Look up while walking through the streets of Prague, and you’ll understand why the city is called the “City of a Hundred Spires.” This 19th-century nickname would be more accurate today, by changing the number to 500 spires.
The former capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia, within the Holy Roman Empire and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire, sits in the central-western part of Czechia, with the Vltava River flowing through the center of the city. Other cities were built along the river, meaning there are many nearby cities and castles to visit after you’ve explored this fascinating European capital.
Prague is also one of the cities guests can enjoy through Celebrity’s Before and After Stays, giving river cruise travelers more time to explore the city before or after sailing the Danube.
To make the most of your time, the best day trips from Prague should be within about two hours of the city. And remember, it’s not just about the destination, but also the journey. You may spot some interesting sites along the way.
See More of Prague Before or After Your Danube River Cruise
A couple sits by the water, looking out at Prague’s iconic Charles Bridge.
With Celebrity’s Before and After Stays, guests have more time to explore Prague and its surroundings before or after select Danube River cruises. The experience includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast, seamless transfers, and more.
You’ll also discover the city with an intimate group on an included daily tour led by a Local Storyteller℠. Walk across the historic Charles Bridge, stroll through local markets, and explore Prague Castle, the UNESCO-listed landmark that has watched over the city for more than 1,000 years. Along the way, you’ll uncover the stories, traditions, and details that make Prague feel even more personal, while Celebrity handles the logistics.
Each night, you’ll return to your choice of a Premium or Ultra Premium hotel, with daily breakfast included before the day begins. At Prague Marriott Hotel, the Premium option, you can enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep, visit the fitness zone, take a dip in the pool, or unwind in the Finnish sauna and steam room. At Mandarin Oriental, Prague, the Ultra Premium option, you’ll stay in a Superior Room with individual design details, such as sloping ceilings and exposed beams. You can also enjoy a treatment at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, set inside a former Renaissance chapel.
Seamless transfers between the airport, hotel, and ship are included, helping the beginning or end of your river cruise feel easy from the moment you arrive. Optional premium excursions and transfers are also available for an additional cost, giving you even more flexibility to shape your time in Prague.
Český Krumlov: Best for Architecture
The colorful tower of Český Krumlov Castle rises gracefully above historic orange-roofed buildings.
The UNESCO-listed, medieval city has been referred to as walking in a fairytale, and once you visit, you understand why. An architecture-lover’s dream, its historic center has been preserved for over 500 years.
Walk along the cobblestone paths leading high into the colossal 13th-century State Castle and Chateau, where you’ll look out over the red-roofed, medieval UNESCO-listed masterpiece of Central European architecture. The castle itself shares Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements.
During the castle walk, visitors learn about the powerful families that worked under and around royal dynasties, and view the sacred art in the treasury, which sheds light on the town’s spiritual life. Stop by the stables and the Baroque Theatre for more insight into the deep history of the city. The view from the enormous castle is a memory I often reflect on.
After descending from high in the castle, stroll through the 16th-century Latrán and pass through the Budějovice Gate, the only remaining town gate, where you’ll admire the houses of tradespeople, craftsmen, and castle and estate workers.
With a travel time of two-and-a-half hours by train, or just over two hours by car, it’s well worth the trip for a day you won’t soon (if ever!) forget. After exploring Český Krumlov’s castle, cobblestone streets, and riverside views, it’s easy to see why a river cruise pairs so naturally with extra time in Europe’s historic inland cities.
Karlovy Vary: Best for Relaxation
Stone columns frame a mineral water fountain within the colorful Karlovy Vary buildings and beyond.
This member of the UNESCO-recognized European Historic Thermal Towns Association has played host to emperors, kings, and the rich and famous, seeking out its healing thermal waters for soaking and drinking.
The magnificent bath complex of the Elizabeth Spa was built in the Neo-Baroque style in the early 1900s. Named in honor of Empress Elizabeth, famously nicknamed Sisi, when originally opened in 1906, it offered 2,000 spa services daily. While its approximately 60 services offered today are more focused, for this cinnamon lover, it’s hard to resist a cinnamon wrap followed by cupping using cinnamon oil.
Located in the historic Mill Colonnade, the Windsor Spa Hotel, built in 1866, welcomes overnight guests and day-trippers alike. With bath options ranging from whirlpools to Pearl Mineral to Peat Mineral (yes, immerse yourself in mud), it’s a great place to spoil yourself. When you’re finished, be sure to drink some water from some of the five mineral springs bubbling up within the Mill Colonnade.
Karlovy Vary is also home to the world-famous Moser Glassworks. Dating back to 1857, Moser glass is known for its traditional, handmade glass, building on the long reputation of Bohemian glass production. Visit the Moser museum and take a tour of their glassworks. Tours must be arranged in advance.
Plzeň: Best for Beer Lovers
With an annual per capita beer consumption of about 48 gallons per man, woman, and child, Czechs know beer. After spending some time here, I can confidently say that Plzeň is all about the beer.
