What to do on a Layover in Prague

What to do on a Layover in Prague?

Kings court hotel – By A.Savin (Wikimedia Commons · WikiPhotoSpace) [FAL]

You are a budget traveler – budget traveling means budget flights. Your trip stops through the bustling city of Prague, the energetic capital of the Czech Republic.

Prague metro Kobylisy station – By CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=112229

Sometimes when traveling, we can’t always afford direct flights to our next destination. We might have a layover that is 45 minutes in Heathrow Airport, or a 26 hour layover in Dublin. Regardless of the amount of time, there are always opportunities and places to explore when passing through a new and exciting city.

While you’re travelling through Prague, we hope that you’ll have enough time to make it out of the airport. After all, there is so much to see and do in this historically-incredible city that you will be able to spend a full day and night exploring and undergoing new experiences.

On this list, we have compiled the best activities to do during a layover in Prague, whether you have a few hours or a full day. This city shouldn’t be missed, with the traditional food, cheap beers, amazing sights, and friendly people.

1) Prague is home to an unlimited amount of tasty coffee shops and cafes.

Brno Cafe Savoy – By Scotch Mist – By Scotch Mist – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45782147

You finally got off the plane (after everyone slowly removed their over-sized bags from the overhead compartment) and you’re on your way into the city, taking the extremely cheap bus into the city center. With one backpack on your back, you’re headed to find some coffee – stat.

There are so many breakfast options to start your day off right. Whether you are in the mood for a decadent meal or a quick to-go coffee, there are plenty of choices to be made. If you want to have a scrumptious sit-down breakfast, head to Cafe Savoy for an upscale experience. With chandeliers, elegant decor, and incredible food, the price tag will reflect the high-class atmosphere. Even with the fancy decorations, the vibe is still relaxed, and you will see numerous tourists here on their sightseeing-day in the city.

If you’re more in the mood for something a bit more chilled-out and less expensive, head to Eska. This trendy spot is near Vitkov park, and offers up great pastries with strong coffee to kick-start your day. Much of the younger generation will head here, with the hipsters and local youth thriving in this environment. With healthy and vegan options and vintage-clothed 20-somethings, you’ll feel as if you’re in a West Hollywood coffee shop, while you’re looking out at the red-roofed buildings in Prague.

The last option that is sure to wake you up from that tiring flight is Friends Coffee House, a laid-back and casual spot that provides quick and tasty coffee, numerous pastry options, and a convenient location to explore the surrounding areas. Right in Lesser Town, you will be able to look out to Prague Castle on one side and Charles Bridge on the other, giving you a great starting point for the rest of your day.

2) Check out Old Town, the historical section of Prague

Prague View from Old Town Hall Tower – By A.Savin (Wikimedia Commons · WikiPhotoSpace) [FAL]

The most touristy-area in all of Prague, Old Town is home to numerous historical buildings, architecturally-stunning masterpieces, and open-space squares. Old Town Square is a massive open area, boasting the Church of Our Lady Tyn on one side, the Astronomical Clock on the other, and open-air restaurants to grab a pint in the warmer weather. The clock chimes every hour on the hour and numerous tourists line up to see and hear the show.

You can also gaze on the St. Nicholas Church, a Baroque-style building that is near the square. With two churches in sight, there are many photo ops in one place, making Old Town Square a great place to people watch and check out some of the city’s most striking buildings.

If you’re keen on seeing the city from a higher point of view, walk to the top of the Old Town Hall tower and catch a panoramic view of the surrounding neighborhoods. This area of the city is known by many as the heart of Prague, and is the most-visited area by visitors to the country’s capital.

3) Head to one of the many parks or green spaces in the city

Source: By the author

Prague is home to 200+ green spaces and parks in the city – giving the public ample spaces to picnic, to exercise, to walk the dog, and to just hangout and spend time with friends while being outdoors. Numerous parks are within an easy distance to walk to from the center of the city, making a convenient spot to spend an hour or two on your layover.

Head to Letna Park to catch some breathtaking views of the city. Established in 1860, this green space features a massive, ticking metronome, which sits on the base of an old Stalin monument. You’ll see skateboarders passing by, a beer garden at the edge of the park, and live music permeating the air.

Check out Stromovka Park for some solitude. The park is known as Prague’s central park, being the biggest in the city at a whopping 250 acres. Founded in 1268, this green space was formerly used as a royal hunting ground. Today, the park has various ponds, playgrounds, tall trees, and endless green spaces to sit and relax under the shade.

You can walk to the top of Riegrovy Sady for one of the best sunsets in the city. Set on the site of former vineyards, this park remains popular among both locals and tourists. The steep hill provides a great incline for a workout for runners and cyclists, or will at least get your heart pumping as you carry your backpack up to see the golden sunset.

Lastly, head to Petrin Hill for one of the best views of the red-roofed surroundings. This park has the highest elevation out of any of the nearby green spaces, at around 320 meters above sea level. You can choose whether to walk to the high point or take a funicular for those who have been on their feet all day – or jet-lagged. If you’re keen on heights, head to the top of the Petrin Lookout Tower to get a bird’s eye point of view of the sprawling city down below.

