Prague Tips: Ten Don’ts of Visiting Prague
Greetings from Prague! There are so many great things to do in Prague, but there are also some “don’ts” when you visit Prague. These Prague tips are the things tourists should not do when visiting Prague.
Prague Tip #1 Don’t Overlook Prague
When planning a European vacation, many travelers tend to focus on the major destinations like London, Paris, Spain and Italy. Prague is one of our favorite cities in Europe to visit. There are so many sites, from the town square to the Charles Bridge, amazing castle views and historic architecture.
Watch: Top Ten Sites in Prague, Czech Republic
Prague Tip #2 Don’t Be Deterred by All the Tourists
Prague is seeing more tourists every year, but don’t let that scare you off. They are coming for a reason, and that’s because Prague is such a great destination. The tourists tend to stick to a few main areas and streets, so it’s still really easy to escape the crowds and find the more authentic side of Prague.
Prague Tip #3 Don’t Expect a Dirt Cheap Destination
Sure, Prague is more affordable than many other European cities, but it’s not a dirt cheap destination. It’s possible to get good deals in Prague, but it’s not the cheapest city in Europe.
Read: Ten Best Cheap Cities to Visit in Europe
Prague Tip #4 Don’t Miss the Culture
Prague has an amazing cultural scene, with operas, concerts, theaters and puppet shows. Make sure to take advantage of all that Prague has to offer. If you’ve never been to the opera, Prague is a good place to do so as it’s fairly affordable. Yes, Prague has good beer and cool sites, but make sure you check out the cultural side of Prague as well.
Prague Tip #5 Don’t Be the Drunk Tourist
Prague is a popular weekend destination in Europe, so you’ll see a lot of drunk tourists in town to blow off some steam. Even if you aren’t drinking, be aware of the big groups roaming the streets as they can get rowdy.
Prague Tip #6 Don’t Expect Super Good Service
The service in Prague is improving, but it’s not the overly friendly service you’d see in the US, or the super efficient service you’d expect in Germany. That said, Prague has some really nice restaurants, and as tipping becomes more widespread, the service is improving. Service is very hit or miss in Prague.
Prague Tip #7 Don’t Forget to Tip
In general, tourists are expected to tip around 10%. More for great service, less for mediocre service. If paying by credit card, you have to tell them to add the tip before they run the card. If paying in cash, give the tip directly to the server, don’t leave it on the table.
Prague Tip #8 Don’t Forget Basic Travel Safety
Along with increased tourism, Prague has its fair share of tourist scams and pickpockets. Be extra aware when you’re in a large crowd, at popular places like the astronomical clock, as pickpockets like to target crowds where distracted tourists gather. Keep an eye on your wallet, phone and any other valuables.
Prague Tip #9 Don’t Eat Anything but Czech Food
The food in Prague is fantastic. From meat and potatoes, to beer and desserts. Try the duck and the dumplings, the sauerkraut and beef and pork dishes. Skip the Italian restaurants and all other cuisines and fill up on Czech food while you can.
Watch: How to Eat Cheap & Well While Traveling
Prague Tip #10 Don’t Call Prague Eastern Europe
This is Central Europe, not Eastern Europe. They will let you know if you call it Eastern Europe, because it is not.
Prague is one of our favorite places, with good reason. With these tips, you will love your Prague visit. For more travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: