21 Quirky and Uncommon Issues to Do in Prague (by an area!)

After dwelling in Prague for a number of years, I’m lastly sharing my record of surprising issues to do in Prague! If you wish to reside like an area whereas visiting Prague — not within the boring means, however within the superior means — you’ll LOVE this record.

Prague is an enormously widespread metropolis to go to — however most vacationers come for a number of days and persist with the town heart. They go to Previous City Sq., the Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock, the Lennon Wall, Prague Fort, and perhaps pop into the Vinohrady neighborhood for a meal in the event that they’re feeling a bit offbeat.

There’s nothing incorrect with that, however because of this, it seems like Prague is 2 cities. The town heart — the Previous City and New City — is full of vacationers and companies that cater to them. The encircling neighborhoods, nonetheless, are practically 100% locals and have a totally totally different vibe and feeling.

That’s a giant distinction from Paris, Barcelona, or London, for instance. In these European cities, vacationers are inclined to enterprise out into totally different neighborhoods. However in Prague, even skilled vacationers have a tendency to stay to the town heart and never enterprise far past.

In consequence, I’ve put collectively a listing of issues that my Prague associates and I like to do. You’ll discover loads of foodie issues on this record, from the place to search out Vietnamese egg coffees and probably the most decadent větrník pastry on the town, in addition to some close by hikes and bike journeys that Prague locals love, quirky touristy actions just like the beer spa, and a few meals you’ll always remember.

Prague is a unbelievable place to reside — and with this record of surprising issues to do in Prague, maybe you’ll begin feeling like an area your self.

So that is my name — transcend the usual issues to do in Prague! You’re going to like it right here.

This submit was printed in April 2023.

Uncommon Issues to Do in Prague

Hit Up a Meals Pageant

When you’re visiting Prague on a weekend in spring, summer time, or fall, guess what — you’ll probably come throughout no less than one meals competition! Meals festivals are one in all my favourite issues about dwelling in Prague — they’re widespread and diverse and occur on a regular basis.

How do you discover meals festivals in Prague? I like to recommend having a look at Fb Occasions. They are going to at all times let you know what’s happening.

Within the meantime, there are occasions you possibly can hit up weekly, spring via fall — just like the Dejvice Farmers’ Market, which takes place at Trhy na Kulaťáku on Saturdays, 8:00 AM-2:00 PM. This market has a lot of meals sellers in addition to a lot of ready meals stalls and makes an incredible spot for breakfast!

One other weekly meals market, Farmářské tržiště Náplavka, takes place on Saturday mornings and afternoons at Náplavka, on the banks of the Vltava River, on the jap facet simply south of Palackého náměstí.

When you’re visiting in late June: Prague Ice Cream Pageant takes place the final weekend of the month at Výstaviště Praha, with extra ice cream than you might ever eat!

When you’re visiting in July: The French Market at Kampa takes place the week of Bastille Day (July 14), on the northern finish of the Charles Bridge, and incorporates a assortment of French meals stalls with reside music.

When you’re visiting in September: Americke Road within the stylish Vinohrady neighborhood turns right into a competition with meals from all around the world, reside music, good cheer, and good instances. (I satisfied Charlie to go to Chile for our honeymoon after we had the Chilean wine right here!) This often takes place the second weekend of September.

When you’re visiting in Could or September: Pivo a Burger (Beer and Burger) often takes place as soon as in Could and as soon as in September on Karlínske nam., in my neighborhood of Karlín! This competition options every kind of burgers, beers, and fascinating surprises. (Beware the scorpion pepper burger. We really needed to go residence to drink milk after attempting that one!)

Lease a Bike and Pedal Alongside the River

Czechs are very lively and outdoorsy folks, and a typical Czech weekend includes biking, climbing or snowboarding, adopted by a pub go to. One of many methods I’ve a typical Czech weekend is to lease a motorcycle and spend a number of hours having fun with the surroundings.

I’m NOT comfy biking in cities — however Prague has a beautiful car-free biking path that runs alongside the jap facet of the Vltava River. And since Prague is a small metropolis, it doesn’t take lengthy earlier than you’re surrounded by forests and mountains.

Rekola is a straightforward bike-sharing program in Prague. Simply obtain the Rekola app and it’ll present you the places of bikes all around the metropolis. Navigate your technique to one and it’s yours!

I like to recommend selecting up a motorcycle and heading east (and north) alongside the Vltava River. Maintain following the trail and shortly Prague goes from city buildings to inexperienced mountains and cute little cottages. You’ll move some bridges and a stretch of the river the place you possibly can go whitewater kayaking, then proceed so long as you’re having fun with your self.

