Hey there, fellow travelers! Today I’m in Prague, Czech Republic. We love exploring new cities, and we know our fans do too. Prague is one of the coolest cities in Europe and there’s a lot to love, but we like to share a realistic picture with our fellow travelers. So, today we’re sharing the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate, about a trip to Prague.
Hate #1: Crowds of Tourists
If you visit Prague in the summer, you will be shocked at the numbers of tourists from the old town square, across Charles Bridge and up to the Palace. In addition to tourists, you’ll have people all over the streets trying to sell you something, which gets annoying after a while. It’s a testament to how great Prague is, that so many people want to visit, so just be prepared to deal with crowds.
Hate #2: Tourist Traps of Prague
With so many tourists, Prague also has a lot of tourist traps. The restaurants around the touristy areas are overpriced and less authentic. To find more affordable food, just go a few blocks from the main area, and you’ll save loads of money. This goes for hotels too. A common tourist scam is someone waiting next to you at the ATM, offering to change your money for smaller bills. Just decline and move on. You’ll also see a fair amount of beggars, buskers and drunks in the streets of Prague.
Hate #3: Drunk Tourists
The fact that Prague is a party city may be a “love” for you, but dealing with drunk tourists can be annoying. With easy access to the rest of Europe and lower prices than most other Western European cities, Prague has become a party weekend destination. There’s great nightlife in Prague, but that tends to attract the “stag party” crowd. If you’re visiting Prague with kids, these are the crowds you want to avoid.
Hate #4: Prague is Not Cheap, It’s Affordable
Prague has a reputation for being a cheap European destination. Many Americans mistakenly assume the Czech Republic is Eastern Europe and therefore super cheap. Prague is actually in Central Europe, and the prices more closely match Central Europe than Eastern Europe. However, it’s still an affordable destination in Europe. You can still get good deals on food, hotels and tours.
Hate #5: Prague Train Station
If you arrive in Prague by train, your first impression of Prague may not be great. The Prague train station (hlavni nadrazi) has been improved recently, but it’s still very crowded and enclosed compared to other European train stations. Once you exit the train station, it’s not the nicest part of town. Just be ready for it, and know where you’re going before you exit the station. After just a few blocks, you’ll be in a better area and more comfortable with your surroundings.
Love #1: Architecture & History of Prague
The first thing you’ll notice in Prague is the architecture, and the history behind it. The Old Town has so many interesting buildings and churches, then you have the Castle Hill, the Jewish Quarter and so many other interesting neighborhoods. Prague escaped most of the damage that other European cities experienced during World War II. So much of the history is left intact, and everywhere you look, there are amazing buildings and views.
Love #2: Charles Bridge
Watching the sunrise from Charles Bridge is one of the best things you can experience in Europe. It’s a great way to see the bridge without crowds of tourists, too. The whole atmosphere of the bridge is fun, and you can’t beat the views of Prague Castle from Charles Bridge. There are 30 statues on Charles Bridge, each with an interesting story. Some you can pray at, some you can rub for good luck, but take your time to check out the details of Charles Bridge.
Love #3: Czech Beer & Cuisine
You can get any international cuisine in Prague, thanks to so many tourists coming in. But you really need to try Czech cuisine because it’s really delicious. There’s a lot of pork and dumplings; my favorite is duck with dumplings and red cabbage. It’s not just the food; Czech beer is world-famous and the birthplace of Pilsner.
Watch: What to Eat in Prague
Love #4: Exploring the Districts
There’s so much more to Prague than just the old town square. The Jewish Quarter, cemetery and museum are very moving, even more so if you can hire a guide to walk you through everything. The castle district is full of narrow, winding streets to explore. And best of all, it’s easy to explore all of these areas on foot. Prague is a very walkable city. There is public transportation, but I prefer to walk and enjoy the architecture along the way.
Read: Seven Reasons to Hire a Private Tour Guide
Love #5: The Prague Vibe
When you backpack through Europe, you may stumble on a city that zaps your energy, while other cities seem to invigorate you. Prague is one of those cities; the vibe here is so energizing, you can’t help but love it. The people are fantastic, and you’ll want to keep coming back. Even if you don’t like beer, museums, history or Czech food, Prague has great shopping, too!
With these five loves and hates, you will be better prepared for your trip to Prague, and you’ll know what to expect when you arrive in Prague. Have you been to Prague? What did you love or hate? Tell us in the comments! For more travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: