Canals to Castles: An Amsterdam & Prague 8-Day Itinerary

8 Day Tour of Amsterdam and Prague

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Trip Map
Itinerary
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8 Days 7 Nights

Best Time: Jan-Dec

Cultural Exploration

Beer Drinkers

Embark on an 8-day trip from Amsterdam to Prague, exploring complimentary views of history, culture and food. In Amsterdam, trace beautiful canals past picturesque homes to the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House, before experiencing the city's lively markets. Then head to Prague to admire its Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, from Prague Castle to the Old Town Square and the Charles Bridge. Enjoy cozy cafés, traditional Czech dishes, & renowned Czech beer. The journey promises enchanting atmospheres and rich histories in two of Europe's most captivating cities, made easy with detailed travel guidance and private guided tours.

Discover the UNESCO-World-Heritage site of Grachtengordel, the storied canals of Amsterdam.
In Amsterdam canal cruise amidst 17th-century homes and beneath charming, bicycle filled bridges.
Take a river cruise in Prague and enjoy its Baroque beauty from both land and water.
Take a private beer tasting tour in Prague (or customize by adding a culinary tour or other option)
Enjoy the historic parks of Petrin and Vysehrad, with their stunning views in the heart of Prague.

Discover the UNESCO-World-Heritage site of Grachtengordel, the storied canals of Amsterdam.
In Amsterdam canal cruise amidst 17th-century homes and beneath charming, bicycle filled bridges.
Take a river cruise in Prague and enjoy its Baroque beauty from both land and water.
Take a private beer tasting tour in Prague (or customize by adding a culinary tour or other option)
Enjoy the historic parks of Petrin and Vysehrad, with their stunning views in the heart of Prague.

Old Town

Historic Landmarks

Museum Quarter

Museums & Galleries

Jordaan

Nightlife & Local Scene

Eastern Districts

Museums & Galleries

Anne Frank House

Historic Landmarks

Prague Castle

Castles & Chateaux

Charles Bridge

Historic Landmarks

Wenceslas Square

European History

Old Town

Historic Landmarks

Must see sights

Old Town

Historic Landmarks

Museum Quarter

Museums & Galleries

Jordaan

Nightlife & Local Scene

Eastern Districts

Museums & Galleries

Anne Frank House

Historic Landmarks

Prague Castle

Castles & Chateaux

Charles Bridge

Historic Landmarks

Wenceslas Square

European History

Old Town

Historic Landmarks

Starting from

$1692

per person

4.8 (365 reviews)

Not included

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Day-By-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Amsterdam

Day 1

Arrive Amsterdam

To Be Determined

Arrival in Amsterdam Airport and Transfer by Taxi or Train

Amsterdam has one main airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Taxis are available directly at the terminal exit, or you can arrange a private transfer for added convenience. Uber is also available. The cheapest and often fastest way to reach central Amsterdam from the airport is by train, which delivers you in about 20 minutes to Amsterdam's Central station (Centraal), from where you can walk to your hotel, take public transport, or easily hail a taxi that will be much less expensive than from the airport. The NS train station is located directly below the airport terminal, so all you need to do is follow the signs.

Day 1

Arrive Amsterdam

To Be Determined:

Transfer from Airport

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon:

Old Town

Late Afternoon/Early Evening:

Grachtengordel

Day 1

Arrive Amsterdam

Day 1

Arrive Amsterdam

To Be Determined

Arrival in Amsterdam Airport and Transfer by Taxi or Train

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon

Experience the Pleasures of Old Town

The basis of the old joke that 'God created Earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands' can best be seen in the horseshoe-shaped old center of Amsterdam where the early inhabitants reclaimed much of their city from the sea and built the perfectly straight canals to keep the new land dry. Most of the picture-perfect gabled houses still retain their winch beams and hooks for hauling goods to the attic. These days its most renown historic buildings share space with Amsterdam's famous Red Light District.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening

Get a Grip on Grachtengordel

The Grachtengordel, or Canal Ring, in Amsterdam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, embodies the city's 17th-century architectural and urban planning. This historic network of canals, designed during the Dutch Golden Age, is lined with elegant merchant houses and bridges, reflecting Amsterdam's rich past. Today, it's a lively district filled with cafes, galleries, and boutiques, A visit here is essential to understanding both Amsterdam's past and present.

Day 2

Amsterdam

Day 2

Amsterdam

Day 2

Amsterdam

Day 2

Amsterdam

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Privately Guided Walking Tour of Amsterdam

Make your introductions to Amsterdam with this 3-hour privately-guided walking tour. After picking you up from your hotel, your professional guide will lead you past many of the greatest highlights of the city, including its center, as well as the Jordaan, the Grachtengordel, and the infamous Red-Light District. The guide will explain how all these feature in the citiy's history and contemporary life. Your guide will be happy to share some great tips for the rest of your stay.

