“I love the Gothic architecture that is present everywhere you look and the plethora of white/creme colored buildings with rusty orange-red roofs. The cobblestones are also a lot kinder on the feet compared to what I’ve become accustomed to in Rome.”
Excerpt from 2/25/19
Prague is a very unique European city. The streets are somehow busy and quiet at the same time, and the architecture is oddly reminiscent of Disney World. This trip was more of a culture shock compared to my previous weekend excursions to London and Ireland. For one thing, the Czech language was completely incomprehensible to me.
I recognize that Prague might not be one of the first cities people think of visiting in Europe, but I think it is highly underrated. The food was probably the best I had while studying abroad, so if you are a foodie like me, I can’t recommend it enough. Plenty of pictures of food are ahead so keep scrolling!
Places
Prague Castle & St. Vitus Cathedral
Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral are situated on a hill overlooking the entire city of Prague. It’s a bit of a hike to get up there, but the view is totally worth it.
St. Vitus Cathedral is a gorgeous Gothic church located within Prague Castle. It’s free to go inside, so there’s really no excuse not to take a peek inside. The soaring ceilings are breathtaking, and the stained glass is a complete work of art.
Charles Bridge
King Charles IV commissioned this bridge that spans over the Vltava River. I was shocked by how lively it is at all times of the day. There are street performers with instruments of every kind and even artists selling their original work. It’s definitely someplace you will want to hang around and explore rather than just walk across.
The bridge is also lined on both sides by thirty intricate statues depicting different saints.
Old Town Square
This is a historic square surrounded by a variety of shops, restaurants, and outdoor stands. Based on my experience, it is somewhat of a tourist trap. Nevertheless, with so much happening and so many people walking around it is a wonderful place to just sit and observe.
There is a market not too far away from Old Town Square. It was a very different experience than the markets I encountered in Florence. Instead of vendors coming out to meet you, they waited until you approached them. I browsed for a while and purchased a Czech flag charm for my charm bracelet, a magnet, and a new pen for my travel journal.
Astronomical Clock
This incredibly detailed clock is also not too far away from Old Town Square. I’m not an expert on everything it tracks and displays, but I can say it is the most complex clock I’ve ever seen.
Dancing House
I was astonished by this building when I was researching things to do in Prague. It’s even more perplexing in person! I’m not sure how this is architecturally possible, but I think it is SO cool.
There’s also a cafe on the top floor that has a wonderful view of the city. If you buy something, you also get access to the accompanying outdoor terrace. I spent a good chunk of time there sipping a cappuccino and enjoying the beauty in front of me.
Lennon Wall
This colorful wall is an eclectic mix of graffiti depicting John Lennon along with various other images and messages. I find it fascinating that its facade is constantly changing as new layers of spray paint are layered on top of what’s beneath.
Food
If I had to pick one thing that stood out the most from my visit to Prague, it is hands down the food. I did not eat a single thing there that I did not absolutely love. The diet is definitely more meat-based, so if you are vegan or vegetarian it’s probably not for you. Otherwise, I can’t recommend it enough! Here are the different dishes/desserts I tried ranked from my favorite to least favorite:
Chili Goulash
This was my favorite meal of the trip! Goulash is a typical Czech food. I was surprised at first because it’s different than the goulash I’m familiar with back home, which has macaroni noodles. Czech goulash is basically a thick stew, and it is often served with the dumplings. Dumplings in Prague are essentially pieces of bread, which was also different than than the dumplings I was otherwise used to.
Trdelnik
This traditional Czech pastry is seriously SO good. It’s basically fried dough in the shape of a cone covered in sugar and filled will all sorts of toppings such as whipped cream, chocolate, and strawberries. I was only in Prague for three days, but I ended up getting this dessert twice because once was just not enough to satisfy my sweet tooth.
Tip: avoid the vendors selling them in Old Town Square and instead try one from one of the less concentrated side streets. The first one I had from Old Town Square wasn’t bad, but the one I got from a less touristy area was much better (and cheaper too).
Street Food
Definitely try food from the street vendors! This is a good option for lunch when you just want to grab something quick. Its also an experience watching them cook and add all the toppings right in front of you. This here is a Czech sausage topped with sauerkraut, onion, cheese, and ketchup.
Waffles
If you’re a fan of breakfast and brunch food like me then you will LOVE this place in Prague called Waf-Waf. They have all kinds of unique waffle and crepe creations with options to customize with over 50 ingredients. I ordered the “Iron Waffle,” which had bacon, arugula, cheese, and an egg on top. The decor inside is so bright and happy. It’s really the perfect place to get the day off to a great start.
Czech Sausage
Chicken & Sausage Skewer
Pork Schnitzel & Mashed Potatoes
Memories
- Struggling to find open restaurant seating…
If I could impart one piece of practical advice, make dinner reservations! I was traveling with a large group of people, and we neglected to make reservations thinking we could just walk around and find something. We were wrong. We probably went inside five different restaurants, all of which were full. We finally found a restaurant with enough capacity for us, but we had to split in half and sit at two separate tables.
- Dancing to 80s music at Lucerna Music Bar…
Our first night, my friends and I met up with someone we knew from school studying abroad in Prague. He recommended we all go out to a place called Lucerna Music Bar. The theme for that night was 80s throwback songs and let me tell you, it was SO FUN. There was such a sense of unity among the crowd because everyone knew the words to the songs. Some of them included “You’re the One That I Want” from Grease, “Mama Mia,” and “YMCA.” I definitely recommend this place if you’re looking for a fun night out, but buy tickets ahead of time so you don’t have to wait in line!
CHECK OUT MY PODCAST EPISODE ABOUT THIS TRIP:
