10 Things to Do in Prague on a Small Budget

Petřín Hill is the central hill of Prague offering recreation, viewpoints and plenty of greenery to explore with sights of the river and city. This hill has been impactful enough to be featured in works by Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera. Most of the hill is protected parkland, and it's all free to access.

When you visit this hill, you'll have plenty to see and do. Towering at 327 metres above sea level and 130 metres above the Vltava River's left bank, you'll be able to see out for quite some distance. This is especially true at the lookout tower. You'll find it across the river west of the city centre.

Prague Castle is a castle complex dating back to the 9th century that's largely open for visitors to explore as they like. It's one of the largest ancient castles in the world at more than 1,000 years old. It's remarkably well-preserved, too, because it's the office of the president of the country.

When you visit this castle, you can enjoy a tour through its ancient fortifications no matter what your budget is for your holiday, as access to the castle and its grounds is entirely free. You can get to it in Hradčany just west of the Vltava River bend.

Vyšehrad Citadel is a complex of historic buildings on a hill of the same name where you can explore history alongside alluring viewpoints. The building complex has been important to local history for more than 1,000 years, serving as a royal residence, a military fortress and a religious centre.

Visiting this citadel will have you looking over a wide area above the Vltava River and much of the city. When you're not looking out into the distance, you can take in the remaining ruins of the buildings, with 18th-century ruins in particular being well-preserved. You'll find it north of Podolí along the eastern riverbank.

Josefov is the Jewish quarter where you'll find quite a few historical sites as well as old buildings that you can see in an area that's traversable on foot. This is where you'll find stunning sites like Franz Kafka's birthplace as well as the High Synagogue, which dates back to the 16th century.

Among the neighbourhood here, you'll find quite a few synagogues to visit, though not all of them are still in service. The Pinkas Synagogue in particular has been transformed into a Holocaust memorial. You can see it all for yourself by visiting the neighbourhood in Prague 1 just east of the river.

The John Lennon Wall is a popular graffiti wall in town that lets you explore a colourful array of street art that generally centres around famous musician John Lennon. While not every piece is related to the man himself, the vast majority of what you'll see is inspired by his lyrics and work with the Beatles.

Aside from Lennon-related art, you'll find art with similar themes showcasing activism opportunities and causes that locals are concerned about. As it's a simple public wall you can walk by on the street, access is free. It's located south-east of central Malá Strana and west of the Čertovka.

Waldstein Garden is a baroque-style garden near the Wallenstein Palace where you can see vibrant greenery as well as attend events during the summer. The garden dates back to the early 17th century, making it one of the oldest in the city.

When you visit, the massive pavilion within will be one of the first things you see. Additionally, you'll find an artificial cave that adds some extra ambience and adventure. Summer concerts and theatre performances are available that are often free, just like the rest of the park. It's located right by the Malostranská metro station.

The Charles Bridge is a medieval bridge you can visit in Prague that lets you cross the Vltava River on foot with incredible views along the way. The bridge dates back to the 14th century when it replaced an even older bridge from the 12th century.

This bridge is pedestrian-only, so you don't have to worry about any cars when you visit. It's crafted from Bohemian sandstone, and it reaches a full length of about 515 metres. You can try it out for yourself between Prague 1 and Malá Strana.

The Vltava Riverfront is a lovely area of town that lets you take in the main river that goes through the middle of town with scenic views and serene surroundings. Much of the riverfront is well-maintained with walkways, so going for a stroll is easy no matter which side you find yourself on.

When you're on the riverfront, you'll find quite a few cafes, shops and ferry tours available. While the riverfront itself is free, many of the attractions along it can be quite affordable. You'll find the riverfront stretching throughout the entire city along the Vltava.

Malá Strana is a historic neighbourhood also known as Lesser Town where you'll find historic sites that are freely accessible. Historically speaking, this is where the ethnic German and Italian populations resided, and you can still find a lot of historic buildings here today.

Numerous baroque buildings are located within the neighbourhood, including the impressive Wallenstein Palace. You can also visit an array of churches like St Nicholas Church, while the Infant Jesus of Prague statue is popular as well. It's all located on the west side of the river across from Old Town.

Holešovice Market is a popular marketplace that's modest and affordable while still offering some pretty incredible items to enjoy, mostly consisting of fresh produce. You'll find more than 75 vendors here when you visit, and they're all local Czech growers and producers.

The items available here are mostly fresh fruits and vegetables sold directly by the growers themselves. You'll also find an array of honey, mushrooms and flowers among other items. Check it out for yourself in the neighbourhood of the same name north of the city centre.