How to experience the best of Prague in 24 hours

13 days before I visited Prague I was doing what I do best – browsing flights. I found a set of cheap flights to and from Prague, a city i’d never been to and a country i’d never visited. No overthinking, no second-guessing-i booked them right then and there.

With my flight schedule set, I was due to arrive in Prague at 9:00 AM on Monday, with my return flight taking off just over 25 hours later at 10:10 AM on Tuesday. After factoring in airport transfers, being at the airport early for check-in as well as the time i’d be spending asleep, I had less than 24 hours to explore the city. Not a lot of time, but that’s all part of the adventure!

I hadn’t done much research prior to my visit, my aims were to explore as much as possible without a set itinerary and spend as little money as possible.

Arrival into Prague:

Landing into Prague Vaclav Havel Airport I was greeted with a thick blanket of fog which got me thinking was I even going to see the city at all.

One of the only things I had researched before arriving was how to get to and from the airport to the city. I wanted to make sure there were options available that weren’t going to cost a fortune and were also relatively straight forward to do. Short answer – it is both cheap and straight forward. I took a bus directly from the airport terminal to the outskirts of the city, with one quick change to the metro I was in the city centre before i knew it.

Read my post on how to get from Prague Airport to the City Centre here:

I chose to get off the metro at the stop Malostranská, this was a spontaneous decision when I got on the metro and saw a picture above the station name and thought that was solid reasoning for doing so.

First Impressions of Prague

Stepping out of the metro at Malostranská, thankfully the fog had lifted and I was immediately hit by the sun on this clear winters morning.

Right in front of the metro station was a buzzing city scene. I headed past the tram stop over the road to a small green space over the other side of the road. There was a row of colourful buildings in a typical European architecture style. From here I turned round and spotted what turned out to be Prague Castle on the hill. Getting a high vantage point whenever I visit a new place is the perfect starting point.

I headed up a gentle incline until towards the top you pass under a couple of archways and eventually turn a corner. Upon doing so i said two words out-loud that I will not be repeating on here. I actually went back to capture the moment on video – watch it below and you’ll probably figure out my exact reaction as I was not expecting it at all.

Prague Castle and Cathedral

I am joking when I say I was not expecting it but my word its an impressive building. I stood there admiring it before I walked round the side to find an entrance. Naively I stood in the queue at the doors thinking it was free to enter, when I got closer to the front and saw people scanning tickets at the turnstiles i quickly turned round and headed back out. Directly opposite the entrance is a ticket office which I did not see beforehand. Its a busy office with a few ticketing options. Unfortunately it did not seem you can buy entrance for just the cathedral, you have to purchase a ‘Main Circuit ticket’ which includes entrance to 4 exhibitions including the cathedral. It cost 450 CZK (£14.95). A fee I did not plan on paying as I only wanted to see the cathedral.

Inside is absolutely stunning and worth the entrance fee. The stained glass windows are very impressive and it helped having the sun beaming down on them from behind which brought out the vibrant colours. The other exhibitions was also interesting especially the Golden Lane which is rich in history.

On my way out I got lucky and overheard an American tour guide saying the changing of the guards would shortly be happening outside the gate entrance at noon. There was quite a crowd so get there early if you want a front row view.

After the castle, I wandered further along to Petřín Hill which is a lovely open green space as well as having great panoramic views over the city. Having descended from the top I did what anyone visiting Prague should do, especially on a sunny day – stroll along the river.

Prague is a city best explore on foot and I soaked up every moment. Walking along the Vltava River which runs through the centre of Prague was pure magic, both sides are lined with buildings that have stunning architectural designs.

There are apparently 13 islands on the Vltava River running through Prague. One of them called Střelecký island, this is a sizeable island which is a nice break from the noise of the city, providing sweeping views either side. There I spotted a beaver! Or so I thought, turns out it was most likely a Muskrat (any wildlife experts, please confirm the mystery).

No trip to Prague is complete without crossing Charles Bridge. It was packed with tourists but that added to the charm. I spent a while meandering to both sides looking over and taking in the views up and down the river. I first walked over it as the sun was low in the sky and a second time in the evening after the sun had set. Both times were unique but just as good!

Walking around and along the bridge I noticed lots of people carrying around what looked like ice cream. Either ends of the bridge are small shops producing these treats. They are called Trdelník, a hollow, spiral shaped pastry that can be filled with ice cream or other sweet toppings. I went for a classic vanilla ice cream version which was 130 CZK (£4.30). Delicious? Very. Filling? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

Following the crowd from the bridge, I found myself in Old Town Square, where the famous Astronomical Clock sits. This is the kind of the place you could sit around and people watch for hours while you soak in the atmosphere.

Searching for accommodation in Prague I came across a hostel for 175CZK (£5.80). For that price I had little expectations.

The hostel is situated a 30 minute tram ride from the city centre. Walking up from the tram stop I was shocked to see a 21-story high-rise. Not your typical hostel I was expecting! My room was on the 10th floor, and the view alone was worth what I paid. The bed was comfy, the room was good, a clean private en-suite and shower was more than okay for just the one night. The staff spoke excellent English and were very helpful.

if you don’t mind the short hop into the city and the occasional wait for the lift then this ultra-budget option is perfect. Affordable, comfortable and views unlike any other.

Honestly? Yes and No – That doesn’t help anything does it.

Yes, because in one day you can cover a huge amount – especially if you’re an early riser and explore on foot. You’d be surprised how much you can see in a short time. In my 24 hours, I managed to visit many of Prague’s most famous attractions, and if your goal is to see just a few key sights/attractions, then one day is absolutely enough.

No, because Prague deserves to be explored at a leisurely pace. To fully appreciate its charm, history and all that Prague has to offer you need more than just a day.

Overall, i’m glad I made the trip, even for a short visit. Prague is a fantastic city which I definitely recommend a visit – no matter what time of the year.