Czech Republic

Prague

Last traveled · May 2018
City Snapshot
Best Months
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Ideal Stay
2–3 days
Best For
History, Architecture
GF Friendliness
5/10
Language
Czech
English
Widely spoken
City Size
Large
Currency
Czech Koruna (CZK)

Where to Stay

Recommended
Royal Court Hotel, Prague
Where I stayed

Royal Court Hotel

Prague, Czech Republic
Gym Spa Breakfast
Book on Hotels.com

Gluten-Free Survival Guide

Moderate
Key Phrases
"Bez lepku" Gluten-free
"Mám celiakii" I have celiac disease
"Bez mouky" Without flour
"Obsahuje to lepek?" Does this contain gluten?
Safe Local Dishes
  • Grilled meats (without sauce/marinade)
  • Potatoes (brambory) — boiled, roasted, mashed
  • Czech wine (Moravian wines)
  • Tatarský biftek (steak tartare, skip the toast)
Watch Out For
  • Knedlíky (dumplings — wheat-based, served with everything)
  • "Smažený" anything (= breaded/fried)
  • Czech soups (nearly all flour-thickened)
  • Sauces (omáčky — flour roux based)
  • Bramboráky (potato pancakes contain flour)
GF Grocery Stores
  • Albert — dedicated "bez lepku" sections
  • Billa — free-from products
  • DM drogerie — GF snacks and flour mixes
  • Country Life — health food store near Old Town Square
Score Breakdown
Dedicated GF restaurants
Menu labeling
Staff knowledge & safety
Density of GF dining
Grocery availability
5/10 Overall GF Score
Moderate

GF Friendly Restaurants

2 spots
GF Score 5/5 3/5 Hotel

Alriso risotteria italiana

100% GF
Italian · Risotto
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
100% dedicated GF kitchen, which keeps cross-contamination risk very low. Cash-preferred. Reservations strongly recommended.
What to Order
All risottos, GF pasta (penne, carbonara), house-baked GF bread, tiramisu, panna cotta
Location
Betlémské nám. 11, Old Town
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free
Alriso risotteria italiana

Švejk restaurant U Karla

GF Options
Czech · Traditional
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
Mixed kitchen with separate GF prep area. Owner's daughter has celiac. GF dishes flagged with toothpick marker. Cross-contamination risk exists.
What to Order
GF dumplings, goulash, roasted duck, GF bread. GF beer: Celia and Bernard.
Location
Uhříněves (Praha 22 — outer Prague)
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Getting Around

Metro
3 lines (A green, B yellow, C red). Line A most useful for tourists (Malostranská, Staroměstská, Můstek). Runs 4am–midnight, every 2–4 min peak.
Trams
30+ daytime lines, 9 night lines. Tram 22 is the essential tourist line. Integrated tickets with metro.
Walking
Prague is highly walkable. Old Town → Charles Bridge → Castle is the classic route. Watch for cobblestones.
Airport
Trolleybus 59 + Metro Line A (~40 min, ~50 CZK). Uber/taxi 600–800 CZK. No direct rail link.
Local Tip
Download the Lítačka app before you arrive — it's the cheapest way to buy tickets and covers metro, tram, and bus on one integrated pass.

Landmarks & Must-See Spots

10 spots

Prague Castle

Historic
The largest ancient castle complex in the world. Home to Czech presidents and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hradčany
Went here
Prague Castle

Charles Bridge

Historic
Iconic 14th-century stone bridge lined with 30 baroque statues, connecting Old Town to Malá Strana.
Connecting Old Town & Malá Strana
Went here

Prague Astronomical Clock

Historic
Medieval astronomical clock on Old Town Hall — the world's oldest still-operating astronomical clock (installed 1410).
Old Town Square
Went here
Prague Astronomical Clock

Old Town Square

Historic
The historic heart of Prague, surrounded by Gothic, baroque, and Renaissance architecture. Home to the Jan Hus Memorial.
Staré Město
Went here
Old Town Square

