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After residing in Prague for just a few years, I’m lastly sharing my record of bizarre issues to do in Prague! If you wish to stay like a neighborhood whereas visiting Prague — not within the boring means, however within the superior means — you will LOVE this record.
Prague is an enormously common metropolis to go to — however most vacationers come for just a few days and stick with town middle. They go to Previous City Sq., the Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock, the Lennon Wall, Prague Fortress, and possibly pop into the Vinohrady neighborhood for a meal in the event that they’re feeling a bit offbeat.
There’s nothing improper with that, however consequently, it seems like Prague is 2 cities. The town middle — the Previous City and New City — is stuffed with vacationers and companies that cater to them. The encircling neighborhoods, nevertheless, are almost 100% locals and have a totally totally different vibe and feeling.
That’s an enormous distinction from Paris, Barcelona, or London, for instance. In these European cities, vacationers are inclined to enterprise out into totally different neighborhoods. However in Prague, even skilled vacationers have a tendency to stay to town middle and never enterprise far past.
Because of this, I’ve put collectively a listing of issues that my Prague associates and I like to do. You’ll discover a number of foodie issues on this record, from the place to seek out Vietnamese egg coffees and essentially the most decadent větrník pastry on the town, in addition to some close by hikes and bike journeys that Prague locals love, quirky touristy actions just like the beer spa, and a few meals you’ll always remember.
Prague is a incredible place to stay — and with this record of bizarre issues to do in Prague, maybe you’ll begin feeling like a neighborhood your self.
So that is my name — transcend the usual issues to do in Prague! You’re going to find it irresistible right here.
This submit was printed in April 2023.
Uncommon Issues to Do in Prague
Hit Up a Meals Pageant
When you’re visiting Prague on a weekend in spring, summer season, or fall, guess what — you’ll probably come throughout at the very least one meals competition! Meals festivals are certainly one of my favourite issues about residing in Prague — they’re common and different and occur on a regular basis.
How do you discover meals festivals in Prague? I like to recommend looking at Fb Occasions. They may at all times let you know what’s happening.
Within the meantime, there are occasions you may hit up weekly, spring by fall — just like the Dejvice Farmers’ Market, which takes place at Trhy na Kulaťáku on Saturdays, 8:00 AM-2:00 PM. This market has numerous meals sellers in addition to numerous ready meals stalls and makes an important spot for breakfast!
One other weekly meals market, Farmářské tržiště Náplavka, takes place on Saturday mornings and afternoons at Náplavka, on the banks of the Vltava River, on the japanese facet simply south of Palackého náměstí.
When you’re visiting in late June: Prague Ice Cream Pageant takes place the final weekend of the month at Výstaviště Praha, with extra ice cream than you might ever eat!
When you’re visiting in July: The French Market at Kampa takes place the week of Bastille Day (July 14), on the northern finish of the Charles Bridge, and contains a assortment of French meals stalls with stay music.
When you’re visiting in September: Americke Road within the stylish Vinohrady neighborhood turns right into a competition with meals from all around the world, stay music, good cheer, and good occasions. (I satisfied Charlie to go to Chile for our honeymoon after we had the Chilean wine right here!) This normally takes place the second weekend of September.
When you’re visiting in Might or September: Pivo a Burger (Beer and Burger) normally takes place as soon as in Might and as soon as in September on Karlínske nam., in my neighborhood of Karlín! This competition options every kind of burgers, beers, and attention-grabbing surprises. (Beware the scorpion pepper burger. We really needed to go dwelling to drink milk after making an attempt that one!)
Hire a Bike and Pedal Alongside the River
Czechs are very lively and outdoorsy individuals, and a typical Czech weekend includes biking, climbing or snowboarding, adopted by a pub go to. One of many methods I’ve a typical Czech weekend is to lease a motorbike and spend just a few hours having fun with the surroundings.
I’m NOT snug biking in cities — however Prague has an exquisite car-free biking path that runs alongside the japanese facet of the Vltava River. And since Prague is a small metropolis, it doesn’t take lengthy earlier than you’re surrounded by forests and mountains.
Rekola is a straightforward bike-sharing program in Prague. Simply obtain the Rekola app and it’ll present you the areas of bikes all around the metropolis. Navigate your strategy to one and it’s yours!
