Dinner cruises in Prague

One of the plans that more and more people are opting for during their visit to Prague is a dinner cruise on the river. When evening falls in the Czech capital, few things compare to boarding a luxurious cruise ship and cruising the waters while Prague lights up and you enjoy your dinner.

There are several alternatives depending on the type of food you want to enjoy, your budget and who you are going to share this experience with, because if it's with your partner, you're sure to be looking for more intimacy and an even more romantic atmosphere. As I know that right now you want to know more, I've taken it upon myself to investigate which are the best options for you.

If you are looking for a unique (and very romantic) plan during your trip to Prague, I have a proposal that might interest you: a river cruise accompanied by live music and a delicious dinner. I assure you that there is no better way to visit the most emblematic places in the city than sailing along its waters while you fill your stomach and an orchestra provides the soundtrack to the tour.

These types of activities depart every day of the week just after sunset, so you can go to the pier and ask for availability. To secure your place, I recommend booking in advance, as they aim to maintain the intimate atmosphere, something that is achieved by the boat's lavish decoration and the illuminated skyline of Prague, including the castle and theCharles Bridge.

The price (approximately €60) includes the three-hour tour, a welcome drink and dinner, which I can assure you will leave you satisfied as it usually consists of several dishes to choose from (cold, hot, desserts and side dishes). However, additional drinks, especially alcoholic drinks, must be paid for separately.

Key facts:

• Price: approximately €60
• Duration: around 3 hours
• What's included: river cruise with dinner and live music
• Recommended if: you want to spend a lively evening in good company.

Do you want an exclusive experience in Prague? Nothing beats having a private vehicle pick you up from your hotel and take you on a dinner cruise. The only thing you will have to worry about is being at the agreed time at the reception of your accommodation so that your driver can take you to the pier and embark on a unique experience with one of the best views of Prague as a backdrop.

If you want to enjoy dinner on board the cruise ship and have a drink or two (beware, only the welcome drink is included, the rest you'll have to pay for separately), you won't have to drive or take public transport back to your hotel. Luckily, you always have the option of booking an excursion which, although slightly more expensive (around €100), will pick you up and take you back to your accommodation.

Not only will you get the chance to see the unrivalled views of Prague at night from the river or pass under the imposing Charles Bridge, but on the way there and back you can also relax in the car seat as you watch the streets of the Czech capital pass by through the window.

Key Facts:

• Price: approximately €100
• Duration: about 4 hours
• What's included: River cruise with dinner and hotel transfers
• Recommended if: you don't want to worry about transportation all night long.

Do you like to be spoilt for choice during dinner? Then you have to sign up for a buffet dinner cruise on the Vltava River in Prague. You're sure to be spoilt for choice with great dishes, many of them from international cuisines, to enjoy as the night falls over Prague's buildings such as the National Theatre or its medieval towers.

Dinner buffet cruise tours are fairly inexpensive (around €30), especially since you can eat and repeat as much as you like. However, there is only one drink included, so you'll have to count on that extra expense or wait until you disembark to have a beer in the centre of Prague for a lower price.

Key Facts:

• Price: approximately €30
• Duration: around 3-4 hours
• What's included: River cruise with international buffet dinner
• Recommended if: you want to make sure you have a variety of dining options.

While it is clear that one of the main attractions of a Prague river cruise is a tasty dinner, we cannot forget that we are cruising the waters of a city with a lot of history. For this reason, I recommend booking an itinerary that includes an English-speaking guide.

Prague is said to be a city of bridges and towers, as they are counted in hundreds. The Charles Bridge especially stands out, which will leave you open-mouthed when you cross underneath it. Sailing through the city without understanding the value of the buildings that appear on the banks is a shame, so it is better to take a tour with a specialised guide on board who will explain the secrets and legends of places such as Prague Castle or the House of Dance.

In total, it will take you almost three hours for approximately €35, during which you will savour not only the dishes on the menu, but also the history of Prague.

Key Facts:

• Price: approximately €35
• Duration: about 2 hours
• What's included: river cruise with dinner and guide on board
• Recommended if: you are interested in learning about the history of Prague while dining and sailing on the Vltava.

Want an experience that brings you closer to Czech culture? Make sure you book a traditional dinner cruise on the Vltava River. As well as tasting typical Czech dishes, you'll also get to try Becher liqueur, a drink made from a secret formula of herbs, spices and roots. Be warned: it's quite strong, so you'll need to fill your stomach to get over it.

What can you expect from Czech cuisine? Quite a lot of meat and very curious dishes, but full of flavour. One of the best known is koleno, i.e. pork knee marinated in dark beer and herbs. The smell is incredible and it tastes even better in your mouth, as it is crispy but melts on the palate at the same time.

Another must-order dish is tatarák, whose ingredients (fresh minced meat, egg yolk, spices and sauces) are served separately so that you can mix them to your liking. To complete the Czech experience, there's nothing like having the city of Prague light up as the sky gets darker.

Key Facts:

• Price: approximately €40
• Duration: about 3 hours
• What's included: River cruise with traditional Czech dinner.
• Recommended if: you feel like tasting traditional Czech dishes.

Are you worried about being on a cruise, enjoying the dinner but not being able to appreciate the view? In that case, my advice is to make sure you book one with a glass roof. Whichever way you look you'll be able to see Prague but not be cold, as the inside of the boat will stay warm and protected, something you'll appreciate if you're travelling in winter in Prague.

If you want to make sure the views are even better, book in advance to request a table by the window. This way you will see everything in detail and without the danger of getting dizzy, as the glass is designed to prevent noise and vibrations from outside.

