Do you only have one day in Prague? Don’t worry! That is still plenty of time to enjoy the best things to do in Prague.
Prague is the capital city of Czechia, (formerly the Czech Republic). Known as the “City of a Hundred Spires,” the Vltava River flows through it.
With history, culture, and fun attractions, Prague is full of surprises and waiting to be explored. There are amazing churches, beautiful architecture, and chances to step back in time.
I have been to Prague and know you will love it as much as I did!
Prague offers quite a bit to those visiting. While my suggestions may seem a bit ambitious for one day, they are meant to inform you of all that is Prague.
Feel free to arrange my recommendations in any way that works best for you. Your interests and budget will determine which locations you will visit and which to skip.
When you visit Prague in 1 day, you will have to prioritize your must-see places so your itinerary does not become overwhelming.
Wondering where is Prague? It is located in central Czechia, formally the Czech Republic, which hugs eastern Germany above Austria.
If your visit to Prague is longer, check out my 2 days in Prague itinerary.
Keep reading for what to see in Prague in one day!
One Day in Prague: The Ultimate Itinerary
Stroll The Charles Bridge
The Vltava River bisects the lovely city of Prague. It is a wonderful place to begin your trip when visiting Prague.
Although 15 bridges span the Vltava River, Charles Bridge is the oldest and most famous. Completed in 1402, the pedestrian Charles Bridge is lined with statues of Catholic saints.
It is much more than simply a river crossing, as you will find out on your one day in Prague.
Charles Bridge lures tourists, street performers, and vendors. More than just crossing the river, it is an event!
The 1,700-foot span takes you past 30 bronze sculptures. The first sculpture added was a bronze crucifix. Charles Bridge has 16 sandstone arches that add to its charm as well.
At either end of Charles Bridge are the fortified towers that once protected Prague.
You can tour either, the Old Town Bridge Tower or the Lesser Town Bridge Tower with an admission ticket. I suggest you purchase tickets online to avoid lines.
Musicians and entertainers keep the mood at a festival-like level. Vendors of all kinds sell their wares and food to tempt you.
The Vltava River is beautiful to see as well. For epic Prague sightseeing, consider taking a boat tour.
Book Here: Prague: 45-Minute Historical River Cruise and Refreshments
Explore The Prague Castle Complex
High above Prague and the Vltava River, the Prague Castle Complex has a long and interesting history. It is a complex of palaces, courtyards, churches, and pretty streets all spread out on Hradcany Hill.
Designated as a World UNESCO destination, the Prague Castle Complex is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and of course, in Prague itself.
Interestingly, the Prague Palace is the working office of the President of Czechia and his living residence as well. This is highly unusual.
If you are starting your one day in Prague by heading straight for the Prague Castle Complex, there are several tram stops and metro stations that will transport you very close.
It is a simple walk from the Charles Bridge, but there’s a lot of walking up the hill. That said, it is a very popular way to get to the castle.
There is an admission fee to enter all of the buildings once you are inside the complex. It is worth it as this is a Prague must-do!
Tickets are sold in several configurations, depending on your budget, interests, and time limit. Options are Saint Vitus Cathedral, Saint George Basilica, and the Picture Gallery Museum.
There is plenty to see within the Prague Castle Complex, even without purchasing tickets. At the top of every hour, you can see the formal and very ceremonial Changing of the Guard.
Book Here: Prague Castle: Small Group Tour with Local Guide & Admission
Book Here: Prague Castle 2.5-Hour Tour Including Admission Ticket
Visit The Golden Lane
When exiting the Prague Castle Complex, walk through the Golden Lane. It is a cluster of old-world modest dwellings.
Situated adjacent to the complex, it is thought that servants and trade smiths once lived there.
Today, however, local crafters and artisans sell their wares in cute little houses. The individual homes are all lovely pastel colors set side-by-side with one another.
They make the perfect backdrop for that perfect Insta-worthy picture!
Flying into Prague? Read how to avoid getting sick on a plane for my tips on remaining healthy.
Do Not Miss Old Town Prague
An absolute must is visiting Prague’s Old Town Square where you will find some of the city’s most iconic attractions.
A mecca for locals and tourists alike, here you will find many of Czechia’s amazing architecture and history packed tightly together. When visiting Prague in one day, you have to explore this square.
The Church of Our Lady Before Tyn has been the primary church in Prague since the 14th century. Its inspiring Gothic architecture dominates the skyline. It is instantly recognizable by its two massive spires.
Baroque architecture is my personal favorite, so we spent some time in St. Nicholas Church. The magnificent interior defies description.
The Prague Astronomical Clock has an almost festival-like atmosphere around it most of the day and evening that swells before the clock chimes at the top of each hour.
The animation and chiming take about thirty seconds heightened by the figures that travel around the top of the clock. The Prague Astronomical Clock is the third oldest in existence and should not be missed.
The view from the Old Town Hall is a Prague must-see as well if you are not afraid of heights!
If you are looking for top things to do in Prague at night, there are plenty of bars, cafes, and restaurants here. Many of them provide outdoor patio seating on the square.
