The Czech Republic and Prague has always been a mystery to me. It wasn’t until pretty recently a big tourist destination, and now I have several friends who claim it as their favorite city. I was originally planning on traveling to Eastern Europe with my ex-boyfriend this summer, and he said, “We can try to hit Prague, but can’t guarantee that there’ll be time.” Now I have no boyfriend, but I am in Prague and he is at home enjoying my pictures and wishing he were in Prague (trust me, he told me). Here are some of the highlights of the trip (of which there were billions):
What to Do
Shop at Havelské tržiště
This is a market close to the Old Town Square that apparently has been around for hundreds of years. There are dozens of merchants selling all kinds of things, from leather goods to produce to handmade knick-knacks to original art. I talked with a man at one of the stands who was selling his wife’s paintings, which were beautiful (and I told him so) and he said, “Just one small reason why I love my wife.” 🙂
See the view from the clock
For only a few bucks you can climb up to the top of the Astrological Clock and peer out over Old Town Square and the entire city. There is probably no better view in the city.
Eat on the riverfront
Just because it’s nice lookin’.
Visit the Kafka Museum
Franz Kafka spent a good amount of his life in what is now the Czech Republic, and is one of the most well-known products of Prague (what I like to affectionately call a Prague-uct. Get it? Just rolls off the tongue). Kafka’s entire life was tragic and overwrought with existential anxiety, which I suppose is what made his work what it is. The museum is a unique experience and a good stop for Kafka fans, or people interested in learning more about him.
Drink pivo!
DuhhHhHhHhh. Pivo, or beer, is what the Czechs are most proud of. Our guide for the walking tour asked us questions like “how long has beer been around?” and “why is it a golden color?” and people threw out random guesses and giggled, and the guide looked at us straight-faced and said, “No seriously. The Czechs do not joke about beer, okay?” (The respective answers, if you’re curious, are 3500 BC, and because the barley is air-dried as opposed to fire-dried, which is why beer prior to Pilsner Urquell, the original pilsner originating in the Czech Republic, was dark).
Another fun fact: the CR is the biggest beer drinking country per capita, with an average of 80 gallons consumed per person per year. This, of course, begs the question: how the fuxk are these people not obese? With the damn meat, potatoes, and dumplings that they are constantly eating, plus 80 gallons of beer? I take a sip of beer and can grab an extra handful of love-handle the next day. It is insane. I would recommend attending a beer tasting, because you get to experience lots of different Czech beers, including the ORIGINAL Budweiser from Budweis, which is infinitely more delicious than America’s cat piss version. AND, Prague is a bit of a party-town, so there are lots of bars and clubs to go to (I am a beer-hall person myself, so that is where you could find me on Saturday night in Prague, enjoying delicious $2 beers).
What to Eat
Trdelnik
This is a SCRUMPTIOUS treat that you can find around every corner in Prague. It is dough wrapped around a stick, grilled, and topped with cinnamon sugar (and other toppings, including strawberries, Nutella, and whipped cream!). I got one filled with ice cream and devoured it in just a few bites while my male travel companion said he was too full to finish his (why I am always out-eating men, I am not really sure).
Svíčková
Beef in a creamy sauce with bread dumplings and cranberry. YUM. All the flavors together just work, and you can also find this pretty much everywhere as it is a dish specific to the Czech Republic.
Fried Cheese
This is self-explanatory, and a traditional Czech dish (notice a theme, as I am obsessed with trying all local cuisine when I travel; for Eastern Europe, I’d suggest packing a giant bottle of Tums because the amount of meat and cheese you will be consuming is almost nauseating). Being a fatty who loves mozzarella sticks, I jumped at the chance to have an entire fried cheese block, with a side of potatoes. The cheese is much like American fried cheese, but far less greasy. I met up with some Kappa Alpha Theta sisters from Dallas, Theta being my sorority in college, as well as a friend from my own chapter of the sorority, and we all went for lunch to Lokal, a popular restaurant and bar.
Street Food
This is generally always a fantastic idea for a quick and easy and delicious lunch, and if you’re looking for traditional Czech food, then this is the perfect option. Cheap and tasty, we got klóbasa with haluski (sausage with potatoes and cabbage) and ate it right on the square.
What to See
John Lennon Wall
Obviously a must-visit, especially for a Beatles lover. The original depiction of Lennon’s face has been painted over over the decades, but there tons of inspirational quotes all over the wall and several smaller drawings of him that you can find if you look hard enough.
Prague Castle
The Prague Castle consists of several breath-taking buildings and churches, with a TON of amazing history. I am fascinated by this stuff, and though I generally am not a fan of guided tours because they can tend to be overly lengthy and crowded and not particularly informative, I’d recommend it for this just for the history (and try to get David Christof, as he is the best tour guide anyone has ever had. He has also done a ton of running around the world to raise money for people with no clean water…literally my hero. Definitely the kind of thing I will look into once my damn ankle heals, and I already looked him up on Facebook so that I can keep in touch).
While inside the castle, we managed to catch a Changing of the Guard ceremony with several very serious and straight-faced Czech guards (I find these fun to watch, although the number of tourists squishing your body on all sides and holding their cameras up above your squat body is a little overwhelming, so be warned), as well as wander down Golden Lane, full of tiny colorful houses and mini museums (Kafka lived in one of these houses for a while too!).
Charles Bridge
The Charles Bridge is hard to miss on a trip to Prague, as it connects both sides of the city across the river, and is bustling with vendors and performers. Talk about a dream. This city is such a damn beaut.
I never thought I could ever love another city like I love Barcelona, and feel almost unfaithful saying it, but Prague may be the most amazing place I’ve ever visited (ugh, forgive me Barca). You walk through the city and it surreal because it feels like it can’t even be a real place. It is that magical. And I would usually laugh at someone calling a place magical or frankly anything magical, so that’s how you know I mean it. I know I HAVE to go back at some point, and hope everyone gets a chance to visit this incredible place.