St. Vitus Cathedral

Historic
Stunning Gothic cathedral within Prague Castle, with incredible stained glass and the Crown Jewels vault.
Prague Castle Complex
Went here
St. Vitus Cathedral

Lennon Wall

Historic
Colorful graffiti wall in Malá Strana, a symbol of peace and free speech since the 1980s.
Velkopřevorské nám., Malá Strana
Went here
Lennon Wall

Dancing House

Historic
Iconic deconstructivist building by Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunić on the Vltava riverbank.
Rašínovo nábřeží, New Town
Went here
Dancing House

St. Wenceslas Vineyard

Nature
Historic vineyard on the slopes below Prague Castle with wine tasting and stunning panoramic views over the city. One of Prague's hidden gems.
Below Prague Castle, Hradčany
Went here
St. Wenceslas Vineyard

Prague Metronome

Historic
Giant metronome in Letná Park, built on the pedestal where a massive Stalin statue once stood. Great views.
Letná Park
Went here
Prague Metronome

Petrin Tower

Nature
Mini Eiffel Tower on Petrin Hill with panoramic views. Built in 1891 for the Prague Jubilee Exhibition.
Petřín Hill
Traveler recommended
Petrin Tower

Neighborhoods

Staré Město (Old Town)

Historic Core
The medieval heart of Prague with the Astronomical Clock, Old Town Square, and the Jewish Quarter. Tourist-heavy but unmissable.

Malá Strana (Lesser Town)

Baroque Charm
Cobblestone streets beneath Prague Castle, home to the Lennon Wall and charming gardens. Quieter than Old Town.

Hradčany (Castle District)

Royal Quarter
Dominated by Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. Stunning views over the city from the castle terraces.

Nové Město (New Town)

Urban & Commercial
Wenceslas Square, the Dancing House, and the National Theatre. More local, less touristy than Old Town.

Vinohrady

Residential & Trendy
Art Nouveau architecture, leafy streets, and excellent cafés. Where locals actually live and eat.

Things to Do

Activities & Experiences

Prague Castle Guided Tour

Paid
Guided tour of castle complex including St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane.
2–2.5 hours ~$25–50
Book Now

Vltava River Cruise

Paid
Drift past Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, and National Theatre with panoramic views.
1 hour ~$15–25
Book Now

Old Town & Jewish Quarter Walking Tour

Paid
Explores Old Town Square, Astronomical Clock, medieval underground, and Jewish Quarter synagogues.
2–3 hours ~$15–30
Book Now

Kutná Hora Day Trip (Bone Church)

Paid
Visit the famous Sedlec Ossuary decorated with 40,000 bones and UNESCO-listed St. Barbara's Cathedral.
6–7 hours ~$40–70
Book Now

Český Krumlov Day Trip

Paid
Full-day to the UNESCO-listed medieval town with castle tour, baroque gardens, and Old Town.
10–11 hours ~$50–80
Book Now

Havelské tržiště (Havel's Market)

Free
Open-air market near Old Town Square with local produce, crafts, and souvenirs. Open daily.
Havelská, Old Town

Frequently Asked Questions

Prague scores 5/10 for GF friendliness (Moderate). Czech cuisine is heavily flour-and-dumpling-based, making traditional dishes challenging. However, Prague has at least one excellent 100% GF restaurant (Alriso), good grocery store options with "bez lepku" sections, and growing awareness driven by EU labeling laws.
Alriso risotteria italiana is Prague's standout — a 100% dedicated GF Italian restaurant in Old Town with GF risotto, pasta, bread, and desserts. Švejk restaurant U Karla in Uhříněves offers an extensive GF Czech menu including GF dumplings, goulash, and GF beer.
Yes — Albert, Billa, and Tesco supermarkets have dedicated "bez lepku" (gluten-free) sections. DM drogerie carries GF snacks and baking products. Country Life near Old Town Square has fresh GF baked goods. Look for the crossed-grain symbol or "bez lepku" on packaging.

Travel Tips

What I'd Do Differently
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