ll be using it constantly. 

I like to use an eSIM when I travel, which is an amazing digital alternative to physical SIM cards because it’s pre-installed on your device and therefore able to connect you to local telecom networks 100% digitally as soon as you land. 

Which is very handy in Prague, because then you can get your transport tickets or order a taxi right away, while checking currency conversion rates and routes to make sure you’re on track and not getting scammed.

My go-to eSIM is Airalo, and you can check out my complete Airalo video guide to see step-by-step how to set your eSIM up if it’s your first time using one.

11. Don’t miss the beautiful old entrance hall of the train station – it’s worth a look!

Prague’s central station these days is almost disappointingly modern, but on my last trip I accidentally walked in to the old entrance hall of the station which is MUCH prettier and (let’s be honest) much more befitting of a gorgeous capital like Prague. You can find it by searching directions to Fantova Kavárna, the café inside this hall.

12. Waking up very early is key to enjoying the top sights without crowds

Prague is a stunning city, but even the most feverish of fangirls must admit that its magic disappears when the crowds are out in full force… sometimes becoming so dense that you can’t even move.

The good news is there’s a solution… but you probably won’t like it. And that’s to get up obscenely early. Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and the John Lennon Wall, in particular, are sights to see sunrise-early before the hordes of crowds descend.

I know! There are few activities I love more than sleeping in, so trust that I’m not making this recommendation lightly… but I promise your experience will be 100x better for it.

13. Lower your expectations for the Astronomical Clock show

The clock itself is gorgeous, but I think a lot of people hear about the show and expect it to be a super big or exciting thing, when in reality, it’s actually very low-key and lasts less than a minute.

… so yes, don’t have crazy expectations for it, and don’t stress over planning your entire itinerary around it.

14. Beware that viral Instagram hotspots can often be underwhelming in real life

Like a lot of places, Prague has certain spots that are supremely photogenic and therefore hyped up beyond belief on social media, resulting in massive line-ups to see them…

Unfortunately, these spots can end up disappointing a lot of visitors because they look better in pictures than in reality.

Some examples include…

The Infinity Book Tower (Idiom) at the Municipal Library of Prague – which is mainly just a photo opp that uses a mirror to create an illusion of infinite books. In real life it’s pretty short and apparently there’s absurd line-ups to go see it and take the picture below, which I don’t think is worth it.

Another expectations vs. reality moment can be found at the beautiful Clementinum Library. While the library itself is gorgeous and the view from the top is very nice, you can’t actually walk inside the library… so you just kind of wistfully gaze at it from afar and meekly snap a photo – which is a bit of a let down if you don’t expect it.

I think it’s the same for the Strahov Monastery Library as well, UNLESS you book a guided tour, which I believe allows you to actually walk through the library rooms, so be sure to look into that.

15. There is SO much more to Prague than the main must-sees!

Of course, when you’re in Prague you do need to see Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, and the Astronomical Clock.. but there’s way more than that! 

Some great spots I can recommend include… 

Prague’s Jerusalem Synagogue, which is decked out with amazing Moorish/Art Nouveau architecture. Honestly, one of the most stunning buildings I’ve ever visited, and only a handful of fellow visitors drooling with me.

There’s also Vyšehrad Castle, the lesser-known hilltop castle/fortress in Prague with equally stunning views as Prague Castle but 1/100th of the crowds. It’s also home to an amazing cemetery that acts as the final resting place of many famous Czechs.

Another fun one is the Lucerna Passage, which has a fun rooftop bar accessible by an old school Paternoster elevator, plus a quirky statue of King Wenceslas riding an upside down horse. There’s also a nice café where you can have a beer overlooking said horse.

And yes, if you have time, it’s worth venturing out of the central tourist core as well to see some other nice neighbourhoods. Karlín and Vinohrady are both known to be super cool, as is Letná, which is known for its gorgeous park.

If you want more details, be sure to check out my full things to do in Prague guide.

