What is the best time to visit Prague?+
May-June and September-October — mild 15-22°C, fewer crowds than peak July-August. December is magical with Christmas markets (Dec 1-Jan 6) but cold + crowded. Avoid Easter (crowds). January-February is coldest + cheapest (-5 to 3°C). Prague has 4 distinct seasons + each has charm.
How many days do I need in Prague?+
Three days covers the essentials: Old Town Square + Charles Bridge + Prague Castle + Jewish Quarter. Four-five days adds Mucha Museum, Petřín, Vyšehrad, classical concert, and breathing room. Six-seven days unlocks day trips: Český Krumlov, Kutná Hora (Bone Church), Karlovy Vary spa town. Great destination for 4-5 day visits.
Is Prague expensive?+
Prague is one of Europe's most affordable capitals. Mid-range daily: CZK 3,000-4,500 (~USD 130-195) vs €150-200 in Vienna/Paris. Budget travelers easily hit CZK 1,500-2,000/day. Luxury still 30-40% below Western Europe. Beer is often cheaper than water at restaurants (CZK 60-80 half-liter of Pilsner). Best value-for-quality meal in Europe.
Is Prague safe for tourists?+
Very safe — violent crime against tourists rare. Main risks: (1) pickpocketing on Charles Bridge + trams; (2) currency exchange scams (offer 1 EUR = 15 CZK vs real 24-25; use ATMs only); (3) taxi scams at airport — use official rank or Uber; (4) strip club + brothel scams on Wenceslas Square with predatory bills. Otherwise walking at night in central + tourist zones is safe.
Do I need Czech currency or can I use Euros?+
Prague uses Czech koruna (CZK) despite being in the EU. Most businesses accept EUR but at terrible rates (often 1 EUR = 20-22 CZK vs real 25). Always pay in CZK. Use ATMs at Komerční banka, Česká spořitelna, Raiffeisen for withdrawals — choose CZK not EUR dispense. Credit cards accepted widely; foreign-currency ATM withdrawal better than airport exchange.
Do I need a visa for Prague?+
Czech Republic is in Schengen Area. 60+ nationalities get 90 days in 180 days visa-free. ETIAS (€7 online, 3-year validity) required from 2025 for US/UK/Canada/Australia/Japan citizens. Indian + Chinese + African passports require Schengen visa. Passport valid 3+ months after departure.
Is Prague good for beer lovers?+
YES — #1 beer-consuming nation per capita (140 L/person/year). Pilsner Urquell (from Plzeň) defined the "pilsner" style worldwide. Fresh-tanked Pilsner at Lokál chain pubs is extraordinary. Other classics: Budvar (original Budweiser), Staropramen, Kozel, Starobrno. Craft beer scene: Matuška, Nomád, Falkon. Half-liter 60-80 CZK at real pubs. Beer trails + brewery tours widely available.
What should I eat in Prague?+
Svíčková (beef in cream sauce + dumplings) — national dish. Guláš + bread dumplings. Vepřo-knedlo-zelo (pork + dumplings + sauerkraut). Pork knuckle (vepřové koleno). Tatarský biftek (Czech beef tartare). For beer snacks: utopenci (pickled sausages), nakládaný hermelín (pickled camembert), chlebíčky (open-faced sandwiches). Dessert: medovník (honey cake), koláče. Skip the trdelník — it's a tourist invention, not Czech.
How do I avoid currency exchange scams?+
Never use street-level "exchange offices" (směnárna) near Old Town. Their advertised rate (1 EUR = 17-18 CZK) is fake — they charge massive commissions + fine print. Use: (1) ATMs at bank-branded locations (Komerční banka, Česká spořitelna, Raiffeisen, ČSOB); (2) airport ATMs; (3) your hotel's front desk (slightly worse than ATM but reliable). Real rate: 1 EUR = 24-25 CZK.
Is tap water safe in Prague?+
Yes — Prague tap water is safe + among Europe's best quality. Restaurants sometimes charge for water (0.30 EUR for 0.5 L bottle); you can always ask for tap ("voda z kohoutku"). Czechs typically drink bottled water or mineral water (Mattoni is national brand).
Prague vs Vienna — which should I visit first?+
Both excellent, different characters. Prague: cheaper (40-50% less), more Gothic medieval, famously bohemian + beer-focused, more compact + walkable. Vienna: grander imperial, more classical music + museums, more refined + expensive. First-time Central Europe: Prague for budget + charm; Vienna for classical art + imperial history. 4 hours by train between them; both deserve 3-4 days each.
Is Prague good with kids?+
Yes — Prague Zoo, Petřín mirror maze + tower, Children's Island on the Vltava, Lego museum, marionette theatre performances, dwarf-sized doors in Golden Lane at Prague Castle (kids love these). Most restaurants welcome kids; Czech pubs might be smoky (some banning still patchy). Baby-changing limited at older museums. Trams are stroller-accessible.
What are the Christmas markets in Prague like?+
Late November to January 6 — main market on Old Town Square + Wenceslas Square + Namesti Republiky. Mulled wine (svařák, 60-80 CZK), trdelník (tourist-targeted), sausages + potato pancakes. Night illuminations spectacular. Hotel prices triple during Dec 20-30. Prices higher at market stalls than regular pubs — go for atmosphere, eat elsewhere.
Should I book Prague Castle in advance?+
Recommended but not always required. Prague Castle is huge (70,000 m²); the grounds are free + open 06:00-22:00. Paid circuits for St. Vitus + Old Royal Palace + Golden Lane + St. George's: Basic Circuit B 250 CZK; Full B+C 450 CZK. Summer + Christmas queues 15-30 min. Changing of the Guard daily 12:00 is free.
Can I do day trips from Prague?+
Yes — excellent: Kutná Hora (Bone Church + St. Barbara Cathedral, 1h train, 200 CZK); Český Krumlov (fairy-tale UNESCO town, 2h 30m bus, 300 CZK); Karlovy Vary (spa town, 1h 30m bus); Terezín Concentration Camp memorial (1h, sobering); Dresden Germany (2h 20m train, €25).
What should I avoid in Prague?+
Avoid: street currency exchanges (robbery rates); airport taxis not from official rank; trdelník as "traditional Czech" (it's a 2010s invention); strip clubs on Wenceslas with "free first drink" touts (massive bill scams); unmetered taxis fixing "flat rate"; trams without validated ticket (900 CZK fine); overpriced absinthe bars claiming "authentic Czech" (absinthe is banned in Europe for alcohol %, tourist bars sell fake versions).
Is Prague kid-friendly for a family trip?+
Yes — interesting Prague Zoo (3rd best in the world per TripAdvisor 2017-2018), marionette theaters, Petřín Hill funicular + mirror maze, castle turret climbs, Čokoládový Muzeum (Chocolate Museum), Lego Museum. Most restaurants welcome kids; public transport stroller-friendly (older trams not, newer Metro lines accessible).
What is Czech beer culture really like?+
Beer is the national drink. Half-liter pivo at a pub costs 60-80 CZK (~USD 3); cheap enough locals drink multiple daily. Pilsner style invented here (Plzeň, 1842). Beer coasters mark "how many you've had" + server continues bringing until you flip your coaster over (stop signal). Pub etiquette: don't wave for a beer; the server watches + refills. Popular beers: Pilsner Urquell, Budweiser Budvar (original Bud), Staropramen, Gambrinus.