Prague is one of those cities that sweeps you off your feet almost immediately. Cobblestone streets, Gothic spires, beautiful old buildings and the Vltava winding through it all — there is something to look at everywhere.
But Prague is also surprisingly easy to divide into sightseeing days.
Charles Bridge became my natural dividing line.
For this day, I explored the castle side of the bridge, starting in Malá Strana (Lesser Town) and gradually making my way uphill into Hradčany, Prague’s historic castle district. On another day, I crossed the bridge in the opposite direction to explore Old Town and the Jewish Quarter.
If you have one full day for this side of Prague, come along with me. This is the route I followed.
My day included:
Charles Bridge
Malá Strana
St. Nicholas Church
Holy Trinity Column
The walk up through Hradčany
Prague Castle
St. Vitus Cathedral
Old Royal Palace
St. George’s Basilica
Golden Lane
And after all that walking? I finished the day on the Vltava with an evening dinner cruise.
Now, let’s start where my day began — at Charles Bridge.
Prague is unique among European capitals because its historic center survived the world wars largely intact. This preservation allows you to walk through streets and monuments that have stood for hundreds of years, making the city a living museum of European history and culture.
The Historic Centre of Prague is officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site was recognized for its exceptional architectural ensemble spanning Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. It was added to the list in 1992 and covers the Old Town, Lesser Town (Malá Strana), and New Town, along with major landmarks like Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and Charles Bridge.
So when you’re strolling across Charles Bridge or gazing up at St. Nicholas Church, you’re not just sightseeing—you’re standing inside a UNESCO-recognized treasure.
It gets pretty warm in the summer, so head out no later than 9h00 to Charles Bridge. Each sculpture on the bridge is worth an article of its own. It’s one of Europe’s Top Instagram and Selfie Spots. The bridge is full of activities, like artists selling watercolor paintings of the city or sketching self-portraits as souvenirs to take home. The vibe is great and therefore it’s an awesome way to start your first day in this beautiful World Heritage Site.
One of the things that struck me most was just how much historic Prague has survived. Walking these streets, you are surrounded by architecture spanning centuries — Gothic churches, Baroque façades, medieval lanes and grand historic buildings that somehow still belong together.
Prague’s historic center became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, and once you start walking through it, it isn’t difficult to understand why.
For someone like me who loves ticking World Heritage Sites off the list, simply being here was a treat.
The Church of St. Nicholas stands proudly at the heart of Malostranské náměstí (Little Quarter Square), visually dividing and dominating its two sections. Construction began in 1704, with the magnificent frescoed nave completed in 1761. Widely regarded as the crowning achievement of father-and-son architects Christoph and Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer—Prague’s foremost masters of High Baroque—the church was finished only after both had passed away. Inside, you are greeted by statues, frescoes, and paintings created by leading Baroque artists, including Karel Škréta’s remarkable Passion Cycle from 1673. A major renovation in the 1950s repaired centuries of damage caused by leaky cladding, ensuring the church’s grandeur endures today.
After about 52 m, you need to go left onto Thunovská, and from here you can’t miss the towering St Vitus Cathedral. You’ll spot the stairs to your right, which lead up. There are about 207 steps. I may be out by one or two — I was too busy catching my breath to keep an official count.
>> Travel Tips: You don’t have to walk up. There are plenty of taxis around, so you don’t have to take the stairs. Many top restaurants in Prague also serve traditional Czech cuisine.
Once at the top, the entrance is to the opposite (left) side of the castle.
Few tourists know before visiting St Vitus Cathedral that the site includes several historic attractions and exhibitions. Therefore, it is a day trip on its own.
You have the option to buy a full ticket or see less. I chose the latter due to time constraints.
>> Travel Tip: There is no entrance ticket for the site containing the ten ancient landmarks. For example, you can meander around the site and even enter St Vitus Cathedral. But you can’t go much further than that. At this point, you need a ticket to proceed further. The ticket office is a few steps away, so no stress.
