Hello and welcome to my page. My name is Dana, and hey, I am not an AI robot or a travel blogger. I am a Prague local who is regularly sharing tips for exploring my hometown in a less touristy way. Overtourism has become our daily reality downtown, affecting both residents and visitors alike. That’s why I would like to show you how to navigate the city in a more local way, yet still see the must-sees but in a less invasive way. Thank you for contributing to more sustainable tourism in Prague 🍃🌍💚
Who am I and what do I do in Prague (and for Prague)?
I am a licensed tour guide running my own tiny business called Prague Behind The Scenes. With my services, I try to show my clients Prague in a less touristy way. No umbrellas, no large groups, no microphones, and no clichéd busy routes through a downtown Disneyland. If you like the idea of discovering the city center in a more creative and relaxed way, accompanied by a local, I will be more than happy to show you around my hometown. This year, 2026, marks my 11th season of guiding and promoting sustainable tourism here.
I also write these blogs. I have no paid collaborations with local hotels, travel agencies, or restaurants. The content is 100% unbiased, and I would say it’s literally “handmade” – written by my own fingers. Not generated by AI. You will not find any ads, affiliate links, or pop-up windows on my website. I am not an influencer. I write in my free time. Today, I will share how to discover Prague in a less touristy way. Below you will find a full itinerary for exploring the city on your own.
A disappointing reality: Prague city center is incredibely crowded!
This is, unfortunately, a reality. You’ll discover this shortly after your arrival. Local residents? They’re as rare as unicorns! Downtown areas have truly become a little open-air museum for tourists, with services designed for visitors, prices targeting tourists, and nearly every building listed on Airbnb. Apologies for the brutal honesty at the beginning, but turning every brick into a cash cow is painfully obvious.
Fortunately, there are still islands of normality where travelers who prefer more authenticity can find the real magic and locals escape the show for tourists. You just need to know where and when to go. And this is where I can help.
Prague highlights: Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle. How to see them without crowds?
The easiest highlight to explore without crowds is undoubtedly Prague Castle. But wait until the evening. This is the right time to visit the biggest castle complex in the world. It’s so peaceful, charming, and has a completely different vibe than during the day when it’s busy with large tour groups.
Prague Castle is open until 10 PM! Cool, right? The later you come, the better for you. You will have a chance to explore all the courtyards and also the famous Golden Lane, which is a paid area during the day but open for free in the evening (after 6 PM). And it will be almost empty! Prague Castle grounds are completely free of charge, day or night. No tickets needed, no pre-bookings. Just show up whenever you like.
So, once again, the rule for Prague Castle = evenings are best. No crowds, no noise + Golden Lane will be open for free.
Now it will get a little challenging: Charles Bridge and the Astronomical Clock. Oh boy…unfortunately guys, you will have to roll out of bed before the crowds come. And they will come! With their fresh enthusiasm for taking pictures and standing in your pictures!
I will start with Charles Bridge because it really does it´s magic when it´s empty. During the daytime, you can encounter around 30,000 visitors, and that’s certainly not what you’re looking for. If you come early, you will not regret. I know, I know…vacation, hotel breakfast, but I promise, it´s worth it to wake up early.
Rule for Charles Bridge: Come early! Until 8AM – super nice! 9AM, still nice but more people. After that? Welcome to the jungle!
And how about the Astronomical Clock? For me, Astronomical Clock is something I never visit on my tours. It’s my no-go zone 🛑 Sadly, during the daytime and evenings, and even late hours, this is the busiest part of the city center.
Rule for the Astronomical Clock: guys, again, early morning is the time for the Astronomical Clock and the Old Town Square! You will only meet garbage collectors rumbling down the streets, delivery cars arriving at the restaurants or locals heading to work. But no large groups. Best before 8AM.
And here is my article where I will explain to you how this sophisticated mechanism works: 4 Easy Tips on How to Read the Astronomical Clock.
A day in Prague: itinerary for steering clear of the crowds
Goal: relaxed day to see the highlights to check off your list (tick off – been there, seen that), hidden gems, great food, and drinks. In the evening: grin of satisfaction with crowd-free photos and the impression that you have discovered and experienced a unique perspective of Prague.
Here is my simple yet rich itinerary (or rather ideas) for how to spend one day in Prague less touristy. If you want, you can also contact me and I will design your own tour: dana@praguebehindthescenes.com
1. Wake up at 7 AM. Don’t kill me, the jet lag will help you 🙂 Get ready and head to see the Astronomical Clock first and then continue to Charles Bridge. I know that many of you are staying in the city center, so it will only be a short, peaceful walk. And in paragraphs 3 and 6, I have fantastic coffee and breakfast recommendations for you. You will not be suffering on this tour, I promise!
2. Charles Bridge will be beautiful. The best pictures with panoramic views can be taken in the middle of the bridge or from the Křížovnické náměstí close to the Charles IV. statue. During the day, it’s crazy busy. In the morning – absolutely fabulous.
3. Time for the first caffeine kick. Head to a tiny Grounds L4 Café hidden in a little courtyard with wooden cobblestones by the entrance. Please sit for a while. It’s much better than take-away coffee. I love their minimalist serving and the rich flat white.
