Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world. Give it a full day.

Most visitors to Prague treat the castle as a two-hour stop on the way back from Charles Bridge. This is a mistake. Prague Castle stretches across the entire hilltop above Malá Strana and contains St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, St. George’s Basilica, the Golden Lane and a series of galleries and museums. A serious visit is a full day. The queue without a pre-booked ticket runs 45 to 90 minutes in summer just to get through the entrance.

The castle grounds open at 6am. The buildings open at 9am. Being at the St. Vitus Cathedral doors at 9am with a timed-entry ticket is the difference between experiencing one of the great Gothic interiors in Europe quietly and experiencing it in a moving crowd.

The Jewish Quarter deserves more time than most people give it

Josefov is one of the most significant Jewish heritage sites in Europe. Six synagogues, the oldest dating to the 13th century, and the Old Jewish Cemetery where the layers of burial reach twelve deep because the ground ran out centuries ago. A combined ticket covers everything and removes the queue at each entrance. Do not rush it. The cemetery alone needs an hour if you’re actually paying attention.

Charles Bridge at 7am. Non-negotiable.

The 14th-century bridge is one of the most photographed places in Europe. On a summer afternoon it is also one of the most crowded. At 7am, with mist on the Vltava and the castle catching the first light above Malá Strana, you may have large stretches of it to yourself. The bridge itself is free and always open. Go early or accept the crowds. There is no middle ground.

The Astronomical Clock is smaller than you expect

The hourly mechanical show draws enormous crowds to Old Town Square. The clock itself is impressive, the show is brief. The better experience is the Old Town Hall Tower directly above it — lift access, pre-booked ticket, views over the entire Old Town. Queue time without a ticket: 20 to 40 minutes. With a pre-booked slot: straight to the top.

One more thing: come in December if you can

The Christmas market on Old Town Square is consistently rated among the finest in Europe. Crowds at the castle and Jewish Quarter drop significantly. The Gothic skyline under snow is unlike anything else. Prague in December is exceptional value and a completely different experience from the summer version of the city.