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Charles Bridge over the Vltava with Prague Castle above

No. 32 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

Prague

Czech Republic

Spires, bridges and a castle above the Vltava, with Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau streets.

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Photo: Godot13, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Prague is No. 32 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. The Czech capital on the Vltava River has one of Europe's best-preserved historic centres, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.

Its skyline of spires is crowned by Prague Castle, one of the largest castle complexes in the world. The city is also known for its beer, classical music and lively café culture.

Old Town Square and the Týn Church, Prague
Old Town Square and the Týn Church, Prague. Photo: Tadeáš Gregor, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Best time to go

April to June and September to October bring mild weather. Summer is warm and very crowded in the centre.

Christmas markets fill Old Town Square from late November. Winter is cold but atmospheric.

Top sights

  • 1

    Prague Castle

    The vast castle complex includes St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace and the tiny houses of Golden Lane.

  • 2

    Charles Bridge

    The stone bridge, begun in 1357, is lined with Baroque statues. Visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

  • 3

    Old Town Square

    Surrounded by the Týn Church and colourful facades, with the medieval Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Hall.

  • 4

    Josefov

    The Jewish Quarter has historic synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery, managed by the Jewish Museum in Prague.

  • 5

    Malá Strana

    The Lesser Town below the castle has Baroque palaces, gardens and St Nicholas Church.

  • 6

    Petřín Hill

    A funicular climbs to gardens and a lookout tower with views over the city.

  • 7

    Vyšehrad

    A hilltop fortress with a cemetery where Dvořák and Smetana are buried, and views over the river.

Getting there

Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) is about 17 km west of the centre. The Airport Express bus runs to the main railway station, and city buses connect to the metro at Nádraží Veleslavín.

Praha hlavní nádraží (the main station) has trains from Germany, Austria, Poland and Slovakia.

Getting around

The metro, trams and buses are cheap and frequent. Buy tickets from machines or the PID Lítačka app, and validate paper tickets before you travel.

The historic centre is compact and best seen on foot, but the streets are cobbled and hilly.

Practical tips

Currency
Czech koruna (CZK); the euro is not the official currency. Cards are widely accepted. Avoid street money changers, and pay in korunas if a card machine offers a currency conversion.
Language
Czech. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Safety
Prague is generally safe; watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and on trams. The emergency number is 112.
Visa & entry
The Czech Republic is in the Schengen Area. Many visitors, including citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) now records non-EU travellers' entries and exits at the border, and the ETIAS travel authorisation is due to follow. Check the official EU site travel-europe.europa.eu and your own government's travel advice before you go.
Power
230 V, 50 Hz; plug types C and E.

Official information: Prague City Tourism (official tourism website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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