Prague in 2 Days: Local Itinerary with Food, Coffee & Views
Prague is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
I wasn’t sure how to start this post, but I think I’ve found the right way. 😊 I’ve lived in Prague for three years, and I originally wrote this blog post to mark my six-month anniversary here. It’s been collecting dust for a couple of years, and I stumbled upon it by accident, so now, I’m finally publishing it.
What can I say about my time in Prague? Simply that with each passing day, I fell more and more in love with this city. Whether you want to dive into its rich history, enjoy an unforgettable night out, admire stunning architecture, or sip on cheap beer – this city has it all. And the best part? But Prague’s charm goes beyond the city center.
Many of you will only have a few days to visit Prague, so I wanted to help you create the perfect Prague 2-day itinerary, one that ensures you don’t miss anything worth seeing. After living here for three years and giving countless tours to visiting friends and family, I’ve crafted what I believe is the perfect two-day itinerary in Prague.
So if you only have 48 hours in Prague, keep reading, there are plenty of helpful tips ahead (including where to find great local food and excellent coffee!).
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Coming to Prague? Check out my Prague Public Transport Guide for all the essentials.
Before we dive into the itinerary, make sure you’ve got a good base. Staying near Old Town or Malá Strana will save you time and tram rides. Here’s a quick tool to check hotels in those areas.
Prague Itinerary Day 1: Castle, Charles Bridge & Old Town
Below you’ll find the itinerary for your first day in Prague, step by step, complete with Google Maps links for all the sights and food recommendations. So let’s start!
#1 Beginning at the Prague Castle
So, let’s start at the beginning, and we are starting literally from the top. Although many people choose to take the stairs up to Prague Castle, I recommend taking the tram and starting your tour from the top down. Prague Castle is one of the most popular landmarks in the city, and arriving early in the day helps you avoid the crowds.
It offers a truly stunning panoramic view of Prague and feels like a small city of its own. You can stroll around, visit St. Vitus Cathedral (which is really impressive), the Old Royal Palace, and more. The courtyards and gardens are free to enter, so you can enjoy the incredible architecture and soak in the atmosphere without a ticket. However, if you wish to enter the St. Vitus Cathedral and Golden Street, you’ll have to pay 450 CZK (18.5 EUR) for the ticket. The whole site is open between 9am-5pm.
It’s easy to spend quite a bit of time here, but if you ask me, you have limited time in Prague so don’t stay longer than an hour. The best is still ahead!
#2 Heading down to Malostranské Náměstí
After finishing your tour around Prague Castle, head down the stairs that will lead you to Malostranské Náměstí. I find this part of the city especially picturesque, so take your time exploring it. Prague is all about the streets that have something to tell you. Head to Kampa Park, visit the John Lennon Wall, and find your spot near the river to sit and enjoy your coffee with a view. (Drinks aren’t exactly cheap, but keep in mind that the beautiful view of the city by the Vltava is included in the price, that’s how I justify it to my husband haha). Soak up the sun and the caffeine, because you’re about to head to Charles Bridge.
For coffee, you have couple of options here: Café Kafíčko, Mondieu, L4 Cafe and The Miners Coffee.
#3 Crossing over Charles Bridge
Karlův Most (Charles Bridge) is, if you ask me, the most recognizable thing in Prague, right after cheap beer. There’s always a million people there. So be prepared for crowds, but also for a magnificent view of Prague Castle. In my opinion, the best thing about the castle is actually the view of it, and from Charles Bridge, you can really take it all in. Especially at sunrise or sunset when the light hits just right. Despite the crowds, the bridge has a special kind of energy, and honestly, it’s not a proper visit to Prague if you don’t walk across it at least once. Nothing to add here, just take your time and enjoy it..
#4 Old Town Square
Heading straight from Charles Bridge, you’ll walk through the charming streets of Old Town. These streets are usually crowded too, but they offer the chance to admire some truly exceptional Gothic architecture. That being said, these streets are filled with tourist traps and exchange offices that will rob you blind (later I will give you my recommendation for money exchange).
