18 Free Things to Do in Prague
Prague is an incredible city to visit. Popular with tourists due to its fairytale-like castle, vibrant nightlife, and cheap beer, Prague is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. Prague is a great city to explore as part of a wider European trip or even a city break. But like any city you visit, touristy things start to add up and it can be quite costly. Luckily there is plenty to enjoy in the capital of the Czech Republic for travelers on a budget. There are loads of free attractions and activities all year round in Prague. I’ve put together a list of 18 free things to do in Prague that will hopefully help you get the most out of your trip to the enchanting city. The city is best explored on foot or public transport which makes getting around Prague incredibly affordable.
18 Free Things to Do in Prague
This guide on the 18 free things to do in Prague covers some of the best things to do in Prague. You can see so many beautiful places without it costing you a dime. As you walk through the cobblestoned streets marveling at the timeless architecture, cross stunning bridges, and marvel at beautiful churches, Prague has a way of spinning its magic on you and capturing your heart.
1. Old Town Square
Located within close proximity to Charles Bridge, Old Town Square is the ultimate free attraction in Prague. Tourists flock to this popular square to watch performers, and artists or they just take a seat on a bench while they people watch and take in some of the magnificent architecture.
You can spend hours marveling at the architecture and enjoying the free street performances. Definitely a must-do on your list of free things to do in Prague.
2. Astronomical Clock
This beautiful and intricate clock is one of the city’s most popular and free attractions. Every hour (on the hour) you will see crowds gathering in front of the clock to watch the show that is put on. It is a fun, short display that many kids enjoy watching.
The two clock faces display the time, the day and month of the year, the zodiac sign, the times of sunset and sunrise, and the current phase of the moon. It’s one of those things that will either wow you or leave you a bit underwhelmed following all the hype around it.
3. Visit the Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter houses six synagogues, a Jewish cemetery, and the Old Jewish Town Hall. If you are looking for free things to do in Prague, I’d suggest walking through the area to get a sense of how different this part of town is from the rest of the city.
4. Stroll through Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge spans the Vltava River and connects the Old Town to Prague Castle. This beautiful bridge is one of the best free things to do in Prague. Best of all it doesn’t cost a penny to cross the bridge. The bridge is always full of people using it as a means of crossing the river as well as taking in the spectacular views.
At night you’ll get fantastic views of the banks, with the city lights reflecting in the river. You’ll be able to enjoy the musicians, street artists, dancers, and other entertainers as you walk across. Best of all it’s free to stroll across the bridge.
Get there early in the morning or late at night if want to avoid the crowds. At each end of the bridge are two towers, from where you will enjoy splendid views, although here you must pay a small fee
5. Take a trip to Kampa Island
Located right under one of the busiest parts of the city, Charles Bridge, you’ll find Kampa Island. Kampa can be reached by taking the stairs down from Charles Bridge.
Take a walk around the island where you can view its picturesque houses and beautiful park. Stop by a cute cafe to rest your feet and take in the views of Old Town across the river.
There is one part of the island with a string of houses right by the river which earned the vicinity the nickname of ‘The Venice of Prague’. Be sure to spend some time in this hidden gem of the city.
6. Explore the grounds of Prague Castle
Prague Castle paints the city skyline and is one of the top attractions to visit in Prague. It is one of the largest castle complexes in the world and it’s amazing that you don’t have to pay to enter the grounds. You can explore the castle gardens and much of the grounds for free. A visit to Prague isn’t complete without walking through the castle grounds. It’s truly one of the best things to do in Prague.
Each day there is the ‘Changing of the Guards’ which you can watch at midday. Just make sure you get to the courtyard and grab a spot by 11.55 am to get a good view.
7. St Vitus Cathedral
This Gothic gem is magnificent not only from the outside but also on the inside. You can step into one section of the inside for free however you must stay in the designated area (which is rather small). But it’s perfect if you want to catch a glimpse of the interior without having to spend money on admission.
8. Visit Petrin Hill and Marvel at the Tower
Visit Petrin Hill at sunset for some of the best views in Prague. If you decide to walk up, you’ll get to enjoy some manicured gardens on your way to the top. It is also possible to reach the lookout point via taxi or funicular. Walking around Petrin Hill is truly one of the best free things to do in Prague. The hike up is pretty steep so keep that in mind if you decided to walk to the top.
The Petrin Tower holds a huge similarity to that of Paris’ Eiffel Tower. It’s like a smaller version of it! At just 60m tall, the tower provides breath-taking views, thanks to its location on top of Petrin Hill. For a small fee, you can get an even better view at the top of the tower. It’s a 299-step climb up to the top, but on a clear day, you’ll definitely be rewarded with beautiful panoramic views.
9. Visit the John Lennon Wall
The John Lennon Wall is a vibrant work of art that pays tribute to the singer and songwriter. The wall is filled with graffiti and pieces of lyrics from the Beatles song. It is very popular amongst tourists and fans wishing to pay homage to the band. You are welcome to leave your own mark on the wall.