Mid-Day to Early Evening

Discover the Museums of the Eastern District

The Eastern Districts of Amsterdam host a wide array of museums and activities that serve all ages. The districts include the areas of Waterlooplein, Eastern Docklands, Weesperbuurt, and Plantage. Get in touch with nature at the Botanical Garden or ARTIS, Amsterdam's famous zoo. Experience some hands-on learning at the NEMO Science Museum. See where the famous Dutch painter, Rembrandt, lived and created some of his most famous works. It might not be the most well-known area of the city but there is plenty to explore!

Evening

Dining Out in Amsterdam's Oost District

Eating out in Amsterdam Oost district has never been more popular as it is now, with all its new hotspots. There are so many great options for food and drinks that any foodie will see this district as it is …the place to be! Whether you are looking for fine dining for a family dinner or a great burger for lunch, you can find everything here, from a quick bite to an Instagrammable spot for brunch. Oost has its charm, a district with a nice mixture of everything: busy streets, green parks, historical boroughs or modern cultural gems and of course everything is very diverse and colorful. The neighborhood is continuously developing and is an ideal place to witness the city's lifestyle. Oost is where the first movements in Amsterdam started – a once shady Javastraat is full of the most exciting bars, restaurants, and places to hang out. In Oost, you can find a good mix of different cultures, brown cafes, hip hotspots, and young creatives.

Day 3

Amsterdam

Day 3

Amsterdam

Day 3

Amsterdam

Day 3

Amsterdam

Morning/Mid-Day

Impress yourself in the Museum Quarter

Arranged in a tight knot on the aptly named Museumplein, Amsterdam's premier world-class museums include the Van Gogh Museum (pre-booked tickets required), the Rijks Museum with its collection of Rembrandts, and the Stedelijk Museum of modern and contemporary art. The Amsterdam Diamond Museum is nearby as well. Choose to visit one or more of these wonderful cultural venues from the detailed descriptions provided in the Full Itinerary.

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Canal Cruise in Amsterdam

A canal cruise is one of the best ways to discover Amsterdam! A 1-hour tour includes many of Amsterdam's most famous monuments and memorials. Starting from the dock near the Anne Frank House, you will float along the impressive Unesco Heritage Golden Age canals of Amsterdam, and pass the Jordaan neighborhood known for its famous Prinsengracht (Princes' Canal). Spy the romantic Magere Brug, the Amstel river, the 7 bridges, and the important Golden Bend before returning to land.

Late Afternoon to Evening

Tour of Old Jewish Quarter

At the time of the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands, Amsterdam had about 75-80,000 Jews living in the just the city alone. The Old Jewish Quarter is home to several museums that memorialize the 104,000 Dutch Jews who lost their lives along with those who made it through and whose families live in the country today. You can explore the Portuguese Synagogue, learn about Jewish culture at the Jewish History Museum, and pay respects at the National Holocaust Museum and Memorial.

Day 4

Amsterdam to Prague

Day 4

Amsterdam to Prague

Day 4

Amsterdam to Prague

Day 4

Amsterdam to Prague

To Be Determined

Transfer to Airport by Taxi

Amsterdam has one main airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The most affordable and often fastest way to reach the airport is by train. Local direct trains to the airport depart every ten minutes, usually from platform 14a or platform 15, and get you there in about 20 minutes. Your hotel can arrange a reliable taxi or if you have the app, Uber is also a good option. You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about two hours and 45 minutes before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen to thirty minutes.

To Be Determined

Flight to Prague

There are several daily direct flights between Amsterdam and Prague operated by KLM, Easy Jet and Czech Airlines, so you shouldn't have too many problems finding a connection. The flight takes only 1h40m - 1h45m. Both the Czech Republic and the Netherlands are part of the European Union's internal visa-free Schengen Area, so you won't need to undergo any immigration or customs control when flying between the two countries. However, but you will need to purchase your own flight tickets. Your personal Go Real travel consultant will help you find the flight that suits you best.

To Be Determined

Arrival in Prague Airport & Transfer by Taxi

Prague has one main airport, Václav Havel Airport Prague, where almost all visitors arrive. Taxis are available directly at the terminal exit, or you can arrange a private transfer for added convenience.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening

Exploring the Little Quarter

The Little Quarter is a quaint yet lively quarter of Prague tightly nestled on the slope and riverbank beneath the Prague Castle. It is filled with the homes of medieval and renaissance nobility who wanted to live as closely as possible to the castle. Picturesque side streets, beautiful churches, and impressive Baroque architecture all abound within the Little Quarter.