4. Right now you are only a short walk from the legendary John Lennon Wall. In the morning? You are winning a jackpot! Colorful, photogenic, no crowds. And lovely linden trees growing above your heads. Did you know that lindens are the national trees of our country? A very nice gift from the Czech Republic is linden tea or linden honey.
John Lennon Wall looks completely different every single day. Sometimes it’s nicer, and sometimes it’s just a mess with tagging. The wall is living its own life, and every picture you take is 100% original because you never know who will come to overpaint it again. My photo is original, and yours will be too, and completely different.
5. Time to see Charles Bridge without standing on it. Head to Kampa Island and towards the river. The wooden structures in front of every pillar of Charles Bridge are old icebreakers. Yes, earlier the Vltava river freezed every winter.
6. Breakfast! Where? In the one and only Stranou bistro, my currently most favorite place in Lesser Town. Stranou means “aside,” and it literally is. Hidden in a charming back alley, opposite the Norwegian and Finnish embassy. A tiny, cute, clean place with delicious food.
7. Recharged? It’s time for a little tram adventure. At the end of the street where you enjoyed breakfast, you will find a tram stop called “Tyršův dům.” Hop on any tram and go 2 stops to “Malostranská.” If you are 65 or older, you can travel for free. Please just have an ID (passport, no copy) with you if the controller comes. If you are younger, well, you need a ticket. You can easily buy it on the tram from the orange machine with a digital display. The machine is located in the middle of the wagon. It costs 39 CZK, and you can pay by contactless card. Simple!
8. Where are you now? Malostranská can be busy at times as it’s a big transportation hub and base for many tours heading up to Prague Castle. But you will not go with the flow. You will walk in the opposite direction across the river, over the Mánes Bridge. Back to the Old Town. From this bridge you will also enjoy fantastic views. The Castle will be behind your back. So just turn around.
9. Once you cross Mánes Bridge, you will immediately see the building of Rudolfinum. It’s home to the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. But not only that. If you go around the corner, there is another entrance. This entrance leads to the Rudolfinum gallery. A super underrated place, with a charming interior and always free exhibitions. There are also toilets and a hidden café. And an art library on the ground floor. Almost nobody goes there. Please note: closed on Mondays! Museums and galleries are always closed on Mondays.
10. Time to enjoy a little stroll along the Vltava River. You will go with the stream this time 🙂 Literally. From here you will see Seat of our government, remnants of the original fortification of Prague, and also the crane-like looking Prague metronome, a place where back in time used to stand the biggest sculpture of Stalin in Europe. I recommend walking right by the river, you will also pass the Prague main port.
11. Now blend in with some charming Old Town back alleys. Take your time. There are so many photogenic corners. Your next destination will be the Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia, a quiet piece of medieval history that now serves as a gallery. But that’s not where I am inviting you to go. I would like to show you the tranquil interiors of the convent on the ground floor that are open for free. While roaming around, you will also encounter a nice creative workshop where you can try to write with a goose feather or create an easy piece of art. It’s free to explore. There is no staff, so if you only want to chill on the pillow or paint, it’s up to you.
12. Time for a light lunch? You don’t have to go far. Right inside the convent, there is a little bistro called Anežka. If the weather is nice, you can sit in the convent garden! But that will be your next stop anyway.The convent is surrounded by lovely green areas (there are two parts). Feel free to explore both of them. There are fantastic modern art intallations.
13. One of the most photogenic and picturesque streets in this neighborhood is Řásnovka, don’t miss it out!
14. Also, don’t miss a cute gingerbread shop called Perníčkův sen and get their specialty called “sakrajda,” gingerbread strudel filled with plum jam and nuts.
15. Time for a fun and bumpy ride with the local public transport minibus. Welcome to bus number 194. A little hero riding through the narrowest streets of Prague city center. It’s mostly for elderly locals heading home or to the doctors (please offer your seat to them if they need it).
Hop on the bus at “Hradební” stop, you will find it right by the Naše maso butcher shop. Don’t forget to buy the ticket again. But you already know it 🙂 Enjoy a fun ride through the historical city center full of cobblestones (that’s why it will be bumpy). You will get off at the terminal stop (Nemocnice pod Petřínem, it’s a very old local hospital close to Prague Castle). You might meet nuns on this bus as well, because they work in the hospital.
16. Behind the hospital, you will find yourself in a lovely orchard and park with fantastic views over the Strahov Monastery and the Castle district. It’s my favorite hidden corner of Prague city center.
17. From the hospital, head up to Strahov Monastery to see the famous historical libraries. In the afternoon it’s usually not that busy as during mornings. Try to go there closer to the end of opening hours (best around 4PM, they close at 5). The way up to the monastery leads through public orchards, so if the fruit is ripe, feel free to get a snack (apples, pears, plums, cherry plums…).And of course, enjoy the views! It’s worth the 10-minute uphill walk!
18. From Strahov library it will be an easy walk. Downhiiiill! Stop for a light snack at Myšák Na hradě (they have the longest way to the toilets I ever seen:-) and serve delicious cakes and snacks. Just leave some space for beer. It’s awaiting your next doors. Delicious Pilsner Urquell at Kuchyň na hradě, in their fantastic beer garden.
Did you enjoy my itinerary? You can support my writing by buying me a virtual coffee. Thank you for your generosity and for supporting sustainable traveling with me.
Dana, owner and guide for Prague Behind The Scenes – Small-group tours and experiences
Where to next?
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