I like to recommend selecting up a motorbike and heading east (and north) alongside the Vltava River. Preserve following the trail and shortly Prague goes from city buildings to inexperienced mountains and cute little cottages. You’ll go some bridges and a stretch of the river the place you may go whitewater kayaking, then proceed so long as you’re having fun with your self.
When you go the kayaking space, you’ll see there are a LOT of tiny riverside pubs. These make an important place to cease in for a beer or lemonade, then proceed additional down the river or head again to town!
Go Axe-Throwing
Axe-throwing has develop into a preferred offbeat exercise over the previous few years, and Prague now has its personal, very Czech axe-throwing spot: The Home of Axes! Undoubtedly one of many extra quirky sights on the town lately.
Head into this basement venue and also you’ll be given your personal throwing vary with targets, together with a tutorial on how you can skillfully throw the axes in order that they hit the goal.
It is a nice exercise to do with associates, because it’s a aggressive exercise and also you by no means know which certainly one of you may become the axe-throwing prodigy. It has nothing to do along with your athletic capacity! Some individuals are simply uncannily good, proper off the bat.
And sure, alcohol is served. My associates and I made a decision to go fancy and drank svařák — Czech sizzling mulled wine — out of cute little teacups in between our throws.
Get pleasure from a Fancy “Enterprise Lunch” for Low cost
Right here’s a secret — a few of Prague’s costly eating places have less expensive lunch menus. Remarkably cheaper lunch menus. And it tends to be solely locals that find out about them, however these are fabulous locations to splurge.
Two of my favourite eating places that do enterprise lunches are Taro and CottoCrudo.
Taro serves outrageously good fare, all served with seats going through an open kitchen, so it’s higher for one or two individuals than an enormous group. (And the dinner menu is EXPENSIVE. Like, milestone birthday costly. Dinner was incredible, however lunch is much better worth for cash.) The four-course lunch menu is 750 CZK ($36 USD).
CottoCrudo is the restaurant on the 4 Seasons. The small out of doors seating space has an ideal view of Prague Fortress, and I’d advocate reserving forward there for the view, particularly if you happen to go to in summer season. Don’t miss the enjoyable cocktails, too! The 2-course lunch is 525 CZK ($25 USD) and the three-course lunch is 625 CZK ($30 USD).
FIELD is one other high-end Prague restaurant with a enterprise lunch — and so they have a Michelin star — however they’ve lately raised the worth of their enterprise lunch. Now it’s 1100 CZK ($52) for 2 programs and 1350 CZK ($64 USD) for 3 programs.
FIELD remains to be value consuming at, and the service is incredible — however it’s not fairly as value it anymore as Taro and CottoCrudo.
Go Browsing on the Vltava River
When you’ve been to Munich, you’ve most likely dropped by Englischen Backyard to look at the river surfers on the Eisbachwelle. However not many individuals know that Prague options river browsing as effectively!
This wave is a comparatively new improvement within the metropolis, and whereas it doesn’t draw the loopy spectator crowds of Munich, it’s simply one of many coolest uncommon issues to do in Prague. Undoubtedly a novel expertise.
Since I doubt you packed a surfboard on your journey to Central Europe, I like to recommend becoming a member of a browsing tour that may present the gear you want. Biko Adventures presents browsing group excursions within the afternoons. You don’t have to be an skilled surfer; you solely have to know how you can swim. Cowabunga!
Attempt a Beer Tub or Personal Spa
The Czechs love beer a lot, you may even bathe in it. Properly, sort of. The Beer Spa presents you an opportunity to wash in brewer’s yeast whereas having fun with ingesting Krušovice beer instantly from the faucet. Afterward, you calm down on a mattress of straw.
You may ebook beer baths for one or two individuals, both sharing a bathtub or with separate tubs, 2000-3300 CZK ($93-154) for one hour. I’ve accomplished this and it’s enjoyable and distinctive, however simply remember that the extra you drink, the extra you’ll should pee.
And if you happen to’re not up for a beer tub, contemplate reserving a non-public spa. There are a number of spas in Prague you could ebook privately — your personal non-public sauna and jacuzzi for 2 hours. Search for the phrases “non-public wellness.” (Some include beds, Prosecco, and fruit and have a little bit of a love resort really feel. Even so, I believe these are among the finest locations for exhausted mothers who want enjoyable time alone!)
