Prague

The Lennon Wall

Originally graffiti-ed by oppressed students speaking out against the communist reign during the 1980’s, the Lennon Wall continues today to be an outlet of creative expression for anyone who so wishes to leave their mark on Prague. The wall, though far less political today, is filled with creative (and some not-so-creative) expressions and beautiful spray painted works of art. Due to the name and the inspiration of John Lennon on this movement, you’ll typically also find at least one person here with an acoustic guitar and a Lennon-inspired set list.

Petřín Hill

This park, set on the hill across from the Prague Castle, is perhaps the best panoramic view of the city offered. In the spring the whole side of the hill is covered in the white blossoms of the cherries trees, which is absolutely breathtaking. There are both pathways and a gondola that will take you to the top of the hill, where there is a miniature Eiffel Tower. I would suggest taking the pathways, though the walk is steep, because the views at each level are phenomenal. Also, about halfway up the path there is a certain bench that was featured in the film Brothers Bloom. Because it gets you above the noise of the city, it became my favorite spot of Prague.

The Royal Road

Old Town Square to the Charles Bridge- These are two of the most iconic sites of Prague. Old Town Square was the site of the markets back in the days of kings, and still boasts markets at certain times of the year now. The astronomical clock is overrated, but the buskers, buildings and sites make this site well worthwhile. From there you can follow the route the king would have taken back to his castle, which leads to the Charles Bridge. The Charles Bridge is the most famous bridge, spanning the Vltava to connect the old town and new town with a giant, cobblestoned, pedestrian bridge lined with statues of important figures. It is truly a gorgeous site at all hours of the day, though around midday it can be a bit of a zoo. I recommend going around 9am.

The Jewish Quarter

Before World War II Prague, like most European cities, had a large Jewish population that was segregated into its own separate ghetto. Though little remains to indicate the people that were once forced to inhabit that quarter, as it has been overtaken by designer stores, there are a few sites of Jewish interest in this area, like the synagogue and the Old Jewish Cemetery. Also around the Jewish quarter, certain cobblestones have been replaced in front of former Jewish residences with stones displaying the names of the Jews who were taken from these homes and killed during the Holocaust. Though these stones are spread out and hard to find, they are very impactful.

One of the best things to do in Prague is just walk around. Everything is beautiful!

Mosaic House

This tends to be more of a party hostel, especially on the weekends, but it’s clean and has a good vibe. It has both hotel and hostel options, as well as a public restaurant/bar/karaoke bar downstairs that serves incredible mojitos. Its location is perfect, next to one of the central metro stops on the yellow line, and Old Town Square is only about a 15-minute walk away.

Cafes

Kolkovna Olympia

This restaurant may be a bit touristy because of its easy-to-find location, but that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped serving up some of the best Czech food in Prague. Their goulash is absolutely everything you’ve ever wanted a warm stew on a rainy day to be, and here you can get Kofola (Czech Coca-Cola) or Pivo Řezané (cut light and dark beer), two Czech beverage specialties. After your meal, glance through Café Savoy across the street. The pastries and the decorations are each equally ornate and beautiful. http://www.kolkovna.cz/en/kolkovna-olympia-12

Kafe Afrika

It isn’t Czech cuisine, but the people here are incredibly friendly and the food is bold and full of flavor. It’s tucked away on a side street, but it’s easy enough to find if you know where to look. And the food is exquisite. They also have daily lunch specials, which make a meal in Prague even more affordable.

Coffee Shops

Kavárna Pražírna

My favorite breakfast spot in Prague. Their coffee is rich and smooth and every flat white (my favorite drink) was the perfect blend of robust espresso flavor and creamy foamed milk. Their breakfasts are also delicious, and their chocolate cake is so rich I almost can’t justify eating it in the morning. Also the café is underground, which adds a really cool element to it.

