Solo Travel in Prague and Beyond

If you’re looking for an exciting destination in Europe for your next solo travel, Prague in the Czech Republic is a great choice.  

Although Prague may be famous as one of the most romantic cities in the world, don’t overlook it for your solo trip. Traveling alone in Prague gives you the freedom to explore exactly what you want at your own pace. 

With its charming cobblestone streets, historic architecture, delicious local cuisine and vibrant culture, there is so much to do here. 

Visiting Prague is a must, but the Czech Republic has many more fairy-tale-like places. Whether it’s Bohemian castles, charming spa towns or beautiful nature.

I asked Kamila from Expat in Canada, who traveled extensively in the Czech Republic, for her solo travel recommendations. 

To help you make the most of your valuable time here, she’s put together this guide to solo travel in Prague and beyond, including the best places to visit in the Czech Republic.

Solo Travel Safety in Prague / Czech Republic

The good news for solo female travelers is that the Czech Republic is one of the safest places in the world.

According to the Global Peace Index 2023, it ranked 12th out of 163 countries and 8th out of all European countries.

Prague is one of the safest cities in Europe. As a solo traveler, I never had any issues using public transportation or walking at night in the streets.

However, as with any destination, taking precautions is prudent. One thing to be cautious of is pickpocketing in Prague. But that’s something to be mindful of in every big touristy city.

Also, taxi drivers in Prague are known to scam tourists with overinflated taxi rates. For that reason, it’s much better to use Uber, Bolt or simply public transport.

Czech men generally respect women, and you should have no issue in their company.

However, Prague has become a popular destination for stag parties, so you may come across many drunk and obnoxious Brits and Scandinavians downtown. 

They like to hang out at Rocky O’Reilly’s Irish Pub or in the clubs on Dlouha Street. If you plan to go out at night, I’d avoid these places or do so in a group. 

Solo Travel Friendliness in the Czech Republic

Prague is full of expats and travelers, so you’re sure to meet many interesting folks from all over the world.

Beyond Prague, it’s a different story. The language barrier may be a factor, but you’ll get a taste of more authentic culture and locals, plus a greater sense of adventure.

Most of the young generation speak English and are very friendly and willing to help if you approach them. With the older generation, speaking English is rare.

The Czech Republic is also known for its beer culture, so you’re bound to make friends at local beer gardens, social events or breweries. One of the popular hangouts is Letna Lookout beer garden in Prague, with fantastic city views. If you like beer, you should definitely try Pilsner Urquell.

You can also take advantage of Prague free walking tours. This way, it’s much easier to converse with other travelers participating in the same guided tour.

Solo Travel in Prague

Prague is a great place to start your solo adventure in the Czech Republic. It’s easy to get to and navigate around. Most major airlines fly to Prague airport, and there are great bus and train connections from Prague to other Czech cities.

Plus, there’s so much to see and do here. Most major attractions like the Prague castle complex, St. Vitus Cathedral and the Astronomical Clock are in the heart of Prague, located within walking distance from each other.

There’s something special about wandering around and getting intentionally lost in the hidden alleyways and streets of Prague’s Old Town (Staré město).

Even after visiting 50+ countries, Prague never gets old for me. It’s one of the best-preserved European cities, so you feel as if every stone tells a story. The city center is an architecture textbook, with historic buildings in every style, from Gothic to Baroque and Romanesque.

Add memorable classical concerts, tasty local food and world-class beer, and it’s easy to see why Prague charms everyone who visits. 

What to Do in Prague as a Solo Traveler

My favorite activity to do in Prague solo is strolling Old Town and the iconic Charles Bridge overlooking the romantic Vltava River. As you walk, you’ll stumble across many local artists and street musicians throughout its length. The bridge connects Old Town with Prague Castle District and Mala Strana.

Hidden in Mala Strana, you’ll find a cute Golden Lane street and a cozy cafe, Kafe & Hrnky, conveniently located on your way to the castle. It’s a ceramics studio/cafe where you can paint a mug and grab coffee. What a neat souvenir to take with you from your trip!

The cafe is one of the most touristy streets of Prague, but it remains hidden with a lovely courtyard. The prices are reasonable, the coffee and cakes are delicious, and the atmosphere is super chill with interesting decor. So there isn’t much not to love about this place.