Home to Pilsner Urquell, first brewed in 1842, it’s the world’s first golden pilsner. It inspired a worldwide brewing revolution, and today, over 70% of all beer brewed is Pilsner style. There’s a whole history of Pilsner beer’s development, which is why you should take a tour of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery to experience it for yourself (and drink the free beer samples) and visit some of its five and a half miles of underground tunnels at the heart of the brewery.
After a classic European lunch at U Salzmannů, Plzeň’s oldest beer hall and guesthouse, seek out one of the many beer baths to enjoy a bubbly soak, while pouring yourself a beer from the barrel tap adjacent to your tub.
You’ll want to enjoy all that Plzeň has to offer, including the beer, so best to take the train. Only an hour away, this is one of the best day trips from Prague by train.
Dresden, Germany: Best for Art and History
Sometimes referred to as a “Baroque masterpiece,” this trip to Germany is an easy two-hour trip from Prague. Art lovers will want to stop at the Fürstenzug mural, the world’s largest porcelain work of art, before heading to the Zwinger. Sitting in Dresden’s Old Town, the Zwinger was built in the early 18th century and is considered one of the most breathtaking examples of Baroque architecture in Europe. This palatial complex features manicured gardens, pavilions, and galleries. Highlights include the Porcelain Collection, the Old Masters Picture Gallery, and the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments.
Head next door to visit the Dresden Royal Palace, which was built in the mid-16th century, but was almost destroyed during the 1945 bombing of Dresden. Over the decades, it’s been rebuilt to reflect its former grandeur. Be sure to visit the Green Vault, the Royal State Rooms of Augustus the Strong, and the Electoral Wardrobe.
The Dresden Military History Museum isn’t just for military buffs. The permanent exhibition explores military history from various perspectives across different historical periods. During my visit, I not only found unique military history, but also a museum that feels dedicated to peace.
Terezín Concentration Camp: Best for WWII History
Sadly, Terezín Concentration Camp became famous due to a propaganda film created by the Nazis. The Nazis transformed Terezín into a fake “model Jewish settlement” to deceive the International Red Cross, planting gardens, building fake shops and cafes, and staging “cultural events.” The majority of the film’s “actors” were sent to their deaths at Auschwitz. The entire town was made into a ghetto, and all non-Jews were evacuated. Though the history is crushing, it’s important to visit and remember. Visit the museum, the barracks, and the fortress.
Travel time is about one hour by bus or car. There are also many organized tours departing daily from Prague.
Bohemian Switzerland National Park: Best for Nature Lovers
The monumental sandstone arch of Pravčická Gate towers beside a historic wooden lodge.
Get out into nature at Bohemian Switzerland National Park. Czechia’s youngest national park is just the place to get away from it all. The mountains, sandstone rock formations, and deep gorges are wonderful for hiking and adventure.
The quintessential view of this park is the Pravčická Gate. At over 52 feet high and spanning 87 feet, it’s mainland Europe’s largest natural sandstone arch. While it can be viewed from below at various viewpoints, a hike from Mezní Meadow along the panoramic Gabriela’s Trail will get your blood moving. Afterward, descend a forest trail to the Kamenice River, to board wooden dinghies, where drivers with long wooden poles propel the boats along the 20-minute journey through Edmund Gorge and the 15-minute ride through Divoká Gorge, passing unique rock formations formed over centuries.
Scramble through Tisa Rocks Labyrinth, with soaring sandstone formations (up to 180 feet!). This landscape will be familiar to fans of the movie “The Chronicles of Narnia,” which was used in the filming.
For a more challenging and adventurous hike, climb up stairs and ladders, along rocks, through narrow passages to Šaunštejn, a crumbling fortress, for breathtaking views of the surrounding region.
Less than two hours away, this is one of the best day trips from Prague by car.
Karlštejn Castle: Best for Families
Karlštejn Castle’s imposing stone towers and fortified walls rise high above a lush hillside.
Established by the Czech king and Roman emperor Charles IV as a place to store the royal treasures, collections of holy relics, and the crown jewels, the 650-year-old castle is unique, as castles go, due to its stepped layout.
Climbing up the hillside, the castle features terraces, towers, and courtyards. Visitors can explore the Imperial Palace, the Well Tower, and the Chapel of the Holy Cross.
After your visit, walk back through town to enjoy lunch and a look around the local shops, or head back for some additional time in Prague. An easy day trip from Prague by train, you’ll also enjoy a 30-minute walk through the town and up to the castle.
Explore Prague Before and After Your Danube Cruise
Prague rewards travelers who give it more than a single day. Its castle views, medieval streets, historic breweries, local markets, and easy access to nearby towns make it a natural place to spend more time before or after a Danube River cruise.
With Celebrity’s Before and After Stays, guests can experience more of the city and its surrounding regions while Celebrity helps arrange the details. Spend the day exploring Prague’s landmarks, head beyond the city on a day trip to Český Krumlov, then return to a Premium or Ultra Premium hotel with more of the journey still ahead.
Explore Prague river cruises and discover more ways to experience Europe before, during, and after your time on the river.