Můj šálek kávy

This place is for the true coffee lover, the one who can’t accept anything less than freshly French-pressed coffee, but really would like to choose from a variety of brewing methods. The coffee here is on point and the atmosphere is always open. Though it’s pretty hidden and doesn’t see many tourists, most of them speak English. Try reserving a table ahead of time though, because this place gets crowded. If you get hungry here, walk around the corner to Polévkárna, a cheap café devoted entirely to soups.

Kavarna Slavia

I will admit, this place is pretty touristy. But, it is the site of the smoothest pure espresso shot I’ve ever had in my life, and I’m from Portland, Oregon. They also have a rather impressive dessert case, with 14 different options that change daily. The desserts here are perfect, though a bit pricier (though pricey in Prague is still cheap compared to Western Europe). The café is also situated overlooking the Vltava, so the views and the people watching are really great. However, I wouldn’t recommend eating a full meal here. It’s good, but it’s nowhere near as special as their desserts and coffees.

Markets

Markets are my favorite thing about any city, and Prague doesn’t disappoint. Here you can meet local people selling local creations, and all of them are worth a try. My favorite market is at the Jiřího z Poděbrad stop on the green metro line. It’s small, but every vendor there has something worth taking home.

Wenceslas Square

Once the site of the protests that overthrew the Communist regime, and now the site of tons of shops, Wenceslas Square is a place you have to visit. It is pretty much a pedestrian only district where you can wander in and out of shops while listening to buskers and gazing at statues. You can even visit the National Museum at the end of the road.

Manufaktura

This is a chain of stores (you can find them in most of the touristy areas) that features a variety of products all made in the Czech Republic. They sell things from carved wooden toys to beer shampoo, and pretty much everything here makes a great souvenir. If you want to get something really traditionally Czech here, go for a hand-painted Easter egg, a marionette, Koh-i-noor stationary, or a stuffed replica of Krtek, the main character of Prague’s most popular cartoon.

• The Czech culture is more reserved. The Czech don’t make small talk quite like the Americans do, so you might get a funny look if you ask a stranger how they’re doing.
• Take the tram for a cheap tour. If you want a great tour of the city without walking as much, try to find a seat on the 22 tram. A 90-minute ride ticket should cost you about $1.50 and it takes you past some of the most beautiful and historic districts of Prague. Just make sure you validate your ticket in the little yellow box as soon as you get on, because you get fined if you don’t.
• Always greet a shopkeeper when entering a small shop. Most will speak English, but they will love it if you greet them in Czech (dobry den, or, good morning, which is used all day). Also thank them when you leave (dekuju, pronounced dye-kyoo-yoo).
• For nightlife, try these three places. Now I’m not much of a nightlife person, but if I were going out in Prague I’d go to one of three places. Mosaic is great fro good drinks and a good party, U Sudu is an underground cave bar with awesome drinks and a great atmosphere, and though I don’t much like clubs, I’ve been known to appear at 80’s/90’s Video Night at Lucerna Nightclub and managed to have a good time.
• Try Bobsledding! If you like adventure and you have extra time, there is a full bob-sledding course past the castle on the hill. You have to transfer busses a couple times to get up there, and there’s no way this place would pass US safety regulations, but it’s inexpensive to do, and you’ll be hurtling down a hill on this track at 40+mph. If you like adrenaline, I think you’ll like this.
• Learn to properly cheers. To cheers in Prague you clink the top of your glasses, the bottom of your glasses, tap the glass on the table, say Na Zdravi, WHILE MAKING EYE CONTACT and then drink. It’s crucial that you make eye contact when you say that because, according to Czech tradition, if you don’t you’ll have seven years of bad sex. So just make eye contact.
• Try the marble cake, Bábovka. It may not look like anything special, and some places make a pretty dry slice, but if you can find a place with a good, moist slice of it, it will be heaven in your mouth. Guaranteed.
• Slow down and enjoy the view. The biggest tip for Prague is just to thoroughly enjoy every second of it. No matter where you go or what you do in the city you can have a good time and see something beautiful. The only thing not worth doing in Prague is spending all your time in a hotel room or on Facebook. So go, enjoy, eat, drink, explore and soak in everything that Prague has to offer. It will be an experience you never forget.