Prague is full of tourists. Over the last several years, Prague consistently ranks in the top five most-visited European cities. By numbers, the capital of the Czech Republic, Czechia as it is now called, is a more popular destination than more famous cities of Berlin, Munich or Athens. The reason why is no mystery. With the dissolution of the Iron Curtain, much of Central and Eastern Europe was opened up to foreigners for the first time in decades.
This means parts of Prague are very tourist oriented. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able find a few fun things to do without running into everyone from your hotel or hostel. There is still plenty to see, do and eat without crowds of other tourists.
In the last 25 years, Prague has gone from a city that was nearly forgotten and rarely visited to a popular destination drowning in a flood of tourists. Fortunately, there are options that will help you forget about the hordes of people who never leave the guidebook. Here are five additions to a Prague travel list:
Hockey: Prague, Czechia Without the Tourists
Sporting events are generally a great way to escape tourists, especially in Prague.
When it comes to sports, Europe is associated with Soccer. It’s only natural. Soccer is the world’s most popular sport, but that doesn’t mean it’s number one every single country.
In Czechia, soccer shares the title of most popular sport with hockey. This is apparent on an international level, as the Czech National Hockey Team has had success in the Olympics and World Championships. The small nation is also notable by its presence in the most elite professional hockey league in the world, the National Hockey League in North America, with many Czech players in its ranks.
If you are already a hockey fan, or a sports fan in general, you must attend a game in Czechia. The game itself is arguably a purer version of what is seen in North America, but that is not what’s important. It’s the atmosphere. This is what makes Czech Extraliga games so much fun. There is a different type of intensity amongst fans. The cheers and chants, the serious attention paid to the game itself (rather than on cell phones and socializing) is quite different from what one might encounter in an arena in North America.
One of the best parts of Czech hockey games is the price. You can enjoy some of the world’s elite athletes, masters of their craft, battle it out from a really good seat. And you can do so for a very reasonable price, about the equivalent of $10 USD. Not only is the price of admission cheap in comparison to the insulting numbers on US tickets, the beer is dirt cheap. It is slightly more expensive than many bars in Prague, but less than $2 for a GOOD beer (not the pisswater they serve in most US arenas) is awesome. And the food is great, too.
Go see a Czech hockey game. Escape the tourists in Prague. Enjoy the intense competition and unique sporting atmosphere, both on the ice and in the stands. Have a few great beers. Eat some savory Czech sausage and take it all in. Do it all for less than what it costs to attend an amateur game in the US.
Prague Pork!
What better escape from tourists than pork?! Oh, you’re a vegetarian? Well, that sucks. Go nibble on your bean sprouts while the adults discuss real food.
Prague is famous for its pork. Like its Bavarian neighbors to the west, the city attracts hungry carnivores. With no disrespect to the pork in Munich, which is delicious, Bohemian styles are deserving of more attention.
The sausage stands in Prague are hard to miss, especially in the tourist areas. But this is one instance where tourists are not being tricked into a watered-down version of the real thing. These stands, specifically around Wenceslas Square, may be more expensive than the grub in local haunts, but they are fabulously authentic Czech creations.
They remain cheap enough to subdue those tempting street-food-eating demons. And when late night rolls in, or more likely stumbles, you’ll be making a beeline for the nearest sausage stand. **Tip: Don’t be a picky American. Order with all the fixins’ and happiness will ensue.
More formal dining in Prague also exists. Ya know, the kind where you sit at a table inside with a waiter. Traditional Czech eats, such as roast pork and steamed cabbage that will have you considering an expat life in no time, are found all over the city. Truth is, it’s very likely you may ever know exactly what is being served. Unless you’re dining at an establishment geared towards westerners with signs and menus in English (which should be a clear warning to stay away), you’ll only know it’s just some kind of pork. But this is the only necessary information when it comes to Czech food.
Go See a Cool tunnel
Away from the tourists of New and Old Town Prague, there is still plenty to do. Many visitors seeking wild nightlife find themselves in the districts of Karlin and Žižkov, home to hundreds of options to quench your late-night thirst. The best part about these districts is the prices. Your money, which already goes a long way in this city, will stretch even further! And you can find plenty of fantastic local pubs and restaurants to spend those koruna.
The 1000-foot-long Karlin-Žižkov pedestrian tunnel separates the two districts. A tunnel may not seem like much of a sight to see, but this one feels different, especially late at night. While Wenceslas Square is still crawling with tourists, you’ll step off the train (tram or metro, whatever the hell you want to call it, they’re all trains!) and gaze upon a calm, quiet scene. There’s an eerie feel to the setting, going from lights and noise, and then suddenly, you feel alone. But no need to fear: Prague is one of the safest big cities in the world. Take a stroll around the area and enjoy a calm, tourist-free Prague and then enter the tunnel. At night, and obviously as it moves into the wee hours of morning, it’s not uncommon to have the tunnel to yourself.
The Karlin-Žižkov pedestrian tunnel is a neat sight to see while you’re trying to explore Prague away from the crowds. By setting off to see this peculiar structure, you discover a different part of town; and you’ll be right there to enjoy the nightlife and good eats of these districts. You also save yourself the long trip around (or over) the hill to the other district – that is, after all, one of the reasons the tunnel exists. It’s a short cut! Go check it out, enjoy the neighborhood and snap some cool photos.
Daytrip to a Chapel of Bones
Easy daytrips are often top draws to a city or region. Kutna Hora is a great landing spot for a daytrip from Prague. A short train ride away will deposit you in this small city, the center of which is fit for a spread in a stuffy luxury travel magazine. With its close proximity to the capital, it has become one of the country’s top towns for tourism.
Sedlec Ossuary is the main reason to visit Kutna Hora. On the outskirts of town, the abbey has a small chapel with thousands of bones built into the structure. Bones from 30,000 humans are part of the columns, walls and doors. Even the chandelier is made of bones. The bones date back hundreds of years to victims of the Plague and war.
A chapel made of bones sounds like a creepy trap for tourists. In reality, Sedlec Ossuary simply ran out of room. The graveyard was full and the bone decorations were seen as a way to solve the problem and respectfully incorporate the bones into an ornate display without desecration.
Admission is cheap and touring the site is relatively quick, leaving you plenty of time to stroll around Kutna Hora.
Kutna Hora is a small town in Czechia that goes largely unnoticed when skimming a map of the area. The town should have more notoriety for its value to Prague visitors. After a few days in a big city like Prague, it’s only natural to want to escape the tourists, and Kutna Hora is that quiet town. It can be called “charming” or “quaint” but “interesting and cool” is a better description. There is a variety of food, shops and attractions for your enjoyment while still providing a feeling of authenticity.
Letna Park
As in every city, finding a good view should be a priority. Doing so on the first day of your stay is advised. You will not only enjoy the view, but also improve your orientation. With a better understanding of where you are, it will help you to navigate the city on a street level. And maybe you will see something off in the distance that arouses your curiosity. Getting lost is a good thing, but having a general idea of where you are lost is advised.
There are several places to find this view in Prague. In Old Town, the most popular is the tower of the town hall, above the astronomical clock. This is certainly a must-do activity in Prague, but the view is limited to Old Town Square. For a better lookout of the city, go to Letna Park.
Letna Park overlooks Old Town Prague from across the Vltava River. The park is significant in the history of the city, but you’re here for the view. From the top, find an opening where you can see many of the bridges, including the famous Charles Bridge, down the river. You can also see clear across Prague on a nice day.
Letna Park is also a good place for a picnic, a brief escape from other tourists or even a morning jog. Beware of the people who approach you in the park. They may offer you a really good price for that stinky Czech weed, but try to be smart. You never know what you’re buying and, oh yeah, weed isn’t exactly legal in Czechia. Your safety is assured if you aren’t a fool. You’re better off relaxing and enjoying that postcard view.
Extra Tip!
Charles Bridge is a world-famous bridge, over 600 years old spanning the Vltava River by Old Town Prague. Make no mistake, as one of the city’s most famous landmarks, the bridge is inundated with tourists and tacky vendors peddling junk.
Autumn and winter brings a slight thinning of the crowds, but a better experience of the bridge can be had at night. The vendors are almost all gone and most tourists have been out for hours. This is one of those things you have to do in Prague, but it’s usually ruined by tourism.
Despite the millions of tourists who visit Prague each year, the city is still worth a visit. If something does not change in the near future, it may be time to avoid the historic capital of Czechia. Until then, travel with an open mind, knowing that there are still ways to enjoy Prague and escape the tourists.
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