Steeped in spellbinding history, overflowing with whimsical charm, and bursting with all kinds of things to see and do, Prague is one of the most interesting cities in the world. Whether you’ve got a fondness for fairytale-like castles, love exploring hidden alleyways, or just want a good beer, you’ll never run short of things to do in Prague!

From world-famous landmarks like Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock, and St. Vitus Cathedral to more offbeat attractions, like cozy cat cafes, alchemy museums, and thought-provoking outdoor art, Prague’s sights will keep you riveted from the moment you step foot on the city’s cobblestone streets. Toss into the mix a huge bar scene and some of the most delicious food you’ve ever tasted, and Prague will become a mesmerizing city you’ll want to return to year after year. 

With so many fantastic things to see and do in the Czech capital, it can be a challenge to know where to begin. To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a list of the top things to do in Prague. Add these fun activities to your Prague bucket list, and you’ll have an amazing time exploring one of Europe’s most fascinating cities! 

Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 15 Best Things to do in Prague

15 cool and unique things to do in Prague

1. Take a Sunset Stroll Over Charles Bridge

Charles Bridge is one of the best sights in Prague, and it’s at its most spectacular just as the sun is setting. The 14th-century bridge is the oldest of its kind that stretches over the Vltava River, connecting the Old Town with Malá Strana. Much more than a means of getting from point A to B, the medieval structure is a work of art!

The Czech Republic’s second-oldest bridge features 16 pillars decorated with eye-catching statues and motifs. Each statue commemorates someone important from the city’s past, such as the statue of St. John of Nepomuk, who was said to have been tortured to death after refusing to divulge the queen’s secrets.

Charles Bridge is constantly teeming with people. As well as locals and workers, you’ll find it full of people selling everything from classic souvenirs to artwork and their own music. It’s a great place to take a stroll and watch people perform and create right in front of your eyes. 

Visit during sunset for the chance to see Old Town and Malá Strana bathed in dazzling golden light while small boats cruise along the river below you.

2. Check Out the Second-Ugliest Building in the World

If you’re into obscure attractions, don’t miss the chance to check out the Zizkov Tower. Voted the second-ugliest building in the world, the Zizkov Tower is a simple TV tower in the Zizkov neighborhood. It stands over 700 feet tall, making it the tallest building in Prague, and has the highest viewing platform in the Czech Republic.

Go up into the tower and head for one of the three capsules for the most incredible view of the city. On a clear day, you can see for over 60 miles! 

Each capsule has a different theme. The first acts as an introduction to the World Federation of Great Towers, the second is full of Instagram-worthy bubble chairs, and the third exhibits a selection of pieces from local artists.

For dinner with a view, make a reservation at the tower’s restaurant. It’s a stunning venue that invites you to soak up the sparkling cityscape while indulging in gourmet food from all around the world.

3. Dress Up at the Bohemian Carnevale

One of the most unique things to do in Prague in spring is to dress up and take part in the Bohemian Carnevale. Known as Masopust in Prague, the colorful festival takes place in the weeks leading up to Lent and features a jam-packed program with something for everyone.

For many, the highlight of the event is the masquerade parade. Similar to the one held in Venice, Italy, Prague’s masquerade parade starts in Old Town and winds its way past the city’s most important landmarks, museums, and art galleries. 

People dressed in all kinds of outlandish costumes march through the streets accompanied by music, getting everyone in the mood to celebrate. Find the most extravagant outfit you can, and join in on the fun!

As well as the parade, the city also celebrates with masked balls, children’s activities, live music performances, food and drink stalls, puppet shows, street parties, and firework displays. Loads of restaurants also take part, offering wine tasting sessions and special menus just for the festival.

4. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with a Trdelník

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, one of the must-do things in Prague is to treat yourself to a trdelník. Known as a “chimney cake” in English, this sweet snack is the perfect thing to give you a boost of energy after a morning spent sightseeing.

Trdelník can be as simple or as lavish as you like. You’ll see stalls all over Old Town selling the classic dessert at its most basic – delicate pastry wrapped into the shape of a chimney, cooked over an open fire, and coated in sugar. Some sellers will also sprinkle them with nuts, dip them in melted chocolate, or fill them with Nutella!

For a truly amazing trdelník, head to the Good Food Coffee & Bakery. This amazing place sells every kind of trdelník you could ever imagine, from trdelník stuffed with strawberries and topped with chocolate whipped cream to trdelník loaded with activated carbon ice cream and topped with horns. They even sell savory versions stuffed with chili shrimp or mac and cheese.

