What Not to Do in Prague
Planning a trip to Prague soon? Here’s what not to do in Prague, including the biggest mistakes to avoid.
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is an amazing destination. It’s often described as a fairytale city, and having been there twice now, I have to say that I agree! The historic center of Prague has some of the most beautiful, well-preserved architecture I’ve seen anywhere in Europe.
This Central European city, situated on the Vltava River, is nicknamed the City of a Hundred Spires thanks to its many towers, cathedrals, and castles. The entire historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Prague is also a fun, lively city known for its clubs and bars. Czech beer is also very famous. Whether you’re interested in history and culture or more into the nightlife scene (or maybe a mixture of both!), Prague is a great destination. But there are some common mistakes that first-time visitors make.
If you don’t plan ahead and know what to expect in Prague, you might wind up disappointed. And since I want you to have an amazing time in Prague, I’m putting together this list of what not to do.
Here’s a look at the mistakes to avoid in Prague…
1. Assuming it’s cheap
Once upon a time, Prague was a cheap destination. I remember hearing stories from my cousin, who went backpacking around Europe in the early 2000s, and paid $2 a night for a hostel in Prague and $0.25 for drinks. And although that’s not the case anymore, the reputation has stuck.
The truth is, Prague has changed a lot in the past couple of decades. It has gotten progressively more expensive, and you won’t find low prices on hotels, food, activities, or tours anymore. That being said, Prague still offers better value than some European cities — it’s cheaper than Paris, for example.
If you’re visiting Prague and staying in or around the touristy Old Town, you can expect prices to be even more inflated. Once you get into more local neighborhoods, prices do get a lot lower.
2. Underestimating the crowds
Just like it’s no longer a “cheap” destination, Prague is also not a “hidden gem” destination anymore. It’s firmly on the well-trodden tourist trail, and the crowds can be truly staggering at times.
The only real “off season” in Prague is the winter. January through March will be the least crowded months to visit, but they are also the months with the worst weather. You can still have a good trip to Prague in the winter, but you’ll have to contend with bitterly cold, snowy weather and very little sunshine.
Late spring, summer, and fall are all very popular times to visit Prague, with crowds peaking in the summer months. Spring and fall have fewer crowds, so these are both good times to visit. The month of December is an extremely popular time for tourists to visit because of the Christmas markets.
You can have a great time in Prague regardless of the season, but you should be prepared for the crowds, especially in the most touristy areas of Prague like the Old Town, Lesser Town, and New Town.
3. Eating in the Old Town Square
Prague’s Old Town Square is at the heart of the city’s historic center. This big square is surrounded by grand historic buildings like the Old Town Hall and the Church of Our Lady Before Týn.
There are also lots of restaurants and cafes in the Old Town Square, and in the streets that branch off from it. And just about every single one of these is an overpriced tourist trap. I would avoid eating in and directly around the Old Town Square, because you’ll pay a premium for food of questionable quality.
4. Thinking chimney cakes are a traditional snack
Speaking of food, let’s talk about chimney cakes, or trdelník. You’ll see these sweet, sugar-encrusted cylindrical cakes being sold all over Prague, and especially around the Old Town. But you’d be mistaken if you assume that chimney cakes are a traditional sweet treat from the Czech Republic.
They actually originated in either Hungary or Romania hundreds of years ago, and only started appearing in Prague about twenty years ago for tourists. They’re delicious, but they’re not authentic. If you want to try a sweet treat that the locals actually eat, get a kolác pastry from a bakery instead.
5. Paying full price at the Old Town Hall
I hardly see anyone talking about this, so I wanted to share it with you. One of the top tourist attractions in Prague is visiting the Old Town Hall. I highly recommend this — I’ve now done it twice!
But the first time, I paid full price and didn’t know the secret to getting 50% off the ticket price. All you have to do is visit within the first hour of opening to get the discount! The Old Town Hall opens at 9 AM for most of the year (April through December) and 10 AM in the winter (January through March.)
The 50% discount applies to tickets for the full Old Town Hall tour (including the Astronomical Clock and climbing to the top of the tower) and tickets just for climbing to the top of the tower.
6. Overlooking public transportation
One thing that is pretty affordable in Prague is Uber. I noticed that fares were usually never over $10 to $15 for getting across the city, which is decent compared to Uber prices in many other places.
