9 Things to do during Summer in Prague

9 Things to do during Summer in Prague

Lace those sneakers and lather on some sunscreen – we’re headed to sunny Prague…

Prague is a wonderful city that can be explored on foot, via the river, or on many of the different ways of public transportation. Choosing what time to visit can be difficult – winter gives you the lovely Christmas markets, fall sees less of the tourists, and spring gives you some good weather amongst the crowds of spring breakers.

However, visiting Prague in the summer is an experience in itself. Sure, you’ll run into numerous tourists soaking in the rays and long daylight hours – but there’s a reason thousands of people come here each summer.

The weather, beautiful architecture, friendly locals, and an unlimited number of activities have made this a hot destination to visit – and the popularity is only increasing. We recommend hitting this city before it becomes too well-known and check out all the wonderful things this beautiful city has to offer.

1. Explore the numerous beer gardens

First up, we have a not-so-surprising activity on the list – drinking beer. If you know anything at all about the Czech, it’s that they like to drink beer. And with the famous Pilsner Urquell at every bar in town, we know why. The crisp and refreshing pint is famous for a good reason – and we think it tastes better in Prague than anywhere else.

During the summer months, not only do locals and tourists join forces to drink together, but they do so in style. The beer gardens that seem to populate every street are everywhere and for good reason. Some are upscale and fancy, some are in back alley-ways, and some are hidden from view. No matter the style, you’ll be sure to find one that fits your drinking-style.

One of our favorites is Letna Beer Garden, set on a sloping hill that lets you gaze out over the buildings that make Prague famous, like the castles, churches, and Charles Bridge across the river. The beer garden features ample picnic tables, increasing the chances that you won’t be fighting for a seat, and also that you’ll definitely be elbow-to-elbow with a local Czech.

If you’re a snob, don’t come here. With plastic cups and only one beer on tap, Gambrinus 10°, this isn’t the place for a craft beer connoisseur. For those who want a real Czech experience and a no-frills spot, with incredible views, then look no further.

For number two, you can head to the ‘beach’ alongside the river, and camp out at Zlute Lanze. This place, unlike the previous choice, has it all – pizza restaurants, grilling spots, picnic locations, and outdoor games like volleyball.

The numerous restaurants serve a variety of eclectic and international foods, as well as the traditional sausage, had by so many. With the option to sit on the terrace, the beer garden, or on the beach, this spot embraces that ‘variety is the spice of life’ and gives you a unique vibe to the traditional beer garden.

For our third favorite, we combine history and beer into one and create the Strahov Monastery beer garden. This massive white building, covered with ivy, really sets the tone for feeling like you’re drinking in the 15th century. Hopefully, you catch a sunny day and can sit at a picnic table, giving you an expansive view over the city.

There is a wide range of food and beer on the menu, letting you pair any two items together, creating the perfect afternoon snack-and-drink. As you can see, the Czech don’t take drinking lightly – with a city that has beer gardens seemingly on every corner, I don’t blame them. Sitting outside on a warm sunny day and looking over the city you’re about to explore with a Pilsner in hand – well, I couldn’t think of anything better.

2. Take a picnic lunch to one of the many parks & green spaces

Up next, we recommend hitting up the various parks during the good weather. With numerous green spaces, you can always find somewhere to set up a picnic, read a good book, or take the family to run around a bit in the shining sun.

Riegrovy Sady gives you great views of the Czech capital and serves as a romantic sunset spot on clear days. And, as I said about the Czech enjoying beer, this park also has a beer garden. Havlíčkovy Sady is the second-largest park, and features a 19th-century villa, adding some historical character to the park.

The villa has a pavilion to sit and enjoy the panoramic view of the park, and the green space has numerous trees for you to enjoy the shade and do some people-watching.

Another option is Stromovka, the largest green space in the city. This 95-hectare park frequently has joggers, walkers, and people with their dogs strolling through the massive space, making for a perfect spot to escape from the paved streets and tall buildings.

3. Visit one of the local festivals

If you’re lucky enough to be in Prague over certain dates, you might be able to catch one of the festivals that take place here during the summer. Check out any of the event and festival websites to see when one is on, and try and snag a ticket.

Prague can create one of the best party atmospheres of any city in Europe, and the festivals prove that. The United Islands Festival is a unique party that takes place on one of the river islands – maybe wear a lifejacket to be safe.

4. Wander around Naplavka

If you want to enjoy a party but remain safely on the mainland, head on over to Naplavka to occupy one of the open-air bars. The cobbled pavement, boats floating by, and live music creates a great vibe, combining the traditional with the trendy.

Walk along the street and pop into different bars, sampling the various local beers, and watch the people dancing on the streets. Locals and tourists alike flock to this area, just like younger Czech students mingle with older adults.

The mix of old and new creates a friendly atmosphere and set the scene for an outdoor party that can go on all night.

