On the occasion of the Christmas markets, we decided to visit the capital of the Czech Republic in December.
Prague has a truly fascinating historic center which, thanks to its many monuments and historic buildings, has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The center retains its original structure thanks to the fact that it did not suffer more than so much damage in World War II.
Prague is a child-friendly city, the center is easy to get around on foot or with a stroller and a long weekend can be enough to get a feel for the city and to visit the main attractions.
▶ You might also be interested in Check list essential medicines in your suitcase.
What to see in Prague: useful information
Documents – Identification card valid for expatriation.
Czech koruna currency – You can withdraw cash via ATM or pay by credit card.
Tourist info – www.prague.eu www.czechtourism.com.
Prague Card
The Prague Card is the official tourist card of the Czech capital. It is priced at 76.00 euros for 2 days, 87.00 euros for 3 days and 94.00 euros for 4 days. Reductions for children from 6 to 16 years old.
You can purchase the Prague Card here.
↪ Update January 2023
The Card no longer includes public transportation. You will be able to visit the 60 included attractions such as Prague Castle, Royal Palace, St. Vitus Cathedral, Jewish Cemetery free of charge, including also a 2-hour sightseeing tour of the city by bus, and save on tickets for other attractions such as Lego Exhibition, Dancing House, Hard Rock Cafe, dinner cruise, etc.
Where to buy and how it works
By purchasing the card on Getyourguide you will find the best price and receive a voucher in real time to present at one of the designated points in the city to collect the physical card.
From the purchase, you will have one year to activate the Prague Card (valid only if it bears the readable signature of the holder and the start date).
Prague Card pick-up points
Tourist Information Central (Mostecka 4) – Charles Bridge;
Central Bohemia Tourist Office – Old Town, Husova 21/156;
Florence Tourist Center – Florenc bus station (Křižíkova 344/6, 186 00 Nové Město, metro B, C).
With the Card you will avoid ticket lines. Remember, however, that all included attractions can only be visited once.
What to see in Prague in a weekend: getting there
Prague Airport is located 10 km from the center, there are several ways to get to the heart of the city i.e. by direct Airport Express bus, by city bus or by cab. Tickets can be purchased once you land at ticket offices inside the terminal, ticket machines at bus stops, or directly from the driver.
Shuttle bus AE (Airport Express)
It is the best option because it takes directly to the central train station from the passenger terminal in about 35 minutes. The first run from downtown to the airport is at 5:30 am and the last at 9:00 pm, vice versa from the airport to downtown the first run is at 6:30 am and the last at 10:00 pm. Rides are every 15-30 minutes depending on the time slot. Tickets cost 60 CZK (about 2.5 euros), free for children under 6 and 50% discount for children aged 6 to 15.
Public buses
Buses are not very practical if you have children because they do not offer direct connections to the center but go to the subway station and from there you have to take the subway. For all info https://www.dpp.cz/en.
Taxi
The authorized companies are Fix Taxi and Taxi Praha. By writing in advance to Prague Airport Transfers, you can reserve car seats for your children, free of charge.
A ride from Prague airport to the center is around 700-800 CZK (25/30 euros, half an hour). There have been incidents of scamming tourists so it would be best to book a cab in advance or agree on the price with the driver before leaving.
What to see in Prague in a weekend
Below you will find a list of the main attractions you will need to best plan a long weekend in Prague with children.
Prague Castle
Prague Castle (Hradčany) is a huge neighborhood that includes several buildings and monuments such as St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica, Daliborka Tower, a stable, a theater, and the Golden Alley. Don’t miss the changing of the guard at noon!
The Golden Alley is the street where the servants of the Castle lived. In some of the small houses you can enter and admire the furnishings of the time. At number 22 you can see what was Kafka’s studio.
Depending on the attractions you wish to see in the Castle District, calculate a couple of hours to half a day’s time.
Old Town Square
It is the main square of the old town in which they set up markets at Christmas time.
See the famous medieval Astronomical Clock mounted on the tower of the town hall. Not to be missed is the procession of the twelve apostles who, together with four other figures representing the deadly sins, set in motion at the stroke of each hour.
From the square also there is a beautiful view of the Church of the Virgin Mary of Tyn, with its twin towers of 18 spires.
Branching off from the square are the streets leading to the Old Town (Staré Město), almost all of which are pedestrian-only and overlooked by souvenir stores and clubs.
What to see in Prague in a weekend: Charles Bridge (Karluv Most)
At 500 m in length and 10 m in width, Charles Bridge connects the Old Town to the Malá Strana (Lesser Town, the neighborhood near the Castle) by crossing the Vltava River. Built in 1357, on both sides the bridge is bordered by two towers and is often frequented by street musicians.
From the Bridge you have a beautiful view of the Castle and the National Theater.
Jewish Quarter
The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague is one of the most significant places in the old ghetto where the Jewish population lived from 900 to 1708.
