podtour
At a glance
- Country
- Czechia
- Region
- Bohemia; Prague is the capital
- Language
- Czech. A polite hello: dobrý den. Thank you: děkuji.
- Currency
- Czech koruna (Kč)
- Population
- Around one and a half million people
- Sockets
- Types C and E, 230 V; bring an adaptor for a British plug.
- Emergencies
- 112
- Tap water
- Yes, safe to drink; bring a refillable bottle.
- Card payments
- Widely accepted, though some cash can be useful; check before ordering.
- Tipping
- Optional; rounding up or stating the total when paying is common.
- Driving side
- right
When to go
| Season | Approximate temperature | Rain | Daylight | Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Roughly 3–20 °C | Showers and variable conditions. | Lengthening days. | Good for squares and gardens. |
| Summer | Roughly 13–27 °C; hotter spells occur. | Showers and thunderstorms possible. | Plenty of light. | Busy centre and heat on open squares. |
| Autumn | Roughly 3–20 °C | Increasing damp. | Shorter afternoons. | Mild at first, then warmer clothes help. |
| Winter | Roughly −3–6 °C | Snow, cold rain and ice possible. | Short days. | Wintry atmosphere and indoor pauses. |
- Spring and early autumn suit longer walks without the strongest heat.
- In May, Prague Spring brings a classical music atmosphere. December’s Christmas markets attract crowds to the centre.
- In summer, allow breaks and avoid piling up bridges and sunny squares. In winter, save the daylight for outdoor stops.
Walking the city
- Gradient. The Old Town and Josefov are comparatively flat. Malá Strana and the climb to the Castle are more demanding and may include stairs.
- Underfoot. Cobbles and uneven paving need care in rain or ice. Small wheels struggle.
- Weather on foot. Wind catches the bridges. Winter listening stops need warmer clothes than continuous walking.
- Distances. Combine places on the same bank. Repeated crossings add distance and, towards the Castle, climbing.
- Crossings. Traffic keeps right. Trams need room to brake; wait for them and use marked crossings.
- Daily rhythm. Allow a proper meal break rather than leaving dinner very late. The tourist centre stays active, but residential courtyards and lanes need quiet.
Getting there and around
- Airport buses connect with the metro; taxis and transfers are also available. Choose for the area where you’re staying.
- Praha hlavní nádraží, the main station, connects with the metro and lies near the New Town.
- Metro and trams link areas and save energy for the hill. Compact central routes work well on foot.
- Check destination and direction at the stop rather than memorising a list of lines. Let passengers off before boarding.
The neighbourhoods
| Neighbourhood | What it's like | Who it suits | Our routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town | Squares, courtyards and busy cobbled streets. | First visits and central landmarks. | The Old Town: from the Powder Tower to the Astronomical Clock Free; Prague Legends: from the Old Town to the Charles Bridge |
| Josefov | Synagogues and Jewish memory within the centre. | Attentive visits and museums. | Josefov, Prague's Jewish Quarter: the Golem, Memory and Kafka |
| Malá Strana | Squares and streets below Castle Hill. | Architecture, churches and gradients. | Malá Strana: from the Charles Bridge to the Foot of the Castle |
| Castle complex | Courtyards and monuments above the city. | A part of the day devoted to the hill. | Prague Castle: Kings, Astronomers and Prisoners |
| Upper Hradčany | Streets above the Castle towards Strahov. | An unhurried walk. | Upper Hradčany: from Strahov to Castle Square |
| New Town: Wenceslas Square | Avenues, squares and everyday movement. | Recent history and transport links. | Wenceslas Square: from Národní Street to the National Museum |
| New Town: Charles Square | A large green space and streets towards the river. | A walk mixing science and memory. | Charles Square and the Paratroopers' Crypt: from Faust House to the Dancing House |
What to try
| Dish or drink | What it is |
|---|---|
| Svíčková | Beef with creamy vegetable sauce and knedlíky. |
| Guláš | Meat stew with sauce; Czech versions often come with knedlíky. |
| Knedlíky | Slices of boiled bread or potato dumpling, useful for sauces. |
| Vepřo knedlo zelo | Roast pork with knedlíky and cabbage. |
| Bramboráky | Seasoned fried potato pancakes. |
| Smažený sýr | Breaded, fried cheese. |
| Chlebíčky | Small open sandwiches with arranged toppings. |
| Koláče | Sweet buns filled with curd cheese, poppy seeds or fruit. |
| Česnečka | Garlic soup; recipes vary. |
| Czech beer | A brewing tradition with pale and dark styles; ask if you prefer an alcohol-free option. |
What to pack
- Shoes with good grip for cobbles and steps.
- Coat, gloves and scarf in winter; layers and a waterproof between seasons.
- Water and sun protection in summer, even after a cool start.
- A small rucksack makes crowded bridges easier.
- An adaptor for a British plug; local sockets are types C and E.
- Download routes before leaving: Podtour works offline.
For the trip
Customs and common mistakes
- Dobrý den is a polite greeting when entering a shop or other premises.
- The currency is the Czech koruna: don’t assume somewhere uses euros.
- Let people leave the tram and keep doors clear.
- On bridges and narrow passages, find a safe space before stopping for photographs.
- In synagogues, churches and cemeteries, follow the venue’s guidance and keep voices down.
- Don’t rub a sculpture simply because someone else does; monuments wear away too.
- If tipping, state the total when paying.
- Homes and courtyards still have residents: an open doorway isn’t automatically an invitation.
- In some pubs, another beer may arrive without being ordered when your glass is nearly empty. A coaster over the glass can signal that you’ve finished; tell the person serving you as well to make it clear.
If it rains (or it's very hot)
- The Old Town: from the Powder Tower to the Astronomical Clock Free is compact, but squares and listening stops remain outdoors. Wet cobbles still need care.
- Wenceslas Square: from Národní Street to the National Museum can be combined with a separate visit to the National Museum.
- Josefov, Prague's Jewish Quarter: the Golem, Memory and Kafka lets you allow time for interiors, each with its own access conditions.
- In strong wind, the bridge on Prague Legends: from the Old Town to the Charles Bridge and higher ground on Upper Hradčany: from Strahov to Castle Square are less enjoyable. Choose an interior and resume later.
- In heat, leave the Castle climb for a cooler part of the day and rest before continuing.
Itineraries with Podtour
Leave room for breaks and visits inside: these plans suggest no more than two routes each day.
Days Plan
1 day
Day 1: begin with the free The Old Town: from the Powder Tower to the Astronomical Clock Free. Continue to neighbouring Josefov, Prague's Jewish Quarter: the Golem, Memory and Kafka, allowing time for a separate interior visit.
2 days
Day 1: The Old Town: from the Powder Tower to the Astronomical Clock Free and Josefov, Prague's Jewish Quarter: the Golem, Memory and Kafka. Day 2: Upper Hradčany: from Strahov to Castle Square and Prague Castle: Kings, Astronomers and Prisoners, linking the upper areas; use transport to reach the hill if you prefer.
3 days
Days 1 and 2: follow the plan above. Day 3: Prague Legends: from the Old Town to the Charles Bridge and Malá Strana: from the Charles Bridge to the Foot of the Castle, from the Old Town across the river, pausing before continuing.
What to see with Podtour
marks stops on the free route. Listening outside doesn’t include admission to the building.