Jeremy and I are bopping around Europe for 6 weeks. So far we’ve spend 2 nights in Milan, 3 nights in Budapest, 1 night in Gyor, 2 nights in Bratislava, and 3 nights in Vienna. Next stop, Prague!
Prague is anything but a hidden gem in Central Europe. In 2023, the capital of the Czech Republic welcomed in a whopping 7.44 million tourists. After visiting, the hype makes sense.
Prague is big enough to have plenty to explore, but small enough that it’s not totally overwhelming. The Old Town is painstakingly cool with an epic blend of Gothic, Baroque, Roman, and modern architecture. There’s plenty of shopping. Interesting museums. Loads of restaurants. A vibrant nightlife party scene. Plus, it’s not too expensive. It’s no Southeast Asia, but it’s also not nearly as expensive as big cities in Western Europe.
In short, there’s something for everyone in Prague.
Before diving into our 3 nights in Prague, let’s set the scene with a brief history of the Czech Republic.
Modern day Czech Republic was first inhabited in the 4th century BC by the Celts. They’re responsible for naming the area Bohemia (Boihaemum in Latin). Germanic tribes swept in a few hundred years later, followed by the Slavic people. Byzantine Christian missionaries waltzed in in 863 AD, but were squelched by the Holy Roman empire in 950AD.
The region was slowly integrated into the Hasburg monarchy until things got rattled with the Protestant Bohemian Revolt which sparked the Thirty Years’ War. The uprisers lost the war, and the land proceeded to become part of the Austrian Empire following the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire.
Like nearly every other country in the region, modern day Czech Republic was shaken up by WWI and WWII. With the Velvet Revolution, Czechoslovakia dissolved into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1992.
Today, the Czech Republic has a strong labor market, low unemployment levels, and a thriving economy.
(Get more on the history HERE and HERE)
Prague was the most important city throughout the country’s history. And it still serves as a major cultural and economic hub.
Initial Impressions of Prague
Prague is the first city on this Euro trip that I’ve been to before, and my initial impressions have been a reflection of the past.
It was 2016. My college friend met me in Barcelona and we went on a frenetic 3 week backpacking trip that hit Mallorca, Munich, Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam, Bilbao, Morocco, and Lisbon.
It was the first time the reigns of travel planning were in my hands, and I did not steer the horse with ease. I booked us hotels in the middle of nowhere. Got us on the worst bus and train routes. We ended up spending the night in the Fez airport. At some point we were alone in the middle of a gorge in the Sahara desert.
Walking through the Old Town of Prague eight years later was a funny thing. The streets were familiar, with the random flashback of eating goulash here, and buying a huge bag of candy there. Most of the specifics of what we did have been long forgotten. But the feeling from that trip rushed back.
I was 24 years old gallivanting around the world with nothing but a big backpack and boundless energy levels. I was teeming with a naive invincibility that I failed to cherish at the time. Anything and everything felt possible. Every experience was new and exciting. I wasn’t worried about saving for retirement, health insurance, or what natural disaster or world wide pandemic would hit next. It was a feeling of freedom.
I fondly reflected on that past version of myself while meandering through the narrow alley ways.
The soft nostalgia came with a solid pat on my back for how far I’ve come along with a rushing sense of relief that I’m no longer so young and dumb. But hey, if you didn’t do things in your early 20s that make you face palm today, did you really enjoy your early 20s?
If I could tell 24 year old Katie one thing, it would be “Just you wait for what’s to come….”
Where We Stayed During Our 3 Nights in Prague
We stayed at an AirBnB that was perfect. (See the property HERE!) It had a kitchen and washing machine with a comfy bed, good work table, and spacious bathroom. The location was also epic. It’s right near the main train station and super close to the Old Town, but the block is quiet and calm. Plus, it came to $76USD a night after all the fees.
I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone visiting Prague!
Above is the view from the AirBnb.
An Ideal Day in Prague
Instead of breaking down key highlights of things we enjoyed, I thought I’d walk you through an amazing day. We hit the sites, wandered local neighborhoods, had some pleasant stumble upons, and hardly spent anything.
7:30 am: Walk Across Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge is one of those “can’t miss” attractions that you actually can’t miss. It was built in 1357 under Charles IV, making it the oldest bridge in the city. Between 1683 and 1928, 30 statues of saints were added, which is what makes this bridge spectacular. Each represents something significant, ranging from the “Statue of Lamentation” depicting Mary holding the body of Jesus to the statue of “St. John of Nepomuk”, the patron saint of the Czech Republic.
Tip: Charles Bridge gets MEGA crowded. Hitting it in the morning is the best way to avoid crowds. Plus, you can admire the statues in that morning golden light glow.