4) Act like a royal at the Prague Castle

Prague castle, image by Pexels sourced from Pixabay

After you’ve enjoyed the peace and tranquillity of one of the parks, head to the Mala Strana side of the Vltava river to explore one of Prague’s best attractions – the Prague Castle. Heading to the castle is an adventure in itself – the walk up the steep hill to the castle complex is a heart-pounding trek but provides incredible viewpoints of the Charles Bridge and river down below.

Once you reach the top, you can spend hours exploring the fortress. The 70,000-square-meter complex features other buildings besides the castle. The St. Vitus Cathedral is a Gothic-style building that contains tombs of ancient kings and emperors. St. George’s Basilica is another religious building and the oldest remaining church within the castle area.

After you explore the other buildings, head into the castle to explore the many rooms, passageways, and hidden nooks and crannies. After all, this castle is the largest ancient castle in the world. Rest assured you won’t be bored here for a minute, being provided with historical information, exploring one of the most famous cultural buildings in the country, and seemingly stepping back in time to wander around an ancient civilization.

5) Drink some Czech beer – only a few though, since you have to catch a flight – remember?

Jorge Láscar from Australia [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]

After you explore the infamous castle, you’re feeling a little parched. Luckily for you, Prague has that covered. With an infinite amount of locations to buy a beer, whether it be at a cafe, a corner store, a pub, or a traditional restaurant, you won’t have to worry about where to grab a sip of the world-renowned Pilsner.

Head to The Pub – an unconventional spot that was created for the avid-drinker. This pub chain has six locations in the city, with self-service taps at your own table. This can be quite dangerous – and quite fun. Your table’s drinking abilities are put to the test versus other drinkers in the world, in locations like Germany or Romania. Just be sure to grab a spot at the bar if you’re headed here by yourself, or join another table to make some friends – having a whole table to yourself might be a little to risky if you’re trying to catch a flight later.

Another location for some quality beer is Vinohradsky Pivovar. This local favorite is a high-quality microbrewery that brews their tasty beers on-site, with five on-tap beers that resonate the freshness of the local brews. Head here if you’re a beer aficionado in the mood for one or two super-delicious pints.

6)  Okay, maybe drink a little more. Check out one of Prague’s cocktail bars.

Cloud 9 Sky Bar & Lounge in Prague – by Cloud 9 Sky Bar & Lounge – Uploaded by them

Head to Anonymous Bar – a speakeasy-type location that has servers wearing masks, creating and bringing you interestingly-themed cocktails. Some cocktails will come with a hand-written letter, and some will arrive with flames – choose wisely. If you’d rather head to a historically-significant spot, check out Hemingway Bar, created after the famous author. This relaxed space creates beautiful cocktails, while servers are dressed in historical garb, making a fun, energetic, and slightly-secretive atmosphere. Lastly, you could head to Cloud 9 Sky Bar, an exclusive lounge on the rooftop of the Hilton – head here for extensive views, great drinks, and a swanky atmosphere that will surely introduce you to some new friends.

7) A few more places to go before your flight – let’s keep the party going. Check out one of Prague’s numerous clubs to stay awake all night long.

Photo by Culture Trip

There are so many spots to hit if you need to stay awake for your early morning flight in a few hours. Prague was created for parties. With unlimited pubs, cheap beer, friendly locals, and clubs housed in underground spots and warehouse-like structures, you can find a spot anywhere to stay open all night long.

First, head to Club Roxy, one of the city’s oldest and well-known venues, playing a mixture of big-name DJs and other bass-heavy music. The interior is like a warehouse, with a massive dance floor, video projections splayed across the walls, and decrepit-interiors adding to the industrial feel. The club is consistently full every night and is conveniently located right in the heart of Prague between Old Town and Petrska Ctvrt.

Secondly, you could check out Duplex, an upscale and exclusive venue on the roof of a building in Wenceslas Square. This club contains two raised-platforms, four bars, and a quality sound system to project incredible beats. Big-name artists have played here due to the sound and lighting quality, with Tiesto even showing up and doing a few sets. People come here dressed to the nines, so maybe hit a thrift shop for fancy dress before waltzing into this extravagant music venue.

Last, check out Cross Club – a music venue that veers away from playing traditional techno music. This spot plays various musical styles, with the downstairs providing an intimate feel, while the upstairs has extensive lighting and a large dance floor. The venue is used as a multi-cultural center, providing unique decor, a wide range of styles, and sculptures, all aiding in the funky atmosphere. Open until 7am on Fridays and Saturdays, this spot is the perfect location to keep you awake until that early morning plane ride.

Grab your backpack, take the bus, and wind up in the center of Prague – the country’s capital – a buzzing, electric, and historical city.

Dmitry A. Mottl [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

Prague is a cultural hub – with traditional restaurants, numerous parks, ample pubs, and buzzing clubs, this is the spot to enjoy a few hours, or a full day of activities. A layover in the Czech capital turns into a day of exploration due to the endless amount of attractions to see. Although being a budget traveller can be tough with the connecting flights and the tight money situation, having a layover in Prague is a luxury that will make you feel as if you’re travelling first class.