The best self-guided tours of Prague in 2025

Prague is a city full of history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. While famous sights like Charles Bridge and Prague Castle are must-sees, the best way for you to explore the city is through self-guided tours that bring its stories to life. SmartGuide’s audio tours in Prague have helped visitors spend 30% of their time outside the crowded city center, uncovering fascinating spots beyond the usual tourist routes. By highlighting lesser-known places and nearby destinations, the app encourages eco-friendly travel and supports local tourism.  

Furthermore, SmartGuide’s digital audio guide platform offers a variety of Prague tours, including destination tours, attraction tours, and tours by tour operators, providing a valuable opportunity for tourism entities and businesses to publish their own tours for free using the SmartGuide content management system, making it easier to reach and engage travelers.

In this blog, we’ll explore the best Prague tours to take in 2025, helping you discover both iconic landmarks and hidden gems for a more memorable trip.

SmartGuide's Prague audio tours

Prague Royal Route

The Royal Route is one of the most well-known walking tours in Prague, following the path of medieval coronation processions. This historic trail takes you through key highlights in the Old Town, across the famous Charles Bridge, and up to the grand Prague Castle. Along the way, the tour covers 29 significant sites, including the Old Town Square, the Municipal House, the Gothic Powder Gate, and the Buqouy Palace.

Each stop on the route highlights fascinating details from the past. For example, the Charles Bridge, stretching over the Vltava River, was commissioned by Emperor Charles IV in the 14th century and remains one of Prague’s most famous landmarks. Old Town Square has long been a focal point of Czech history, with monuments like the world-famous astronomical clock or the column of the Virgin Mary, which was erected in gratitude for the end of the Thirty Years’ War. Prague Castle, the final stop on the route, holds the distinction of being the largest castle complex in the world.

Guiding this tour is Dana Kratochvílová, a knowledgeable local guide who brings these historic places to life with engaging stories. The journey through Prague’s legacy takes approximately 2 to 3 hours, offering travelers a deeper appreciation of the city’s rich heritage.

Prague Royal Route tour offered by SmartGuide 

Vyšehrad

This tour is guided by Prague City Tourism and it offers an intriguing walk through Prague’s second castle and the surrounding New Town district, located across the river from Prague Castle. This route leads to Vyšehrad, a site filled with legends, passing by its fortress walls, the Slavín mausoleum, Baroque fortifications, and panoramic views of both Old and New Town. At the base of Vyšehrad, visitors can admire the striking Czech Cubist architecture of Kovařovic Villa, recognized for its distinct geometric design.

Covering 28 spots, the walk provides insight into Prague’s cultural and architectural heritage. From Vyšehrad, a scenic riverside promenade invites travelers to either return to the city center or continue exploring lesser-visited areas of New Town. Instead of heading to the botanical garden at Albertov, the route guides visitors to Karlov, home to the last remnants of the New Town defense wall.

The walk begins at the southern gate of Vyšehrad Fortress. The name "Vyšehrad" translates to "high castle," so starting from the rear entrance allows for a more comfortable approach without a steep climb. The best way to reach the starting point at Tábor Gate on V pevnosti Street is by taking a taxi or, for a convenient public transport option, the red metro line C to "Vyšehrad" station. Upon exiting the station, visitors are immediately treated to stunning views of the city from the Congress Centre before reaching Tábor Gate, the main entry to the Vyšehrad complex. 

When at the complex itself, visitors can enjoy dedicated tours around the castle itself, including its underground.

Vyšehrad tour offered by SmartGuide

Clam-Gallas Palace

The Clam-Gallas Palace, a striking Baroque landmark in Prague’s Old Town, has been restored to reflect its former role as the residence of a prominent noble family from the Habsburg monarchy. Recognized as one of the most important architectural monuments in Prague and the Czech Republic, this palace exemplifies Baroque design and provides insight into the aristocratic lifestyle of its time.

This indoor tour takes you through a magnificent complex consisting of a four-winged structure built around a central square courtyard. It features a tower-like entrance bay aligned with Charles Street, a stair tower at the northeast corner, and an eastern wing extending to the rear tracts of houses that form the western side of the Small Square. The palace grounds also include three smaller courtyards and a corner garden. As you explore, you'll witness stunning statues, beautifully decorated rooms, and intricate interior designs that reflect the grandeur of the early 18th century, with modifications from the late 18th and 19th centuries. This tour is available in multiple languages, ensuring a comprehensive experience for visitors from around the world.

Museum of Public Transport

The Museum of Public Transport in Prague, located in the historic Střešovice tram depot, offers an insightful look into the city's transit history. Opened in May 1993 by the Prague Public Transit Company, the museum showcases over forty historic vehicles along with a variety of exhibits, including models, photographs, tickets, maps, and other artifacts that highlight the evolution of public transport in the Czech capital.

However, the Střešovice depot is more than just a museum. It also serves as a starting point for operational historic trams that still run through the city. On weekends and holidays during the summer season, visitors can see trams from this depot in action, including those on the circular line 41 or special rides arranged for private groups. Whether exploring the museum’s collection or spotting these vintage trams in motion, a visit here provides a better understanding of Prague’s public transport heritage. 

The Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter, tucked between the lively Old Town Square and the flowing Vltava River, is a place where Prague’s Jewish heritage comes to life. Once a neighborhood of narrow streets and modest homes, it was known as an area of poverty. Imagine what it must have been like centuries ago. At the start of the 20th century, much of the original architecture was replaced with modern buildings, yet the spirit of the old Jewish Quarter remains, preserving the stories and history of Prague’s Jewish community.