Continue to Putz Around Malá Strana and Check Out the Gardens
Malá Strana is the neighborhood on the other side of Charles Bridge. It’s stunningly picturesque with traditional restaurants, beautiful architecture, and quaint streets. Putz about the narrow streets, and be sure to make your way to the Vajan Gardens and Wallenstein Garden.
They are home to a family of peacocks that are quite entertaining to watch.
Cross Over Mane Bridge for an Old Town Jaunt
Head back into the Old Town for a calm meander before it gets jammed. The small streets maze around every which way and it’s fun to see what you discover. Check out THIS blog post for a nice self guided walking tour!
Mid-Morning Breakfast (Brunch Perhaps?)
Noonish: Walk Around Riegrovy Sady Park
This 120 year old park is “the green heart of Prague.” The grassy hills are very well manicured, and at the top there is an open air bar/events venue of sorts. They were showing the olympics during our stroll. But they also host food fests and concerts, among other events.
Continue on with a walk around Žižkov
Žižkov is a trendy neighborhood with parks, cafes, pubs, and the very unusual Žižkov TV Tower. It stands 216m tall, making it the tallest building in Prague. There are a few pods on the tower– one houses a restaurant, one is an observation deck, and the others are inaccessible to the public.
The tower itself was build in the 1980s, but in 2000, 10 sculptures of toddlers were added. David Černý, the artist, says they symbolize “alluring but also somewhat scary technological advances.” It’s delightfully strange, and the perfect attraction for travelers looking for little oddities.
Plus, there’s a free public bathroom.
Head to the neighborhood Vršovice
This hipster neighborhood has parks, cafes, art, and interesting little eateries. Start with a walk around Krymská street, and perhaps pull into a cafe for a pick me up. We went to Café Šlágr for some Czech desserts, which was a pure delight.
Then continue to the park Havlickovy sady. You’ll find a small vineyard as well as an unusual artificial cave called Grotta. It was built by a millionaire in the late 19th century, and recently opened up to the public in 2011. I failed to capture a photo…. but click HERE for an Atlas Obscura overview!
Late Afternoon Siesta Followed by Dinner
We took a couple hours to rest our feet, play Yahtzee, and cook dinner.
Wrap up the day with an evening stroll around the Old Town (Or perhaps the waterfront or new town.)
Like every city, Prague changes at night. Lamps and twinkling lights come on, and the streets have a fresh energy. We went to the Old Town to stroll about. But in hindsight, I would recommend heading down to the water front. There’s a water front promenade, and loads of bars and shops have been built into the wall.
Once again… I failed in my blogger duties of getting pictures. But check out THIS guide from Lonely Plant.
This day in Prague took nearly 30,000 steps. But I thoroughly enjoyed it and think it’s the perfect itinerary for seeing many sides of the city.
What We Ate During Our 3 Nights in Prague
Because we stayed in an AirBnB with a kitchen, we didn’t eat a single meal out. Here’s the thing about Prague…. the grocery stores are outrageously cheap. We’re talking ice cream bars for $.15USD folks. Restaurants, however, are relatively pricey. Entrees seemed to be anywhere from $10USD-$30USD, which can add up.
We stocked up at the grocery store Lidl and got chicken, broccoli, eggs, mushrooms, spinach, and other healthy goodies that my body has been missing since hitting the road.
However, we did have a few treats….
Větrník
Větrník is a popular Czech dessert that consists of choux pastry puff filled with a cream and caramel whipped cream, then topped with a caramel fondant. It’s a more decadent version of another czech pastry, Věneček, which doesn’t have the caramel fondant on top.
We tried it at Café Šlágr. (We also got a banana chocolate cake of sorts, which I can’t say I loved.)
Butcha
Butcha is a small roll made from sweet yeast dough that’s usually stuffed with jams, nuts, poppy seeds, cottage cheese, or fruits. It’s a staple baked good in the Czech Republic, and you’ll see it everywhere!
Kielbasa
While we didn’t spring for a classic meat-heavy Czech meal. We did get a street sausage that was delightful. It had a bold spiciness and perfect bit of crunch.
Other Tips for Visiting Prague
- Our AirBnB was in such a good location that we didn’t take any public transit. However, there’s a subway and tram system that seem to be easy to use.
- We didn’t need any local currency– every spot accepted credit card.
- If you’re on a budget, I highly recommend booking an AirBnB with a kitchen.
Cost of Our 3 Nights in Prague
Hotel: $227.50USD
Bus Ride from Vienna: $65.95
Food: $29.61USD
Groceries: $56.29
Attractions: None
Transport: None
Total: $379.35USD
Our 3 nights in Prague was a total success and a highlight of the trip thus far!
Next stop…. Poland!
