What NOT to Do in Prague

Earlier than you come to Prague, you’ll want to know what NOT to do in Prague! I’ve been dwelling in Prague for a number of years now, and I completely love how nice life is right here.

However as I put together to welcome dozens of family and friends from the US to Prague for the primary time, I’m going over what vacationers ought to REALLY know earlier than arriving right here.

So what ought to folks really know? Prague is completely different from the stereotypes. When you get immense worth for cash right here, it’s positively not the dirt-cheap getaway it was once 20 years in the past, neither is it only a place to come back to social gathering.

Moreover Prague has so many cool locations exterior town heart, and an unimaginable meals scene, however so many individuals by no means go that far, sticking to town heart and Czech dishes.

And for those who cheers with water, or pour new beer right into a half-full glass…effectively, you’re not going to draw any GOOD consideration in Prague.

So let’s have a look — what NOT to do in Prague! Take into account this your Prague survival information.

(And for those who’re planning a visit to Prague, don’t miss my guides on unusual things to do in Prague and the 17 best Prague restaurants!)

Don’t assume Prague is an inexpensive getaway.

Previously, Prague was held up as the last word low-cost getaway of Europe. Folks got here right here to remain in grand accommodations for reasonable, have good meals for reasonable, and social gathering all night time lengthy for reasonable.

I actually fell into that class as soon as. Once I first visited Prague with my examine overseas roommates in 2004, we gorged ourselves on sushi as a result of it was so less expensive than in Italy!

Right here’s the factor, although — whereas Prague is unquestionably cheaper than Paris, London, and the Nordics, it’s not the dirt-cheap getaway it was once. Previously 20 years, Prague has gone by way of a change, including way more high-end restaurants and accommodations, and loads of companies now cater to rich Czechs and moneyed guests.

(This previous winter, Charlie and I traveled to Palermo, Sicily — and let me let you know, that was an inexpensive getaway. I used to be SHOCKED how less expensive it was than Prague! You could possibly get an entree at a pleasant restaurant for just some euros! Positive, Italy could be very costly in touristy areas like Florence and Venice, however much less touristy components of Italy will be extraordinarily low-cost.)

And one other factor — the beer in Prague is not cheaper than water. So many vacationers like to repeat this, however it hasn’t been true for many years! (Again then they handed a regulation saying that SOMETHING must be cheaper than beer.)

The most cost effective tank pilsner (a.ok.a. GOOD Czech beer) in Prague is at a pub known as U Glaubiců, the place half liter beers price 43 CZK ($2 USD). Elsewhere in Prague, tank pilsner prices 55-60 CZK ($2.50-3 USD).

Beer in Prague continues to be low-cost, particularly contemplating its unbelievable high quality — I began laughing with pleasure after I purchased a spherical for me and 6 of my associates for lower than $20 — however not fairly cheaper than water.

Don’t be an obnoxious, badly behaving vacationer.

For many years, Prague has been a well-liked spot for vacationers coming to drink and social gathering. It’s particularly in style with British stag events. The place else are you able to drink beer this good for this worth?

You continue to see these stag events. A gaggle of British males strolling down the road, one among them dressed up as a large child or a ballerina, all of them off their faces. If it’s late at night time, they is perhaps singing on the high of their lungs.

It’s not nice for these of us who dwell right here.

However the metropolis has been cracking down on this type of vacationer conduct. Bars and golf equipment usually are not as tolerant of vile conduct as they was once. And now if you land on the airport, you’ll discover huge indicators telling folks to maintain issues quiet after 10:00 PM.

My recommendation? Do not forget that folks dwell right here. And for those who’re going to social gathering, stick with town heart. DO NOT ebook an house in a cute residential neighborhood. We dwell in these neighborhoods as a result of they’re quiet and away from the insanity.

Don’t deliver your euros.

The Czech Republic really doesn’t use the euro — as a substitute, we use the Czech crown (koruna). Over the previous few years, the speed has fluctuated between 21-24 crowns to 1 US greenback.

It’s not the best factor to calculate in your head, so I like to recommend downloading the Forex app and opening it if you wish to double-check a worth.

