The best Prague walking tour can be done on your own, or you may want to book a guided tour from those we recommend.
A day spent walking around Prague is about as fine a day a traveler might imagine. We’d hoarded this day, giving it no specific plans, guarding against all sorts of temptations, and when it came we were ready to design the best Prague walking tour that would fit the time we had available.
Note: You might like our new Prague travel guide. Now available in e-book (Kindle) or paperback format, you can! Click here to buy from Amazon: paperback or e-book (Kindle)
Note: See our comprehensive post: Prague Itinerary Plan: Things to Do in Prague and What Not to Miss (Prague First Timers Guide) for planning your stay.
We were staying at the Clarion Hotel – Old Town using points on this trip, so our room was free. Its location felt ever so slightly out of the way, but this also served as a daily reminder: there was far more to modern-day Prague than we were going to see on this trip. Setting out from the Clarion (the starting point A on this map), we headed down Hradebni to Dlouha, which would angle our way in to Old Town Square.
Dlouha had been described as a “shopping street,” and there were a variety of establishments, high end and mid-range. We were taken with the antique stores whose wares awakened memories of dark fairy tales. There was an underlay of sadness with just a little danger in their energy.
The traditional marionettes wore garish facial expressions, faded fixtures could have been looted from who knows where. Outside, the building facades were ornamented with Baroque details, but the flavoring was still medieval. Even a modern-day sculpture, In Utero by David Cerny, felt a bit threatening in its provocation.
We’d had a late breakfast before starting. As we lingered in front of a restaurant menu for curiosity’s sake, we were approached by an attractive couple who said, “Oh no, please don’t go there, too touristy.”
Instead, we were invited to an early lunch with them at Katr, a block and a half away. We should have gone and had a coffee; I have a feeling it may have been a most interesting conversation. Instead we resumed our walk. Next time there is a serendipitous encounter, I’m going with it.
Prague’s Old Town Square has determined energy. It’s large, the center of things. A vibrant mix of Gothic and Baroque influences, it’s ringed by the Tyn Church, St. Nicholas Cathedral and the Town Hall, which has the famous Astronomical Clock. In the center is the Jan Hus monument.
There are numerous places to while away the hour before the astronomical clock strikes again. We wandered around in a rough circle before setting off toward the Charles Bridge.
When you’re walking around Prague, be aware the neighborhood gets a little rough in certain pockets between Old Town Square and the Bridge. This is one of the oldest parts of Old Town. There was a bit of mayhem here and there, and we saw our first Roma on the approach to the bridge.
King Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor was the grandson of King Wenceslas, appointed by Pope Clement after an alliance with his father, King John the Blind. King Charles reigned over the Golden Age of Bohemia, and is regarded as the father of their country by the Czech people.
Walking around Prague in the cold had done us for a loop when we found a little hidden gem: the Antique Cafe on Thunovska street in what is called the first step of the Lesser Town Castle (item J on the map).
Self-guided walking tour Prague map:
The Mala Strana, or “Lesser Town,” is the district just below the Palace across the Charles Bridge from Old Town. One of its main streets is Nerudova, named for Jan Neruda, the patriotic Czech novelist from the 19th century.
You might like The Three Fiddles restaurant, which is located at Nerudova 12. The building was home to the Edlinger family of violin makers, whose instruments were played by Beethoven among others. We stopped at the restaurant in Zlate Podkovy Aparthouse (“F” on the map) for a hot drink and their famous roasted nuts.
Fortified for the climb to Novy Svet, our favorite street in Prague, we set off again, passing the beautiful Loreto, and then circling back toward the Castle.
Best Prague Walking Tours We Recommend
Consider a guided Walking Food Tour of Prague experience, where you and a small group will experience tastings with beer and wine at five different stops. Or, if you’d prefer, check out the Historic Pubs Tour with Drinks Included (new tour!) where you’ll visit four historically significant pubs.
You might prefer to book a Prague Castle Small Group Tour (best seller!) includes tram and skip the line admission, short security, and expert local guide. Explore St. Vitus’ Cathedral, the Old Palace, St. George’s Basilica and Golden Lane. For skip the line Castle entry tickets good for 2 days, click here.
As the winter afternoon waned, we made our way back towards the Charles Bridge through other historic neighborhoods where diplomats live and embassies flank the government. In no time, we were back across the river and home again. Walking around Prague on this day was a great way to scratch the surface of a new favorite city.
Tips: Sandeman’s free offering is the best free walking tour Prague offers. Choose specific neighborhood tours in the Castle district, such as a tour of Franz Kafka’s neighborhood haunts, or zero in on a tour of Prague’s synagogues and historic Jewish quarter. We chose to take a WWII specific tour a few days later, preferring this opportunity to wander about on our own.
A Kauai friend who lived in Prague recommended additional restaurants and bars pinned on the map. While we didn’t have time to visit them all, they range from edgy club to traditional Czech atmosphere, so there’s something for everyone.
Our Prague walking tour took us a full day from about 10am until about 5pm. We stroll and stop, as you will want to do, too. If you’d prefer one of the best Prague walking tours that takes you around by bus, foot and boat, click here.
Other fun things to do in Prague.
Tips for Trip Success
Book Your Flight
Find an inexpensive flight by using CheapOAir, a favorite of ours because it regularly returns less expensive flight options from a variety of airlines.