Enjoy the architecture, but I cannot recommend any shop or restaurant here.
Here’s the best place to exchange money in Prague, I personally used only them: Směnárna Nekázanka. Located around 5 minutes walk from Wenceslas Square.
Eventually, streets will lead you to Staroměstské Náměstí, or Old Town Square.
Here, you can choose to go to the top of the Old Town Hall Tower, which costs almost 15 euros, but I actually suggest skipping that expense. Instead, spend your time and money at a rooftop restaurant where, for about 5 euros, you can enjoy a cocktail and a great view. On that occasion, I went to Terasa u Prince, and the view was beautiful. Of course, you can also eat there, but the prices are quite high, and since I didn’t try the food myself, I can’t speak to the quality.
The Old Town view from U Provaznice.
At the Old Town Square, make sure to check out the Astronomical Clock on the side of the Old Town Hall. Every hour a little crowd gathers to watch the show. A skeleton rings his bell, the apostles make their quick appearance, and then it’s over before you know it. Honestly? The “performance” is kind of underwhelming, but I still think it’s worth stopping by at least once. The clock itself is beautiful, full of tiny details, and when you remember it’s been running since the early 1400s, it feels pretty special. I usually skip the packed crowd right in front and just watch from the side, it’s a lot less stressful that way.
#5 Traditional Czech Lunch & Dessert
For lunch, I recommend heading to U Provaznice, a cozy little restaurant just at the bottom of Wenceslas Square (behind the New Yorker store). It serves traditional Czech food, it’s affordable, and it’s conveniently on your route. I’m sure you’ll be happy with your meal there.
My other recommendation for lunch (which is actually a bit further) is Hostinec U Sádlů. It’s located close to Namesty Republiky, around 12-15 minutes walk from Wenceslas Square. If you don’t mind this walk, you have to try their duck!
For dessert, treat yourself to a Trdelník somewhere in the city center. It’s a popular traditional Czech sweet, and I love mine filled with chocolate and strawberries, so good! Some people get it with ice cream, which is also delicious, but I find it a bit messy. Still, totally worth it.
#6 Wenceslas Square
After lunch, you’ll find yourself in the heart of Prague, Wenceslas Square. One of the largest squares in Europe, filled with shops and bustling with people, it feels like any major city center in Europe. It’s buzzing with shops, cafés, hotels, and plenty of people, making it feel a bit like Prague’s answer to a grand boulevard.
You can stroll down the middle strip lined with trees and benches, stop for a coffee, or do a little shopping. Though most of the stores here are international brands, so I don’t think it’s worth dedicating too much time. What’s really worth it is walking all the way to the top of the square, where the impressive Prague National Museum dominates the view. Even if you don’t go inside, it’s worth climbing the steps for a quick photo and to take in the square from above. Standing there, you get a real sense of the scale of the place and how much life and history it holds.
Wenceslas Square isn’t just about shopping, this is also where some of the country’s most important protests and celebrations took place, especially during the Velvet Revolution in 1989.
At this point, you’ve probably wrapped up your first day (out of your 2 days in Prague) of ‘must-do’ sightseeing. Depending on when you started (and let’s be honest you’re on vacation, so probably not at sunrise 😄), it’s likely late afternoon.
You deserve some rest before heading out for dinner and drinks.
#7 The best view in Prague
In the evening, make your way to Letná Park for the most beautiful view of Prague (you can find the spot here). I absolutely adore this spot, it’s my favorite view in the whole city. Go around sunset, bring a beer, and just sit there enjoying the view of this lovely city. It’s free, it’s peaceful, and it’s one of my favorite experiences in Prague. I know you’ll love it too.
How to get there? The best way is to grab a tram number 2, 12, 18 or 20 (depending where you leave from) and go out at Chotkovy sady stop. From there you have a 5 minute walk through Letna Park to reach the view.
