Prague Travel Guide – Visit Prague – Budget Travel In Czech Republic

Visit Prague to experience one of the top destinations in Europe for backpackers, stag and hen groups, and those looking for history and culture.

My first visit to Prague, the capital city of Czech Republic, was as part of a double stag holiday. There were eight of us, all male, and our plan was to get as drunk as possible for as long as possible. We had heard about how cheap alcohol was but we were still shocked when we hit the first bar.

My memory, though hazy, was that Prague was a beautiful city but had been spoiled somewhat by the amount of sex clubs, tourist bars, homeless and litter. It had been ruined by trying to cater for people like us, though we were far more respectful to the city than others.

Fast forward over a decade and I returned to Prague with my girlfriend for a rather more cultured experience. Yes, there’d be plenty of beer and even some late-night kebabs, but we got to see more of the city. Most of the sex clubs have closed down, the number of homeless people has dropped significantly and the city is much cleaner. Prague, it seems, has cleaned up its act!

Where To Stay In Prague

The main tourist area is in Prague 1. These are some of the best budget hostels in Prague, according to user reviews. These are affiliate links to the Agoda web site. I receive a small amount for any bookings made through these links at no extra cost to you.

• DREAM Hostel Prague
• Old Prague House
• Prague-1 Hostel
• Little Quarter Hostel
• The Roadhouse Prague
• Hostel One Home
• Hostel One Miru

Arpacay Backpackers Hostel

We stayed in a hostel called ‘Arpacay Backpackers Hostel’ (map) which is located on the west side of the Vitava river, up a steep hill. It has good reviews but unfortunately we were given a room with a ceiling full of mould. There had been a leak in the room upstairs and this had caused the mould. Based on my experience, I would not recommend this hostel, but they may have improved since I stayed there in 2015.

Click here to stay at Arpacay Backpackers Hostel.

Food And Drink In Prague

As you would expect in a major European city, you can find local and international food to suit all budgets in Prague. The nightlife is Prague is as good as anywhere in Europe with everything from quiet bars to superclubs.

Bar Bluelight

One of those kind of bars that you will never find in the UK. ‘Bar Bluelight’ (map) is as European as a bar can be. It’s a dive bar with graffiti-covered walls selling huge glasses of strong beer at very reasonable prices. We also tried the absinthe which was VERY strong. This was the first bar we visited and it got us into the Prague spirit!

Fatal Music Club

During a daytime stroll around the old town, we saw a balkan band busking in the streets. They were very good and were playing a gig that night at a place called ‘Fatal Music Club’ (map). It took us a couple of trams to get there but it was worth it. Upstairs is a regular bar except there was a lot of weed smoking going on; unusual for a country with a smoking ban. The live music was downstairs. It is a great venue and the band were awesome!

Goulash

Most of the old Czech pubs serve traditional Czech food. Whilst goulash might not have originated here, it is certainly a popular dish. Tender meat in a rich gravy goes down well on a chilly day. Try to find the places that serve it in bread.

John Lennon Pub

An obvious destination for fans of John Lennon but this place is quirky enough for those with no interest in the musical icon. Enter the toilet through the red telephone box! The bar also serves food, both traditional and typical western pub food such as pizza, fish and chips, burgers, etc.

Klubovna

Live music and cultural centre in the Prague 6 district. We saw 3 great bands here with a Czech friend who had not heard of the place and was introduced to it by us! A youthful crowd and really good vibes. Map.

Pork Knuckle

At any good Czech restaurant, you will find roasted pork knuckle on the menu, or Koleno. Basically, this is a huge chunk of meat marinated in beer and usually served with pickled veg and dark bread. It is simply wonderful: tender meat with crispy skin. But be warned, a pork knuckle is usually about the same size as your head.

Rocky O’Reillys

I first visited this place on my first visit with a stag crowd. It’s still there so they must be doing something right. It’s touristy but if you want some home comfort food and familiar beers, this place will serve you well. Map.

U Vystrelenyho Oka

Not in the city centre, we travelled here to meet a Czech friend. Very cool bar, cheap beer and Czech bar snacks. Friendly staff and locals. A taste of proper Prague, away from all the tourists. Map.

Yami Sushi

We can’t do a city break without spending at least one night eating sushi. When looking for a suitable sushi restaurant, we look at if the online reviews are positive and also if they do sushi platters so it’s not crazy expensive. ‘Yami Sushi’ (map) ticked both boxes.

Things To Do In Prague

Prague’s historic old town is where most tourists spend their time and with good reason. Despite a troubled past, the old town has remained mostly intact. It is very beautiful but it is also home to many scams. Check out the ‘Honest Guide To Prague’ YouTube channel for further information.

Astronomical Clock

Located in the Old Town Square, every hour the ‘Prague Astronomical Clock’ (map) displays the twelve apostles as the clock strikes. It is always busy in this area. The clock is over 600 years old and considered to be the best mechanical clock in the world.