If you’re on a budget though, do note that…

16. There are many free things to do in Prague that are worth checking out

In addition to admiring the amazing architecture, some fun free stuff to do in Prague includes…

• Checking out the many public artworks of iconic Czech artist David Černý. I warn you some are weird!
• Visiting churches like the Church of Our Lady Victorious, where you can see the Infant Jesus and all his cute outfits
• Wandering through the Wallenstein Garden  
• Visiting some museums like the Army Museum of Žižkov and the Prague Aviation Museum

On that note, another tip of mine is…

17. Don’t miss some of Prague’s cool museums (and know which to avoid)

There are many tourist trap museums in Prague. I mean, ultimately if you’re interested in the topic, maybe it’s not a tourist trap but there are some that are just very clearly cash grabs that don’t have a ton to do with the city at all – like the Museum Of Prague Ghosts and Legends, the Museum of Torture and Torture Instruments, and the World of Banksy, which is apparently unauthorized and just copies of Banksy’s work.

On the flip side though, there are some very cool museums that I feel like fly under the radar.

One in particular that I love is the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, which has this awesome airship installation that you can walk in.

The national museums are also meant to be very good.

18. Make sure you do the math before buying a sightseeing card

Apart from the cringey name, at first glance the Prague CoolPass, to me, feels very expensive for what it is, considering many of the top attractions in Prague are actually free to look at. So as I would always recommend with sightseeing passes, do the math and see how many paid sights you’re actually gonna go to before you just blindly pay for a pass like this. 

It would likely end up being cheaper just paying out of pocket for the few paid sights you did actually want to see. 

19. Avoid dining on/close to major sights as they are mainly tourist traps

This is especially true for food stalls that are in the Old Town Square.

A very common tourist trap here is that they’ll list prices for food based on 100g amounts, so it seems cheap, but then they load your plate up with tons of heavy food and it ends up costing a fortune.

So be very careful – I’d personally avoid these stalls altogether but if you want to try them, always confirm the price first.

And honestly, just as a rule of thumb, anything that’s super close to the Old Town Square or Prague Castle is likely to at least be overpriced if not downright awful, so dine a few streets away from touristy spots at minimum to save yourself a lot of stress. And always check reviews beforehand!

Generally, any restaurant that advertises its “TRADITIONAL CZECH MENU” is gonna be geared towards tourists, and make sure you double check the itemized bill before paying because, apparently, some scammy restaurants will take liberties with “mistakes” on the bill. 

20. Any pretzels or bread on the table are not free – they will charge you!

This isn’t necessarily a scam, but it can catch a lot of first timers off guard.

In some places they might leave pretzels or bread on the table when you arrive, and so you might assume that these things are on the house, but actually they will charge you for them. So don’t take any if you don’t want to pay for them!

21. Beware that Trdelnik AKA chimney cakes aren’t actually Czech

Everywhere you go in Prague, you’ll see stalls selling these beautiful spinning pastries dusted in cinnamon and sugar, sometimes with way more toppings or even used as an ice cream cone. 

But unfortunately, these ubiquitous chimney cakes aren’t a traditional local delicacy – their roots are actually Hungarian, not traditional Czech. If they claim it is, then it’s probably a tourist trap.

That said, these can taste nice though. Just make sure to get some fresh ones rather than ones that have been sitting out for ages and read reviews beforehand to avoid overpaying. 

If you want to try a sweet treat that’s more local though, Koláč is a nice puffy fruit based pastry that’s well worth a try.

22. Drink plenty of delicious Czech beer while out exploring

Prague is full of amazing places to grab a scenic drink and I think in a city so packed with sights, it’s pretty easy to just jump from attraction to attraction. But to really experience the magic of the city, you need to chill somewhere scenic for a drink.

The best beer gardens with a view include the one in Letna Park and also Na Hradbach at Vysehrad. If you’re feeling for something very unique, you can even bathe in beer at one of Prague’s beer spas. 

In terms of what beer to actually drink, Pilsner Urquell is delicious and sold everywhere, but there are lots of microbreweries these days as well, if you want to branch out.

Do note as well that you’ll see signs for Budweiser everywhere, but it’s actually a local Czech beer produced in České Budějovice, not the American Budweiser. Although, in my opinion, it’s MUCH better than American Budweiser. 

23. Make sure you try plenty of Czech specialties and dishes during your visit

Some great dishes to try include…

• Tatarák, steak tartar usually served with crispy bread and garlic

• Smažený sýr, fried cheese

• Česnečka, a nice garlic soup

• Kulajda, a mushroom soup

• Svíčková, beef served in a creamy veggie sauce

• Pečená kachna, roasted duck 

And lots of dishes that might not be unique to Czech cuisine but are nonetheless delicious like schnitzel, goulash, and sausages.

