First Time in Prague? Read These 14 Rules Before You Go
We visited Prague for the first time thinking we’d wing it…
…and paid for it with fines, sore feet, and one very grumpy morning. These 14 do’s and don’ts are the cheat sheet I wish we had.
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14 Prague Dos and Don’ts
Here are the things I was I’d known before visiting Prague for the first time all those years ago!
✅ Do: Join a Free Walking Tour
I’ve done loads of these over the years, and Sandemans New Europe never disappoints. Their Prague tour covers all the big sights and a few hidden corners, and the guides really know their stuff.
It’s the perfect way to kick off your trip—do it on your first day so you can get your bearings, figure out what you want to come back to, and make sure you’re not missing anything.
And yes, it’s a free tour—but be sure to tip your guide at the end. They accept all sorts of currencies and card, so “I don’t have any cash” won’t get you out of it!
❌ Don’t: Try to See Everything in Two Days
There are so many beautiful backstreets, viewpoints, museums, and easy-to-miss details tucked around every corner.
You can squeeze Prague into 48 hours—but to actually enjoy it (and not feel like you’re on a school trip), give yourself more time. Even one extra day makes a big difference.
✅ Do: Use Prague as a Base for a Day Trip
Prague makes a great base for exploring more of the Czech Republic.
Český Krumlov is absolutely beautiful—but it’s also very small, and personally, I wouldn’t travel to the Czech Republic just for this short visit.
It works best as a day trip, and Prague gives you plenty of easy coach options to get there. Add an extra day to your trip and you’ll be glad you did.
We’ve got a full guide here on how to get from Prague to Český Krumlov if you do decide to go ahead!
❌ Don’t: Fall Into Tourist Traps
There are a few things that catch visitors out again and again—starting with eating on the main square, where service charges are often wildly inflated.
Also, chimney cakes? Delicious, but not Czech. They’re Hungarian, but Prague vendors have ran with the ‘local delicacy’ hype all over social media, and you’ll pay a pretty penny for the unauthentic privilege.
Cocktails in the markets are often watered down, so head to a local bar instead. And don’t even think about changing money at the train station—the exchange rate is terrible. If you need cash, use an ATM from a proper bank, not Euronet. And when the screen asks if you want to use their conversion? DECLINE, DECLINE, DECLINE.
Oh, and one more: don’t flag down local taxis. Use Bolt or Uber instead—cheaper, more reliable, and no awkward haggling over prices at your destination.
✅ Do: Enjoy the Backstreet Cafés and Restaurants
Some of the best meals I had in Prague were just a few streets away from the main tourist spots. Local cafés and smaller restaurants often have better food, friendlier service, and much more reasonable prices. Wandering a little pays off—it’s calmer, less touristy, and usually far better value.
Compared to market stalls in the touristy areas—which are notorious for short-changing visitors or pretending you didn’t hand over the right money—these quieter spots are a world better. Prices are usually clearer, and the whole experience feels far more relaxed.
❌ Don’t: Eat in the Main Square
As you wander through the main square, you’ll likely have people trying to tempt you into their restaurants- fluffy blankets draped over chairs, heaters glowing, and the promise of a cosy escape from the cold.
The views are undeniably impressive, but the food and prices often don’t live up to them.
Meals are usually overpriced, the service can be hit or miss, and many of these spots expect a tip on top of an already hefty service charge.
Tap water isn’t always free, either. Some places automatically bring bottled water and add it to your bill. If you want tap, ask specifically—but be prepared for them to say no, or charge anyway.
✅ Do: Carry a Bit of Cash
Yes—I run a travel website for first-timers to Europe, and yes—I left it too late to get any Czech koruna before we flew. Classic.
We only had our small emergency stash of euros (for the last 12 years, I’ve always carried a few “just in case” euros- it’s my backup plan for last-minute flights or airport disasters). None of the exchange places near us had koruna, and I wasn’t about to get stung with a bad rate at the airport.
In the end, we did fine. Most places took card, and we tipped our walking tour guide in euros without any trouble. That said, almost all the public toilets needed coins—only a few had card readers.
Luckily, we’re coffee people, so we just planned our toilet breaks around café stops.
Cash is also useful for smaller shops or old-school bars where card readers look like they haven’t been updated since 2004. If you’re worried about card cloning, it’s an extra layer of peace of mind.
We spotted a few pubs that were cash-only too, so it’s worth being prepared.
❌ Don’t: Assume Toilets Are Free With Purchase
On our last day, we thought we were being strategic—bought a drink at McDonald’s to use the loo and charge our phone. The toilet still had a fee, and the charging stations didn’t even work. Fail.
Just check before you buy anything, or you might end up stuck with an overpriced fruit tea and no battery. Not that I’m still annoyed about it or anything.