Charles Bridge

The ‘Charles Bridge’ (map) connects the old town to the lesser town. Construction began in 1357 and it was completed in the early 15th century. It is always packed with tourists as it is one of the most beautiful bridges in Europe. There are lots of statues on either side of the bridge and it is a popular place for street performers, artists and beggars. Visit at night time to see it illuminated. We strolled across at around 2 am and had the whole bridge to ourselves.

Dancing House

‘Dancing House’ (map) is an office block located at the side of the Vltava River. Its bizarre appearance is even more striking as it is surrounded by much older buildings. There is a restaurant on the top floor. This is the only part of the building open to the public.

Jewish Quarter

In the 13th century, all Jews living in the city of Prague were ordered to give up their homes and move into one area, Josefov, showing just how long Jews have faced prejudice and persecution in Europe. The Jewish Quarter has 6 synagogues and a cemetery where the gravestones are so close, you cannot read the inscriptions. Not only did the area survive the war intact, but Jewish artifacts were sent from other parts of Europe as Hitler had planned to turn the area into a ‘museum of an extinct race’.

You can wander around the area for free but if you want to visit the museums, there is an admission fee. Map.

Karel Zeman Museum

Karel Zeman was a Czech film director, artist, production designer and animator who was famous for combining animations with real-life action. This museum shows how many of his effects were created. There are interactive elements to the museum which we found to be great fun. Map.

Karel Zeman Museum Opening Times: 10 am – 7 pm, every day (last entry at 18:00).
Karel Zeman Museum Entrance Fee: 250 CZK

Lennon Wall

The ‘Lennon Wall’ (map) has been a place for people to express their political beliefs and hopes in graffiti form since the days of communism. The graffiti is replaced periodically. These days, commissioned artists create their work here so it might have lost a little of its original anarchic edge.

Mala Strana (Lesser Quarter)

Cross over Charles Bridge from the old town and enjoy strolling the backstreets of ‘Mala Strana’ (map). Built in the 17th and 18th century, it offers many shops, restaurants and traditional Czech pubs.

Old Town Square

Prague has seen some turbulent times in its history. Yet its ‘Old Town Square’ (map) has remained unscathed since it was built in the 10th century. It is one of the busiest areas in Prague, with tourists flocking to see the incredible buildings that surround the square.

Prague Castle

The most popular attraction in the city, ‘Prague Castle’ (map) is a 9th century castle complex that sits high above the city. Admission is free but if you want to visit the Cathedral or the Basilica, there is an admission fee.

Click here for Prague Castle opening hours, entrance fee and other information.

The castle complex offers great views over the Lesser Quarter.

Sigmund Freud Sculpture

The Stare Mesto area of Prague is a labyrinth of cobbled streets filled with shops, cafes and bars. It is a real feast for the senses. Don’t restrict your eyes to the street level. Some of these shops are in incredible buildings that you need to look up to fully appreciate. And you might even see a seven-foot statue of Sigmund Freud hanging above the street below.

Statue Of King Wenceslas Riding An Upside Down Horse

One of the more bizarre sculptures in Prague, this sculpture is hidden away inside an old shopping mall. It is the work of controversial sculptor David Cerny who originally wanted the sculpture to be placed opposite the original sculpture of Wenceslas in Wenceslas Square.

Theresienstadt Concentration Camp

See separate post.

Vitkov Park

Out of the city centre is ‘Vitkov Park & Garden’ (map), a popular spot for local joggers and dog-walkers. You have to climb to get there but you are then rewarded with incredible views across the whole city. There is also a national war memorial and museum.

Vysehrad

Located south of the old town on the banks of the Vltava River, ‘Vysehrad’ (map) is a fortified medieval castle that is home to ‘Saint Peter and Paul Basilica’ (map) and a cemetery where many famous Czech artists and musicians are laid to rest. The fort offers great views across the river and up to the old town.

Wenceslas Square

On my first visit to Prague, I stayed with friends just off ‘Wenceslas Square’ (map). Our street was very quiet with not much happening. Until the evening. Suddenly, all those closed buildings were lit in neon lighting and the whole street was filled with sex clubs.

It seems to be less seedy these days. The square, which was built in the 14th century, is lined with shops and hotels and at the south end the statue of King Wenceslas and the National Museum (map). It has historically been the main gathering point for all kinds of political protests. The square can hold up to 400,000 people.

Is Prague Worth Visiting?

Prague is simply one of the must-visit cities of Europe. Whatever your passion is, it will be satisfied here. It is a city filled with culture, history and some of Europe’s oldest and most impressive buildings. In the evening, the city comes alive with hundreds of bars and clubs. I have visited twice and I am already thinking it is a city I would like to return to very soon.