It’s one of the oldest in the world and holds 12,000 tombstones that, due to limited space, in some places remain stacked on top of each other.
The Cemetery is a 5-minute walk from Old Town Square; the visit is via an obligatory path that winds among the tombstones; the path is not particularly accessible but is still walkable even with a stroller.
One must wear the kippah, the small headdress that characterizes Jewish culture, which is given at the entrance to the cemetery.
Jewish Cemetery entrance fee and opening hours
There are 2 entrance tickets to the Jewish Cemetery in Prague, one to visit the Old and New Synagogue, and the other to visit additional historical monuments of the Jewish community.
The cheapest ticket costs about 12 euros per adult, 8 euros per child 6-15 years old, free under 6 years old.
You can buy them at the entrance to the Cemetery, at the book store just beyond, or if you want to avoid lines online here.
Admission to the Jewish Cemetery is included in the Prague Card.
Interested in an organized tour? Click on the banners 👇👇👇
What to see in Prague in a weekend: Vysehrad Castle
Vyšehrad’s Fortress in the Rock is a large area positioned on a hill above the Vltava River. In addition to the walk along the walls to admire the view of the old town and the Church of St. Peter and Paul with its twin spires, you can find a nice playground with kiosks where you can get something to eat and picnic tables. It’s a nice place to spend a couple of hours with the kids.
What to eat in Prague
Prague cuisine is a very tasty cuisine that involves generous portions and plenty of spices.
The most famous dish is goulash, but you can also try roast pork with dumplings, pork leg, roast loin of beef, roast duck, etc.
The traditional street food is the sandwich stuffed with sausage or frankfurter plus sauerkraut. To be tasted is the typical dessert i.e. trdlo which consists of a cylinder of sweet dough flavored with cinnamon, to be eaten as is or filled with ice cream, chocolate or cream and strawberries–a real calorie bomb!
We point out the restaurant Vytopna on Wenceslas Square very characteristic for children because the drinks arrive at the tables by means of tracks on which precisely these food trains travel.
We must point out that the idea is nice and the food is not bad (there is also a children’s menu) but the politeness does not hold sway and it can get a bit confusing. If you like to go, you will have to make reservations otherwise you risk not getting a seat. Link here.
Where to sleep in Prague
We point out some accommodations that remain in a very central location (a few minutes’ walk from the center) and are particularly suitable for families with children.
They all have free cancellation, which with children is the ideal solution, and on request they provide cot/crib. The first two solutions are apartments in case you need to prepare baby food for the little ones, the last two are hotel rooms.
Where to sleep in Prague
Masná 19 – Old Town Apartment – Masna 19, Prague, 110 00, Czech Republic
This is a really spacious apartment located about 400 m walk from Old Town Square. It is ideal for large families (or if you are traveling with friends) because it has 4 bedrooms.
Any problems can be addressed at the front desk and, for an additional fee, you can have breakfast and transfer to and from the airport. The apartment also has a washing machine, high chair, and you can request a cot/crib at a cost of 10 euros per child. Book here.
Golden Angel Suites by Prague Residences – 29 Celetná, Prague, 110 00, Czech Republic
Featuring self check-in, this is a much smaller one-bedroom apartment with a sofa bed in the living room, located a short walk from the Old Town. Provides high chair and cot/crib free of charge. No breakfast but will arrange airport transfer on request. Book here.
Hotel in Prague
Falkensteiner Boutique Hotel Prague – Opletalova 21, Prague, 110 00, Czech Republic
Located 900 m walk from Old Town Square, the hotel has a 24-hour front desk, in-house restaurant, spa, gym, so it’s ideal if you want to relax.
It has no apartments but you have to book a triple and request, if needed, cot/baby crib or 2 connecting rooms. It offers airport shuttle and breakfast at an additional cost. Babysitting service is provided for children (extra charge, book it in advance). Book here.
Hotel Residence Bijou de Prague – Nerudova 43, Prague, 11000, Czech Republic
This hotel stays closest to Charles Bridge and the Castle District (about 800 m from Old Town Square) and offers very distinctive two-bedroom suites with original hand-painted ceilings and exposed beams.
The suite does not have a kitchen, but breakfast and cot/crib (on request) are free. At an additional cost instead is airport transfer. Book here.
The narrowest road in the world
Vinarna Certovka is located in the Màla Strana district and is such a narrow street that traffic lights had to be installed on both sides to signal when the street is free or busy.
The street is only 50 cm wide and 10 meters long and does not allow two people to pass at the same time, hence the need for the traffic light even though it has now become a tourist attraction and no longer serves as a connecting street in itself.
Literally Vinarna Certovka means ‘devil’s tavern,’ this is because it is named after the tavern of the same name in its vicinity.
Interested in buying the Prague travel guide? Click on the link!
Lonely Planet Prague