Spa Spa in Letná is one which I notably advocate. You may ebook a two-hour period for 2490 CZK ($116 USD) or in a single day for 5990 CZK ($280 USD).
Go to Sapa — Prague’s Huge Vietnamese Market
As quickly as you get to Prague, you may discover that there are Vietnamese eating places all over the place. Typically it looks as if there are pho retailers on each block. There’s a purpose for that!
Throughout the communism years, the Czech Republic supplied a visitor employee program to their fellow communist nation, Vietnam. Loads of Vietnamese individuals came visiting and selected to remain long-term, lots of them opening eating places.
Whereas most of those visitor staff got here from North Vietnam, lots of them had youngsters who went again to Vietnam, traveled the nation, and opened new Vietnamese eating places in Prague that includes specialties from each nook of Vietnam.
However the largest Vietnamese hotspot in Prague is Sapa Market, situated on the sting of Prague. Typically known as “Little Hanoi,” Sapa is a melange of Vietnamese retailers, cafes, and eating places — and it’s one of many largest Vietnamese markets exterior Vietnam.
Spending just a few hours at Sapa is among the distinctive issues to do in Prague, although take into accout this isn’t a vacationer attraction. Ask earlier than you are taking picture of anybody. I like to check out what individuals are ordering on the eating places earlier than deciding what I would like. When you’d prefer to plan your journey forward of time, Style of Prague has a good information to visiting Sapa, together with what to eat on the totally different eating places.
Kasárna Karlín
Right here’s a spot that locals love that you just’ll by no means discover in a guidebook. Kasárna Karlín is an enormous open courtyard in my neighborhood of Karlín that was as soon as a barracks. Contained in the courtyard are a number of cafes and bars, artwork galleries, playgrounds for youths, sculptures, a fireplace pit, and out of doors sitting areas.
Throughout the summer season months there are many occasions within the evenings — assume live shows, film screenings, and different stay performances. However even when nothing’s on, it’s a fabulously nice place to seize a beverage and relax for just a few hours.
A few of my neighbors check with Karlín as “Small Berlin.” This place undoubtedly captures that feeling — it’s a artistic, various world. And that’s earlier than you get to the bar seating in a former swimming pool…
Study Tips on how to Correctly Pour a Czech Beer
When you don’t know by now, the Czech Republic is dwelling to the very best beer on the planet. And it’s low-cost, too. It’s not cheaper than water anymore (they handed legal guidelines about that awhile in the past, however guests love repeating this statistic), however it’s incredible nonetheless.
You may drink the beer just about all over the place — however if you happen to’re a beer aficionado, contemplate taking a beer-pouring class with Lokal. You’ll learn to correctly pour totally different sorts of Czech beers, from a conventional na dvakrát pour to the mostly-foam mlíko to the blended mild and darkish řezané to my favourite, the teeny-tiny šnyt that appears too lovable to drink.
At 3,800 CZK ($176), this course doesn’t come low-cost. However if you happen to’re genuinely desirous about diving into Czech beer tradition past simply ingesting it, that is one of the best ways to develop into an skilled, and one of many coolest uncommon issues to do in Prague.
Experience a Paternoster
Prague is dwelling to a number of paternosters — open elevators that run constantly. They give the impression of being intimidating to get on — the American me was questioning, “Is that this even SAFE?!” earlier than we jumped on and have been whisked to the highest.
Of all of the paternosters in Prague, the one in Prague Metropolis Corridor on Previous City Sq. is essentially the most well-known one, however as an alternative, I like to recommend you are taking the one at Lucerna Palace (Palác Lucerna) simply off Wenceslas Sq.. This constructing is dwelling to a spectacular rooftop terrace and beautiful views of the Prague metropolis skyline, and you’ll order drinks.
Hop on for a enjoyable journey and hop off once you attain the highest ground! Admission to the rooftop terrace is 100 CZK ($5).
And if you happen to keep on, don’t fear — you received’t be turned upside-down! You’ll keep right-side-up earlier than coming down once more. (Paternosters are among the finest locations to get video for TikToks or Reels about Prague.)
