After searching for the perfect European autumn destination for colorful foliage, I found Prague. Prague is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and I can easily see why. It’s such a great destination to visit for a long weekend, and autumn was a great time to see all the beautiful colors. In this post, I’ll share all the best foliage locations, how to dine in an ancient tower, and how to book tickets for one of the best performances I’ve ever seen. Prague also boasts having the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, but I don’t think you could go wrong any time of the year. Keep reading for how to spend 3 days in Prague in autumn!
Best Time to Visit Prague
The best time to visit Prague is mid-October. The fall foliage is beautiful and it’s not as crowded. Even though I’m biased, I think it’s one of the best European cities to visit in the fall. Prague also has some of the best European Christmas markets, but it can get cold during those months. Summer has the best weather but it is also the busiest time to visit.
Public Transportation Prague: The best way to get around
The best way to get around Prague is by walking. There is a train line that runs right through the center of town and other trains that scale the city perimeter. There are also vintage-looking trains that are even just as exciting to ride. I however only took the public train once and had a very scary experience. Keep reading for how to avoid it.
When using Prague’s trains you can buy tickets onboard. When I was trying to purchase a ticket, I had trouble with my credit card. After only a few minutes of trying to use a different card, I was greeted by an aggressive man wearing street clothes and no uniform. He asked to check my ticket, but I told him I was still trying to purchase one but my credit card wasn’t working. Since my husband and I weren’t riding the train for long we got off shortly after he started talking with us, and he proceeded to follow us off the train along with another even scarier ‘staff member’. They said if I didn’t have a ticket I needed to pay a fine otherwise they would call the police. The fine was around $100, and it was one of the scariest experiences I’ve ever had traveling in Europe.
Best location to stay in Prague
If you’re planning to spend 3 days in Prague or it’s your first time it would be best to stay in Old Town or Mala Strana. Here are a few recommendations for other neighborhood options.
If it’s your first time in Prague…
Here are some of the best spots to stay in Prague, including stays in Old Town. Old Town is one of the best places to stay in Prague, especially if it’s your first time.
Day 1: Visit the Old Town of Prague
Go Inside the Hall Tower and admire the famous show!
The Old Town is one of the most picturesque areas in Prague and home to the famous Astronomical Clock. This clock was created in 1410, making it the oldest operating clock in the world. When the hour strikes from 9 am to 11 pm, there’s a show from the clock that sets in motion. Watch as well for the twelve apostles circling the top.
Even though you can see the clock show from the street, you can always view it from behind inside the Hall Tower. Before you climb to the top, you’ll be able to see the back of the Astronomical clock in action. The tower’s vantage point offers a perfect view of Old Town and a bird’s eye view of the square. An interesting fact about Prague I didn’t realize is how many viewpoints this city has. The geographical elevation changes throughout the city, and there are so many incredible viewpoints. If you’re spending 3 days in Prague, you can’t miss this location!
Visit one of the world’s most beautiful libraries
Clementinum Astronomical Tower and Library is one of the most beautiful in the world. You do need to book tickets online and have to book ahead of time, especially on the weekends. I recommend booking tickets from the official website, versus getting a group tour. The library only offers tickets for group tours, and I don’t believe private tours are available. Be careful not to confuse the tower with the Old Town’s Astronomical Clock in the Hall Tower, as they are two separate towers.
Roam around the Spanish Synagogue and surrounding neighborhood
The Prague Jewish Town is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the Old Town. There’s also a Spanish synagogue we didn’t have time to visit but we saw many people who were. The fall foliage in this area is beautiful if you’re visiting Prague in autumn.
Dine at the famous butcher shop Nase Maso
Have a bit of a late lunch or early dinner at the famous butcher shop Nase Maso. This well-known butcher shop is famous for its beef from Czech Fleckvieh cattle and other varieties of meat. We tried some hamburgers, and they were delicious. When spending 3 days in Prague, make sure to pay a visit. It was one of my favorite restaurants in Prague! Keep in mind there are only a few tables indoors and there’s always a line to order. The surrounding streets offer benches if you can’t find a seat inside.
Enjoy Prague in Autumn fall foliage at Letna Park
After walking around and enjoying the beauty of Prague, we decided to walk to the Letna Park beer garden. Remember what I said earlier about multiple viewpoints? This park offers a beautiful view of the city. This spot is popular among locals and is cash only. It also closes fairly early even on the weekends, so make sure to check their website for details.
Day 2: Spend the day at Prague Castle
Start your second day of your 3 days in Prague itinerary by visiting Prague Castle. The complex of Prague Castle is enormous, and there’s so much to see. Keep in mind you need to buy separate tickets for the different areas you want to visit, and you can purchase them at the entrance of the complex. One of the first fun facts about Prague Castle is it’s extremely old and resembles more of a church than a castle. Built in 880 it is the largest coherent castle complex in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. It is the most significant site in the Czech Republic and was a past location for the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. It still operates as the official office of the President of the Czech Republic but in a separate building.
Visit Prague Castle and Queen Anne’s Palace
My favorite part of visiting Prague Castle wasn’t visiting the castle at all, but finding Queen Anne’s Summer Palace, a beautiful Renaissance building dating back to the 1500s. The surrounding foliage when visiting Prague in autumn is simply stunning. There is a pathway after you cross a bridge behind the castle and head East. This will lead you through beautiful gardens and Queen Anne’s summer palace. There is plenty of fall foliage to admire! If you’re looking for a guided tour, check out the recommendations below.
My other favorite viewpoint from Prague Castle was from the Google location ‘Plecnikova Vyhlidka’. Find the long walkway with incredible views of Prague. You can also see fall colors from this point if you’re visiting Prague in autumn.
Have dinner at Cafe Savoy
Since this will be a long day, take a few hours to relax back at your hotel before dinner. We booked reservations for Cafe Savoy, one of Prague’s most beautiful and stylish restaurants. The food here was exceptional, a Czech and French fusion. Since it is very reasonably priced, we ordered a wine pairing with dinner. We were delighted when the sommelier gave us a full review of each when they were brought to our table.
See a show at the State Opera House
Another highlight of our 3 days in Prague was our visit to the State Opera House. We booked tickets a few months in advance for the performance of Sleeping Beauty. When I say that it was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen, I’m not exaggerating. The Opera House is quite stunning and worth a visit if you’re in town. The tickets were also reasonably priced, and my husband and I scored tickets in one of the boxes for much less than I’d seen anywhere else.