Book Your Hotel or Special Accommodation
We are big fans of Booking.com. We like their review system and photos. If we want to see more reviews and additional booking options, we go to TripAdvisor.
You Need Travel Insurance!
Good travel insurance means having total peace of mind. Travel insurance protects you when your medical insurance often will not and better than what you get from your credit card. It will provide comprehensive coverage should you need medical treatment or return to the United States, compensation for trip interruption, baggage loss, and other situations.
PassingThru is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
To view PassingThru’s privacy policy, click here.
We spent several day walking around Praha in the snow – it was a delightful – but I’d like to go back and see the red roofs!
Aloha Lis – we would very much like to return in spring or fall for warmer temperatures, too. But I’d take Prague in any season!
Oh my!!! I fell in love with Prague after reading this post. It looks as fabulous as Paris and Italy put together. Beautiful photos!
Aloha Michelle – we fell in love with Prague, too. A very livable city that felt “just right,” as you say. 🙂
We visited Prague in June when it was probably more crowded than for your visit. We did a paid walking tour that involved the entire group getting on a public tram at some point—to go up part of the hill to the castle, I think. The tour also included lunch at a “typical” Czech restaurant which bordered on awful. It seems as though you had a delightful day.
Aloha Suzanne – Yes, an advantage in winter: no crowds. A shame about your meal. We even enjoyed a touristy medieval dinner with belly and snake dancers! Prague could do us no wrong.
I feel like I’ve taken a virtual walk with you!
Aloha Irene – That was the intention when I began writing about this memorable day. 🙂
What a interesting time frame to visit the city….I would really love to visit this city and country extensive next year, your photos make it so enticing!
Aloha Noel – We were on our way to the Winter Olympics in Sochi on this trip, so it was January or not. Loved it and you will, too.
What an interesting post! I had no idea that marionettes are a tradition in Prague. I’ll watch for them next visit!
Aloha Michele – We didn’t expect marionettes, either. They kind of reminded me of how you see trolls throughout Norway.
The architecture and buildings of Prague look so amazing and your pictures capture what a picturesque beauty this city is. Can’t wait to make my first visit – crossing my fingers and hoping for 2015!
Aloha Anita – Thank you so much. I hope you visit in 2015, too! 🙂
Eastern Europe is on our radar, hopefully within the next year or two. I’ve read so much about Prague, I’m really looking forward to exploring this amazing city. We do a lot of our traveling in winter and find it’s actually a nice quiet time to explore.
Ahhhh… Prague! We believe that walking around as you did is the best way to see her so you can take her in – really feel her! Every corner you turn is a wonderful surprise. Did you guys rub the proper statues on Charles Bridge? The statue of St. John of Nepomuk guarantees a return visit to Prague!
Aloha Veronica – I can tell you we knew before we crossed the bridge on our first day that we’d be visiting again. Pete’s favorite city, and I loved everything about it, too.
One of our favorite cities – thanks for taking me back!
Aloha Anne – Glad you enjoyed one of our favorite memories.
I would so love to visit Prague- thanks for sharing your experience with all those wonderful photos.
Aloha Billie – You’ll love Prague. Make it so! 🙂
My son has been trying to get us to Prague since he visited in high school. With your photo essay of lovely pictures, i’m not sure I need to go now. : ) Really-just bumped it up a few notches on our list!
Aloha Alison – Prague deserves a spot on every list. I can’t imagine anyone not liking it.
Aloha Patti – Winter can be a wonderful season in which to gain a new perspective. I’d not been to Europe in winter before, but I wouldn’t hesitate now that I have.
Prague looks like a beautiful city. I love exploring cities on foot. Sometimes I’ll take an organized walking tour, but usually enjoy walking around on my own. I may use a guidebook to help point out important landmarks, but it is fun to be able to go off into various directions as the impulse strikes.
Aloha Donna – you’re so right. Exploring on your own, getting list and finding your way back again is the best way to learn how to get around in a new place.
Wow, looks like you had a fabulous time! Loved your pics and being introduced to the places we didn’t get to see on our flying visit earlier this year. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Aloha Johanna – Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
I’ve never been to Prague, but your post gave me a feel for what I’ll see when I get there. If you’re missing Prague, you can view the town center and astronomical clock via webcam, http://webcamtraveler.blogspot.com/2009/06/clock-tower-prague-czech-republic.html
Aloha Carole – Great webcam, thank you!
I would love to visit Prague! I loved your post and your photos!!
Aloha Marilyn – thank you!
Your beautiful photos captured the city and I will be hoping to go there next year to enjoy the places you took us too. Going on a walking tour by yourselves has that sense of adventure and you would be the ultimate guide to walk with.
Aloha Neva – you’re right. It definitely feels more adventurous.
We haven’t visited Prague yet – but it’s certainly high on our travel wish list! Your photos are a great visual travelogue :-).
Aloha Janice and George – Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
In winter, in particular, the ‘ins’ as well as the ‘outs’ make the trip so it was gorgeous to see not only the views of the city but the delicious hot frothy drinks with liqueur chasers you enjoyed tucked up in the warm 🙂
Aloha Linda – You’re right, the day was about the combination of things. 🙂
I’m bookmarking this for future reference. There’s nothing better than a day of walking around is there?
Aloha Nat – I can’t think of anything better, particularly in a new place. Hope you get to do it in Prague, too. 🙂