Famed for being the historical capital of Bohemia, as well as the Czech Republic’s capital and largest city — Prague attracts thousands of tourists and sightseers from around the world each year, and is fast becoming one of Europe’s top holiday destinations.

Joining a free walking tour in Prague is the ideal way to gain an authentic introduction to this famous city and its many world-class attractions.

Marvel at the medieval architecture and the colorful Baroque buildings as you cross over the Vltava River that bisects the city. Prague provides a feast for the senses, which is best experienced on foot!

Here's all you need to know about free walking tours, one of the best options for sightseeing tours in Prague.

How do free walking tours work?

Free walking tours in Prague have become increasingly popular in recent years as they provide tourists with an affordable and authentic way of experiencing this incredible city.

These tours are completely free to book and participate in, but it is encouraged that you tip your tour guide at the end of the tour. The amount you decide to tip is completely up to you.

How much should you tip?

When deciding how much to tip, think about the effort that your guide put into the tour and how much you enjoyed the tour overall.

Most tour participants tend to tip between €10 and €15 per person, but some people tip as much as €50 for outstanding tours.

What are the best free walking tours in Prague?

Prague mysteries & legends free walking tour

Explore Prague after dark and learn about the city’s many legends and mysteries that have become part of Prague’s history and identity over the years. You’ll hear tales of vampires, headless horsemen and even black magic!

Itinerary

Meet your professional tour guide at the Rudolfinum Building in the evening to begin your free walking tour in Prague.

You’ll see some of Prague’s most iconic landmarks, in the city center and the Jewish Quarter, and hear about the legends associated with each of them.

Some of the most famous places that you’ll see include St. Lawrence Church, the Clementinum, St. Giles Church and the National Library among many others — all of which look beautiful when lit up at night.

As you walk through the city center and town squares, you’ll learn about what life in Prague was like during the Middle Ages and get to know the ghosts who are said to still haunt the city to this day.

Prague certainly has a fascinating past that has links to alchemy, black magic and the occult. This is the ideal tour for those who are interested in more than what the history books have to say about Czech’s capital.

Prague Castle free walking tour

Did you know that Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world? Take the opportunity to visit this iconic landmark by joining a free walking tour of Prague Castle, where you’ll visit the castle’s courtyards, palaces and religious buildings.

Itinerary

Begin your free walking tour at Malostranská Metro Station, where you’ll meet your guide and board a tram that will take you to Prague Castle.

Upon arrival at the castle, you’ll be given a brief history of the castle and the Strahov Monastery, which can be viewed in the distance.

From there, you'll move on to the Czernin Palace, which is famous for being Prague’s largest Baroque palace and is steeped in fascinating history.

You’ll also visit the Castle District Square, where you will learn some more about the other palaces and enjoy amazing views of the city.

One of the highlights of the tour is certainly the changing of the Prague Castle guards, which happens at noon every day and is accompanied by traditional music.

Another highlight of the tour is visiting the magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral — the seat of the Archbishop of Prague.

Some of the other places that you’ll get to see on this tour include the Old Royal Palace, St. George's Basilica, Rosenberg Palace, the Southern Gardens, the Black Tower and many more.

At the end of this comprehensive tour, you would have gained impressive insight into the history of Prague Castle and the role that it has played in history throughout the ages.

Prague Jewish Quarter & Old Town free walking tour

Discover the heart of Prague’s Jewish Quarter and Old Town, with a professional guide leading the way and providing fascinating commentary.

If you’re at all interested in Prague’s rich history, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy what this tour has to offer its participants.

Itinerary

Make your way to J. Pachala Square, next to the Rudolfinum, where you will meet your tour guide and the rest of the tour participants.

After a brief history lesson and introduction to the city, you’ll start your tour by walking through Prague’s Old Town and Jewish Quarter.

Old Town Square is the first item on the tour’s itinerary. The square is steeped in rich history and offers the perfect views of the Astronomical Clock — one of Prague’s most famous attractions.

The next stop on the guided tour is the Powder Tower, which is known for being one of the 13 original city gates built centuries ago.

Other points of interest that you’ll see as you stroll through the city streets include the State Theatre and the Municipal House.

In the Jewish Quarter, you’ll see the Jewish Cemetery, where over 1000,000 bodies are buried, as well as the Spanish Synagogue. Both the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter are home to many beautiful Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance buildings.

As you walk through these older parts of the city, your guide will provide you with information about all of the attractions that you see and the fascinating history behind them.

Introductory free walking tour in Prague

If it is your first time visiting Prague, this is the ideal tour to serve as an authentic introduction to the city. Take this opportunity to gather your bearings and learn about some of the city’s most famous landmarks and attractions.

Itinerary

After having met your professional tour guide in Wenceslas Square, you’ll start your tour by viewing the site of the Old City’s moat that has played a significant role throughout Prague’s history, including the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Year War.

