More about: Prague Cruises and Boat Tours
Prague is probably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. This is largely due to the Vltava River that runs through it and over which the famous Charles Bridge stands. Taking a boat trip along the river and canals is one of the delights this city has in store.
You can take a boat trip around Prague during the day or at night, choosing a tour that focuses more on the tourist experience or the gastronomic experience. Here are my favorites:
Panoramic Cruise in Prague
Enjoy unique views of Prague
The 1-hour panoramic cruise along the Vltava River will take you to see the city's most important monuments with commentary on board at the cheapest price.
Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, and Kampa Island are just some of the attractions you can see on board this 1-hour cruise through the historic center of Prague. The panoramic views from both the interior and exterior decks of the boat will make this an unforgettable experience at the best price!
Why I like this option: it's the most economical way to cruise the waters of the Vltava River.
Recommended if... you want to save some money so you can explore the most iconic places you've seen from the boat on your own afterwards.
Prague Cruise with Lunch
Take advantage of your cruise to sample the best Czech cuisine
With a delicious buffet on board, you'll enjoy a complete experience while taking in Prague's most iconic monuments.
On a 2-hour tour, this lunch cruise in Prague takes you to see the most iconic buildings in the Czech capital while you enjoy a full buffet lunch with a welcome drink and live music.
Why I like this option: For a very reasonable price, you can enjoy exquisite Czech cuisine on board a boat.
Recommended if... you want to take advantage of the boat trip to sample some typical food and have a great time with incredible views of the city and live music.
Prague Cruise with Dinner
Enjoy a delicious dinner on board
This cruise offers the most complete experience for enjoying a gastronomic evening in Prague: tour the city by boat while you dine and enjoy live music.
This cruise with a gourmet buffet dinner focuses more on the gastronomic aspect of cruising along the Vltava River, with views of Prague's main buildings illuminated at night. The boat is fully glass-enclosed, allowing you to enjoy spectacular panoramic views while you dine, regardless of where your table is located.
You can also enjoy live music during dinner, and the buffet offers a selection of appetizers and local and international dishes.
Why I like this option: this is undoubtedly the most complete experience, as the cruise is longer and allows you to enjoy the best views of the illuminated city to the rhythm of live music.
Recommended if... you are looking to take your experience to a more premium and complete level. Put on your best clothes for a night aboard a luxurious boat in Prague!
Useful information about boat trips in Prague
Cruises are a different way to enjoy the city and see it from a different perspective, making them the best way to round off your visit to Prague and relax after exploring its streets. I would say that the big advantage of taking a boat tour of Prague is that you avoid the large crowds of traditional tours and other groups of visitors. It's a more relaxed experience, perfect for putting the finishing touch on your trip.
Extra services
Most sightseeing cruises include some kind of commentary in English about the points of interest in Prague that you see along the way, but keep in mind that these experiences are always complementary to a walking tour of the city, where you will get to know the buildings and areas of the city firsthand.
Tickets
Many of the operators offering these tours do not clarify whether or not you need to print the confirmation email you will receive after booking your boat trip. My recommendation is to take a printed copy with you, as sometimes there is no way of knowing whether it is necessary or not, and you will save yourself any potential hassle.
Prague boat tour itinerary
Most boat tours follow a similar route, departing from the Old Town piers and taking you to points along the Vltava River where you will have panoramic views of Charles Bridge or Prague Castle.
Organize your boat trip in Prague
To make your experience as comfortable as possible, here are the answers to some questions you may have before taking a boat trip in Prague.
How to get to the pier
First of all, you should check the exact address of the meeting point for your boat trip. Most depart from the Old Town piers, which you can easily reach on foot from the Old Town Square. Some tours set the meeting point directly under the Astronomical Clock or in one of the adjacent squares, and will guide you to the pier so you don't get lost.
Days and departure times
Almost all boat tours in Prague are available every day of the week, with departure times mainly in the evening (around 6:00 p.m.) for sightseeing cruises and at nightfall (around 8:00 p.m.) for gastronomic cruises.
Where to dine after your boat trip in Prague
If you opt for a sightseeing boat trip that does not include food, you will most likely finish the experience around 9:00 p.m., just in time for dinner. Here are some recommendations for dining in the Old Town pier area:
- Kmotra: the oldest pizza restaurant in the city is very close to the river and makes traditional pizza in a stone oven with homemade tomato sauce and mozzarella. Pizza is always a good idea, especially at the end of a long day of sightseeing.
- Krčma: one of Prague's gems, just a five-minute walk from Old Town Square. Here you'll find traditional Czech food at reasonable prices, far from the tourist restaurants with exorbitant prices. Its atmosphere is a bit gloomy as it's underground, but after the first impression, it turns out to be a fairly cozy tavern.
- Café Savoy: with a menu of traditional Czech dishes and French cuisine and an elegant wooden interior, this is the place to go if you're looking for a classy restaurant. The stars of the menu are the beef tartare and roast duck, as well as chef Michal Mlejnek's five-course menu. The desserts are out of this world and all the pastries are made in-house, which is why you can also come to Café Savoy for breakfast. Located across the bridge, you can take a short walk from the pier and work up an appetite.
Last-minute tips
What to wear
Despite what it may seem, taking a boat trip around Prague is just another tourist experience, so there's no need to dress up too much. That said, try to avoid sportswear and, above all, don't wear flip-flops, as the deck of the boat can be a little slippery and it can get a little chilly at night.
Photographs
Seeing Prague at night is well worth it, and from the boat you'll have beautiful views of the Charles Bridge and the illuminated castle, so remember to take some photos so you don't forget the magic of the city after sunset. You'll have the opportunity to do so from the boat, so get your phone ready or set your camera to night mode to enjoy every shot.
Other interesting activities in Prague
Guided city tours
As you know, a boat trip is a great addition to a city tour, allowing you to see Prague's sights up close and in detail. To help you choose the best tour of Prague for you, I have written a guide on 13 Best Tours and Day Trips in Prague and all the options available to you.
Discover Prague Castle
You'll probably want to explore Prague Castle after your boat trip, and the truth is that a tour of the area is an experience I highly recommend on your trip to Prague. If you want to know the best way to visit it, you can read my article on Prague Castle: Prague Castle Tickets and Tours
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