Walk back to your hotel and pinch yourself for the opportunity to walk through these phenomenal ancient sights. I can best describe it in the words of an officer on duty inside St Vitus Cathedral. I said: “You have the BEST job.” Thinking that my surroundings make me speechless, emotional, touched and so many more feelings at once are his so-called “office”. His response was: “No, not the best. Prima, prima job!”
The rather unforgettable crawling babies by David Černý in Kampa Park — one of the stranger things I stumbled across while exploring the Malá Strana side of Prague near our hotel, Hotel Čertovka.
I always book a city sightseeing bus because that’s by far the easiest, quickest, and most flexible way to get an overview of the city I’m in. However, this time I opted for a private 90-minute sightseeing tour in an open-top vintage car.
I discovered about twenty more popular attractions, heard about little off-the-map gems, and got interesting anecdotes from our driver. It was an absolute treat, and worth every bit of Czech koruna (crown) spent. (You too can enjoy a unique vintage car tour in Prague, using the links below.)
The private tour had unexpected on-route “entertainment”. Like all countries, Prague is not immune to contrasting political views. An expensive black vehicle, with a high-quality public address system, drove through the city streets announcing, “Shame to the Government”. When we stopped at an intersection, plenty of happy citizens cheered them on! I was told that it is usually a peaceful demonstration to voice their opinion about the Government’s activities.
>>A Little Prague Money Lesson: While I was near Charles Bridge, a man approached me and offered to exchange money. I declined — thankfully. It was one of those small travel moments that makes you a little wiser. If you’re heading to Prague, I’ve covered currency, payments and other practical things worth knowing before your trip in my Prague Know Before You Go guide.
I was in Prague in mid-May. The weather was nice and warm, and the sunset was well after eight. These are the things you want to know before you go to Prague, so you can pre-book your dinner cruise (to avoid disappointment).
Do you want more money? If you plan to visit Prague from May to September, I suggest there is no need to book a daytime boat tour. Instead, book the dinner cruise because the boat cruises the same route, and then more! This way you have more money in your pocket for sightseeing and shopping.
How does it work? Well, I booked a table on the Open-Top Glass Boat. We started cruising at 19h00 when the sun was bright and sparkling. On a previous occasion, I booked a 90-minute daytime boat cruise. We sailed the same route on both cruises. Thus, the dinner cruise is a winner because it is an all-in-one cruise with ‘daytime’ sightseeing and scenic nighttime views, a fabulous dinner, and superb live entertainment.
>> Travel Tip: Check out sunset times before you book a dinner cruise. Most cruises leave at 19h00 when the sun is still high. Subsequently, you get to see the attractions in ‘daytime’ at any event!
PS: I booked the Open-Top Glass Boat and gave it a 5-star review!
Don’t miss our guide to exploring the Old Town and Jewish Quarter on a one‑day walking tour — packed with legends, landmarks, and insider tips to make your stroll unforgettable. Discover the full walking tour here.
By the time I returned from the dinner cruise, my feet had certainly had enough — but I hadn’t. This side of Prague had taken me from Charles Bridge through the old streets of Malá Strana, up those seemingly endless steps and into the extraordinary world of Prague Castle.
And the lovely thing was that I still had the other side of Charles Bridge waiting for me.
If you’re spending another day in Prague, that’s exactly where we’re going next: across the bridge into Old Town and the Jewish Quarter.
We’d love to hear from you. Have you wandered Prague’s streets or cruised its river at sunset? Share your favorite Prague moment—or the one you’re most excited to experience—down in the comments. Your story might inspire someone else’s first trip!
>> Staying close to Charles Bridge made this car-free itinerary incredibly easy. I stayed at Hotel Čertovka in Malá Strana, just steps from the bridge, which meant I could explore the castle side one day and cross into Old Town on another. I’ve written a separate review explaining why the location worked so well for me.
Sharing the places I’ve come to love. – Arina ♡