If your visit is during the summer in Prague, the roof may be opened so that you can feel the gentle evening breeze while you dine. If you're up for it, when you finish you can order a drink which, although not included in the general price of around €50, is the best companion to go out on deck and look out over the city lights before you finish your journey. Don't forget to bring your camera up! You can imagine the incredible panoramic views you'll be able to see and photograph.

Key Facts:

• Price: approximately €50
• Duration: around 3-4 hours
• What's included: River cruise with dinner on a boat with a transparent roof and outdoor deck.
• Recommended if: you want to have the best views of Prague at night.

If you are travelling to Prague with your partner and want to treat yourselves to a special dinner, for example for your anniversary, have you thought about a cruise on the Vltava River? You will spend a lovely, intimate evening with a delicious meal that you can choose from a gourmet menu. What's more, these special cruises include wine - what could be more romantic?

Another thing to keep in mind is that you will have a table to yourselves, not to share, so you will have space and time to relax during one of your nights in Prague. On the other hand, you won't have to worry about booking a Prague restaurant and you will also have the privilege of dining with the city lit up in the background.

Although the price of the whole experience can be a bit steep (around 100€ per person), I assure you that it is well worth it. Beyond the deliciousness of the dinner, which consists of three exquisite dishes and a drink, the boat is a real luxury, full of lamps and with a crew (and even a pianist) that manage to create an even more exclusive atmosphere.

Key Facts:

• Price: approximately €100
• Duration: around 3 hours
• What's included: river cruise with gourmet dinner
• Recommended if: you fancy an exclusive gourmet menu.

A dinner cruise as night falls in Prague is a luxury, but if you want to see the city by daylight as well, there are excursions that combine both tours.

First, you'll walk around the Czech capital with a guide who will point out the highlights, such as St. Vitus Cathedral, the Castle, the Jewish Quarter and St. Nicholas Church. Just as dusk sets in, a coach will take you to the quay for a dinner cruise on the river.

If you're looking for a complete and economical alternative (approximately €75) because you're only in Prague for one day, this is my recommendation. You will be able to admire the city by day and by night, getting the best of two worlds that, although they may seem opposites, coexist in the same city.

Key Facts:

• Price: 75€ approximately
• Duration: about 6 hours
• What's included: walking tour and river cruise with dinner.
• Recommended if: you are short on time and want to combine a walking tour with a dinner cruise.

Short on time in Prague or looking for a more affordable river cruise option? It won't be for alternatives, because many river cruises run the excursion for around €15 and include a snack on board, so that for around an hour you can enjoy a small snack while famous landmarks such as the National Theatre and the Old Town appear on the banks of the river.

Although these shorter cruises depart more frequently, my advice is to check the timetable in advance and book the last leg. That way, you'll get on board when night starts to fall and then, at the end of the tour, you'll have more than enough time to have dinner in one of the restaurants in the area. Also, as this cruise is not focused on the dinner, but on the visit, they usually have audio guides in different languages and with a lot of historical content.

Key facts:

• Price: approximately €15
• Duration: about 1 hour
• What's included: river cruise with aperitif
• Recommended if: you are on a tight budget but don't want to miss out on a special Prague river cruise.

Can you imagine cruising the gentle waters of the Vltava River, Prague opening up before you, with the peace and quiet and intimacy of being on a private boat? It may not be the most affordable alternative (around €200), but if you want to surprise that special someone with a unique experience, why not book a boat trip just for the two of you? You'll be able to dine on board and have a relaxing chat while watching the Polish city light up and get dark.

If you're thinking about how to make your trip to Prague even better, it's clear that a private cruise on the Vltava is a great option. Especially because, as well as having an à la carte menu to enjoy during the cruise, you can ask the crew all the questions you want, and they will be happy to explain each new building that appears on the shore. It is a magical, exclusive and unforgettable experience.

Fast Facts:

• Price: 200€ approximately
• Duration: about 3-4 hours.
• What's included: private river cruise with dinner included.
• Recommended if: you want to give a gift to someone special during your trip to Prague.

Generally, the route followed by the cruises is always the same, as the aim is to navigate the Vltava River as it passes by the most important sites and monuments of the city. At night they are all illuminated, so it is very special to see them from the boat, thus obtaining a panoramic view that will remain engraved in your memory.

An essential part of the itinerary is undoubtedly passing under **Prague'**s bridges, which despite the passage of time still retain their structure and beauty. Most of them connect the two banks of the river, so you will be able to see them one by one during the tour. My favourite is the Charles Bridge, which is the most famous and nowadays has its own museum.

As well as the bridges, from the cruise you can watch the many illuminated medieval towers silhouetted against the night sky. It's a beautiful sight that can only be admired from the water - you won't want to miss it!

Although there are many options and many types of cruises, it is a very popular activity because of how special and interesting it is. My advice therefore is not to wait until the last minute and buy your ticket in advance, especially if you are travelling to Prague with children and there are several of you. This way you will not only ensure a unique plan for one of your nights in Prague, but you will also be able to ask for a table by the window.

Anywhere is a good place to admire Prague at night, but I can assure you that a table by the window through which you can look out without having to get up during dinner is a real luxury.

On the other hand, some cruise tables are shared with other people. Although it can be a good opportunity to meet people and share the evening with new friends, if you are looking for privacy it is best to indicate in your reservation that you want to be at a private table.

Have you been getting hungry thinking about dinner on board a cruise in Prague? I'm not surprised, but I hope that with my recommendations you will be able to remedy it quickly.