5. Get Lost in Malá Strana

Malá Strana, also known as Lesser Town, is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Prague. Founded in 1257, it’s brimming with ancient buildings and monuments which have been incredibly well preserved. The Church of St. Nicholas, Wallenstein Garden, and KGB Museum are all worth a visit, but our favorite thing to do in this neighborhood is simply to wander around and see where we end up.

Pastel-colored houses, tiny shops selling gingerbread, hidden passageways leading to secret gardens, and poignant artwork designed to make you think can all be found in this magical district. 

If you’re a fan of controversial works, stop by the Franz Kafka Museum. One of the coolest things to do in Prague, a trip around the gallery will open up your eyes to one of the most influential people in Czech history. 

It contains original letters, photos, newspaper excerpts, and videos from his life. Outside the museum, you’ll also get the chance to admire an amusing piece of David Cerny’s work.

6. Watch the Astronomical Clock Put on a Show

The Astronomical Clock is one of the most iconic Prague attractions. Each time it strikes, hundreds of people crowd around the clock to watch it – make sure you’re one of them! The famous landmark is on the south side of the Old Town Hall in the Old Town Square, and each hour the clock strikes between 9 am and 11 pm, everyone below is treated to a remarkable show.

On the hour, the 12 apostles begin moving in procession, while other statues also appear to come to life. Keep an eye out for the skeleton rings, the hourglass revealing that time’s up, and Death ringing his bell. Even if you miss the clock striking, it’s still a magnificent thing to see.

Well over 600 years old, Prague’s Astronomical Clock is one of the oldest working astronomical clocks in the world. As well as being able to tell the time, the clock’s fascinating details mean it can tell the position of the sun and moon, the date, zodiacal information, and astronomical information.

7. Fill Up on Svíčková with Dumplings

The Czech Republic is known for its hearty cuisine, and one of the most soul-warming, comforting dishes in the country is svíčková. This classic Czech staple is made up of thick slices of beef sirloin smothered in a root vegetable-based sauce, topped with cranberry sauce, and finished off with a dollop of cream – all served with steamed bread dumplings.

It sounds like an unusual mix of flavors, but when done well, it’s the perfect combination of sweet, savory, creamy, and meaty. It’s also a fantastic way to warm up if you’re visiting Prague during one of the colder months.

You’ll find svíčková on practically every restaurant menu. It’s great from Lokal, a chain of budget-friendly restaurants that specialize in classic Czech dishes and amazing beer. 

The restaurants are also open really late – up until midnight. For something a bit more sophisticated, try it at Cafe Imperial where you can enjoy the emblematic dish in beautiful Habsburg-era surroundings.

8. Marvel at the Incredible St. Vitus Cathedral

You can see the top of St. Vitus Cathedral from all over Prague, but it’s worth getting up close to really appreciate its true beauty. Built over 600 years ago, the structure is one of the most intricately detailed in all of Europe, with a stunning façade that you can really lose yourself in. Step inside the cathedral, and the building becomes even more hypnotic.

The inside of St. Vitus Cathedral is blanketed in bright colors due to the many stained glass windows created by local artists at the start of the 20th century. Here you can see a wood crucifixion sculpture by František Bílek, the giant south window depicting the Last Judgement by Max Švabinský, and a small panel showing St. Vitus being tortured with boiling oil.

Make time to visit the Chapel of St. Wenceslas. It’s the largest and most beautiful of the cathedral’s side chapels and is decorated with gilded panels dotted with semiprecious stones.

9. Get Tipsy at the Czech Beer Festival

One of the most fun things to do in Prague is to join in on the Czech Beer Festival. The Czech Republic drinks more beer per capita than anywhere else in the world, so you just know Prague is capable of throwing awesome beer festivals.

The Czech Beer Festival is held over 17 days each May in Letna and provides you with an unbeatable way of getting to know the local beers and dishes. The entire event is cashless – everything you get is tallied up onto a card, which you pay for at the end of the day. You’re free to wander from tent to tent, ordering whatever you like and enjoying it wherever you please. 

There are around 200 different beers to try made from smaller regional and family-run breweries, as well as the big names. To add to the atmosphere, live bands play throughout the event, and it’s common for people to get up and dance – especially the more they drink!

For extra special treatment, head for the VIP area. Here you can have all your food and drinks served to you at your table without having to worry about finding a seat.

10. Tour the Museum of Alchemists and Magicians of Old Prague

Unlike any museum you’ve ever visited in your life, the Museum of Alchemists and Magicians of Old Prague (Muzeum alchymistů a mágů staré Prahy) invites you to dive into the world of alchemy and learn about the lives of those who found it irresistible.