Go to Únětice
Whereas there are a number of cool day journeys from Prague, one that you just virtually by no means seen on lists is the city of Únětice (OON-ye-tee-tsa). This city is situated on the sting of Prague, however getting there’s the enjoyable as a result of it includes an extended stroll or bike journey. It doesn’t have a ton of vacationer worth, however it’s one thing Czech individuals like to do on weekends.
You may get to Únětice by driving a motorbike or strolling. When you’re strolling, take the prepare to Roztaky U Prahy cease, then stroll to the top of a fairly road known as Tiché údolí and comply with it till it ends. The road (it means “silent valley” in Czech) turns right into a climbing path by the forest. After about an hour of strolling, you attain the city.
When you’re biking, lease a motorbike as really helpful above and journey alongside the japanese facet of the Vltava River, then cross it by the tiny ferry at Klecanky-Roztoky. From right here, head down Tiché údolí and comply with the trail till you hit city.
So what do you do in Únětice? Make like a Czech: park your bike and have a hearty lunch at Únětický Pivovar, the brewery, which dishes up quite a lot of Czech dishes. My private advice? Get the potato dumplings stuffed with smoked meat — among the finest issues on the menu. You may also get duck with potato pancakes, goulash with bread dumplings, grilled pork tenderloin in pepper sauce, and vegetarian quiches and salads.
Afterward, head to a close-by cafe, U Lasíků, which makes a wonderful number of koláčy (Czech muffins). Seize a koláč with a espresso or lemonade and take within the peaceable ambiance earlier than heading again to town. What a stunning strategy to spend a day and get to get pleasure from one of many hidden gems of the Prague space.
Have a Větrník in a Hidden Backyard
When you have a candy tooth, you must strive my favourite Czech pastry — the větrník (VYET-er-NEEK). The větrník is much like a profiterole or cream puff — it’s two halves of a spherical choux pastry with two sorts of cream within the inside (vanilla and caramel lotions), topped with a layer of caramel sauce on prime.
Věterníky are SO good, however my favourite place to have one is Gardens Restaurant. It’s situated proper off Wenceslas Sq. within the New City, however it’s a bit hidden at the back of an alley. When you arrive, you may benefit from the beautiful inside of the little restaurant, or dine exterior within the greenery-filled backyard. (I am going for simply espresso and pastry, which is okay.)
And their větrník is much more excessive than ordinary, with three several types of cream, hazelnut praline, chocolate glaze, and caramelized nuts. It’s completely decadent, and once you pair it with the magical setting, it makes a stunning factor to eat in Prague.
(Able to strive extra větrníky? I like the traditional větrník at Eska, an avant-garde restaurant and occasional store in my neighborhood. Typically they function differing kinds — they as soon as had a scrumptious apricot větrník. Cafe Savoy is one other Prague restaurant that receives a number of accolades for his or her větrník.)
Be a part of an Ecstatic Dance Occasion
Have you ever heard of ecstatic dance? These sober dance events are a sensation all around the world, however they’re actually beginning to develop into a factor in Prague! Ecstatic dance is all about letting the music transfer you, with none exterior forces spoiling the expertise.
There are 4 guidelines to ecstatic dance: 1) Everyone seems to be sober — completely no medication or alcohol. 2) No speaking, simply motion and dancing. 3) No images or movies. 4) You have to be barefoot!
My pal Ondřey, whom I initially met whereas backpacking in Central America, now runs Ecstatic Dance in Prague! Events happen each different Friday, typically on boats moored within the river, beginning at 7:00 PM with the dancing over by 10:00 PM (hell yeah, early birds).
You may see the web site right here, however it’s all in Czech. I’d advocate testing their Instagram web page, which at all times has a hyperlink to the subsequent occasion. Tickets are normally 500 CZK ($24 USD) if you happen to purchase prematurely.
Go to a Cocktail Bar with a Secret Invisible Menu
Prague’s not simply in regards to the beer — we love our wines and spirits as effectively! Prague is wealthy with cocktail bars, that includes traditional and unique libations made with native liqueurs.
One Prague cocktail bar particularly value visiting is Nameless Bar. Hidden on a quiet road within the coronary heart of the Previous City, this mysterious bar has a darkish inside and servers who put on Man Fawkes masks.