The only downside is that after you paint your ceramic mug, which takes about 2 hours, it needs to get fired so you can collect it the earliest on the next day.

If you’re anything like me and prefer to stray off the beaten path, you’ll love Grébovka (Havlíčkovy sady). It’s an Italian Renaissance–style park with vineyards.

Prague is also a fantastically cultured city. I recommend getting immersed in its epic art scene, visiting art galleries, enjoying live music or checking out museums and street art. You can start by admiring Lennon Wall, visiting the Jewish Museum or Banksy Museum. The options are countless.

The best time to visit Prague is in the summer months or around Christmas when the aromas of cinnamon and mulled wine fill the streets at local Christmas markets. It’s pure magic and something that everyone should experience at least once in their lives (in my opinion). 

Just keep in mind that those times of the year are also the busiest.

Living in Canada, Christmas markets are something that I miss the most from Europe. Luckily, Banff has many festive activities that make me less homesick.

Best Places to Visit in the Czech Republic Beyond Prague

Kutná Hora

One of the easiest places to reach from Prague is Kutna Hora. It’s only a short one-hour train ride from Prague. You can also choose from many Kutna Hora day trip tours to make your life easier.

This medieval city was once one of the most prominent towns in the Czech Republic because of the abundance of silver mining.

Kutna Hora is a bit like a miniature Prague with its Gothic and Baroque architecture. Husova Street reminds me of Prague Malá Strana. Also, Kutná Hora’s Gothic Cathedral of St. Barbora rivals Prague’s St. Vitus Cathedral in size and magnificence.

But unlike Prague, the prices are noticeably lower, as well as hordes of tourists.

What’s most unique about Kutna Hora is Sedlec Ossuary, also known as Bone Church. The name Bone church is pretty spot on because it’s not just any ordinary church. It’s a chapel decorated with thousands of arranged human bones and skulls.

It’s a strangely spooky yet hauntingly beautiful place. 

After your sightseeing, Kavárna na Kozím plácku is a cute little cafe with 1950s furniture. They have delicious hot chocolate and ‘hořické trubičky’ – a Czech treat. The cafe is inside the historic building that also provides accommodation if you want to extend your stay.

Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov is a Unesco World Heritage Site with a stunning castle above the Vltava River.  When you walk around the cobbled medieval-like streets, you feel like you stepped back in time. An old town square is super photogenic. 

Unfortunately, the beauty of Cesky Krumlov is no longer the secret as it once was. It does get pretty overrun by tourists, especially in the peak summer season. But if you visit in winter or the off-season (around April/October), it’s a lot quieter.

It’s a small town, so you can walk from one end of town to the other in about 20 minutes. But staying overnight in Cesky Krumlov is more comfortable and allows you to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of its medieval charm.

After you check the main highlights – the Castle, Round Tower and historic Svornosti Square with cafes and souvenir shops, head to Museum Fotoatelier Seidel. It’s an authentic photographic atelier of famous photographer Josef Seidel dedicated to his work and the history of photography.

It’s a pretty cool place. The atelier offers a fun photo shooting session in vintage clothing that makes for yet another perfect souvenir.

I also recommend checking out the Old Bohemian Gingerbread shop that sells traditional local products. 

Hluboká Castle

Another stunning place to visit solo in the Czech Republic is Hluboka Castle. It’s only a 30-minute drive from Cesky Krumlov or 2h from Prague.

The castle looks straight out of a fairy tale, and it’s magical both inside and out.

The main wow factor for me comes from the exterior of the castle. And guess what! It’s free to wander around the castle gardens and park. But if you want to fully appreciate the castle, a tour of the interiors is a good choice.

The rooms themselves are works of art with elegant furniture, masterful paintings, luxurious chandeliers and intricate wood carvings.

The view from the tower is awesome and certainly worth the 245 steps.

If you have more time, visit the nearby Ceske Budejovice with a colorful historic square. Czechs are world-famous for their beers, so don’t miss a chance to sample the original Budweiser beer.

Karlovy Vary

Karlovy Vary, also known as Carlsbad, is a charming Czech spa town. It’s the largest of the three spa towns in Western Bohemia. Other two are Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně.

