Here's a fact that tour companies hope you never discover: Tram #22 is a better introduction to Prague than any £30 bus tour. It passes Prague Castle, Strahov Monastery, the Petřín Tower, and half of the city's golden-age architecture—all for the price of a single coffee.

For 50 CZK (~£2), you get 45 minutes of pure Prague. You can get off at any stop, spend 20 minutes looking at a church, and jump back on the next tram (which arrives every 5–10 minutes). Tour buses? You're trapped with 40 people and a script. Tram #22? You're a tourist on your own terms.

The Complete Route (End to End)

Tram #22 runs from Pohorelec (near Strahov Monastery in Prague 1) down through the west side of the city to Nádraží Holešovice (north side). The tourist-relevant section is the northern half.

Key stops (north to south):

1. Pohorelec — Start here. The name means "burned house" (yes, really). Strahov Monastery is one minute's walk up the hill.
2. Pražský Hrad (Prague Castle) — The castle is right here. Disembark, walk up 100 meters, you're inside one of the world's largest castle complexes.
3. Malostranská Beseda — Nerudova Street (full of shops and galleries) is two minutes downhill.
4. Malostranské Náměstí — Little Square with beautiful architecture. Stop for a beer here if the mood strikes.
5. Újezd — Funicular station for Petřín Hill. Get off here, ride the funicular up (100 CZK, ~£4), see the Petřín Tower and mirror maze.
6. Hellichova — Bridge to Kampa Island (mostly tourist shops and river views).
7. Národní Třída — Bottom of Nerudova Street; metro connection point.
8. Wenceslas Square (Václavské Náměstí) — Historic square, horse statue, where everyone's tourist photo happens.
9. Náměstí Republiky — Powder Tower and Old Town entry point.
10. Nádraží Holešovice — End of line, north of Old Town (less relevant for tourists).

Why This Beats Organized Tours

The only advantage of a tour is that someone tells you what you're looking at. But you've got Google Maps for that. Stop #3, look at the building, Google "Nerudova Street Prague," read for two minutes, understand the context. You're doing what a tour guide does but without the cringe.

Practical Details

Operating times:

• First tram: 04:45am (who are these people?)
• Last tram: 23:30pm
• Frequency: Every 5–8 minutes peak hours, 10–15 minutes off-peak

During your visit:

• Hop on at any stop
• Find a window seat if possible (better views)
• Keep headphones in if you want privacy
• Don't expect anyone to speak English, but everyone's cool
• Pickpockets target crowded trams—keep bags zipped and hands visible

Timing:

• Pohorelec to Nádraží Holešovice: 45 minutes non-stop
• Pohorelec to Wenceslas Square: 35 minutes
• Pohorelec to Národní Třída: 30 minutes

If you want to experience the tram (not just ride it), jump on at Pohorelec and get off at Wenceslas Square. That's the good 30 minutes.

Best Time to Ride

Avoid: 7–9am and 4–7pm (peak commute; crowded, no seats).

Best: 10:30am–3:30pm on weekdays (tourists outnumber commuters, light crowds, good light for photos).

Evening vibe: After 19:00, trams are quieter and you get beautiful golden-hour light on the castle and cathedral. Magical. Crowded again on weekends, but still beats a tour bus.

Combining Tram #22 With Other Activities

Here's a realistic half-day itinerary:

1. 09:30am — Board Tram #22 at Náměstí Republiky (Powder Tower), direction Pohorelec
2. 10:00am — Get off at Pražský Hrad; walk the Prague Castle circuit (2–3 hours)
3. 13:00pm — Strahov Monastery (attached to castle, 1 hour walk or tram #22 one stop)
4. 14:30pm — Board Tram #22 going south; hop off at Újezd for Petřín Funicular
5. 15:30pm — Petřín Tower (30 mins inside) + Mirror Maze (20 mins)
6. 17:00pm — Tram #22 from Újezd back to Wenceslas Square or Národní Třída

Total cost: ~£8 (tram fares + funicular). A tour operator would charge you £40+.

What You Won't See (And Why That's Okay)

Tram #22 misses the Jewish Quarter (different side of town), Charles Bridge (you walk that), and the Old Town Square astronomical clock (also walkable from where the tram takes you). These aren't problems—they're features. You're not doing Prague in a 45-minute conveyor belt.

One Honest Caveat

If you genuinely don't know Prague's layout and want a coherent narrative ("This is Charles Bridge, it was built in 1357, these statues are..."), a tour guide gives you that context automatically. Tram #22 gives you everything but assumes you're curious enough to Google it yourself.

We believe you are.