Prague Travel Tips: 18 Things We Recommend for Hotels, Food, Shopping and Money

The most important Prague tip: always pay in Czech koruna, never in euros, book taxis through the Bolt app, and stay within comfortable walking distance of the centre rather than in the middle of the Old Town. Beyond that, don't miss the Infinity Book Tower (free, but there's a queue), the Astronomical Clock and the Powder Tower, and leave room in your suitcase for Primark, Sephora and Palladium mall.

Here are 18 recommendations from our trips to Prague: where to sleep, what to see, where to eat, where to shop, and how to avoid paying unnecessary fees.

About prices: prices are in Czech koruna (Kč) for a standard adult ticket. Conversions use the Czech National Bank rate of 30.10.2026: €1 = about 24.4 Kč and $1 = about 21.8 Kč. Prices and opening hours change, so check before you go.

In this post:

1. Where should you stay in Prague?
2. What to see in Prague
3. Where to eat in Prague
4. Where to shop in Prague
5. Money and transport: how not to overpay
6. Where do students get discounts in Prague?
7. FAQ

All the tips in one table

Where should you stay in Prague?

1. Stay within walking distance of the centre, not in it

Pick a hotel within a comfortable walk of the Old Town rather than inside it. That way every day starts with a walk through streets most tourists never see, and you get to know the city far better. On the way you'll see the buildings, cafés and beautiful corners of Prague that don't appear on any must-see list.

Neighbourhoods like Vinohrady and Karlín are close to Wenceslas Square and the Old Town and full of local restaurants and cafés. Our tip: before you book, check on a map how many minutes it takes to walk from the hotel to Old Town Square, and choose something you'll be happy to walk every morning.

What to see in Prague

2. Powder Tower (Prašná brána)

The Powder Tower is a 15th-century Gothic gate that was once the entrance to the Old Town, and you can climb to the top for the view. It stands on Republic Square (náměstí Republiky), right next to Palladium mall, and it marks the start of the Royal Route to Old Town Square and Charles Bridge.

• Price: 200 Kč (about €8 / $9) for adults, 160 Kč for ages 16–26.
• Save money: entry is half price in the first hour after opening, every day (except 25 December and 1 January).
• Hours: November 10:00–18:00, December 10:00–19:30.

3. The Astronomical Clock

Prague's Astronomical Clock hangs on the Old Town Hall on Old Town Square, and every hour on the hour from 9:00 to 23:00 it puts on a short show of moving apostle figures. Watching from the square is free. The show lasts less than a minute, so arrive a few minutes early to get a good spot in front of the clock.

4. The Infinity Book Tower (Idiom)

The Infinity Book Tower is an installation in the Prague Municipal Library: a column made of hundreds of books, with mirrors that make it look endless. Entry is free, with no ticket or library card needed. The library is on Mariánské náměstí, a few minutes' walk from Old Town Square.

Come early, because there's a queue. In busy seasons such as Christmas and summer the wait can reach two hours, and about half an hour in quieter periods.

• Hours: Monday 13:00–19:30, Tuesday to Friday 9:00–19:30, Saturday and Sunday 10:00–17:30. Closed on Czech public holidays.
• Tip: on Tuesday to Friday, be there when it opens at 9:00.

5. National Museum (Národní muzeum)

The National Museum is the grand building at the top of Wenceslas Square, with natural history, history and science exhibitions and a dome with a view over the whole square. Even if you skip the exhibitions, the building itself is one of the most beautiful in the city.

• Price: 360 Kč (about €15 / $17), reduced 260 Kč (about €11 / $12).
• Students: students up to age 26 with a valid student card pay the reduced price. Bring your card.
• Free: children up to 15. On 17 November and 24–26 December, entry is free for everyone.

6. Prague Zoo (Zoo Praha)

Prague Zoo is in the Troja district in the north of the city, on a hillside above the Vltava, and it's one of the largest zoos in Europe. Plan at least half a day and wear comfortable shoes, because there are plenty of slopes.

• Price: 330 Kč (about €14 / $15) at the desk, 300 Kč (about €12 / $14) online.
• Students: 250 Kč at the desk, 200 Kč online. Any student ID valid for the current year is accepted, including ISIC.
• Winter hours: November to February 9:00–16:00, last entry at the main ticket office at 15:30.

7. The Playground

The Playground is an indoor entertainment centre at Na Příkopě 14, between Wenceslas Square and Republic Square. It has a Venetian carousel, a mirror maze, VR games, laser tag, arcade games, a remote-control car track and a butterfly house. It's made for kids, but adults have fun there too, especially on a rainy day.

• How to pay: buy a Playground card, load it with credits (from 500 Kč, about €21 / $23) and tap it at each attraction.
• Hours: daily 10:00–20:00.

Where to eat in Prague

8. Vapiano: fresh handmade pasta

Vapiano is an Italian restaurant where the pasta is made on site and your dish is cooked in front of you at the counter. You choose the pasta, sauce and toppings, and the cook prepares it in a few minutes. It's a filling meal after a day of walking. In Prague there's a branch in the Quadrio centre, above Národní třída metro station, a few minutes from Wenceslas Square.

9. Good Food Coffee & Bakery

Good Food Coffee & Bakery is a café and bakery on Karlova Street, between Old Town Square and Charles Bridge, best known for its trdelník, Prague's famous chimney cake. It's the perfect sweet stop on the way to the bridge.

