Cruise The Vltava River In Prague
There are so many ways to enjoy the waterfront when you visit Prague for 8 days. We walked along the riverfront several times. There was lots to see from the river. And so many ways to got out on the water. There are a wide variety of boats that cruise along the river. We were glad we chose to cruise the Vltava River in Prague. It gave us yet one more perspective on this beautiful city that straddles the river.
Walk Along The Riverfront
We took several opportunities to walk along the waterfront. There were restaurants with a view in several spots.
After our visit to Vysehrad, we walked on the riverfront and found a large market with many stalls. On the weekend, it was busy with both locals and tourists. Food stalls offered a cornucopia of tastes. Stalls and floating markets offered local products for sale. Families enjoyed being down by the river.
When we walked along the riverfront, it reinforced our desire to cruise the Vltava River in Prague.
Great Views Of Prague From The Riverfront
As we walked along the riverfront, we got a great view of many of the major buildings in Prague. From almost everywhere in the city you got a view of the Prague Castle and the St Vitrus Cathedral. On the other hill on that side of the river, we saw the Petrin Tower. The Petrin Tower was where we started our Prague visit with a great panoramic view. The river was definitely a busy spot!
The National Theatre is located close to the riverfront. We got our first view of the gleaming dome from our hotel. But we also saw it from different angles from the waterfront.
When we visited the National Theatre, we made sure to wander around to the other side. We found a playful statue of Marilyn Monroe.
We made sure to seek out the Dancing House. I had seen this house in many photos before we arrived in Prague. It was definitely one of the sights along the riverfront to see.
We got a taste of the sights we could see from the waterfront as we walked. We knew that when we had a chance to cruise the Vltava River in Prague, we would get a view of even more interesting sights.
Take A Boat Ride On The River
If you want to go out on the water, you can cruise the Vltava River in Prague. But if you want to go out on the water on your own, there are several spots between the locks where you can rent a boat. The boats came in several designs. Depending on your mood you could rent a pedal boat that looks like a car, paddle a kayak or even try stand up paddle boards.
For a short ride on the Vltava River, there are ferry boats that cross at several points along the river. These are covered by public transit tickets or passes.
Even if you don’t book to cruise the Vltava River in Prague, there are lots of ways to get out on the water!
Cruise The Vltava River in Prague
If you want to do a longer boat ride, there are many different boat options in many sizes to cruise the Vltava River in Prague. At night you can do a dinner cruise and one company offers a jazz cruise. You can do a day cruise or a night cruise.
We went during the day to cruise the Vltava River in Prague. So we missed seeing Prague all lit up at night. But we did an amazing night river tour when we visited Budapest to see the city lights.
Our tour group took the Prague Venice Tour. The river cruise took stayed between the river locks so we did not get to experience the small drops of the river through Prague.
It was a good way to get yet more views of both sides of the riverfront. We went under the Charles Bridge both ways. It was a teaser for our visit to walk the Charles Bridge.
We were happy we got to cruise the Vltava River in Prague. Had we not had such a great night view from our hotel, we definitely would have booked a night cruise. The jazz boat was on our list. But will have to wait for a return visit.
There Are Even Canals In Prague
We also got a short tour of the small canal system in Prague. We first saw the canals when we were in the Lesser Town and headed to walk the Charles Bridge.
The canal tour was somewhat reminiscent of our canal cruises in Copenhagen and again in Amsterdam. People stood on the bridges as we passed and waved.
You will have the chance to see the canals when you cruise the Vltava River in Prague.
Enjoy The Vltava River In Prague
We found so many ways to enjoy the Vltava River when we visited Prague for 8 days. Walk along the riverfront and enjoy the local markets. Find a restaurant with a view. Take a boat out on the water for a lazy trip. Book an excursion to cruise the Vltava River in Prague.
No matter which way you choose to enjoy the Vltava River in Prague, you will enjoy Prague from this different perspective.
Did you enjoy the riverfront in Prague? Did you cruise the Vltava River in Prague?
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I love travelling through a city by boat – funnily enough I haven’t done so in Prague, though I did see the cruise boats along the river. I love the walk there too though, a great way to get away from the tourist throngs and see a bit more of the city at the same time
Fiona, We enjoyed our day cruise. But really would have liked to do a night cruise. Just ran out of time. But we did do lots of walks along the river. Linda
Really love the idea of focusing on ways to enjoy Prague from the Vltava River, whether by peddle boat, sightseeing cruise boat, or on foot along the banks. Each one would give a different perspective.
Kavita, We love to find ways to get different perspectives on a city. A river cruise in Prague was a great way to see things from a new angle. The commentary was also a good way to hear about the history of the city. Linda
Prague is a city I’d love to visit, mostly for its incredible views along the river. It sounds like the river is quite a central point of activity! While I can’t say I’ve ever heard of a party grill boat (haha!), I think I’d probably opt for a different sort of river cruise.
Tracie, Prague straddles the river so you will indeed find lots of see and do along the river. There are lots of options for cruises – day cruises, night food cruises for the lights and even a Jazz cruise with music. So you can find one that fits. Linda
Wow! Indeed a beautiful experience in Prague! I really love this adventure, like having a cruise in a river. So relaxing plus the gorgeous view. I love all of the photos. Thanks for sharing this experience of yours!
Thanks Ghia. We loved the chance to see Prague from a different perspective. So great when a city straddled the river like Prague. Linda
A boat ride is a great way to get a different perspective on a city. And a city with buildings as beautiful as Prague looks like a pleasure to experience from the water. We’ve walked along the riverfront, eaten at riverfront cafes, lingered on the Charles Bridge – but never gone onto the water. And I didn’t even know Prague had canals! Next time, for sure.
Sarah, There are a ton of choices for a river cruise when you go back to Prague. Day cruises with different size of boats. The night cruises get you the night light view. And food and entertainment if you want it. Hope you get to do it. Linda
The photos of the city from a river are always different then the ones you get just wandering the streets. I love that there is so many different ways to explore the river and Prague looks beautiful. I really want to see the dancing building in person because I am a huge fan of unique architecture.
Chris, I was very interested too to see how much was available on the river. The Dancing Building was certainly different than so many of the older buildings. I wondered if there were others we missed. Linda
I walked along the Charles bridge, but the walk along the riverfront too sounds good. If only I had the time then. The cruise too seems like a good experience. You got great pictures, especially that of the Dancing House.
Indrani, There is so much to do in Prague that it is hard to fit it all in. Always good to leave something for the next visit. Linda
I loved Prague. It is so beautiful. I took a boat ride while there. They served some food and beverages. I need to go back and spend more time by the water. I didn’t see certain things.
Holly, We loved Prague too. Could you tell 🙂 We had 8 days so it was time to explore a bunch of different things to do. But even we did not see it all. Good reason to go back. Linda
Prague is so beautiful. It has such an endearing charm and its buildings are so classic and vintage. A boat cruise seems to be a really great way to see the sights and the skyline of the charming city. I never knew that the Vltava river also flows through the canals within the city, a La Venice. Your pictures spur me to head over and take a leisurely cruise on the waters of the Vltava.
Sandy, I am so glad that this post has teased you to want to visit Prague. We too did not know there were canals until we visited. Not a big canal system but fun to see nonetheless. Hope you get to visit and enjoy the river things to do. Linda
This is a very different perspective of Prague. I do think that in Europe, one should opt for these kind of river cruises. They introduce the sights in the city from a very unique perspective. Glad to see that this theory of mine holds good in Prague too.
Ami, I definitely think your theory holds true in Prague. The key choice is day or night river cruise. Or maybe both? Very different experiences. Both with great views. Linda