The highlight is strolling the four main historical colonnades housing the hot springs along the Teplá River.

You can admire the colorful architecture and sip the lukewarm spring waters from a lázeňský pohárek (a traditional porcelain drinking cup). The spring water tastes a bit funny but has many medicinal properties, and it’s free to drink.

The largest and most impressive colonnade, the neo-renaissance Mill Colonnade (Mlýnská kolonáda), dates back to 1881.

But the Karlovy Vary experience isn’t only about springs.

If you want to feel like a Bond girl, you can stay at the luxury hotel Grandhotel Pupp, one of the filming locations of the James Bond movie Casino Royale. I mean, how cool is that!

The pricing for accommodation is definitely on the higher end, but if nothing else, at least you can visit the cafe Pupp. The interior is elegant, with an incredible selection of desserts. Plus, it’s a dog-friendly spot.

Right behind the hotel Pupp, you’ll find a funicular that takes you to Diana’s lookout. You can climb to the top of Diana Tower for fantastic views of the city and surrounding forested hills. Karlovy Vary has many more beautiful viewpoints, like Goethe’s Lookout and Deer Jump Lookout, but Diana is the easiest to access.

You might have noticed by now that I have a sweet tooth, so I have another cafe and a local dessert recommendation for you – Cafe Elefant. Try marlenka (honey cake). You won’t regret it!

Karlovy Vary isn’t only famous for springs but also oplatky (spa wafers). It’s a sweet treat that you can nibble on. One of the special ingredients of the spa wafers is the water from the springs. 

The spa wafers are protected by the European Union as unique geographical products similar to Champagne, parmesan or feta cheese, so stock up and take some for your friends and family, too.

Karlovy Vary is also home to Becherovka, a traditional Czech bittersweet liqueur. It tastes a bit similar to Jägermeister. 

Lednice Castle

If you want to explore a different side of the Czech Republic, head to the southern Czech region of Moravia.

Moravia is home to the Unesco-protected historic landscape of Valtice-Lednice. Picture miles of walking and cycling trails, vineyards and two world-class royal palaces.

The two towns of Lednice and Valtice are about 10km apart.

Lednice Castle is the focal point of this beautiful UNESCO landscape and a must-see attraction. The castle is a romantic chateau surrounded by an English park and pretty gardens.

Mikulov or Brno are a perfect base for exploring the rolling hills of this Czech wine country. You can rent a bike at the train station in Lednice and cycle around the countryside or use this rental bike company in Mikulov, which can deliver a bike anywhere within South Moravia.

A popular and mostly flat cycling route is the 39km Liechtenstein Trail. Make sure to stop at some of the Moravian wineries and sample Czech wine varieties like Rulandské šedé, Frankovka, Ryzlink vlašský and Veltlínské zelené.

One of the best places to do wine tasting is in Valtice Castle’s Wine Cellars.

Bohemian Switzerland

If you prefer something outdoorsy, Bohemian Switzerland National Park (Czech Switzerland) is a real treat. This park is right at the Cezch-German border.

The main highlights of the park are giant sandstone rock formations.

I recommend heading straight to Pravčická Gate (Pravčická brána), which is Europe’s largest natural stone arch (21m high).

The 2km hike to the Gate starts at Tři prameny. Once you get to the top, you can reward yourself with a meal and drink at a restaurant inside an impressive historic building called Falcon’s Nest.

Hřensko, a nearby village, is also totally worth the visit and is a great base from where you can explore Bohemian Switzerland.

Final Word

The Czech Republic is one of the safest countries in Europe, making it a great destination for solo travelers. 

Prague is a must-visit, but no matter which region you choose to explore in the Czech Republic, there is no shortage of quaint towns and villages, enchanting castles and natural wonders. I’ve only scratched the surface in this post. 

The country is relatively geographically small, so many of these interesting spots are within a short ride by car, bus or train from Prague. 

I hope that after reading this Prague solo travel guide, you’ll feel inspired to visit not only Prague but also other places in the Czech Republic.

For more related posts, check out my recommendations below:

• The Best Prague Food Tour
• Spa trip to Marianskle Lazne
• The Best Things to Do in Olomouc
• Easter Markets in Prague

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