Day 5

Prague

Day 5

Prague

Day 5

Prague

Day 5

Prague

9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Prague Castle & Royal Route Guided Walk

On this charming guided walk, you will explore the Prague Castle, the largest castle complex in all of Europe. To reach the castle you will trace the Royal Coronation Route and cross the Charles Bridge, whose “speaking stones” reveal the amazing and often cruel history that occurred there. Your tour guide will then take you either through the castle courtyards and into the dramatic St. Vitus Cathedral in the center of the castle complex, or through the upper part of the castle district around the oversized palaces of the old Catholic nobility and the top of the Castle Steps for incomparable views over the red rooftops of the Little Quarter.

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon

Prague Castle and the Castle District

Prague Castle is the most visited destination in Prague, and for good reason. The castle's history stretches back over a 1000 years, and it has served as the seat of government for Bohemian kings, Holy Roman Emperors, and presidents of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. The castle sits impressively perched on a hill overlooking the city, providing a breathtaking and romantic view.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening

Stroll through Petřín Park

Petřin Park is Prague's most prominent park, as it is located on the side of a large hill overlooking the city. The park is filled with cherry orchards, beautiful forests, and lawns, and is crisscrossed by numerous paths as well as the medieval Hunger Wall built by Emperor Charles IV. At the top of the park is an Eiffel Tower-like observation tower which provides an unobstructed view of the city.

Day 6

Prague

Day 6

Prague

Day 6

Prague

Day 6

Prague

Morning/Mid-Day

Visit Prague's Jewish Quarter

Jews have lived in Prague since its beginnings in the 10th century and have endowed it with a rich heritage. The ghetto was created in the 12th century, as Jews were forced to live separately from Christians. Despite persecution, the community prospered, but sadly, only a small minority survived the Nazi occupation. A lasting legacy remains, including synagogues, architecture, and a fascinating cemetery.

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon

Wanderings in the Old Town

A visit to the Old Town transports you to an entirely different era. A labyrinth of twisting cobblestone lanes and alleys surrounds Old Town Square, which has been Prague's municipal center since the Middle Ages. The square is lined by magnificent churches and imposing Renaissance palaces. As you wander through the Old Town, you discover numerous other delights, including several beautiful churches, a plentiful supply of cozy cafes and pubs, and an outdoor market dating back to the Middle Ages.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening

Vltava River Cruise

Embark on a captivating evening river cruise in Prague on the Vltava River, where the city's historic landmarks come alive under the soft glow of twilight. Glide past Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, and the Old Town while enjoying a glass of bubbly or a gourmet dining experience with fine wines. This enchanting journey offers a unique perspective of Prague's beauty, creating memories against the backdrop of the city's sparkling lights.

Day 7

Prague

Day 7

Prague

Day 7

Prague

Day 7

Prague

Morning/Mid-Day

Vyšehrad Fortress; a Favorite of the Locals

The castle of Vyšehrad was the seat of Bohemia's kings from the 11th to the 12th centuries. Due to its strategic position on a hill overlooking the Vltava River and Prague, it became an important army garrison in the 17th century, and it was transformed into a fortress with huge walls, gates, and ramparts. Walking along these ramparts will offer you wonderful views of the city and river. The interior of the fortress is now given over to a pleasant and quiet park which is a favorite of locals.

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon

Discover the New Town

Despite being 700 years old, the New Town (Nové Město) is the youngest of the original five independent towns that made up Medieval Prague. The heart of New Town is one of the three original markets around which the town was planned, Wenceslas Square. Not fully given over to tourism like the Old Town, the New Town combines a historic atmosphere with the daily commercial and social life of locals, making it a great place to get a taste of the real Prague.

6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Prague Beer Experience - Tasting and Pub Walk

The Czech Republic's pilsner brewing style is imitated the world over, from Budweiser to Stella Artois, but imitators have failed to capture the true essence of this distinct brew. It can only truly be appreciated in the Czech Republic. Just as important as the beer itself, are Prague's amazing and interesting places to drink. From small pubs with thick wooden tables, where Czechs once gathered to complain about the Communist regime, to outdoor beer gardens with majestic views of the cities spires.

Day 8

Depart Prague

Day 8

Depart Prague

Day 8

Depart Prague

Day 8

Depart Prague

To Be Determined

Transfer to Airport by Taxi

Prague has one main airport, Václav Havel Airport Prague, where almost all visitors depart. Your hotel can arrange a reliable taxi or if you have the app, Uber or Bolt is also a good option. You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about 2 hours and 45 minutes before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with a little over two hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen minutes.

Click to See Details

Canals to Castles: An Amsterdam & Prague 8-Day Itinerary

8 Day Tour of Amsterdam and Prague

$1692

Secure Your Customizable Trip Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.

Trip Map & Itinerary

Day-By-Day Itinerary

Arrival in Amsterdam Airport and Transfer by Taxi or Train

Secure Your Customizable Trip
Enter your details to embark on a journey that can be tailored just for you.

Craft Your Own Itinerary
Select your interests and destinations for a trip plan inspired by you.