Prague with Teens: The European City Where History Actually Feels Cool

If you are looking for a destination with enough history and culture to be educational, but cool enough your teens won’t roll their eyes at every suggestion, Prague fits the bill. With a unique blend of medieval charm, fascinating WWII history, and Instagram-worthy street art, we promise a visit to Prague with teens is anything but boring.

We recently returned from Prague with our own teen and young adult, and can confidently say this Czech capital exceeded every expectation. Having just experienced firsthand how Prague captivates these ages, we’ve discovered why this imperial city outshines typical European destinations for family travel.

From exploring underground Cold War bunkers that feel like something out of a spy movie to wandering through fairy-tale-esque medieval streets, Prague offers that rare combination of educational depth and teenage appeal that makes for an unforgettable family adventure.

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Best Things to Do in Prague for Teens

1. Visit Prague Castle

Whether you have younger or older kids, no family vacation to Prague is complete without visiting Prague Castle. It should be your first stop, because there’s a lot to see. Prague Castle isn’t just one building but a sprawling 110-acre complex.

The Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the charming Golden Lane make up the “main circuit”. These buildings date from the 12th to the 20th century and showcase several architectural styles from Gothic to Baroque and Bohemian. In short, they’re all beautiful, historic buildings with unique stories!

Buy tickets in advance for the “main circuit” or choose which buildings you’d like to head inside on the day of your visit. It’s free to explore the castle grounds and witness the brilliant vantage point across the city center.

One of the more unique spots for a city view is the Starbucks at the top of the hill. I swear they find a way to be front and center everywhere!

Prague Castle’s size can overwhelm some visitors, so opt for a small-group walking tour to let a local guide take the reins.

Pro tip: Prague Castle sits atop a hill and has several different routes to access the grounds. Most people will come across the Charles Bridge through the Lesser Town to Nerudova Street which is less strenuous than climbing the Old Castle Steps that start near the Malostranská tram stop. If you want to avoid the climb altogether, take tram 22, 23, or 2 from Malostranská tram stop (next to the metro station) and get off at Pražský hrad stop right in front of the castle area.

2. Check out the Jewish Quarter

Prague’s Jewish Quarter has existed since the 10th century. It’s a fascinating and important place for you and your teens to visit on a trip.

This neighborhood has four synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery, and the Jewish Museum. Completed in 1270, the Old-New Synagogue is Europe’s oldest active synagogue. The cemetery includes a Holocaust memorial, which is well worth visiting.

You can buy combination tickets for the cemetery and synagogues. Booking a guided tour with admission is also a great educational opportunity. If you’re short on time, there are free tours of the Jewish Quarter without admission.

3. Write on the John Lennon Wall

“What has John Lennon got to do with Prague?” you might wonder. Well, The Beatles’ famous frontman was synonymous with free expression to local Pražans. This part of the world remained under communist rule until 1989. So, when John Lennon died in 1980, an artist painted a mural of the musician, and locals added their own sentiments. 

In 2019, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta – the wall’s owners – imposed stricter guidelines on further additions to the John Lennon Wall. Visitors can write or draw with chalk, markers, or pencils in designated white spaces. Feel free to pack pens so your teens can add to this famous wall without getting into trouble!

4. Vltava River Cruise

The Vltava River cuts through the center of Prague. It’s a fun and popular way to rest your feet and see the city’s landmarks from a different perspective. Opt for a leisurely dinner cruise to see the city sparkling at night.

See iconic spots like the Charles Bridge (a UNESCO World Heritage Site!), Prague Castle, and Žofín Palace. Prague Boats is, by far, the most prolific cruise company, and you don’t need to book ahead. 50-minute trips with audio commentary run every half an hour throughout the day, year-round.

5. Eat a Trdelník

Czech desserts tend to be rich, flavorful pastries and cakes with fruit and honey as main ingredients. Trdelník is a quintessential street food dessert that you and your teens have to try! 

Pronounced “ter-del-neek”, this dessert is also known in English as “chimney cake”. Bakers wrap dough around a stick and cook it over hot coals, turning it golden brown before coating it in sugar, cinnamon, nuts, or chocolate. Because it’s hollow, bakers can fill the trdelník with jam, cream, fruit, or ice cream. Or all of the above!

Variations of this dessert are available around Central and Eastern Europe, but it’s especially popular in Prague. Some of the best places to order a trdelník are Trdelník & Coffee, Bakeshop Little Bakery, and Original Czech Trdelník. The best way to consume this dessert is to wrap it in paper and eat it while wandering through this beautiful city.

6. Watch the Astronomical Clock

Your teens might not love watching the Astronomical Clock in Prague’s Old Town Square, but it’s just what you do when visiting the city. This ornate, 15th-century timepiece chimes every hour, on the hour from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Its performance is called “The Walk of the Apostles” and involves several clockwork (literally) figurines striking the time. 

The clock’s astronomical dial shows the current positions of the sun and moon. A separate calendar dial represents the months. Prague’s Astronomical Clock is steeped in local lore, and there are few of these clocks left in the world. The clock provides free entertainment, and the Old Town Square is beautiful too!

7. Visit the National Museum

Don’t know much about the Czech Republic, but your teens are keen to learn? Walk to Wenceslas Square in the city’s New Town. There are numerous museums (over 90!) in Prague. However, none are as comprehensive as the National Museum.

This gorgeous 1818 palatial building features dozens of exhibits on local history, natural science, art, architecture, and folk culture. Buy tickets at the entrance; there’s no need to book in advance.

8. Take a Food Tour of Prague with Teens

If your teens love to eat, then a Prague food tour needs to be on your radar. We find these types of tours not only allow us to sample local cuisine, but help us discover the local gems when visiting a new city.

We booked this tour and it did not disappoint! The tour kicked off with a sampling of meatloaf sandwiches from a local butcher shop, washed down with wine from a nearby wine bar (non-alcoholic beverages are available for teens).

From there we went to Lokal pub, where we enjoyed Pilsner Urquell beer alongside sausages, schnitzel, potato salad and more! Our fabulous guide Markéta then took us on a quick subway ride to another local spot where we sampled even more traditional Czech dishes before heading to a final stop for dessert!

Come hungry and wear your stretchy pants! This tour is the perfect combination of food and history, and a must do in Prague with teens. BOOK YOUR TOUR HERE>>>

9. View from Petrín Tower

Petrín Hill is a large park on the east side of the Vltava River. You can either walk up the hill or hop on the mountain cable car if you don’t have much time. This green space has multiple gardens, trails, and fun attractions like the Mirror Maze. It’s perfect for kids of all ages.

One of the best views of the city is from Petrín Tower, a cast-iron city landmark with two viewing decks. On a clear day, you can see the highest peak in the Czech Republic (Snezka) almost 150 km away. To reach the top platform, you’ll have to walk up almost 300 steps … But don’t worry! You can pay a small elevator charge to avoid walking up the metal steps.

Note: There is a funicular you can ride to the top of the hill, but it is closed for refurbishment until 2026.

10. Book a Prague Ghost Tour

Cities as old as Prague often have a dark, sinister past with spooky stories and superstition hiding on every corner. If your teens aren’t interested in taking regular walking tours, book this awesome tour instead. Spend 90 minutes uncovering the macabre side of Prague’s Old Town on an early evening Prague Underground Ghosts and Legends Tour.

Specifically, your costumed guide will teach you about notable executions, murders, plagues, floods, and curses. Finish the tour in a real, underground alchemist’s laboratory. See instruments of medieval torture and consider yourself lucky that you’re not visiting Prague 300 years ago!

If your teens love the ghost tour, they might also like the Museum of Alchemists and Magicians of Old Prague.

11. Prague’s Narrowest Alley

It’s essential to find fun, quirky spots when planning a city break to Prague with teens. Luckily, this city has many! Nejužší pražská ulička (no, I’m not sure how to pronounce it either!) is better known as Prague’s narrowest alley. It is wedged between two buildings close to the east side of the river.