And no, you’ll be able to’t use US {dollars} right here both. (You don’t assume this could must be stated, however I’ve seen sufficient People making an attempt to pay with USD throughout Europe!)

I take advantage of my US bank cards for the overwhelming majority of my purchases in Europe. You should utilize bank cards in most locations in Prague, too. In the event that they ask you which of them forex to cost — CZK or USD — at all times select CZK. You’ll get a markup in the event that they convert the value.

Don’t anticipate lemon in your lemonade.

You’ll discover lemonades (limonady) on most Czech menus, and so they make a unbelievable nonalcoholic beverage choice. Actually, a number of eating places are at all times switching up their lemonades of the day — mango, lime, purple currant…

There’s only one factor. Lemonades within the Czech Republic don’t comprise lemon! They’re simply glowing water with fruit juice added. Until the menu explicitly says that it comprises lemon, it doesn’t comprise lemon.

So for those who ask a server what sorts of lemonades they’ve in the present day and so they say, “Raspberry, ardour fruit, and lemon,” solely the lemon one really comprises lemon.

Moreover, malinovka is one thing you’ll usually see in pubs — it’s a candy raspberry soda (technically a lemonade by Czech requirements!), usually obtainable on faucet.

Don’t name Prague Japanese Europe.

The Czech Republic could be very a lot a part of Central Europe. Mentioning to a Czech that you just’re in Japanese Europe shouldn’t be a great way to make associates — the truth is, it will likely be taken as an insult.

Consider it this fashion: Think about that you just make a journey to Pennsylvania. You’re hanging out in Philadelphia, sitting at a bar in Heart Metropolis, making dialog along with your neighbor, and also you point out that you just got here to Philly since you at all times wished to go to New England.

See how ridiculous that sounds? That’s what it appears like if you name Prague Japanese Europe!

Oh, and positively don’t name it Czechoslovakia, both. We’ve been velvetly divorced from our jap neighbor for 30 years now.

(For the document: Japanese Europe contains Russia, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Romania, Moldova, and Bulgaria. Central Europe contains Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, the previous Yugoslavia (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia) and Albania.)

Don’t trip public transit with out a ticket.

Prague is a metropolis the place you don’t have to indicate your ticket when boarding transportation, and there aren’t even turnstiles to get on the subway. As an alternative, there are fare inspectors that hop on board sometimes and verify to see that everybody has a ticket for that journey.

Due to this, a variety of vacationers find yourself confused and find yourself hopping on the tram with out shopping for tickets.

How usually do fare inspectors hop on board? I might say in all probability one in each 15-20 journeys. Even so, you don’t wish to be caught with out a ticket, as a result of the fantastic is steep. And I do know many vacationers who tried to play dumb (or, let’s be trustworthy, cry) and acquired fined anyway.

You should purchase tickets on board the trams and buses when you have a contactless bank card. You can even purchase tickets on the machines at entrances to the metro.

However what I like to recommend is that you just obtain the PID Litačka app earlier than you arrive in Prague. On right here you should buy single tickets for 30 or 90 minute journeys, or for twenty-four or 72 hours. Or for a month for those who’d like! This ticket is sweet for tram, bus, or metro.

Take into account that YOU MUST ACTIVATE THE TICKET and IT TAKES TWO FULL MINUTES TO ACTIVATE. They do that so you’ll be able to’t simply press the activate button when the fare inspector seems.

Don’t solely eat Czech meals.

You need to completely attempt some Czech dishes whereas visiting Prague — however Czech meals can also be fairly heavy, and I personally discover it robust consuming multiple conventional Czech meal per week.

As an alternative, benefit from Prague’s excellent worldwide eating scene. It’s one among my favourite issues about dwelling in Prague!

I wrote a Prague restaurant guide lately, and this represents the end result of my years exploring the restaurant scene with my crew of foodie associates.

You’ll be able to take pleasure in artistic high-end tapas at El Camino, Neapolitan-style pizza at Manù, fiercely contemporary sushi at Yamato, Georgian specialties at Sunday Terrace, and much, way more.

I particularly advocate getting your fill of Vietnamese meals whereas in Prague. We’ve got a big and vibrant Vietnamese neighborhood right here, and it’s uncommon to discover a European metropolis with unbelievable Vietnamese eating places in each route!

