Prague's Gothic skyline, some of the cheapest beer in Europe (€1.50 a pint is standard), and a 2-hour flight from London. One of the UK's top stag weekend and city-break picks.
Prague is by far the UK's top Czech destination — arguably the most beautiful city in central Europe, with 1,100 years of preserved Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture that escaped WWII bombing. Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and the Old Town Square are the essentials; Kafka's former neighbourhood and the Jewish Quarter are quieter.
The draw isn't just architecture — it's value. Prague has become more expensive since joining the EU, but pub mains are still €7–10, a tram day pass is €4, and 500ml of Pilsner Urquell is €2. Czech cuisine is heavy (pork, dumplings, goulash) but brilliant in cold weather.
Beyond Prague: Český Krumlov (fairytale Bohemian town, 3h by bus), Brno (cheaper student city), Karlovy Vary (spa town), and the Moravian wine region are all worth a few days.
Year-round service from major UK airports to Prague.
| Visa (UK passport) | No visa required. Schengen — up to 90 days in any 180-day period. |
|---|---|
| Currency | Czech koruna (CZK, Kč) — NOT the euro, despite EU membership. 1 GBP ≈ 28–30 CZK. Cards widely accepted; bring some cash for small bars and tram tickets. |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2 summer) — one hour ahead of the UK. |
| Language | Czech (tricky — lots of consonant clusters). English is widely spoken in Prague's tourist areas, less so elsewhere. |
| Best months | May–June and September for mild weather. December for Christmas markets. |
| Flight times from UK | PRG 2h 10m · BRQ 2h 15m · OSR 2h 25m |
| Plug type | Type C/E (European two-pin). UK adaptor needed. |
| Getting around | Prague public transport is excellent — tram, metro, bus on one ticket (~£1.50). No need for taxis. |
May, June and September are ideal — mild temperatures, long days, beer garden season. December is magical for Prague's Christmas markets (Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square) but cold (-5°C possible). Avoid August if you hate crowds — Charles Bridge is shoulder-to-shoulder.
Warm, long days, beer gardens in full swing.
Christmas markets (Dec) / mild + quieter (Apr).
Very cold (-5°C), grey and dark.
No. UK passport holders can visit the Czech Republic visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period under Schengen rules.
The Czech koruna (CZK, Kč) — not the euro. 1 GBP ≈ 28–30 CZK. Cards are widely accepted in Prague; smaller places and trams prefer cash. Don't exchange money with street touts ("fast cash" scams) — use an ATM or a reputable exchange office.
May, June and September for warm weather and long daylight. December for Christmas markets (magical but cold). July and August are busy and hot.
2 hours 10 minutes direct. Brno is 2h 15m. Both are convenient short-haul city breaks.
London (all five airports) plus Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle and East Midlands. easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 dominate low-cost; BA runs LHR.
Yes, Prague is very safe. The main risks are pickpocketing on crowded trams (the 22 and 23 are notorious) and around Old Town Square, plus taxi overcharging — use Bolt or Liftago apps rather than hailing. UK travellers should carry a GHIC card for reciprocal state healthcare.