24. Many absinthe places in the center are tourist traps

Apart from camera-wielding tourists around every corner, perhaps the most ubiquitous sight in Prague are the radioactive green bottles of absinthe in practically every souvenir shop window haunting the historic centre.

But hey, in case you didn’t know, real absinthe is definitely not the colour of mouthwash, so be careful with these.

If you’re looking for actual Czech absinthe, I’ve heard good things about the St Antoine Absinthe from Zufanek, but generally, absinthe is considered to be a touristy thing and isn’t something that locals are constantly drinking for fun.

25. Lemonades (limonady) here refer to sparkling water and juice/syrup

Now, in terms of non alcoholic drinks, something niche to keep in mind is that if you order limonady, you’ll get a mix of sparkling water and juice or syrup, not just lemons.

So don’t order lemonade assuming you’ll get a North American style lemonade – ask them what flavours they have and prepare for it to be fizzy.

26. Diversify your meals with some international options

Prague is a big city with lots of great food options beyond just traditional Czech food, so be sure to branch out if you get tired of eating non-stop traditional dishes.

If you get a craving for Asian food which I always do, there’s actually a pretty sizeable Vietnamese population in Prague, so it has a great reputation for excellent Vietnamese cuisine. Definitely something to not pho-get during your visit!

27. Familiarize yourself with common scams and general tourist traps

Unfortunately, there are a number of tourist traps these days targeting the many visitors that come through Prague. Some to keep an eye out for include…

1 – Any concerts being sold by costumed touts on the street. If you want a concert experience, then look up tickets directly through your venue of choice, like the Rudolfinum, which is a very popular choice.

2 – Any photo opps with people in costume. 99% of the time they’ll ask you for a tip and even be aggressive about it if you decline.

3 – Any street games or challenges – a popular one is the bar that you have to hold onto for a chance to win money, or the cup and ball game. You’re never gonna win those, they’re just there to take your money.

4 – Anybody asking you to sign a petition, because once you sign, they’ll hassle you for a donation or use the petition as a way to distract you while they pick your pockets.

5 – Nightlife scams – where attractive people will chat you up and bring you to a bar where you’ll pay insane money for drinks and can’t leave until the tab is paid. 

And just in general, as I said before, you should have a rough idea of the conversion rate and understand how much stuff is roughly meant to cost so that you don’t blindly accept ridiculous prices. Prague might not be the super budget friendly destination it once was, but a beer should never cost you more than 80 CZK, for instance.

28. Make sure you have a bit of cash on you, although most places do accept card

While places in Prague are increasingly card friendly these days, some spots like little food stalls or smaller attractions will only accept or would far prefer cash. 

But, do be careful about where you get this cash from. I would stick to official Bank ATMs, avoiding the Euronet ones at all costs because they can be quite scammy in charging extra fees.

And when you pay with card, do always make sure to select the local currency as well, otherwise you could be charged extra fees and a bad conversion rate.

29. Do not exchange money at sketchy currency exchange places

Going along with the above point – don’t try to exchange your money at those sketchy looking currency exchange shops.

These are notoriously scammy establishments – Honest Guide has tons of videos exposing them, and you’re really not likely to get a good deal at them, so avoid at all costs.

30. Tipping around 10% or rounding up is sufficient – tipping culture isn’t huge

In terms of tipping in Prague, you don’t need to tip by North American standards, but it’s expected and customary to tip a little bit – generally rounding up or giving 10%.

The way you do this in Prague is by telling the server how much you want to pay in total, with the tip included. This way they will put that total into the card machine, or give you change with that amount in mind.

31. Expect to pay 10-20 CZK for the use of public toilets in Prague (& bring coins)

Yes, unfortunately you do need to pay a small fee to use public bathrooms in Prague, so make sure you have some small coins for this purpose, though bathrooms in shopping malls tend to be free.

32. Learn a few basics in Czech 

Overall, no stress learning a bunch of Czech ahead of time as English will get you by in most touristy places, but making an effort is important, especially because Prague unfortunately gets some really rude tourists who just treat it like a party town.

Dobrý den works as a greeting any time of day and děkuji is thank you.

I hope this list of Prague travel tips was helpful!

Let me know in the comments if you have any more to add.