Prague Itinerary Day 2: Vinohrady, Vyšehrad & Petřín Hill
The first day was all about the main sights and Old Town. For your 2nd day in Prague, we’ll focus more on the local side, beautiful neighborhoods and parks that are a bit out of the beaten path. I think this is where you truly fall in love with Prague.
#1 Breakfast in Prague & Exploring Vinohrady
On your second day in Prague, start off with a solid breakfast. My favorite spot? Caffefin in Vinohrady. So far, it’s my go-to breakfast/brunch place in Prague. They don’t take reservations, so you might have to wait, but I’ve never had to wait too long. Their breakfast is delicious and great value for the price. They have classic breakfast options like scrambled eggs, yogurt with granola, oatmeal, avocado toast, shakshuka etc. But also they have lunch options like noodles and bowls. It’s all very tasty and coffee is amazing.
If the line is too long in front of Cafefin, Coffee Room is another great option. It’s 7-8 minutes away from Cafefin, located on the main Korunni street. Here you’ll find choices like avocado toast, granola, hummus plate, smoothie bowl, banana bread etc.
While you’re there, take the time to explore Prague 2, Vinohrady. Known as a popular area for expats, this neighborhood is full of gorgeous Art Nouveau architecture and cozy coffee shops with beautiful interiors. There’s a park just in front of Caffefin where a local market is often held, you can grab fresh fruit, try Czech sausages, or even dance to live music.
If you have time, there is a beautiful park nearby called Riegrovy Sady, where you can find this great view. It’s only 10 minutes walk from Cafefin.
#2 Exploring Vyšehrad Castle
Next up is Vyšehrad, a historic fort often overlooked by tourists, which makes it even better in my book. To get there from Vinohrady, you can take a green B metro line from Jiřího z Poděbrad stop and transfer on Muzeum stop to a red C line. You will go out at the Vyšehrad stop.
It has peaceful parks, stunning views of the Vltava River, and large beer gardens where you can grab lunch and a drink without spending too much. I love Vyšehrad because it’s a refreshing change from the more touristy sights, yet it still offers a lot, and it’s easy to reach by metro or tram.
If you don’t pack a picnic for Vyšehrad, I have another lunch suggestion: Indian food. I really like Bombay Express, which has several locations around Prague. It’s super cheap and super tasty, my go-to is the Chana Masala, only about 3 euros and absolutely delicious. It’s more of a fast food chain than a restaurant, but the food and service are excellent.
#3 Visit Petřín Hill
After lunch, make your way to Petřín Hill to finish your day with another beautiful sunset. You can hike up from here (though be warned: it’s not the easiest walk, especially after Indian food 😅) or take the funicular from Újezd street (starting here), which is included in your public transport pass. At the top, you’ll find Prague’s version of the Eiffel Tower. Tickets to the top are around 10 euros. I have gone up and the views are great, but it’s not for those who fear heights.
Coming down to the city, I suggest go over the river and have a real gelato in Crème de la Crème. I’ve been to Italy many times, but this is one of the best, or even the best gelato I ever tried.
One more option to end your trip: rent a paddle boat on the Slovansky Island. It’s an absolute blast and costs about 10 euros for four people. Grab some drinks, soak up the sun, and enjoy a different perspective of Prague’s stunning panorama. You can find the paddle boats near the National Theatre (Národní Divadlo).
Another fun option is to end your day with a Vltava sightseeing dinner cruise. Seeing Prague lit up from the water is pretty magical. I usually take all of my friends when they visit and they all love it.
You can check out the available dates here.
However, if you just want the experience of seeing Prague from the water, you can take a simple one-hour cruise for around 20 euros.
It’s the perfect way to wrap up your two days in Prague. On the first day, you’ll cover the classics and soak in the city’s incredible architecture, while the second day is all about experiencing the local side of Prague, where people go to unwind, eat well, and enjoy the views.
