The Perfect Package Holiday ✈️ - City Break to Prague 🇨🇿

An affordable city-break in Prague 🇨🇿

As a university student, or anyone living life on a budget, finding an affordable yet exciting travel destinations can be a challenge. Prague, the enchanting capital of the Czech Republic, is the perfect getaway for friends or couples that won’t break the bank! With its budget-friendly attractions, historic landmarks, and vibrant culture, my city break to Prague was an unforgettable experience- and one that anyone can plan with ease. Here is how you can explore Prague without stretching your budget.

A good investment for this trip is the 3000 CZK (£100) 72-hour Prague city pass, as it includes airport transfers, 72-hour public transport ticket, and access to several attractions such as the Petřín Tower, Prague Castle, and the Astronomical clock.

Day One: Exploring Old Town

My partner and I started our journey in the heart of Prague- The Old Town, an area bursting at the seams with medieval charm. The best part? Exploring this quarter of Prague is completely free! Walking through its colourful and lively squares- specifically during the Winter season as there are many Christmas Markets to explore, we admired the famous Astronomical Clock, which offers a fascinating show every hour- no tickets required! However, there is an option to climb up the tower to see a beautiful view of the city, this costs 300 CZK (£9.94) or 200 CZK (£6.68) for students, or it is included in the Prague city pass.

We then headed to the Prague Natural History Museum, which is a must for anyone interested in science, history, and culture. The admissions fee was reasonable 300 CZK (£9.94) or 200 CZK (£6.68) for students. The museum has some of the most stunning architecture in the whole city, I will include some photos below. It has many fascinating exhibits our favourites were the pre-historic exhibit showcasing dinosaur fossils and prehistoric creatures and the evolution and zoology exhibit where you can discover preserved specimens of animals from around the world and learn about early human history. 

Next, we headed to the Bridge Tower and climbed to the top, for a breathtaking view of the king Charles Bridge and the Vltava River. While there is a small entrance fee, students get a discount 200 CZK (£6.68), making this a budget-friendly must-do, especially for those with an eye for photography. Even when walking across the King Charles Bridge, we took in the street performances, admired the statues, and soaked up the magical atmosphere and beautiful views. Before ending the day, we visited the Lennon Wall, an iconic free attraction where many stop by to take vibrant Insta-worthy pictures. 

Day Two: Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral

If you only take one piece of advice from this whole post let it be that no trip to Prague is complete without a visit to the impressive Prague Castle. The entrance fee was reasonable full admission was 450 CZK (£14.91) or 300 CZK (£9.94) for students giving you admission to the Prague Castle Circuit which includes entry to the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, Golden Lane (this is free to visit in the evening), and St. Vitus Cathedral, or if you have the city pass this is all included.

Inside the castle, we explored the stunning St. Vitus cathedral, with its intricate stained glass and history filled walls. Within the grounds, we also visited St. George’s Basilica, one of the oldest churches in Prague! We ended our visit to Prague Castle with a walk-through Golden Lane where you will find the Museum of Medieval Torture, and old prison towers like, the White Tower and Daliborka Tower which dates all the way back to 1496, these sights although slightly eerie, were a fascinating glimpse into Europe’s darker history. 

We then finished the night off by visiting Karlovy Lazne. This is marketed as the biggest club in Central Europe; although, I saw it more as a tourist trap, it was quite overpriced and overhyped. We went to visit the Robot Bar, where robotic bartenders mix drinks in a futuristic setting, the drinks were 400 CZK (£13.25), a bit on the pricey side compared to other bars in Prague. There was also an Ice Bar and a Silent disco but again both seemed overpriced. However, it is free to walk through so it would be worth visiting just for the experience.

Day Three: Quirky and Budget Friendly Prague

Our last full day in Prague, we started off the day by visiting the Kunsthalle Praha which is a brand-new art space in Prague’s cultural map, it costs 320 CZK (£10.60) or 200 CZK (£6.62) for students. This museum is constantly changing their exhibitions, but it is most definitely a worth a visit. At the time we visited they had two exhibitions. Firstly, was Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota who is renowned for her captivating installations, and the unsettled soul installation was no exception, her art was profound, it confronts fundamental human concerns such as life, death and relationships through large-scale thread installations pictured below.

The second exhibition and my personal favourite we were able to view was the Strange Attractions installation by the London-based collective United Visual Artists. One particular piece of their work piqued my interest, it was called ‘Present Shock and Etymologies’. It is a reflection on the current debate regarding the relationship between humans and technology in an age of artificial intelligence, this installation presents the audience with a barrage of real-time data, through a display of numerous neon red signs, seemingly unrelated chaotic statistics (as pictured below). However, the data presented is verified statistics which reveal unexpected correlations, illustrating the concept of the coincidence of opposites, how unrelated data can intersect in a surprising and significant way. This installation was extremely though provoking, and we could’ve spent hours sat in front of the sign pondering the complexity of the data presented. 

We had built up quite an appetite after this and no trip is complete without indulging in the local cuisine. If you are going to eat anywhere in Prague, I cannot recommend Restaurace U Pivrnce Maiselova suited near Old Town enough, they served classic Czech cuisine with a quirky artistic ambiance. We were seated in the downstairs part of the restaurant where the walls were covered with humorous caricatures and covered in signatures it was a very enjoyable experience and so cheap as well, it cost £30 for two meals, two sides, and two drinks each!

Final Thoughts: Why everyone should visit Prague!

Prague is a dream destination for anyone looking for an affordable city break, particularly during Winter and Spring as there are many markets and seasonally festivities. With discounted entry fees for students, plenty of free attraction, and a lively atmosphere, it’s the perfect getaway. If you’re looking for your next adventure, look no further and start planning your trip to Prague today!

Have you visited Prague? Let me know and share your favourite spots or even other holiday destinations you would recommend in the comments below!

Until next time, stay savvy and keep chasing new adventures ✨