Looking for kosher trdelník? In the Jewish Quarter there's Trdelník & Coffee at U Starého hřbitova 2, by the Old Jewish Cemetery. It's a dairy place under the supervision of the Prague Chief Rabbinate; check the kashrut certificate on site.

10. Cinnamood: cinnamon rolls in every flavour

Cinnamood is a cinnamon-roll chain with a big range of flavours: pistachio, strawberry and many more beyond the classic cinnamon. The rolls are large and soft, and one is enough for two. In Prague there's a branch on Jungmannova Street near Wenceslas Square and another on náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad in Vinohrady.

11. Don't skip the street-stand fries

Fries from Prague's street stands are a must: hot, crispy and perfect between sights. You'll find these stands in the central streets and at the markets. Keep a few koruna coins in your pocket, since some stands are easier to pay in cash.

Where to shop in Prague

12. Bring an empty suitcase

Come to Prague with an empty suitcase, because you'll shop a lot. Primark, Pull&Bear and the other fashion chains are all within walking distance of each other, between Wenceslas Square, Na Příkopě and Palladium mall. Before you fly, check how many bags your ticket includes and plan the weight you'll bring home. Shopping big? Our Black Friday 2026 guide covers tax refunds and customs limits.

13. Primark on Wenceslas Square

Prague's Primark is at Wenceslas Square 47, on the corner of Opletalova Street. It's a large multi-floor store with fashion, shoes, homeware and cosmetics at low prices. Go in the morning, when it's quieter and the shelves are still tidy.

14. Sephora: good prices

Sephora in Prague has good prices, and it's worth comparing them with what you pay at home for the same products. There's a branch in Palladium mall and a large store on Na Příkopě. Make a list of the products you usually buy and compare prices on the spot.

15. Palladium mall

Palladium is Prague's most central mall, at náměstí Republiky 1, right across from the Powder Tower. It has fashion chains, Sephora, a supermarket and a food court. It's easy to combine with the Powder Tower on the same morning.

Money and transport: how not to overpay

16. Cheap taxis with Bolt

Taxis in Prague are really cheap when you book through the Bolt app. You see the price upfront, pay by card in the app, and there are no arguments with the driver. Don't hail a taxi on the street without an agreed price. Bolt is especially handy for the zoo, the airport and the end of a long walking day.

17. Never pay in euros, only in koruna

Don't pay in euros! Always pay in the local currency, Czech koruna. It saves you a fee on top of a fee. When a card terminal or ATM asks which currency to charge, choose CZK. If you choose euros or your home currency, the merchant converts at a poor rate, and then your card issuer may add its own fee. The same goes for places that accept euro cash: your change comes back in koruna at an unfavourable rate.

18. A little cash, just in case

Bring a little cash in koruna, just in case. You can pay by card almost everywhere in Prague, but street stands, public toilets (10 Kč at the Municipal Library, for example) and small places sometimes prefer cash. You don't need much; a small amount in your pocket is enough.

Where do students get discounts in Prague?

Students get discounts in Prague at the National Museum, Prague Zoo and the Powder Tower. Always carry a valid student card or ISIC, and ask at the ticket desk elsewhere too.

Why do you need mobile data in Prague?

Almost every tip here runs through your phone: booking a Bolt, navigating from your hotel to the centre, buying zoo tickets online and comparing prices at Sephora. Install an eSIM for the Czech Republic before you fly and you'll be connected the moment you land. Travelling on from Prague? A Europe eSIM covers several countries in one plan. Our installation guide shows how to set it up in a few minutes.

Travelling with kids? See our Prague with kids guide.

FAQ

What currency should I pay in Prague?

In Prague you should always pay in Czech koruna (CZK), even when you're offered euros or your home currency. When a card terminal or ATM asks which currency to charge, choose koruna. Paying in another currency means a poor merchant exchange rate plus a possible card fee.

Do I need cash in Prague?

You only need a little cash. Almost all shops, restaurants and attractions in Prague accept cards, but street stands, public toilets and small businesses sometimes prefer cash. A small amount in koruna is enough for the whole trip.

Are taxis cheap in Prague?

Yes, taxis in Prague are cheap when you book through an app like Bolt. You see the price before the ride and pay in the app, with no surprises. Avoid hailing a taxi on the street without an agreed price.

How much does the Prague book tower cost?

The Infinity Book Tower (Idiom) at the Prague Municipal Library is free, with no ticket or library card required. You pay only in time: in busy seasons the queue can reach two hours, so it's best to arrive at opening time.

When is the Astronomical Clock show?

The Astronomical Clock show runs every hour on the hour from 9:00 to 23:00, and watching from Old Town Square is free. It lasts less than a minute, so arrive a few minutes before the hour.

Where is the best area to stay in Prague?

Stay within comfortable walking distance of the Old Town rather than in the middle of it. Every day then starts with a walk through less touristy streets, and you get to know the city better. Neighbourhoods like Vinohrady and Karlín are close to the centre and full of local cafés and restaurants.

The bottom line

• Hotel: within walking distance of the centre, not in it.
• See: Powder Tower, Astronomical Clock, the book tower (early morning), National Museum and the zoo.
• Eat: pasta at Vapiano, trdelník at Good Food, a roll at Cinnamood and fries from a stand.
• Shop: Primark on Wenceslas Square, Sephora and Palladium, with an empty suitcase.
• Money: koruna only, a little cash, and Bolt for taxis.

Before you fly, make sure you're online the moment you land: choose an eSIM for the Czech Republic.