10. Letna Park
Letna Park is the perfect place to spend an afternoon relaxing with a picnic, taking a stroll, or jogging. It offers magnificent views over Prague, the River Vltava, and its bridges.
11. Stroll through the Wallenstein Gardens
In the lower part of the Malá Strana district, you’ll find the serene Wallenstein Gardens. These gardens are beautifully manicured and organized with numerous bronze statues, fountains as well as peacocks freely roaming about. The gardens are free to enter and are only open from April to October. During the warmer months, there are many free concerts and performances that take place here, so make sure to check out the schedule. A visit to the Wallenstein Gardens is not just one of the free things to do in Prague, but definitely one of the most beautiful and serene things too.
12. Church of Our Lady before Týn
In Old Town Square, you’ll find the Gothic and Baroque style Church of Our Lady Before Týn. It is famous for its two tall spires that dominate the city’s skyline. Rumour has it that this church was the inspiration behind Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. It’s not something that you would miss, as the architecture definitely stands out even from a distance.
13. View the Dancing House
The Dancing House has an incredible exterior which you can admire from the street by simply strolling by. If you like modern art and architecture, you can’t miss this attraction. The building is an office complex and also has a terrace at the top which offers great panoramic views of the city.
14. Admire the Magnificent Architecture
Prague is home to some beautiful architecture spanning many different eras. For Baroque style, architecture visit St. Nicholas’ Church in Old Town Square. The Church of Our Lady Before Tyn and the Old Town Hall display Gothic-style architecture while St George’s Basilica in Prague Castle has more of a Romanesque style.
15. Vyšehrad
It is amazing how the parks in Prague have no entry fee. Vyšehrad is no exception to that. Situated on a hill above the Vltava River, it offers stunning views of the city, and the park area holds hidden architectural treasures including the Rotunda of St Martin, the Church of Sts Peter and Paul, the national cemetery where many Czech people rest in peace, and the underground casements housing the some of the original Baroque statues from the Charles Bridge.
Simply enjoy the views of the city or the relaxed atmosphere of the surrounding park. This place is popular among locals who come here to run or walk their dogs.
16. Explore the Cute Neighbourhood of Malá Strana
Malá Strana is located at the foothills of Prague Castle and is one of the more elegant neighborhoods in Prague. It is charming with pretty gardens, busy squares, and cobblestoned streets. And the streets are filled with cute cafes, restaurants, and pubs. Take a walk through this neighborhood as it’s definitely a street that’s full of action.
17. Take a free walking tour
The main city center in Prague is very walkable. With its winding streets and stunning architecture, Prague makes for the perfect city to take a walking tour.
You’ll find a number of free walking tours that start from Old Town Square in front of the Tourism office. Just be sure to book your spot at your preferred time in advance so you don’t miss out. The tours usually last about 2 to 3 hours and cover all the popular tourist attractions. While the tours are free, it is suggested that you tip the guides at the end of the tour as this is the way they make their money.
18. Parks and Playgrounds
If you are traveling with kids and are looking for parks or playgrounds, try one of these options below.
- The playground near the Kampa Museum entrance is a favorite and popular with kids for its slides, swings, and sandbox.
- Letna Park sits above the banks of the River Vltava which is why you get some jaw-dropping views of the city from here. The park features two playgrounds. The bigger playground is located in the middle of the park and includes a climbing frame with a slide, a zip line, a sandpit, swings, and slides. The second playground is situated close to a restaurant and has some original-colored animals. You’ll also find plenty of hiking paths, picnic spots, and even a beer garden here. It is a popular spot with locals and one that should be on your list of free things to do in Prague.
- Petrin Hill Park has a fenced playground area at the bottom of the hill.
- Certovka, a small park right by Charles Bridge, has playground equipment and a sandbox.
- The Franciscan Gardens by Wenceslas Square has a lovely play area and is perfect for families with kids.
Hope you stuck around to the end and enjoyed this guide to the top 18 free things to do in Prague. As you can see you can enjoy the city on a budget but still cover some of the best things to do in Prague for free.
Happy Travels!
Note: The information here is updated the best we can at the time of writing this article. Please check attractions, activities, and transport before you can as things tend to change from time to time.
18 Free Things to Do in Prague
- Old Town Square
- Astronomical Clock
- Visit Jewish Quarter
- Stroll through Charles Bridge
- Take a trip to Kampa Island
- Explore the grounds of Prague Castle
- St Vitus Cathedral
- Visit Petrin Hill and Marvel at the Tower
- Visit the John Lennon Wall
- Letna Park
- Stroll through the Wallenstein Gardens
- Visit the Church of Our Lady before Týn
- View the Dancing House
- Admire the Magnificent Architecture
- Vyšehrad
- Explore the Cute Neighbourhood of Malá Strana
- Take a free walking tour
- Parks and Playgrounds