5. Don’t miss the historical buildings and architectural masterpieces

For those that have never been to Prague before, you should still check out the historical and famous attractions – which aren’t just a summertime activity, but amazing nonetheless. There’s a reason they’re famous after all.

Old Town Square is a massive open space surrounded by traditional architecture and modern restaurants and shops. The open space gives plenty of room to walk around and really soak in the sights, with events sometimes happening in the center. With numerous places to sit down and have a drink, you can spend hours just enjoying the beautiful buildings and meeting some friendly people.

While in the square, you can head over to the famous Astronomical Clock, and watch the mechanical clock marking the new hour. This 15th-century spectacle is one of the best-preserved clocks in the world, making the hourly show even more spectacular.

After you witness the show, you can saunter to the Charles Bridge, the 14th-century creation that connects the city. This beautiful piece of architecture gives you a great viewpoint from which to see the city, the boats floating down the river, and the castle looming on the hill.

Speaking of, heading to the Prague Castle and exploring the grounds is one of the most famous attractions this city has to offer. Despite being expensive to enter, the castle’s architecture and ample history make it more than worth it, and the views from the royal building are not to be missed.

Even though you can explore any of these historical and traditional sights during any time of the year, the clear skies, sunny days, and longer hours make summer a great time to explore them all on foot.

6. See new sights, learn new things, and meet new friends on a free walking tour

If you’re still keen to travel places on foot, summer is a great time for a free walking tour of the city.

Even though we know you’re more than capable of figuring out the best places to go on your own – and your trusty map from the tourist information center – these free walking tours are usually run by charismatic guides who can give you snippets of information and clever facts you otherwise wouldn’t have realized.

Plus, seeing who else is on the tour with you can sometimes make for new friends – or at least some good conversation later on. These free tours are great for solo and budget travelers, since you can just pay whatever tip you deem is right, or whatever you can pay at the time. And if you are traveling alone, you can meet some other like-minded people who may want to grab a drink with you after.

7. Paddle your way down the Vltava River

If you want to escape some of the crowds, you can still see the city in all its glory – just from a different point of view. Literally. Head down to the river and rent a rowboat, and paddle yourself down the calm stretch of water, taking in the sights and enjoying the soft breeze.

If you really want to have a good time, go with a friend or a partner and have them do all the rowing – this way you can enjoy the sights without having to do any work. We take no responsibility for how your rowboat partner reacts to this strategy!

For an hour rental, the price will be about $15 – which is pretty good, considering an hour of rowing is pretty tiring, and you’re definitely going to want to head to a beer garden after an hour in the hot sun.

Check out Slovanka Rentals – a highly reputable company that is located right on the river.

8. Eat local and browse the Naplavka farmer’s market

If you’re tired of eating out in restaurants or just need to stick to a budget a bit more than you’re doing currently, head to the farmer’s market at Naplavka and pick up some local foods and produce for you to enjoy at home. You can pick up some cheap produce, meat some locals, and enjoy the fresh air of the market all at once.

Walk down to the Vltava River, grab some bread, cheese, and fresh fruit, and you’ve got yourself a great lunch. Make sure to hit this before it closes at 2 pm. If you’re so inclined, you can hit the markets, and make yourself a picnic to take to one of the parks or enjoy along the riverbanks.

When the weather is nice and the sun is shining, don’t be surprised to find people enjoying their own food out in any open space they can find – Prague is a city that enjoys being outside, even in poor weather.

When you add in sunshine and daylight to the mix, the city takes on a new life and appreciation for the outdoors – which is shown when the farmer’s market is bustling with people at 11 am on a Tuesday.

9. Admire art history at the John Lennon Wall

After lunch, you can view a type of art installation – the John Lennon Wall. A massive slab filled with graffiti and lyrics from the Beatles, this started to appear beginning in 1980 and has taken on a life of its own ever since.

The cool thing about this wall is the constantly-changing appearance – you can visit the city years apart, and it can look completely different. The ever-changing nature of this wall is what makes it reflect the current lifestyles and attitudes of the Prague citizens, making it a popular tourist attraction.

Restaurants, beer, squares, architecture, art – Prague seemingly has it all…

When you add in the sunshine and warm weather, there’s no better place to be. Despite summer being among the busiest in terms of tourists, if you have some clear ideas of where you’d like to go, you can successfully avoid the throngs of people in the streets.

Even though the city can be busy, it doesn’t deter from the charm. The locals are just as friendly as ever, the architecture is just as beautiful, and the views are just as amazing.

With historical buildings, beer gardens, and clever artwork, you can easily spend the whole day wandering around the city, exploring what it has to offer. During the long summer days, and warm nights, you have the perfect opportunity to really get a feel for the Czech lifestyle, and what makes Prague such a beautiful city.