The Best Free Things to do in Prague

Prague is a great city to visit on a budget. Not only is the food and drink on the cheaper side, but there are also so many attractions you can visit for free.

In this post, I'll be sharing my top recommendations for free things to see and do in Prague.

1. Walk Along The Charles Bridge

The Charles Bridge is one of the most iconic sites in Prague. Stretching an impressive 516m across the Vltava River, the Charles Bridge connects the Old Town to Prague Castle and Petřín.

The bridge is pedestrianised, which makes the walk much more enjoyable. As well as the views of Prague Castle you get from various points along the bridge, each side is lined with 30 stone statues to admire.

As it is so popular, The Charles Bridge can get very crowded in the afternoon and evening, so if you want to enjoy a relaxed stroll across the bridge with time and space to take photos, I would recommend visiting in the morning. I visited the bridge just after 9am on a Saturday in September and there were only a few other people there.

The Charles Bridge would be my number one recommendation of things to do in Prague, regardless of the price, but it is even better that this is a completely free activity to enjoy on your trip.

2. Visit the Old Town Square

Prague's Old Town Square is home to two of its most famous monuments: the Týn Church and the Astronomical Clock.

The Týn Church is a beautiful, fairytale-esque building. What makes this church unique is that most of the façade is hidden behind a row of cafés in the Old Town Square, leaving just the upper section and the two turrets on display.

You can also go inside the Týn Church. This is free, although a donation is requested.

The Astronomical Clock is located opposite the church on the side of the old Town Hall. Prague's Astronomical Clock is the third oldest astronomical clock in the world. Even if you are not interested in the technicalities of how it works, the two dials are beautiful to look at, and there is so much detail to take in if you get close enough to see it.

Talking of getting close enough, the Astronomical Clock is another very popular attractions with tourists, so I would visit in the morning to avoid massive crowds.

There is also a 'show' with the figurines from inside the clock every hour on the hour from 9am to 11pm. This attracts an even larger crowd and, to be honest, I don't think it is a must-see, so I would recommend avoiding the Old Town Square at these times.

The Old Town Square is a must on your visit to Prague. Not only can you visit these two fantastic sites, but it is also a great place to grab a drink and relax (although of course that is not included on this 'best free things to do' list).

3. Explore Petřín

Petřín was a surprise highlight on my trip to Prague. The Petřín Hillside is home to a number of paid attractions, including the Eiffel Tower-inspired Petřín Tower and the Štefánik Observatory. However, in my opinion, the best thing you can do at Petřín is go on a relaxing walk and take in the views of the city.

Petřín is a 10-minute walk from the Charles Bridge. The climb isn't too steep and all the pathways are well paved. However, I would recommend getting the Funicular up to the top (this costs 60CZK or £2.25 for a one-way ticket) and then walk back down.

The walking paths are really peaceful, which makes for a nice change from the hustle and bustle of the centre. As I mentioned, there are some great views along the way. There is a designated viewing point about halfway down the hill, but I personally preferred the views you just come across. Through the trees, you will see Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge and the Vltava River at various points.

The walk also takes you past the remains of a medieval stone wall and, if you're lucky, you might see some wildlife in the trees.

Petřín might not be at the top of your list for things to do in Prague, but if you have a few hours free in your schedule, it is a lovely, relaxing and free activity to enjoy.

Visit the Wallenstein Garden

Just a 5-minute walk from Prague Castle, the Wallenstein Garden is a palace and garden complex which is completely free to visit.

Now, don't get me wrong, it isn't massive, but there is a pond, some small landscaped gardens and the intriguing dripstone wall to explore. You could definitely spend half an hour here.

The gardens are only open from April to October, but if you happen to visiting in the spring or summer, this is something to add to your list.

Visit the Jewish Quarter

The final entry on my list of free things to do in Prague is to visit the Jewish Quarter.

The Jewish Quarter is one of the most beautiful areas of the city. There are some fantastic synagogues to see (my personal favouries were the High Synagogue and the Spanish Synagogue), but the buildings in general are stunning. You will definitely have your camera out on every street corner.

If you are a music fan, you might also want to walk past the cemetery, which was featured in the music video for INXS' Never Tear Us Apart.

So, as you can see, you can have a great time in Prague without spending too much money.

Of course, there are some places you might want to pay to visit (Prague Castle, Petřín Tower), but this is one of the first cities I have visited where I can honestly say you could have a fantastic time without spending any money on attractions.

What are your favourite free things to do in Prague? Do you have any other recommendations? Let me know in the comments section below.

Thanks for reading and see you next time.