5 of the Best Prague River Cruises on the Vltava

If we could only tell you one thing to do in Prague during your time in this beautiful city it would be to get out on the Vltava River. When you go on a Prague river cruise you’ll see this romantic capital city from a completely different angle, and it is absolutely breathtaking!

There are quite a few different Prague River Cruises you can do – and, just like with any attraction, when there are a lot of different companies offering tours some may be better than others. So in this post, we want to share which tours we think you should consider, how to book them, and, of course, what each river cruise offers and why we recommend them!

From sunset river cruises in Prague to renting your own little paddle boat there are tons of different options when it comes to cruising on the Vltava River in Prague next to the famous Prague Castle. Let’s dive in!

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5 of the best Prague river cruises

Pro tip: Most boat tours book out in advance during the summer and holiday times in Prague so it’s best to book in advance if you already know the dates 📅

#1 Sightseeing and dinner Prague River cruise

We’re going to start off with a bang since this is one of the fancier river cruises you can do in Prague. Most of the tours and cruises all take place in the same area so it’s more what the boat offers that makes every tour unique and special. 

On this sightseeing and dinner cruise, you’ll have an all-you-can-eat buffet which also includes a welcome glass of wine. There’s something magical about sipping a glass of wine on an open deck with historic buildings surrounding you from all sides. We personally love evening tours in Prague like this!

For just around 3 hours you’ll be touring the Vltava River and cruising by all the iconic stops like Kampa Island, Charles Bridge, the Dancing House, and a few others! Hopefully, the delicious all-you-can-eat food won’t distract you too much from all the sights! 😉

This Prague River Cruise is a great date idea if you’re a couple celebrating your anniversary or another important event. At €59 ($60 USD) a person, it’s on the more expensive side for river tours in Prague but you really do get your money’s worth with the whole experience!

#2 Paddle Boating down the Vltava River

This is probably our favorite activity to do with friends! If you’re a few people then it’s going to cost you about $5 a person per hour to rent a paddle boat. You can see the price guide for paddle boat rentals in Prague here. Let’s just say it’s the best $5 you’ll spend that day. You can bring your own food and snacks and enjoy hanging out on a paddle boat on the Vltava River. 

Most of the boats fit 4 people comfortably so if you’re a big group you can rent 2-3 boats and cruise around the Vltava together. The area that the boats are allowed in is quite a large area. You’ll be able to get up close to the Prague Castle where you can get some great pictures. 

Paddle boating is one of the fun activities when it’s crazy hot during those summer months when you don’t want to be stuck between thousands of tourists in Old Town Prague. Instead, grab some snacks and head out onto the Vltava River for a few hours and get some fresh air on the Vltava River.

You can walk to the paddle boat rental spot from the city or take a tram. You can find the location of the rental boats here. It’s right on Slovansky Island and impossible to miss once you know where you’re going! One of the best activities you can do in Prague on a warm sunny day.

(Hint: You can bring some drinks too, but don’t let them see it😉).

#3 Evening sightseeing Prague River Cruise

This is the perfect Prague River cruise if you’re looking for something affordable and fun to do in the evening. For €14 ($15 USD) a person you can hang out on a boat that cruises up and down the Vltava River for an hour.

As we mentioned in the other evening river cruise, there’s something magical about seeing the city illuminated at night from the boat. You’ll see most of the iconic sights on this river cruise as well. It’ll just be a bit quicker since this tour is just under an hour long – which is also why this Prague cruise is a lot more affordable.

There’s even an open deck so you’ll be able to get great panoramic views from the city if you go on the ship deck. On those warm summer nights, it’s nice to hang outside and just take in this beautiful city! The Prague Castle at night is something else and you’ll get some incredible views of it on this tour!

#4 Historical Prague River Cruise 

This is a fun afternoon activity you can do in Prague! It’s a cheap €18.5 ($19.5 USD) historical boat trip on Prague’s famous canal boats that will take you to some of the most historic parts along the Vltava River. 

You’ll get a drink and a few refreshments on board while listening to the audio commentary as you pass by a few of Prague’s historic pieces of architecture (such as the Prague Castle and Charles Bridge).

If you just want to get a sample of being out on the river and see the city from out on the water then this Prague River cruise is great. The tour itself is less than an hour long and runs multiple times a day! 

This tour is great to do with a friend or the whole family. You can enjoy yourself on the peaceful canal boats for right around an hour before heading back to the city.

#5 Vltava River Lunch Prague Cruise 

This is an awesome afternoon river cruise in Prague where you can enjoy a nice lunch with a view. You’ll be able to enjoy the buffet lunch from the deck of the riverboat while you’ll be able to take in the views. It’s such a good way to get the most out of your 2-hour tour in Prague.

Afternoons can also get very crowded in Old Town Prague so if you can get out on the water for a lunch cruise you’ll avoid the Prague crowds for a few hours. The Vltava River does get busy as well with other tours, paddle boats, and all that but you don’t notice it the same way as when you’re walking around the city center.

For around €34 ($35.5 USD) a person, you’ll be able to enjoy a nice lunch with a view of the Vltava River. You’ll also be welcomed with live music (accordionist) and audio and maps describing the different sights you’ll see on this 2-hour river cruise.

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As you can see, there is a wide variety of Prague river cruises you can do. Depending on your budget and how much time you want to spend out on the water you should be able to find something that fits just what you’re looking for.

If you’re a group of friends looking for a good time, paddle boating may be the best option. If you’re looking for a cute date idea then maybe the sightseeing and dinner cruise is what you should do.

Regardless of which boat tour in Prague you end up choosing, you’ll get to see all the highlights, experience the Vltava, and get to see the city from another perspective. If you need some inspiration for more things to do in Prague we have a list of 38 different things to do in Prague!

If you have any questions about river cruises in Prague or anything else Prague related then feel free to DM us on Instagram or leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can! 

Have fun!

Dom & Jo
Red White Adventures

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