Prague is a city that stops you in your tracks. Whether you are crossing the medieval Charles Bridge at dawn, gazing down at the red-roofed city from Prague Castle, or getting lost in the labyrinthine lanes of Mala Strana, the Czech capital delivers moments of beauty around every corner. In 2026, the city continues to attract millions of visitors while working hard to encourage exploration beyond the tourist centre. The newly pedestrianised stretches along the Vltava riverbank offer a calmer, more local experience, with riverbank cycling paths connecting neighbourhoods that most tourists never reach.
The city's cultural offerings are formidable. The National Museum on Wenceslas Square, following a lengthy renovation, now presents Czech history from prehistoric times to the present with state-of-the-art displays. The DOX Centre for Contemporary Art in Holesovice and the Kunsthalle Praha, which opened in a converted 1920s transformer station, represent the city's thriving contemporary art scene. Classical music lovers are spoiled for choice — chamber concerts are held nightly in Baroque palaces and Gothic churches throughout the city, with the Municipal House remaining the grandest venue of all.
Day trips from Prague are some of the best in Europe. Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO-listed riverside town with a castle that rivals anything in Austria or Bavaria, is just under three hours by train. Kutna Hora, famous for its bone-decorated Sedlec Ossuary and stunning Gothic cathedral, is a 50-minute train ride. Back in the city, the Letna beer garden above the river offers arguably the best panoramic view in Prague alongside a cold Pilsner Urquell — proof that the simplest experiences are often the most memorable.