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You can’t talk about a trip to central Europe without mentioning Prague, the historical capital of Bohemia. This is an immensely popular travel destination that is considered a ‘global city’. It’s rich history, gorgeous architecture, spectacular nightlife, and of course Christmas Markets are what make it a traveler’s dream. The city is also incredibly affordable with regards to food and accommodation and the beer is apparently cheaper than water. Nonetheless, no matter how you prefer to travel or what you want from a holiday, Prague proves to be the place to suit everyone’s needs.

You can find a Google map of the places I will discuss at the end of this post.

I flew here a few years ago in December, right in time to see the Christmas Markets that the city is known for. As the markets are located in the Old Town Square, I found accommodation nearby at Old Prague Hostel for four nights and paid around 12 euros a night for a bed in a 5 person room, though I had the room to myself for most of the days since it was low season.

The Old Town Square is a sight to see at any time of the year with the Astronomical clock at the Old Town Hall. From the top of this very same building, you can get a bird’s eye view of all the Christmas Markets below and the Church of Our Lady before Tyn across the way. If you’re around at this special time of year, be sure to grab some Svařák (Czech mulled wine) and Trdelnk (a cinnamon circle-shaped pastry). 

Next, venture your way towards the Charles Bridge, the most iconic bridge in Prague, with a cobblestone path that’s lined with statues. Before crossing the bridge, stop by the bridge tower and walk up the 138 stairs to see the viewing gallery where you can see the entire bridge and Prague Castle in the distance. For great views of Charles Bridge away from the crowds, head on over to the west side of the bridge and exit to the left side and walk down towards the river (Google map of exact spot). You won’t see many people in this area so you can enjoy the scenery more or less in isolation. You can also head on over to the Statue of Bedřich Smetana, this is another great photo spot to capture the Charles Bridge.

For literature lovers, Franz Kafka is one of the more reknowned authors in this city (after all he was born in Prague). So it is appropriate that you would find the Franz Kafka museum here as well. The fascinating thing about Kafta is that his work became much more appreciated after his death, whereby few of his works were published when he was still living. He instructed his close friend Max to destroy his works after his death, a request Max was not able to oblige and Kafta’s work subsequently became published thereafter, most to great acclaim.

For those looking for a hearty dinner and to sample some of Prague’s most well known dishes, head on over to Restaurance Mincovna and try their Pork knuckle. You can find this dish at most Czech restaurants but this place has the highest reviews. If you’re looking for something on the sweeter side, go to Choco Café U Červené židle and try one of their hot chocolates. It’s a quiet and relaxed café located in Praha 1. Lastly, for a good cup of coffee in a cozy atmosphere, make your way to Kavarna Dobrodruha.

Don’t forget to check out the Lennon Wall in the West part of the city. You can tell it from the massive amount of graffiti on it with a few street singers nearby. On the East side of Prague (and perhaps the best place to get a city-wide view) is Riegrovy sady, a cozy park that isn’t as popular or well known, especially to tourists.

St. Vitus Cathedral is a prime example of gothic architecture and is the largest church in the Czech Republic and is part of the Prague Castle complex. The cathedral can be visited every day of the year, although times may vary by day. The nearby Prague Castle, is the official office of the President of the Czech Republic and built in the 9th century. Tours around the complex are provided and an entrance fee is required to view.

Prague boasts excellent nightlife and features many bars to suit anyone’s tastes. If you’re looking for a slight different experience, check out Cross Club. This music venue has a steampunk/industrial feel to it that plays mostly EDM type music. It’s open until 7am on the weekends. If this isn’t your type of scene and would prefer a more classical atmosphere, check out some of the shows at the Prague National Theater. One of my favorite places happened to be Vzorkovna - Dog Bar. Upon entering you get a card that you charge your drinks to, and pay off the balance upon leaving. The venue is cozy, with lots of small rooms assorted in a labyrinth-like maze. An excellent place to make new friends or catch up with old ones.

Here are a few PROTIPS for your visit to Prague:

1. There are a TON of currency exchange shops in the city center. Many claim 0% commission however they will rip you off when it comes to exchange RATE. When I travel now, I will take out a minimal amount of cash (depending on the destination) and just use card everywhere else I go. This way, I can get a better currency rate than getting physical cash. Some places (such as in Iceland), I never took out cash and used card everywhere. Here is an AWESOME video on not using cash in the city.

2. Look out for taxi scams. Try to use public transportation when you can. If you must use a taxi, go for an Uber.

3. For discounted entry to the city’s attractions and museum, look into getting the Prague Card, which may save you money in the long run.

4. Check out this video channel before getting to Prague to prepare yourself for your trip and to get the most out of it.

Another city that is usually mentioned in the same breath as Prague happens to be Budapest. If you have time to see this city as well, check out my guide on the Hungarian Capital city.

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