You order your first cocktail — maybe a signature cocktail that includes a fireplace present, or the blood cocktail that is available in its personal blood bag (eek!).
Then it comes time on your second drink — and so they deliver you the key menu. It’s invisible, in truth — and there’s a black mild key that allows you to learn it. These cocktails are unique to individuals who stick round for a second drink — and I can guarantee you they’re among the finest ones on the menu.
One cocktail that we ordered was served in an Elmo glass. The opposite was served in Wilson the volleyball.
(All for visiting extra Prague cocktail bars? Two I particularly advocate are Bugsy’s Bar and L’Fleur. They’re situated across the nook from one another really easy to go to in a single outing!)
Climb Atop a Teeny Tiny Eiffel Tower
Standing on the sting of the river and looking out towards Prague Fortress, you may discover a tiny metallic constructing on the hill to its left. Is that…an Eiffel Tower? Sort of!
Petřín Lookout Tower, situated on prime of Petřín Hill, was initially constructed in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition. Whereas a duplicate of the Eiffel Tower, this model is just 20% of the dimensions of the Parisian unique.
Right this moment, you may climb the tower (know that it has 299 steps earlier than setting out). Climbing it prices 150 CZK ($7 USD); there’s an elevator you could take for an additional price.
There’s a funicular that runs to the highest of Petřín Hill from Ujezd within the Malá Strana neighborhood. And don’t miss strolling across the prime of the hill — moreover the tower, there are many good gardens, playgrounds, and wooded areas value exploring.
Attempt a Vietnamese Egg Espresso
When you’ve been to Vietnam, you most likely dipped a toe into the nation’s strong espresso tradition, having fun with tiny cups spiked with sweetened condensed milk. And if you happen to have been actually fortunate, you may need come throughout the confection that could be a Vietnamese egg espresso.
The Vietnamese egg espresso, or cà phê trứng, is a candy dish that provides blended egg yolk to the sweetened condensed milk earlier than including the espresso, giving it a consistency extra like marshmallow fluff.
Vietnamese egg coffees are a bit powerful to seek out in Prague, however there’s one place left the place I like to get them. Cà Phê Cổ is an elegant, superbly adorned restaurant within the Vinohrady neighborhood that serves up egg coffees together with their scrumptious menu (I like their Cơm Gà Hội An, Hoi An-style rooster and rice). In addition they have a location in Brno if you happen to’re heading that means.
Hike the Posázavská Stezka
Czechs like to get out and hike on the weekend, and there are many hikes inside a brief journey of Prague. An ideal reasonable hike is the Posázavská Stezka, situated inside an hour’s prepare journey from Prague.
It is a lovely and attention-grabbing hike that has a number of up and down, together with views alongside the Sázava River. It feels a lot farther from town than it really is.
Take the prepare from Prague to Kamenny Přivoz station and take it again to Prague from Petrov u Prahi, which ought to provide you with 2.5-3.5 hours of climbing. And the Czech custom is to complete your hike with a beer — so ensure you do this! There’s a pub proper on the Petrov u Prahi prepare station.
A little bit of a warning: I used to be shocked to see a number of accomplice flags at bars on this strolling path. Judging by the Western decor that accompanied them, I believe the homeowners have been making an attempt “Americana” relatively than what the flag really communicates. Simply preserve that in thoughts.
(Wish to do extra climbing in Prague? A stunningly lovely place to go to, although a lot farther from town, is Bohemian Switzerland, which is technically within the Czech Republic, on the border with Germany. You may ebook a climbing day journey from Prague with Airbnb Experiences right here.)
Attempt Solely Central European Wines at Veltlin
You could know your means round a wine bar, however have you ever had the very best of what Central Europe has to supply? It may not be as well-known as Bordeaux or Rioja, however we make a number of respectable wines in South Moravia, Czech Republic.
An ideal place to pattern these wines in Prague is Veltlin, a small wine bar within the cozy, tree-lined neighborhood of Karlín. I stay in Karlín, and it’s the proper place to have a non-touristy expertise in Prague.
What makes Veltlin particular is that they’ve relationships with all of the wine suppliers that fill their bar — solely Central European wines, taken from the boundaries of the previous Hapsburg Empire. Ask for a glass of white and so they’ll pour you what they’ve chosen that day — maybe one thing Czech, however it might simply be Austrian, or Slovenian, or Hungarian.