Book Here: Prague: Old Town Hall & Astronomical Clock Entrance Ticket
Book Here: Prague: 3-Hour Walking Tour of Old Town & Prague Castle
Find Glittering Bohemian Crystal
In the mountains of Bohemia in Czechia, the most beautiful crystal is produced. It gleams and shines in all the shops all over Prague.
There are different qualities of Bohemian crystal to purchase at different price ranges to fit your budget. Shopkeepers do barter, so do not pay full price. Haggle a little beforehand.
I purchased a crystal vase and once back home regretted I had not bought more. It is just that beautiful.
If you want a great souvenir to remember your 1 day in Prague, buy some colorful glass to showcase in your house.
Check Out The Jewish Quarter (Josefov)
Prague’s historic Jewish Quarter hosts several significant sites worth seeing.
Located between Prague Old Town and the Vltava River, it used to be referred to as the Jewish ghetto.
You can see the Spanish Synagogue and the Old-New Synagogue, Europe’s oldest active synagogue.
The Old Jewish Cemetery is an unforgettable sight. There are 12,000 visible graves with countless souls buried below.
Due to space limitations, graves needed to be placed on top of one another, sometimes as many as twelve layers deep.
There are tickets required to enter these places, so check for availability online.
Book Here: Prague: Jewish Quarter Walking Tour with Admission Tickets
Book Here: Prague: Old Town and Jewish Quarter Tour
See The Infant Jesus Of Prague
You will find the Infant Jesus of Prague located inside Our Lady of Victorious Church in Prague.
It is commonly also known as the Infant of Jesus of Prague Church and is a fine example of Baroque architecture. This is one of the most unique places to see in Prague.
Tradition has it throughout history many miracles and extraordinary events were attributed to praying to the Infant Jesus.
The statue arrived in Prague, was broken during a war, forgotten, and then restored. Many graces have been bestowed and it is now called the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague.
Seeing the stunning Baroque side altars and the majestic main altar is rewarding too.
This church should be a consideration on your one day in Prague itinerary.
Where to Stay in Prague
As a major tourist city, there are a ton of places to stay in Prague for all budgets. If you visit for more than a day trip to Prague, you will want a nice hotel where you can unwind after exploring.
Affordable Apartments Close to Old Town: Cathedral Prague Apartments. Check Rates: Booking.com
Mid-Range Hotel With a Beautiful Style: The Julius Prague. Check Rates: Booking.com
Luxury Hotel With Many Amenities: The Grand Mark Prague. Check Rates: Booking.com
Packing Tips
Here are my tips on How To Pack Lightly that I hope will help when it comes time to pack!
This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind.
These RFID sleeves would be a solution. This configuration comes with enough passport and credit card sleeves that the entire family would be protected.
These Bagail packing cubes are the exact ones I use whenever I travel. I cannot believe how much more organized I am now!
This world traveler adapter kit can charge several devices at the same time.
This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.
My daughter gifted me with this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod for my birthday. It is made of lightweight aluminum and is Bluetooth-enabled.
I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. the 18.5-ounce size is perfect for travel and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack or your purse.
Also when filled with water, it is not too heavy to carry. And the replaceable carbon filter ensures fresh clean water whenever you fill the Bobble.
You will want a backpack or daypack with you to store snacks, water bottles, phones, extra clothes, etc. while you are exploring Prague. This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great.
Mostly everyone is familiar with the Skechers brand, and these Air Run high fashion sneakers come in a lot of colors to match your outfits and are still affordable.
If you are visiting Prague in warmer weather, maybe you want a pair of sandals to wear to dinner or to the local cafe, I highly recommend these Vionics adjustable strap orthotic sandals.
We all need to protect our eyes from the sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays. These unisex polarized sunglasses come in a lot of lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable too.
If you are fond of the aviator-style of sunglasses these polarized aviators may interest you.
If you need new luggage to travel to Prague, this expandable soft-side spinner luggage is affordable and comes in lots of colors.
If you like hard-sided better, then you may favor this hard-sided luggage set better. Both sets come with TSA locks and 8 wheels per piece.
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Quick Tips For Your One Day In Prague
UPDATED: Stay vigilant!
Please do not have any preconceptions about who can violate you by stealing your possessions. Stay alert.
Prague is a large European capital city. Pickpocketing is rampant there. Please stay vigilant and watch out for each other.
Do not worry about the language barrier. When we visited, my sister and I knew no Czech words and had no difficulty communicating with the people.
The Czechs know enough English that you will be able to communicate enough for them to understand. There are even translation apps you can download to your phone.
Call your credit card company and check to see if charges foreign transaction fees every time you are out of the country. If it does, inquire about applying for a credit card that does NOT charge such fees.
When using an ATM in Prague, make sure it is in your bank’s network, so you do not incur a transaction fee every time you use a Czech ATM to withdraw money.
Also, consider withdrawing larger amounts of money, fewer times, to limit the transaction fees by your bank, if any.
Whenever you can, purchase advanced tickets to tourist attractions. Tickets purchased online, in advance, are mostly always discounted, and many times come with a “skip the line” perk.
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