✅ Do: Get Up Early for the Sights
The night before we flew home, we went to an Irish pub—and six Guinnesses later, I still wasn’t letting anything stop me from getting the photos I’d been after all week. I left my poor friend dying in bed with a hangover and headed out solo at 6:30am.
First stop: the Astronomical Clock—completely empty.
Then I made my way to Charles Bridge.
No crowds, no street vendors, no tour groups. Just soft golden light, a few fellow early risers with cameras, and the city looking its absolute best.
We got chatting, swapped photo duties, and I was back in the room by 7:30 with a coffee and a camera roll full of magic.
❌ Don’t: Shop at “Mini Markets”
Picture this: we arrived in Prague at 11pm, desperate for water. The mini market next to our hotel seemed easy enough, so we grabbed two 1-litre bottles of Evian.
The total? 190 CZK—about £7, according to Monzo. Thought, “Okay, bit steep, but fine.”
The next day, we went to Zabka and saw the exact same bottle for 30 CZK. Painful. These places are everywhere in the city centre and almost always overpriced.
We were also told £6 for two fridge magnets the size of our thumbnails.
Just avoid them—head to Lidl, Albert, or Zabka instead.
✅ Do: Follow Tips on TikTok (yes, really)
I’m usually a bit sceptical about anything that’s gone viral on social media, but we decided to try a few of the TikTok-recommended spots—and some of them were genuinely worth it.
Some of these viral spots genuinely delivered- and others reminded me why having your own list of Prague dos and dont’s can come in handy.
We checked out the book tunnel at the Municipal Library. You can’t actually walk through or see inside the tunnel unless you join the queue, which was massive when we went.
Pro tip: if you just want the classic photo, go through the door to the left of the line—you can still get a decent side shot without waiting, but you won’t get the full tunnel view.
The Paternoster elevator was high on our list, but it was closed when we tried to visit. Slightly heart-breaking, but these things happen.
We also went to the Starbucks near the castle, and while the drinks weren’t exactly budget-friendly—360 CZK (£13) for a tall iced blonde latte and a venti iced caramel macchiato—the views made it totally worth it.
We grabbed seats right at the top, soaked it all in, and then moved down to the garden terrace for photos.
Pasta Fresca was another spot we saw all over TikTok, and it lived up to the hype. A glass of wine, a limoncello spritz, tortelloni, and a spinach pasta dish came to around 1,100 CZK (about £36), and the food and service were genuinely top-notch.
Definitely book ahead though—places like this get packed.
❌ Don’t: Forget to Validate Your Tram Ticket
Buying a public transport ticket isn’t quite enough—you also need to validate it. On trams and buses, look for the small yellow box near the doors and give your ticket a quick stamp as soon as you get on.
If you’ve bought your ticket directly on board using contactless (look for the card symbol by the doors), you’re all set—no extra validation needed.
For the metro, it’s at the station entrance. Forget to stamp it, and you’re fair game for a fine—even if you’ve paid. Inspectors do spot checks and aren’t interested in excuses.
If you’re not confident about how it works, the PID app is a really helpful backup—it lets you buy and activate tickets directly on your phone.
✅ Do: Travel Light
Between the cobblestones, tram steps, and narrow staircases in hotels and metro stations, Prague isn’t the place to be dragging a massive suitcase.
A small backpack or cabin-sized bag makes everything easier—especially if you’re using public transport or heading out on a day trip.
Sometimes travelling with a bigger bag is unavoidable, but keep in mind that if you’re travelling solo, it’s even more of a faff.
Trying to wheel a heavy suitcase and navigate Google Maps to find your hotel? Not fun—especially if your route includes stairs, hills, or a packed tram. Pack light if you can, or at least mentally prepare for the workout.
❌ Don’t: Forget the Tourist Tax
There’s a city tax of around €2 per person, per night, and while it’s not a huge amount, it can still throw you off if you haven’t factored it in.
Most places in Europe I’ve stayed have taken this at check-in—but in Prague, it wasn’t mentioned until we were checking out.
If you’re on a budget and haven’t planned for it, you’ll be a bit stuck.
Either ask them to confirm the cost at check-in and set the money aside, or do the maths yourself so you’re not caught out when you’re packing to leave.
Final Thoughts
Third time’s the charm!
After a few mishaps, a lot of walking, and some very expensive bottled water, I finally feel like I’ve cracked it. These Prague dos and don’ts are everything I wish I’d known before my first visit—and now that I’ve tested them out for you, I feel totally confident about going back.
Next time I visit, I’ll be taking Callum with me, and I finally feel like it’s going to be one of those smooth, stress-free trips where things just fall into place.
Prague is such a brilliant city, and once you know what to expect, it’s so much easier to enjoy every bit of it.
If you’re flying in soon, don’t forget to check out my Prague Airport to City Centre guide—it covers everything from buses and taxis to what not to do after landing.
Have the best time, and feel free to save or share this post if you’re planning your own trip!