The next stop on the tour’s itinerary is Wenceslas Square, in Prague’s New Town, where you’ll see the Czech National Museum at the end of the square. This museum is famous for its beautiful neoclassical architecture.

Next, your tour group makes its way to the Old Town Square, where you’ll see the impressive Astronomical Clock that not only tells the time but also provides astronomical information.

The clock was built over 600 years ago and is certainly one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

You’ll take a small break to catch your breath before heading to the city’s Jewish Quarter where you’ll see the birthplace of Franz Kafka and the Rudolfinum Concert Hall.

Prague Second World War free walking tour

The World War II years, between 1930 and 1945, played a very significant role in Prague’s history and trajectory.

This was a very dark period for the Czech Republic’s capital, and on this tour, you will discover more about Prague’s Nazi occupation and other facets of its dark history.

See the most important sights that are connected to World War II in Prague, including the Old Town Hall.

Itinerary

Your professional guide will meet you at the Malostranská metro exit, where your historical tour of Prague will begin.

You’ll start your tour by walking along the banks of the Vltava River as you listen to stories of the First World War and the original conflict between Czechs and Germans.

Some of the famous landmarks that you’ll see in this area include the Dancing House and the Maisel Synagogue.

When you reach the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius, you will learn about the fascinating story behind the assassination of the Nazi officer, Reinhard Heydrich.

Other interesting and important memorials that you’ll get to see on this comprehensive tour include the Prague Uprising Plaque, the Winged Lion Memorial, the Rudolfinum and Hlávkova College.

As you observe the stunning facade of the Neo-Gothic Wing of the Old Town Hall, you'll learn how the Second World War eventually came to an end and the mark that it left on Prague for decades to come.

Golden Prague free walking tour

Travel back in time to Prague’s golden age and experience the city as a celebrated guest and not simply another tourist. With your passionate local guide leading the way, you’ll discover the medieval mysteries of this incredible city.

Itinerary

Meet your local guide in the Old Town Square, where you’ll be provided with a brief introduction to the city and what you can expect from the tour before you begin walking through Prague’s city streets.

The main focus of the tour is to provide participants with a unique experience and an engaging introduction to Prague’s fascinating history, starting from the Middle Ages and making your way to modern times.

Some of the tour’s highlights include Charles Bridge, Lesser Town, the Old Town Square, the National Theater, the Old Town Ring and so much more.

During the tour, you’ll be provided with insider tips about the best places to eat, shop and explore in the city, so take note!

In which languages is it operated?

While the official language of Prague is Czech, the vast majority of free walking tours in the city take place in English.

Your English-speaking guide will lead you through the city streets and give commentary and information in the English language.

With that being said, there is one free walking tour in Prague that takes place in Italian, as well as a free walking tour that is operated in Spanish.

Where does it start?

Free walking tours begin at easy-to-find meeting points in the city, usually located in one of the city squares or near a famous monument.

Some common meeting points include Malostranská Metro Station, the Statue of Antonin Dvorak, J. Pachala Square and the Old Town Square.

In most cases, tour guides provide a brief description of themselves when you make the booking, so that you can easily identify them.

Remember to get to the tour’s meeting point at least around 10 minutes before the tour departure time so that you do not keep your tour guide or the tour group waiting.

How long does it last?

The typical duration of a free walking tour in Prague is around 2.5 hours. While 2.5 hours is the length of most free walking tours, there are also many 2-hour and 1.5-hour tours available.

For those looking for a slightly longer and more comprehensive experience, there are a few 3-hour and even 4-hour tours on offer.

Keep in mind that the given duration of a tour is an approximation and tours can end up being slightly or longer depending on various factors on the day of the tour.

As you’ll be walking for the majority of the tour, it is very important that you wear comfortable walking shoes.

When is the best time to join a free walking tour in Prague?

You are spoilt for choice when looking for a timeslot for your free walking tour in Prague as there are morning, afternoon and evening tours available.

It is best to choose a time that is most convenient for you, but morning tours do tend to be the most popular as once the tour is over you still have the rest of the day to explore the city on your own terms.

Book your free walking tour in Prague for the beginning of your stay in the city as these tours are ideal for helping you understand the city’s layout and become familiar with top-rated attractions and landmarks.

Should you book tickets online?

Free walking tours in Prague are limited to a certain number of participants (usually around 6 people per tour). Because of the limited number of participants and the fact that these types of tours are so popular, tickets tend to sell out very quickly.

If you leave booking your tour to the last minute or don’t book at all, you could end up very disappointed.

Book your free walking tour in Prague ahead of time to secure your spot on the tour that most appeals to you. Making your booking online is straightforward, and there are no booking fees involved.

As soon as you know which dates you will be spending in Prague, you should look at planning your itinerary and booking tours. This way, you can optimize your time in the city as much as possible.

Free Walking Tours in Prague