Architecture and classic Czech cuisine of Prague

Living in Central Europe – and particularly Vienna – comes with many great upsides: One of them are endless travel opportunities within short distances. Some of Europe’s grandest, most splendorous cities are only a short car/bus/train ride away.

I’ve been visiting Prague a couple of times now and just like Budapest I’m always inspired by the architecture, up-and-coming neighbourhoods and the fabulous food scene. Since I completed my move across the pond recently, I’m starting to realize even more how lucky I’ve been to have lived in such a culturally rich part of the world. Here’s a short Prague sightseeing and food guide including a great place off the beaten track!

1. Old Town Square

There’s not much to add to Prague’s most famous, busiest town square full of lavishly decorated houses, churches, tourists and street artists. No doubt, it’s extremely touristy but also irresistible. The Old Town Hall features the oldest astronomical clock that still is under operation and from its tower you’ll get the best panoramic view over this gigantic square. The admission fee of 250 CZK (around 10 EUR) might seem a bit steep at first but it’s worth it (and you can stay as long as you want and wait for some great night views!)

2. Streets of Prague

The best way to experience a city is by walking through its streets and Prague makes an extraordinary example of beauty. The whole Old Town is filled with grand boulevards and narrow, cobble-stoned lanes straight out of a medieval fairy tale!

Not everything is historic and “old” though. Popular examples of Prague’s rather modern take are the Franz Kafka monument or the (weird) “Dancing House“.

The so-called John Lennon Wall has always been a political message board and became a popular photo spot.

Some parts of Prague’s reveal their secrets only at night. The city’s myths are full of haunted locations and bloody vampire/ghost stories and some of them can be visited on a guided ghost tour which is a very eerie-fun activity in Prague!

3. Charles Bridge

If you follow the herds of tourists from the Old Town Square you’ll most likely reach the Charles Bridge (Karluv most) that spans over the Vltava River and therefore connects the Old Town (Staré Mesto) with the Lesser Quarter (Malá Strana). The gothic-style stone bridge dates back to the 14th century and besides the impressive bridge towers, it shows 30 baroque-style statues of saints and patrons. Due to the high frequency of tourists, the bridge has become an open-air souvenir market and crossing during peak hours isn’t an enjoyable experience. I’d suggest to go early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s less crowded and you’ll get different views from day to night.

4. Prague Castle

The iconic Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) is well visible from most parts of the city and is a huge complex that includes palaces, churches, gardens and other notable buildings. The president’s office is still located there today. The most impressive structure is probably the Basilica of St. Vitus with its gothic towers and details!

Inside the grounds, you’ll also hit a small cobble-stoned alley, the so-called “Golden Lane“(Zlatá ulička). With it’s cute, tiny houses it makes a nice photo spot – if not groups of tourists aren’t pushing themselves throughh it (an inevitable side-effect of Prague’s popularity). The former goldsmith houses host a variety of craft shops today.

5. Letná

OK, so let’s get away from all the tourist hot spots which are undeniably pretty but mostly crowded, sometimes loud and hectic. The area of Letná in the 7th district lies north of the Old Town and boasts with green hills, pretty views and hip neighbourhoods. If you walk around Letná Park you’ll feel miles away from the hustle-and-bustle of the city while overlooking it at the same time. In summer it turns into a local’s favourite hangout thanks to its lush beer gardens but the giant Metronome in the middle of the park actually works year-round!

6. Where to eat

Prague has lots of restaurants, inns and bars. Many of them cater the tourist’s taste who expect hearty Bohemian fare and lots of beer. There’s nothing wrong with it because Bohemian cuisine is really good! However most restaurants in the Old Town look similar and feel overpriced. But a little research and open eyes go a long way and you’ll find hundreds of great of options which aren’t limited to Czech food only.

For breakfast I’ll recommend to check out Café Letka in the hip 7th district. It offers delicious, home-made breakfast items in a cozy shabby-chic atmosphere.

If you’re looking for something for more traditional, head to Café Savoy in the Malá Strana. As you would expect from a grand European coffeehouse, you’ll find a waiters with bows, international newspapers and a great selection of finest pastries. One of Bohemia’s best sweet treats are their fruit dumplings with sweet curd cheese and this café serves them too! Don’t leave Prague without having them but be warned, it’s more than an average dessert and qualifies for a full meal 😉 But you won’t regret it!

Strolling through the Old Town and finding a “traditional Czech” restaurant that doesn’t feel too touristy can be quite challenging. Luckily there’s an easy solution: Lokál. The simple concept of this gastropub is solid Czech food and beer in a modern-casual atmosphere for a reasonable price. This place has become so popular that there are several location across Prague, the one in the Old Town being the most convenient for visitors.

My love for anything sweet gets extra satisfaction in Prague – Bohemian bakeries and pastries belong to the world’s best in my opinion. And even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, I find it impossible to resist the smell of a fresh trdelník (funnel cake). No matter how much I ate already, I could never say no to a trdelník (although I can’t pronounce it)!

7. Where to stay

As Prague draws in millions of visitors each year, there’s a huge selection of accommodation for all budgets. I’ve stayed in quite a few places already but the most pleasant experience I had at the Hotel Galileo: The rooms are comfortable, the location very central and it comes with a solid breakfast buffet.

If you’re a solo traveler and/or and a budget I can also recommend Hostel Mikoláše Alše: It’s a simple but clean hostel with private rooms.

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