What’s fun about visiting this alley is the traffic light system. It’s too narrow for people to walk down this alley in opposite directions! You must wait for the green light at your end to pass through. This alleyway is not recommended for people with claustrophobia, but luckily, it’s not too long.

It’s only a few minutes’ walk from the John Lennon Wall. Scheduling quirky adventures into your free time will make this family trip all the more memorable.

12. Visit Strahov Monastery

Families cannot visit Prague with teens without taking their bookworm kids here. Strahov Monastery is an opulent, 12th-century Romanesque and Baroque church with an incredible library. It’s one of the most important and valuable book collections in the world. 

Holding close to 200,000 philosophical and religious texts, this two-story building dates back to the 17th century. You’ll find beautiful original frescoes on the ceiling and other artifacts. Book a guided tour in advance if you’re interested, or explore at your own pace. Strahov Monastery is close to the castle, so you can visit both in one day.

13. David Černý’s Sculptures

Barcelona boasts vibrant architecture designed by Antoni Gaudí. Banksy etched some of his best-known public artworks on London’s walls. Prague, on the other hand, has several large offbeat sculptures and statues designed by David Černý.

David Černý is a local Prague artist with no less than 10 notable sculptures in his hometown. Families with art-loving teens may want to build their itinerary around these interesting pieces. However, they’re a cool point of interest to be aware of when walking between attractions.

Here are some for you to pin on Google Maps:

• “Franz Kafka Floating Head” – metallic sculpture of the famous Czech writer (Charvátova, 110 00 Nové Město)
• “Butterfly Effect” – colorful plane/butterfly hybrid sculpture (Národní 63/26/110 00, 110 00 Nové Město)
• “St. Wenceslas Riding an Upside-Down Dead Horse” – statue as described! (Vodičkova 704/36, 110 00 Nové Město)
• “Man Hanging Out” – statue of Sigmund Freud dangling from a building (Husova, 110 00 Staré Město)
• “Streams” – fountain depicting two men peeing (Cihelná, 118 00 Malá Strana)
• “Crawling Babies” – three large baby statues in a park (Ostrov Kampa, 118 00 Malá Strana)

While landmarks like the Dancing House are well known, your teens will love spotting these unusual artworks.

14. Museum of Miniatures

Veer off the beaten path just for fun and visit a museum with virtually no educational benefits. The Museum of Miniatures is exactly as it sounds. It’s a collection of teeny tiny paintings and objects that must be viewed through a magnifying glass.

It’s an affordable, wacky museum that any teen with a sense of humor will appreciate. Perfect for a rainy afternoon! Other fun museums in Prague include the Pinball Museum and the Museum of Senses.

15. Ride a Paternoster Lift

This is another quirky, unique thing to do in Prague with your fearless teenage kids. A “Paternoster Lift” is a 19th-century elevator that operates on a continuous loop without stopping and with no doors. Naturally, the construction of new paternoster lifts isn’t common due to safety concerns! But there are a few still operating in Europe, and some are in Prague.

Head to Palác Lucerna, which has an unstoppable elevator to its rooftop terrace. Book a 45-minute tour in the Prague City Hall to see, learn about, and experience their very own Paternoster elevator.

16. Prague Christmas Markets

Prague is the perfect place for a European Christmas market trip. It’s a Czech tradition dating back to the 14th century. They’re open from late November to early January, allowing you plenty of flexibility when booking a vacation with your teens.

The two main Christmas markets are in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. There are smaller markets in other neighborhoods and parks, too. Expect to find wooden stalls selling handmade Czech Christmas ornaments, gifts, and seasonal food staples. Roasted chestnuts, mulled wine (called svařák in the Czech Republic), grilled sausages, and, of course, trdelník are common treats.

The Czech Republic is generally cheaper for travelers than Germany, France, Switzerland, or Austria. So, you and your teens will be able to buy as many knick-knacks and festive treats as you like! 

Prague travel tips for Christmas markets: Dress warmly, prepare for crowds, and consider a Christmas market walking tour.

