Prague...how many days would you spend there?
 

I've never visited Prague, or eastern Europe for that matter. Prague seems to be a top tourist destination spot, and everything I read about this city seems to be overwhelmingly positive. For those that have visited Prague before, how many days would you consider the ideal length of stay in Prague for a first time visitor?

5

There's no "ideal". I spent 4 full days on what was a cheap and cheerful trip from London. I would gladly have spent another 2 or 3.

This, though, was over 10 years ago - and I hear the place is now overrun by short stay tourists - which I guess will have changed the ambience - but not what there is to see and enjoy.

I think you'd regret going for less than four. But then it depends hugely on you!!

I agree, five, including a half day on a Monday in Terezin.

Ben Haines, London

I spent 6 full days in Prague last year and another week on business (with some evenings free) and I still wish I had stayed longer. You need at least 5 days to do justice to this city. Take one day off just to walk around from one side of the river to the next, crossing the many bridges and just drink in the sights. Happy planning!

5 to include 1 day trip.

Five is a good number of days for exploring the city leisurely -- more if you want to take day trips outside the city. I spent an entire day in the Jewish Quarter (and I'm not even Jewish), another full day at the Castle. Prague is a great walking city so you don't want to be rushing around. So 5 days minimum for the city itself.

Alas, it's true that it is overrun by tourists, many of whom take the guided walking tours, which means that most places of interest are crowded with many large groups. If you can go during the "off" season it would probably be more enjoyable.

Do your self a favour, darling, and bring up <The Pancaky Papers: Thingorjus in Praha> by typing title into the search box. This report will give you a good idea of the things you would like to see and do, plus there are restaurant reviews. There is much to see in and around Prague (Terezin, Cesky Krumlov). I would say that you need at least 5 days, sweetie darling.

Balenciaga

The first time I went to Prague it was for 9 days and it was great.

While longer is ideal, you could get a good taste of the city with three nights - no day trips though. Also, many people will correct you - Prague is considered central Europe rather than eastern :)

7 or 8.

Here's a report of my (too short) 6 nights in Prague:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34691664

I spent 3 nights there and felt that I got to see most of the must-dos. I would say that anything over 4 and you could also fit in a daytrip or two. Maybe you could make a nice trip by flying into Vienna (3 nights)- training to Praha (4 nights)- and then taking the train to Budapest (3 nights) before flying home from there?

I agree with susanteach - we stayed 3 nights and felt that was enough to do the main sights. But it was Winter, so more limited for day trips etc.

I'm with the 4-5 day crowd, 5 if you want to include a daytrip. You will not run out of things to see. I've spent a total of 10 days in Prague on repeat visits, and haven't yet seen everything I'd like to see. I would consider however not going in May and September which are the two most crowded months.

However many days you have ;)


Or

2 days in Prague...

Then a day trip to Kutná Hora and another day in Cesky Krumlov

then a final day in Prague...

for a total of:

5 nights... that would be ideal in my opinion and you still may leave wanting more, which is perfect :)

As usual, it depends on what you want to see. Before I arrived in Prague, I planned Prague Castle this way: "Do the stairs, ogle at the cathedral, see any interesting exhibitions, walk around for four hours, next on the list please." That changed a day after my arrival when I read about its two major exhibitions: one on dinosaur paintings (Burian's; world #2 painter on such topics) and the other on works by famed Czech illustrator, Adolf Born. That four hours became a whole day event. Expect the unexpected!

Just Prague? 3 nights is all you need.

7, but in the off-season if you can, and spend a night or two in Cesky Krumlov and a day trip to Terezin. The shadow of Communism gets a little smaller...if you can spend time with some natives it's fascinating to hear their story.

Second the Pancaky Papers.

There's a handy website, livingprague.com, which is posted by a local and gives good tips for visiting the city.
We only spent three nights there one June, and it was just barely enough. We didn't take any day-trips. I wouldn't stay less than 3, preferably 5. And allow time for a day-trip. Just my personal opiniion.

It depends on what you want to do and your style of travel. If you're there for the cultural sights and want to experience the highlights of the city then I think 3 full days would be plenty. If you like to drink, party and in general hang out amid hordes (!) of tourists then a week or so is warranted. There's plenty of other places worth seeing in the Czech Republic and its neighbors and the transportation is easy and relatively inexpensive.