When to go and how long to stay
May, June and September are the sweet spot: long days, open gardens and beer gardens, and fewer crowds than midsummer. December brings Christmas markets but short, cold days. Three full days cover the Old Town, the castle and the Lesser Town; a fourth adds a day trip to Kutná Hora or Karlštejn.
Book ahead and plan around closures
Prague Castle, the Klementinum tour and evening concerts are easier with tickets bought in advance. The Jewish Museum is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays, so place it on another day. Have one person book, then save the tickets in the trip so everyone can find them at the gate.
Where to stay as a group
The Old Town and Malá Strana put you within walking distance of almost everything, but can be noisy at night. Vinohrady is quieter, leafy and a few tram stops from the centre. For four or more people, an apartment is often simpler than several hotel rooms — and good value here.
Group tips
- Cross Charles Bridge early in the morning — by mid-morning it is shoulder to shoulder.
- The Czech Republic uses the koruna, not the euro. Log shared costs in the trip as you go, so the currency mix is sorted out at the end, not at the airport.
- Beer halls with long shared tables are the easiest way to seat a big group without a booking.
