Solo Traveller's Guide: Things to Do in Prague by Yourself

Travelling to Prague alone allows you to experience the city on your own terms, and to truly immerse yourself in the fascinating culture of the Czech capital. You will certainly not be bored on your independent adventure – there’s no shortage of things to do in Prague by yourself.

There are no ‘bad areas’ in Prague, meaning there aren’t really neighbourhoods you should avoid for safety’s sake. Some areas, however, are far from the action, so you won’t find anything open late at night if you suddenly need a snack or want to catch a late movie.
A good option if you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere with a young vibe is Mosaic House, a hotel that also offers shared rooms and a very hip in-house bar. For a well-located hotel close to where the big parties are happening, try Leonardo Hotels and its very cool themed rooms. The staff are very friendly and will be happy to suggest the best local places for socialising, but the hotel also has its own shisha lounge, a game room with interactive games, and live music. If you want a full-on party atmosphere, The MadHouse Prague is the place to be: common lounge areas, organised tours and live events almost guarantee that you’ll end up meeting other people.

Prague is always moving, with exciting events taking place all year round. In summer, the Naplavka area (boardwalk near the river Vltava) comes alive with festivals, food and people. Some of the boats anchored here double as impromptu beer gardens where you can enjoy the view and catch some live music. If you have time for a few classic attractions, don’t miss the National Museum and Museum of Communism. For something different, visit the Sex Machines Museum or the Karel Zeman Museum, dedicated to the Czech film director who inspired Tim Burton.
At night, Roxy and Lucerna are the places to go for live concerts by alternative bands from all over the world, while the weekend sees Lucerna transform into an ’80s-’90s-themed nightclub. Hangar Bar & Club has an aviation theme, and on weekends it doesn’t close until 6am, making it the perfect place to keep on partying. For some serious clubbing, stop by Karlovy Lázně Club, the largest nightclub in Europe.

There’s perhaps no easier way to meet people in Prague than by joining a city tour. Walking tours are particularly popular, as the city – full of cobblestone streets and hidden alleyways – begs to be discovered on foot. The company Sandemans offers free walking tours, or you can book paid bus tours with larger companies such as Viator. If you’re exploring on your own, try MeetFactory, a giant warehouse converted into an art centre by famous Czech sculptor David Černý. Today, MeetFactory is a café, gallery, theatre, and space for live music, attracting a friendly, artsy crowd. Another option is to visit an expat bar like Bar No. 7, where the atmosphere is friendly and people are more open to starting up a conversation in English.

Alternatively, an easy way to meet people is to head to a beer garden. Beer gardens are an ingrained part of the country’s culture, and usually feature long, communal tables in relaxed outdoor spaces. Starting a conversation with a stranger is not only easy here, but also welcome. So go ahead, grab a beer (it’s cheaper than water in Prague!) and say “Hi” to whoever is sharing your table.

Prague might just be the perfect destination for a first solo trip in Europe. It’s not only safe to travel to Prague alone (solo female travellers, for example, won’t have to worry about being harassed or their general safety when walking around) but the city is also easy to navigate, meaning you won’t suddenly get lost and end up in the ‘wrong part of town’.

If you plan on being in Prague for more than a day, buy a transportation pass. They are available for one day, three days or one month, and they allow unlimited rides and switching between all types of public transport – a simple way to make travelling to Prague alone that little bit easier.