Learn Extra: 17 Best Prague Restaurants

Don’t cheers with out making eye contact!

Eye contact is crucial when making a toast in Prague. Be sure that to look the individual within the eye as your glasses clink. If not, you’re doomed to seven years of dangerous intercourse!

Moreover, don’t cross arms when toasting, and positively don’t toast with water — it’s thought of dangerous luck.

In case you have a glass of water, glowing or nonetheless, simply smile and nod as folks cheers round you. Folks will perceive.

Moreover, don’t pour new beer into your previous beer. In case you have somewhat little bit of beer left in your glass, end the entire thing earlier than refilling it.

Don’t be late.

Czechs are extraordinarily punctual folks. It’s one of many issues I really like about them — and dwelling right here has truthfully made me a extra punctual individual! (What a change from New York, the final place I lived, the place everyone seems to be late on a regular basis and blames the subway.)

So be sure you’re on time to fulfill a Czech individual. Folks are likely to arrive precisely on time, not 5 minutes early.

Don’t ignore the remainder of the Czech Republic.

There are such a lot of cool locations to go to within the Czech Republic — but the overwhelming majority of vacationers pop into Prague for just a few days, and that’s it. Ensure that’s not you!

So what are some good locations price visiting within the Czech Republic?

Český Krumlov is a beautiful metropolis in South Bohemia, two hours from Prague, that appears straight out of a fairy story. Whereas many individuals go to as a day journey, I strongly advocate staying in a single day. You can see my guide to Český Krumlov here.

Karlovy Fluctuate is a good looking and romantic spa city an hour and 45 minutes from Prague, stuffed with candy-colored buildings and set within the hills. That is one other good in a single day journey.

Brno is a enjoyable little metropolis in Moravia, within the jap a part of the nation, and makes an incredible cease between Prague and Vienna. There are many cool eating places and cafes, and it’s cheaper than Prague.

And for those who solely have time for a day journey from Prague, my high choose is the city of Kutná Hora, well-known for its bone church and colourful buildings, simply 50 minutes by practice from Prague. However for those who’re an enormous Czech beer fan, you could wish to go to Plzen to tour the Pilsner Urquell brewery!

Don’t name it Czechia.

Sure, Czechia is perhaps the official title of the nation — however the overwhelming majority of Czechs nonetheless name the nation the Czech Republic. “Czechia” is the phrase we placed on authorities varieties. The title change solely went by way of in 2016, so it’s nonetheless a latest replace.

It’s not a tragedy for those who name it Czechia, and even some Czechs even desire to make use of the time period Czechia, however you’ll slot in with the plenty for those who name it Czech Republic.

Don’t drink Staropramen.

Czechs love their beer; that a lot is obvious. And also you’ll see Staropramen branding in every single place — on umbrellas, in pubs — and also you would possibly assume that that’s the great beer.

It’s not. Staropramen is extensively acknowledged as a neighborhood beer that isn’t that nice. It’s type of just like the Bud Mild of the Czech Republic — they spend a ton on promoting, however the precise product is a far cry from high-quality beer.

So what must you drink as a substitute? Tank pilsner. Tank pilsner represents one of the best Czech beer that town has to supply.

Pilsner Urquell is the gold customary; drink it when you’ll be able to. Únětice is one other native model price making an attempt (and visiting their brewery, simply exterior town, is one among my favourite unusual things to do in Prague).

And don’t overlook the beautiful microbreweries that dot town! Two that I really like are Dva Kohouti in my neighborhood of Karlín (they sometimes make New England IPAs, which makes me really feel at residence!), and Automat Matuška in Dejvice, a brand new “nanobrewery” that basically impressed me after my first go to.

Don’t overlook to analysis when you have dietary restrictions.

Sure, you’ll be able to completely get by in Prague for those who comply with a vegetarian or vegan or gluten-free weight loss program. Nevertheless it’s not as simple right here as it’s in Berlin or New York or Bangkok, for instance.

Conventional Czech eating places will be particularly difficult. Generally the one vegan merchandise is a bramborák (a potato pancake, generally with onions or garlic, cooked in oil). The go-to vegetarian dish in Czech delicacies is smaženy syr — fried cheese.

