Best Free Tours in Prague

You can't understand Prague with your eyes alone. You have to walk through it with your feet, smell its medieval dampness, listen to the sound of Czech in the markets, let a square embrace you without knowing why. And if there is one way to start this sensory journey, it is with a free tour.

There are no tickets, no fixed price, no museum scripts. Just you, a city that looks like something out of an old book, and a guide who reveals it to you as if it were a secret. In the end you decide how much to pay, but the real value is in what you feel as you walk around. And in Prague, feeling is almost obligatory.

This free tour of Prague is the best option if it's your first time in the city. The tour covers the key points of the historical centre: the Astronomical Clock, the Old Town Square, the Jewish Quarter and the Charles Bridge. All wrapped up in stories, anecdotes and plenty of context.

The guide, far from giving a tourist monologue, turns the walk into an informal and revealing chat. Ideal for getting your bearings, orienting yourself and falling in love from the first day. You will love Prague. But if you take this tour, you'll probably love it.

This free tour of Prague Castle focuses on one of the largest palace complexes in the world. You will visit not only the Castle, but also St. Vitus Cathedral (outside), the Golden Lane and the Royal Gardens. All from an approach that combines history, politics and architecture.

It is the kind of tour that makes you understand the symbolic weight of Prague in Central Europe. It is also one of the most visual, with spectacular panoramas over the city's red rooftops. If you are interested in the imperial past, this tour is a must.

In addition to the classics, there are tours that explore other sides of the city. In high season or by direct booking, you can find options that go off the beaten track and take you to a more alternative or thematic level.

Free tour of the Malá Strana district

A route through the most picturesque and peaceful area of Prague, with its baroque palaces, hidden gardens and bohemian corners. Ideal if you already know the centre and want to delve deeper into the artistic and noble soul of the city.

Free tour of World War II and Communism

An intense and revealing look at the Czech 20th century. This tour passes key monuments and sites to understand the Nazi occupation, the resistance and the years under Soviet rule. Perfect for those seeking deep and emotional historical context.

Because Prague is a city so full of symbols and historical layers that, if no one translates them for you, you risk seeing it only from the outside. With a free tour you don't just see the sites: you understand them , locate them and feel them.

It's also a perfect option if you're travelling on a tight budget. The ratio between what you learn and what you pay is unbeatable. You decide the value. And many times, you end up paying more than you would on a closed tour... but with pleasure.

Morning or afternoon?

In the morning, the atmosphere is quieter and the squares are less crowded, ideal for moving around and enjoying the softer light. In the afternoon, the city becomes more lively and colourful, especially in summer, when the terraces are buzzing and the Charles Bridge is full of artists.

And afterwards?

• Climb up to the City Hall observation deck or the Powder Tower to get another perspective of the city.
• Cross to the other side of the Vltava and wander around Malá Strana without a map.
• Have a Czech beer (or two) on a terrace with a view. Because after walking, it's time for a toast.

What to bring

• Comfortable shoes, as the centre has uneven cobblestones.
• Seasonally appropriate clothing: in winter it can get really cold, in summer the sun is hotter than you might think.
• A bottle of water and some cash for a tip.

About tipping

In Central Europe it is customary to leave between 10 and 15 euros per person if you liked the tour. In a city like Prague, most participants would expect the experience to cost around 12 - 20 €, depending on the guide and the type of tour.

Do I need to book?

Yes, although the tours are "free", almost all of them require online booking. You pay nothing when you sign up, but you secure your place and the guide organises the group better.