17. Nuclear Bunker Tour & Museum

During the Cold War, many European countries built underground bunkers due to the threat of nuclear weapons. The city of Prague alone has 768 permanent shelters with a capacity of 150,000 people! While many of these bunkers aren’t open to the public, one is now the Prague Communism and Nuclear Bunker Museum.

You can only visit this bunker via a guided tour, but a knowledgeable local heightens the experience anyway. Try on gas masks and learn more about Prague under Communist rule. 

18. Dine in a Medieval Tavern

Traditional Czech cuisine consists of warming stews, dumplings, potato-based soups, and pickled vegetables. Where better to enjoy such hearty meals than in a candlelit medieval tavern?! Yes, many restaurants in the Czech Republic are centuries old and happen to resemble a setting you would find in a fairytale. Your teens might love this fun dining experience.

Two of Prague’s best medieval taverns include U Krále Brabantského and U Sedmi Švábů. They’re over 600 years old! Make reservations a week in advance. If you want to go all out, book a five-course meal at a medieval tavern with dinner theater. Swordsman, jugglers, and more will perform for your entertainment!

Day Trips from Prague with Teens

19. Day Trip to Bohemia Switzerland National Park

For some, traveling offers a new outlet to explore the beauty of the outdoors in new ways. Travel to Bohemia Switzerland National Park offers not only moderate hiking, but also beautiful views and a better understanding of the Czech landscape.

Bohemia Switzerland National Park is home to a dense forest and towering sandstone. It is a site enjoyed by both locals and tourists, and in addition to hiking, offers challenging rock climbing to those daring enough to take it on.

A forewarning to those looking to enjoy nature, however. The hike does involve many rock steps, sometimes jagged or sloped, which can sometimes be wet due to the park’s frequent cool weather and rain. That being said, the hike is somewhat easy as long as you can be careful! For those planning to travel to Bohemia Switzerland National Park, make sure to watch the previously mentioned weather to see whether you need a rain jacket.

We did this tour through Get Your Guide, which included the hiking in Bohemia Switzerland, lunch at Hrubá Skála castle, followed by a visit to Lomnické pivo. Here we had a brewing tour, where we were then able to sample local Czech beers and understand the manufacturing process. The flavors were so unique and a must visit for beer lovers!

Note: If your teens are under 18 and not interested in the brewery component, I would recommend THIS TOUR instead.

20. Terezín Concentration Camp Day Tour

Concentration camps and extermination camps are the opposite of fun travel experiences. However, if your teens are mature young adults, there’s no equivalent to learning about the atrocities of WWII from these places. Terezín Concentration Camp is just 61 km (around a 50-minute drive) north of Prague.

There is a graveyard honoring those who lost their lives at Terezín, as well as a museum and preserved fortresses. I highly recommend booking this five-hour private tour instead of driving or taking public transport. It’s very reasonable for a family, and you’ll be able to ask your knowledgeable guide any questions.

21. Day Trip to Kutná Hora

Three full days in Prague is the perfect amount of time for first-timers to explore the highlights of this great city. But if you have four or five days, take your teens on a day trip to the Bohemian Kutná Hora. It’s only 80 km east of Prague (around a 70-minute drive). It is easily accessible by train on a small-group tour.

Kutná Hora’s historical town center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s Gothic and medieval structures, particularly St. Barbara’s Church, make this a great place to discover more Czech history. 

Older children will love visiting Sedlec Ossuary, AKA the Bone Church. This 13th-century chapel started displaying bones during the Black Death. Now, it’s the final resting place of approximately 40,000 to 70,000 people. Sedlec Ossuary is a top tourist attraction in the Czech Republic, so booking ahead (or joining a tour) is ideal.

Plan the Perfect Trip to Prague with Teens 

Prague is a stunning part of Europe that blends old-world magic with teen-approved fun. From quirky museums to alternative tours, there are many fun things to do in Prague for teens. No one will have time to say “I’m bored” on this fun-filled vacation! Start planning a return visit next year because you might find this isn’t the last trip with your teens after all …