A minimum of our second hottest delicacies is Vietnamese, which affords much more to select from for those who don’t eat meat, cheese, or gluten!

That being stated, the Czech Republic is a part of the EU, so there’s allergen labeling on menus. That makes it loads simpler to know for those who can eat one thing.

Both approach, when you have dietary restrictions, I like to recommend doing a little bit of analysis on eating places with good vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free choices. It’s good to have just a few prepared at the back of your pocket in case you’ll want to select a spot shortly.

Don’t anticipate one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

This one is a bit controversial. I do know lots of people who’ve come to Prague particularly for the Christmas markets, that are lovely, festive, and far nicer than something you’ll discover in America.

Nonetheless…I’ve been to a LOT of Christmas markets in Europe, and Prague isn’t one of many higher ones. They’re fantastic, however they pale compared to what another cities have to supply.

In my view, a few of the finest Christmas markets are literally moderately near Prague — Vienna (4.5 hours by practice), Dresden (2 hours by practice), Munich (5 hours by practice), and Nuremberg (4 hours by bus) are in all probability my 4 favourite Christmas market cities in Europe. I haven’t been to the Berlin Christmas markets but, however I hear they’re additionally nice (4.5 hours by practice).

Does that imply it’s best to keep away from Prague at Christmas? Under no circumstances! One of the best ways to plan a Christmas market trip in Europe is to have an itinerary taking you thru a number of cities by practice or bus, permitting you to see how a number of completely different locations have a good time the vacation.

So maybe plan a Christmas journey that takes you from Berlin to Vienna, or Munich to Budapest, stopping in Prague alongside the way in which and permitting you to get a great cross-section of Christmas markets.

Don’t select a trdelnik for a Czech deal with.

All through the Outdated City in Prague, you’ll see trdelnik stands in every single place. Trdelniky are chimney desserts — roasted over coals, lined with sugar and cinnamon, generally stuffed with ice cream, generally obtainable in a number of different flavors.

There’s only one drawback — they’re not really Czech! They’re Hungarian! Somebody began making them in Prague and so they actually caught on!

As an alternative, go for a vetrnik — a Czech caramel cream puff. These are my favourite Czech pastries and you will discover them in every single place!

I particularly love the one at Gardens Restaurant, one among my favourite unusual things to do in Prague. Mysak, Eska (solely at lunch) and Cafe Savoy have notable ones, too.

Don’t use Euronet ATMs.

These are a few of the most typical ATMs you’ll see across the metropolis heart. Should you’re utilizing a international card to withdraw money, you’ll be charged a a lot greater fee.

As an alternative, select an ATM hooked up to an actual financial institution. Three of the frequent banks you’ll see in Prague are CSOB, Raffeisen, and Unicredit. These ATMs are fantastic to make use of.

(Actually, it’s a great behavior to solely use ATMs hooked up to banks if you journey. In case your card will get eaten at a financial institution ATM, it may be recovered. If it’s eaten by a comfort retailer ATM, you’ll by no means see it once more!)

Don’t overlook to tip when paying for meals.

Right here within the Czech Republic, it’s customary to supply an additional 10% or so on high of the price of your meals. If a invoice involves 500 crowns, for instance, simply say, “5 hundred and fifty,” and the server will thanks, then scan your card.

If it’s a small buy, like a espresso, it’s frequent to tip with just a few cash. Just a bit one thing further.

Don’t simply go to town heart.

I discover it curious that the overwhelming majority of holiday makers to Prague solely go to town heart — the Outdated City and the New City — and by no means enterprise past it. That’s an enormous distinction from different European cities.

So what must you do? Go exploring! 4 cool native neighborhoods with enjoyable eating places, cafes, parks and extra are Vinohrady, Dejvice, Karlín (my neighborhood!), and Letná. And a variety of them have structure as fairly as it’s within the Outdated City, however have a decidedly much less touristy ambiance.

Get pleasure from your hipster desires. These locations is perhaps the spotlight of your Prague go to.

Extra on the Czech Republic:

Extra on What NOT to Do:

Have you ever been to Prague? What else would you add to this checklist?