Prague Food Recommendations in One Place
Here are all my food recommendations to keep you well-fed during your two days in Prague. This list is the ‘best of the best’ I discovered while living here, and I’ve skipped the obvious tourist traps. My main criteria were a solid balance of quality and price. Sure, you might find fancier Indian food than Bombay Express, but it’ll cost you way more for only a slightly better meal. With that said, let’s dive in:”
Traditional Czech Restaurants in Prague
As I mentioned earlier, two of the best restaurants with local specialties I found in Prague.
To be honest I’m not a huge fan of Czech cuisine, but these were really good!
Brunch Spots in Prague
As I said earlier, Cafefin my favourite place for brunch in Prague, with the other one being a good alternative if Cafefin is full.
➡️ Cafefin
➡️ Coffee Room
Middle Eastern Food
I think this restaurant made me a number 1 fan of hummus and chicken shawarma. It’s so good.
Sweets & Bakeries
On this list you have maybe the best gelato I ever tried (Crème de la Crème), and a bakery with amazing cinnamon rolls (Artic Bakehouse). Knedlin is also a great spot that makes dumplings with sweet fillings (chocolate, caramel, raspberry etc.).
➡️ Artic Bakehouse, 1st location
➡️ Artic bakehouse, 2nd location
➡️ Knedlín
Indian Food
Best and cheapest Indian food in Prague. My favourite is Chana Masala, but butter chicken is also very good.
These are not the only 2 locations, just put it in Google Maps and you’ll find them.
Best Kebab in Prague
My husband swears by this spot. Honestly, he treats kebabs the way some people treat fine wine.
Best Pizza in Prague
This was the only pizza in Prague that truly impressed me, and it was really good. They used to have only a tiny takeaway place with rock music blasting from inside and smoke blowing out the door. However, they updated and opened a normal restaurant across the takeout place, and it’s just as good.
Noodles
I’m not blown away by this place, but it’s a good option close to Wenceslas Square to sit down and have a quick meal.
If you like Asian food, or noodles in general, you will definitely like this.
➡️ Wokin
Foodcourt in Palladium mall
Palladium is a shopping mall at Náměstí Republiky, about a 10-minute walk from Wenceslas Square. If you go there, take the escalators all the way up to the top floor.
There you’ll find a food court with a million different options to eat. If you’re wondering where to find cheap eats in Prague, this is definitely the spot. You’ll find classic fast food chains, Asian cuisine, buffet-style meals, pretty much anything you can think of.
Prague 2-Day Itinerary Map (All Sights & Food Spots)
Below you’ll find a map with all the places from this 2-day Prague itinerary. Red marks the spots you’ll visit on your first day, and yellow highlights the locations for day two. I’ve also added my food recommendations in green.
You can save this map directly to your Google Maps for easy access while exploring.
Where to Find Accommodation in Prague
If you’re planning a short stay in Prague, I recommend choosing accommodation in the city center, ideally near the Old Town. That way, you can reach all the main attractions on foot. Here are a few of my favorites that are worth it and have excellent reviews.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, incredible 48 hours in Prague, plus plenty of food stops along the way! If you follow this itinerary, you’ll see a lot of what makes the city so special. Prague is wonderfully walkable, and every step brings something new to discover. Even after living here for three years, I still stumble across little surprises all the time. I hope this guide makes your stay in Prague easier, and even more enjoyable.
FAQ: Prague in 2 Days
Is 2 days enough to see Prague?
Yes, 2 days is enough to see the main highlights like Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, and Old Town. You won’t see everything, but it’s perfect for a first visit.
Where should I exchange money in Prague?
Avoid exchange offices near Old Town Square, they give bad rates. Go to Směnárna Nekázanka, just 5 minutes from Wenceslas Square, for fair rates.
What’s the best way to get around Prague in 2 days?
Prague is very walkable, and most of the main sights are close to each other. For longer distances, the metro and trams are super easy to use and inexpensive. I also wrote a full Prague Public Transport Guide if you want all the details on tickets and maps.