Hidden down a small street close to Prague Castle, the museum looks into the lives of King Rudolf II, Doctor Faustus, magician Zit, and others who were fascinated by making gold out of simple, valueless materials. Parts of the museum also focus on the occult and dark arts, making for an intriguing visit, whatever your beliefs.

During your tour, you’ll see replica alchemy and occult artifacts, an alchemy lab complete with scrolls and potions, recreations of bizarre magical happenings, a library overflowing with dark recipe books, and a hidden space where dark magic would take place. The tour guides are great fun and add an extra layer of sensationalism to something that’s already pretty outlandish.

11. Cozy Up at a Cat Cafe

Don’t worry if it rains on your vacation. Cuddling up with some kittens at a cat cafe is one of the best things to do in Prague when the weather isn’t going your way. 

Often run by charities, cat cafes are like regular cafes. They’re places you can relax with a coffee and something sweet to nibble on. But unlike regular cafes, they’re home to a handful of cats eager for love!

Cat Cafe Prague is one of the best. You pay a small fee to enter for a set amount of time, and in return, you get as much tea, coffee, water, and snacks as you like. The place is huge and provides plenty of space for the resident cats to live in, as well as countless toys and quiet spaces where they can go to escape.

Even if you’re not particularly into cats, Cat Cafe Prague is still a really cool place to hang out. There are tons of books, board games, and video games to keep you entertained during your visit.

12. Be Mesmerized by the Hlava Franze Kafky

While you’re exploring downtown Prague, take a few minutes out of your schedule to admire the Hlava Franze Kafky. Created by David Cerny, the unique sculpture is designed to reflect the ever-turning pieces of Franz Kafka’s life. The novelist was plagued by depression and self-doubt, and the sculpture does a great job of helping you understand the torment he went through.

Hlava Franze Kafky is made up of 42 different mirrored layers, which each rotate individually. Using gears inspired by traditional Czech clockwork, the piece moves constantly and can be hypnotic once you start watching. For a second or two, you get to see Franz Kafka’s full face before the layers start to twist and it disappears.

It wasn’t until after his death that Franz Kafka became one of the Czech Republic’s most celebrated novelists. The statue is placed close to the insurance company where he spent most of his time working before he died of starvation caused by laryngeal tuberculosis, making it too painful for him to eat.

13. Dig into a Giant Pork Knuckle

It might sound a bit unconventional, but devouring a giant pork knuckle (known locally as pečené vepřové koleno) is one of the most delicious things to do in Prague. This ancient dish dates back to the 11th century when hunters would marinate the knuckle of a wild boar they had shot before baking it until succulent and juicy.

Today, pork knuckles are most often marinated in beer and spices for 12 to 24 hours before being slowly roasted in an oven. In Prague, they’re commonly served with mustard, horseradish, and freshly-baked bread, but you can also sometimes find them served with stewed cabbage and potatoes.

Pork knuckle is available in almost every Czech restaurant in Prague. Restaurace Mlejnice does a particularly excellent version, with meat so soft it literally falls off the bone. Pork’s is another fantastic place to give it a try. Here, the dish is easily large enough to serve two people and comes with a tasty mustard dip.

14. Go on a Boozy Pub Crawl

If you don’t have to be up early in the morning and you’re wondering what to do in Prague, sign up for a pub crawl! The beer in Prague is shockingly cheap, so even if you don’t have much of a budget to work with, you can still afford a night on the town.

If you’re traveling with others, you can easily organize your own pub crawl by hopping from bar to bar. Prague is full of great places to grab a drink, from cheap and cheerful spots like Hany Bar, which serves beer for less than $1, to more exotic venues like U Sedmi Švábů, which serves different types of mulled wine.

For something more structured, there are organized pub crawls, which take place throughout Prague every night. Each tour company offers its own packages, but most include free entry to some of the city’s coolest bars and clubs, as well as loads of free drinks and shots.

Book your Pub Crawl

15. Leave Your Mark on the Lennon Wall

The Lennon Wall, an artistic tribute to the Beatles member, used to be one of the top Prague sightseeing spots. But over the years, the colors have started to fade and the original work of art has since seen better days. The wall is still worth a visit, though, especially if you bring some basic art supplies and add to it yourself.

The wall is covered in paintings of the Beatles, along with song lyrics and quotes from the members. It was created in the 1980s and has gradually become a place for all kinds of graffiti. Every inch of the wall is covered with a variety of impressions, from simple things like people’s names all the way to strong political opinions on international topics.

Although the wall has been painted over several times, artists continue to return and add their mark again. Sometimes, you’ll see street musicians performing Beatles’ songs in front of the wall, giving the place an eerie, mournful atmosphere.

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Prague. What’s your favorite thing to do in Prague? 

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