The tour includes 19 spots, including Franz Kafka’s Square, Maisel Street, Maisel Synagogue, and the Ceremonial Hall. Before starting your tour, keep in mind that many attractions included require an entry fee. However, you can still experience the rich atmosphere of the area by simply walking through its historic streets. 

When visiting religious locations, dress modestly—bare shoulders are not allowed. Men are also required to cover their heads at the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Pinkas Shoah Memorial. If you don’t have a head covering, you can purchase one affordably at the entrance.

Curious about the Jewish Cemetery? While entry requires a ticket, this tour will guide you to the best vantage points where you can still get a glimpse of its historic significance without going inside.

Jewish Quarter tour offered by SmartGuide

Historic Hop-On Hop-Off Tram

Experience Prague like never before with a ride on the historic Line 42 tram. This special route lets you hop on and off at your convenience, giving you the freedom to explore the city at your own pace. Whenever a sight catches your eye, simply step off and take your time discovering it before hopping back on to continue your journey.

SmartGuide guides visitors on the historic tram rides in several languages.

Entrepreneurial Legacy of Bohemia

With this tour, you can step into the world of ambition and ingenuity in Bohemia, where entrepreneurship has shaped Prague’s past and continues to thrive today. The tour covers 16 noteworthy locations, offering a glimpse into the lives of traders, inventors, and visionaries who left their mark on the city.

The journey begins at Wenceslas Square, once a lively marketplace where merchants laid the foundations of commerce, developing into a center of trade and innovation. From there, the path leads to the Strahov Monastery, where stories of daring entrepreneurs and master craftsmen unfold, showcasing the legacy of “golden Czech hands.”

Along the way, key points of interest such as the Charles Bridge reveal the ingenuity of the past—built to connect the city and facilitate trade across the Vltava River. Today, Prague continues this legacy, with startups and creative enterprises thriving in its historic surroundings.

Entrepreneurial Legacy of Bohemia tour offered by SmartGuide

Under Green Arches

For those who appreciate scenic landscapes and peaceful escapes, this tour is a perfect choice. Led by Prague City Tourism, it takes you through a striking sequence of parks and gardens, offering magnificent city views while steering clear of the busiest tourist areas.

This gently hilly route stretches along the left bank of the Vltava River from north to south, so comfortable footwear is a must, as the path varies from paved walkways to dirt trails. Starting in Holešovice, the journey ascends to Letná, follows the river past Prague Castle, continues through the lush greenery of Petřín Park, and reaches the Lesser Town before ending at one of Prague’s quaintest green spaces—Kinský Garden.

With 26 incredible stops along this 8 km route, there are countless opportunities to pause and take in the surroundings. Whether you choose to relax at a charming café or enjoy a picnic with a panoramic view, this guided tour offers a refreshing way to explore Prague’s green side.

Under Green Arches tour offered by SmartGuide

GHMP — Prague City Gallery Tour

Discover Prague’s artistic heritage with this tour guided by Galerie hlavního města Prahy (GHMP). Prague City Gallery is presently the sole or partial keeper of seven properties accessible to the public. Since its founding in 1963, the gallery has preserved and showcased an extensive collection of sculptures, drawings, and graphic works by František Bílek, displayed in his villa in the Hradčany District. In 1994, Bílek’s legacy expanded with a permanent exhibition at his birthplace in Chýnov near Tábor.

Another highlight of the tour is the Baroque Troja Château, an outstanding example of Baroque architecture, complete with a French garden, grafting yard, and orangery. For those who appreciate large-scale exhibitions, the Gothic Stone Bell House in Old Town Square has been hosting major art displays since 1988, alongside the purpose-built exhibition halls of the Prague Municipal Library. In total, this tour has 6 places to visit.

Since 2010, Prague City Gallery has also managed the Colloredo-Mansfeld Palace, a fine example of Baroque design, and the Prague House of Photography, a must-visit for lovers of photographic arts.

The Karlín Story

Step away from Prague’s fairytale-like historic center and experience Karlín, a district that showcases a fascinating change. This guided tour by Prague City Tourism covers 16 important locations including Forum Karlín, Kaizel Gardens, Husitska Street, and Vítkov Hill, offering insight into how this former industrial area became one of the city's most vibrant neighborhoods.

The 5 km (3-mile) route, which takes approximately 2-3 hours, is mostly flat, except for the climb to Vítkov Hill, home to the National Memorial, where expansive city views await.

At the end of the 20th century, Karlín was a neglected industrial district, largely overlooked by visitors. However, after the devastating 2002 floods, it underwent a dramatic renewal. Damaged structures were replaced with modern, high-quality buildings that now stand alongside beautifully restored Art Nouveau houses and repurposed industrial spaces. Today, Karlín is a stylish yet authentic neighborhood, often compared to Berlin, featuring wide boulevards, trendy cafés and restaurants, green parks, and a cultural scene.

To explore Karlín, pick up a free brochure with full tour details at any Prague City Tourism office.

The Karlin Story tour offered by SmartGuide

Are you ready to enjoy the best Prague tours 2025?

Prague has so much more to offer beyond its famous landmarks, and SmartGuide helps you explore it all. With a variety of self-guided experiences covering different themes and interests, you can explore Prague and other destinations in a way that suits you best.  

Beyond providing engaging tours, SmartGuide also helps attractions and travel businesses increase their visibility through advertised Points of Interest (POI). This feature allows them to attract more visitors by ensuring their locations stand out on the platform.

Experience Prague like never before in 2025! Download the SmartGuide app and unlock a whole new way to explore the city.