Spherical out your go to with just a few nibbles — cheeses and meats that come from native producers. And so they typically placed on group tastings, that includes the works of a winemaker or specializing in a small area or varietal.
(All for visiting one other wine bar in Prague? Vinograf is certainly one of my favorites and near the middle.)
Experience an Vintage Automobile Boat on the River
Stroll over a bridge on the Vltava on a pleasant day between spring and fall and also you’ll see the river dotted with boats. You’ll see some common paddle-boats, some big swans — and a few vintage vehicles which have been remade into paddleboats!
The vehicles are the good ones of all, and renting certainly one of these is certainly one of many extra uncommon issues to do in Prague.
My one huge advice is to put on sufficient solar safety — there’s completely no shade once you’re out on the river. Sunscreen, a hat, and a long-sleeved shirt or jacket will serve you effectively right here.
There are just a few totally different firms with boat leases primarily based on Slovanský ostrov, one of many islands within the Vltava. Leases begin at 300 CZK ($14) per hour.
Feast on Dinner Off the Bone at Kantyna
Kantyna is certainly one of my favourite eating places in Prague and a real, native Czech expertise. This butcher store restaurant serves among the finest native meat within the Czech Republic, and is a carnivore’s delight. (Don’t come right here except you eat crimson meat and/or pork.)
However essentially the most particular factor Kantyna does is “Dinner Off the Bone” — the butcher’s dinner that they placed on just a few nights per week. At this dinner, you might be served a multi-course feast that includes numerous Kantyna’s finest cuts, together with a number of uncommon and lesser-loved cuts. You’ll additionally get a welcome drink and a tour of the kitchen, all for 1,980 CZK ($92 USD) every.
Be able to eat adventurously! At this dinner I’ve had luxurious crispy pig’s ears and the very best tripe I’ve EVER had anyplace. As a result of it’s Kantyna, the whole lot is finished tremendous, tremendous effectively. One of many pleasures is having carpaccio sliced in entrance of you by hand.
Notice that lately Kantyna are not taking particular person bookings, and as an alternative require a gaggle of 6-12. However when you have a sufficiently big meat-loving group visiting Prague, that is certainly one of my favourite celebratory dinners within the metropolis.
And don’t neglect the same old issues to do in Prague.
And now that we’re on the finish, I’ll add some extra frequent issues to do in Prague. Of COURSE you must go to Previous City Sq. and watch the Astronomical Clock because it chimes the hour. (Simply don’t get a beer proper on Previous City Sq.. These cafes are massively overpriced.)
You need to stroll throughout the Charles Bridge to Malá Strana, taking within the views, and go to Prague Fortress (value touring the citadel grounds!) and Petřín Hill. Tour Prague’s Jewish Quarter, Josefov, and go to the outdated Jewish cemetery. Take within the wealthy historical past of town and see why Historic Prague is a UNESCO World Heritage Website.
Wenceslas Sq. is on a number of itineraries however it isn’t THAT nice…it’s the worst elements of Occasions Sq. with none cool neon. And whereas numerous locations go all in on absinthe, it’s not almost nearly as good because the cocktail bars I discussed above.
On the identical stage, don’t really feel a necessity to go to the Museum of Medieval Torture Devices or the Intercourse Machines Museum. There are higher issues to do in Prague.
See the Dancing Home, designed by Frank Gehry, and have a drink within the cafe on the prime. Have a beer on the beer backyard in Letna Park. Take a photograph in entrance of the John Lennon Wall if you happen to really feel compelled to take action.
Prague’s Christmas Markets are pretty, although I’ll be sincere — Vienna’s and Munich’s are a lot better.
Go on a Prague meals tour (they embody Kantyna!), or a historic pub crawl, or a historic strolling tour. Even the various Prague strolling tour for a guided tour in regards to the Prague of in the present day — not the Prague of the previous.
However whether or not it’s your first time in Prague or your tenth, I hope this record has impressed you to go a bit past the same old Prague itinerary and get off the overwhelmed path. Get pleasure from your time in my adopted metropolis!
Extra on the Czech Republic:
Have you ever been to Prague? What’s your favourite uncommon factor to do? Share away!