However, public transportation is even more affordable, and it’s often just as fast (if not even faster) than taking an Uber. Prague’s tram system is especially efficient for getting around the city. Single tickets are about $1.75, but you can save more money if you purchase an unlimited 24-hour or 72-hour ticket.
Personally, I found it easiest just to buy single tickets, because you can tap to pay with your credit card on the tram. If you want to get the unlimited ticket, you have to buy it via an app or at a ticket machine. This was just me being lazy, but if you’ll be using the tram a lot, the unlimited ticket is best.
7. Calling it Czechoslovakia
“Czechoslovakia” hasn’t existed since 1992, when the Czech Republic and Slovakia peacefully split up. These two countries became one in 1918 and stayed together until the dissolution in 1992. In 1948, the Communist Party took power in Czechoslovakia, and the country was part of the Eastern Bloc.
The Czech Republic and Slovakia are totally distinct countries with different histories and cultures. They are friendly neighbors, but don’t make the mistake of confusing the two countries!
8. Not getting an early start
I’ve already mentioned that you should be prepared for crowds in the touristy areas of Prague, but one way that you can avoid this somewhat is by getting an early start in the mornings! As I already shared earlier, morning is the best time to visit the Old Town Hall because tickets are 50% in the first hour.
Morning is also a good time to visit Prague Castle (way less crowded in the first hour after opening, compared to the mid-day crowds) or to stroll across the famous Charles Bridge. You don’t have to wake up every morning of your trip, but doing it one or two mornings is totally worth it for fewer crowds.
9. Only staying in the Old Town
The Old Town is the historic heart of Prague, but there’s so much more to the city than just this neighborhood! Across the river from the Old Town, you have the Lesser Town, which is where you’ll find Prague Castle. It’s worth spending some time strolling around the Lesser Town, which is super beautiful.
If you want to get outside the touristic heart of Prague, Karlín and Vinohrady are two cool neighborhoods that are easily accessible by public transportation. Both of these neighborhoods have a more local feel and are known for their great restaurants. It’s definitely worth taking some time to explore more of Prague!
10. Expecting American-style customer service
One mistake that some American tourists make in Prague is expecting American-style customer service. Whether it’s in a restaurant or a store, you will not get the same experience in the Czech Republic.
The Czech people are not known for being the warmest or friendliest people in Europe, at least not outwardly. It’s nothing personal, and it’s nothing rude — over-the-top cheerfulness or very attentive customer service is just not the norm here. So just be prepared for that, and understand the differences.
11. Paying in euros
Although the Czech Republic is part of the EU, the official currency is the Czech koruna, not the euro. At many touristy shops and restaurants in Prague, you’ll see that you can pay in either korunas or euros.
While it might seem convenient to pay in euros if you have that currency on you, know that it’s a bad idea! There will always be a markup or unfavorable exchange rate for the price you see in euros. You’re much better off withdrawing local currency from an ATM and paying with korunas in Prague.
And while I am on the topic, if you are paying with a card, be sure to select korunas as the currency for the charge. Selecting currency conversion to euros or US dollars will similarly give you an inflated price.
12. Not understanding tipping culture
Tipping is a custom that varies by country in Europe. In some European countries, it’s not customary to tip at all, or to round up a euro or two at best. In other countries, it is more expected to leave a trip.
The Czech Republic is a country where tipping is standard. But it’s not the 15% to 20% that is the norm at restaurants in the US. Here, the custom is to leave a tip of 10% at restaurants for good service. If you want to tip a bartender or tip an Uber or taxi driver, rounding up the final amount is fair.
13. Underestimating the cobblestone streets and hills
One final mistake that many first-time visitors make in Prague is underestimating the cobblestone streets and hills of the city. You definitely want to wear comfortable shoes when exploring Prague!
The streets of the Old Town, as well as many other areas of the city, are often paved with old, uneven cobblestones. Walking on cobblestones is no joke, and you’ll want sturdy footwear for strolling around.
Another thing to keep in mind is the hills. The Old Town is a pretty flat area, but once you cross the Vltava River, it gets hillier. Many visitors underestimate the walk up to Prague Castle, which involves climbing 220 steps up Nerudova Street. If you have mobility challenges, be sure to take the tram instead!
What Not to Do in Prague
This guide showed you what not to do in Prague.
Prague is a lovely city, and you will have an amazing time there. But it’s important to know what to expect and understand the most common mistakes to avoid so you don’t wind up disappointed.
Enjoy your trip to Prague!
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