Prague Top Ten Free Things to Do in 2024
Prague is an amazing, diverse city with incredible food, nice people, and many free and budget-friendly things to do. Unlike many parts of Europe, Prague showcases that staying active while traveling doesn’t have to break the bank. Here is a list of free things to do in Prague, perfect for your next adventure.
Charles Bridge
Prague’s most iconic feature, the Charles Bridge sees swaths of tourists daily. Be sure to come early to enjoy the bridge’s historic monuments without huge crowds of people that make it, frankly, unbearable to walk around. For a great view of the bridge in its entirety, be sure to take a view from the Franz Kafka Museum, located on the opposite river bank from Old Town.
Prague Castle
One of the most iconic views from the Charles Bridge is the Prague Castle. The Prague Castle is generally recognized as the largest castle complex in the world and is a UNESCO world monument. The grounds and some of the buildings, including the famous St. George’s Basilica on the property are free for visitors. You can pay roughly $10 usd for access to some museums, dungeon, and Golden Lane. But you do receive access to a large portion of the grounds for free.
Free Walking Tour
There are a couple of companies offering free walking tours in Prague. You can find them all on Free Tours by Foot. Though these tours are advertised as free, it’s always a good idea to tip your tour guide at the end of the tour, as this is their source of income. For a completely free tour, I recommend the Rick Steves Audio Europe app. Rick Steves has been a travel expert for a long time and though he’s a bit cheesy at times, the app includes some amazing walking tours through Europe for free. You can follow easy guides and maps throughout the audio tour.
Astronomical Clock
An interesting marvel at 15th-century engineering and values. The clock rings at the stroke of the hour (be aware 15th-century engineers did not abide by daylight savings time) from 9a-11p. More than showcasing the time of day, the clock also depicts daylight and nighttime hours, earth as the center of the universe, and signs of the zodiac. You’ll see crowds of people around the clock right before the hour to get a glimpse of the show.
Letna Gardens and Letna Beer Garden
Though the Letna Beer Garden is free to sit down, I recommend buying a $2.50 usd beer, sitting down and enjoying the marvelous view of the city. However, the Letna Gardens, just north of Old Town across the river, are a great spot to relax and enjoy a spring or summer day in Prague. You’ll find locals walking their dogs, kids running around, and groups of friends catching up over a picnic.
Jewish Quarter
Though visiting the Jewish Museum and Old Jewish Cemetery will cost you, you can stroll through the Jewish Quarter for free. Some free tours do walk through the Jewish Quarter, but you could also download the GPSmyCity.com app for a written walking tour with a map of the Jewish Quarter. The Jewish Quarter Old New Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in Europe that is still used as a house of prayer with its structure dating back to 1270. Largely, the $25 tour inside the structures is not worth the price.
Lennon Wall
A rather silly attraction, the Lennon Wall is located in Praha 1 near the French Embassy and fairly close to the Charles Bridge. Since the 1980s people have been writing phrases of love and peace. More than anything, it’s a great photo op.
Stromovka Park
Views by locals as Prague’s Central Park, Stromovka Park is a 250-acre site open to visitors daily. The park dates back to 1268 – over 750 years of history! Inside you’ll find a cafe, a large pond, and the Prague National Gallery building. You can easily access the park by taking the 6 tram.
The Powder Tower
The Prague Powder Tower is one of the original gates into Old Prague and dates back to the 11th century. You can pay to go inside the tower, but it’s not worth the cost. Instead, visit the Municipal Building next door for free and see some of the most amazing Great Gatsby-esque Art Deco architecture for free.
Hike to Petrin Tower
One of the best lookouts of Prague, Petrin Tower is a must for a view of the city below. To get to the top, you must walk through the beautiful Petrin Gardens and park, lined with crisscrossing paths and statues. The tower was inspired by a Czech group visiting the Paris World’s Fair. Visiting the top of the tower will cost you about $7.50, but just climbing to the tower can be worth the view.