When you move the kayaking space, you’ll see there are a LOT of tiny riverside pubs. These make an incredible place to cease in for a beer or lemonade, then proceed additional down the river or head again to the town!

Go Axe-Throwing

Axe-throwing has turn out to be a well-liked offbeat exercise over the previous few years, and Prague now has its personal, very Czech axe-throwing spot: The House of Axes! Positively one of many extra quirky points of interest on the town as of late.

Head into this basement venue and also you’ll be given your personal throwing vary with targets, together with a tutorial on tips on how to skillfully throw the axes in order that they hit the goal.

It is a nice exercise to do with associates, because it’s a aggressive exercise and also you by no means know which one in all you may transform the axe-throwing prodigy. It has nothing to do together with your athletic capability! Some persons are simply uncannily good, proper off the bat.

And sure, alcohol is served. My associates and I made a decision to go fancy and drank svařák — Czech sizzling mulled wine — out of cute little teacups in between our throws.

Take pleasure in a Fancy “Enterprise Lunch” for Low cost

Right here’s a secret — a few of Prague’s costly eating places have less expensive lunch menus. Remarkably cheaper lunch menus. And it tends to be solely locals that find out about them, however these are fabulous locations to splurge.

Two of my favourite eating places that do enterprise lunches are Taro and CottoCrudo.

Taro serves outrageously good fare, all served with seats going through an open kitchen, so it’s higher for one or two folks than a giant group. (And the dinner menu is EXPENSIVE. Like, milestone birthday costly. Dinner was unbelievable, however lunch is much better worth for cash.) The four-course lunch menu is 750 CZK ($36 USD).

CottoCrudo is the restaurant on the 4 Seasons. The small out of doors seating space has an ideal view of Prague Fort, and I’d advocate reserving forward there for the view, particularly for those who go to in summer time. Don’t miss the enjoyable cocktails, too! The 2-course lunch is 525 CZK ($25 USD) and the three-course lunch is 625 CZK ($30 USD).

FIELD is one other high-end Prague restaurant with a enterprise lunch — and so they have a Michelin star — however they’ve not too long ago raised the worth of their enterprise lunch. Now it’s 1100 CZK ($52) for 2 programs and 1350 CZK ($64 USD) for 3 programs.

FIELD continues to be price consuming at, and the service is unbelievable — nevertheless it’s not fairly as price it anymore as Taro and CottoCrudo.

Go Browsing on the Vltava River

When you’ve been to Munich, you’ve most likely dropped by Englischen Backyard to observe the river surfers on the Eisbachwelle. However not many individuals know that Prague options river browsing as nicely!

This wave is a comparatively new growth within the metropolis, and whereas it doesn’t draw the loopy spectator crowds of Munich, it’s simply one of many coolest uncommon issues to do in Prague. Positively a novel expertise.

Since I doubt you packed a surfboard in your journey to Central Europe, I like to recommend becoming a member of a browsing tour that can present the tools you want. Biko Adventures presents browsing group excursions within the afternoons. You don’t must be an professional surfer; you solely must know tips on how to swim. Cowabunga!

Attempt a Beer Tub or Non-public Spa

The Czechs love beer a lot, you possibly can even bathe in it. Effectively, form of. The Beer Spa presents you an opportunity to wash in brewer’s yeast whereas having fun with ingesting Krušovice beer instantly from the faucet. Afterward, you loosen up on a mattress of straw.

You possibly can e-book beer baths for one or two folks, both sharing a bath or with separate tubs, 2000-3300 CZK ($93-154) for one hour. I’ve accomplished this and it’s enjoyable and distinctive, however simply take into account that the extra you drink, the extra you’ll need to pee.

And for those who’re not up for a beer tub, think about reserving a personal spa. There are a number of spas in Prague that you could e-book privately — your personal non-public sauna and jacuzzi for 2 hours. Search for the phrases “non-public wellness.” (Some include beds, Prosecco, and fruit and have a little bit of a love lodge really feel. Even so, I believe these are a few of the greatest locations for exhausted mothers who want stress-free time alone!)

Spa Spa in Letná is one which I notably advocate. You possibly can e-book a two-hour length for 2490 CZK ($116 USD) or in a single day for 5990 CZK ($280 USD).

Go to Sapa — Prague’s Monumental Vietnamese Market

As quickly as you get to Prague, you may discover that there are Vietnamese eating places all over the place. Generally it looks like there are pho outlets on each block. There’s a purpose for that!

In the course of the communism years, the Czech Republic provided a visitor employee program to their fellow communist nation, Vietnam. Loads of Vietnamese folks came visiting and selected to remain long-term, a lot of them opening eating places.

Whereas most of those visitor staff got here from North Vietnam, a lot of them had youngsters who went again to Vietnam, traveled the nation, and opened new Vietnamese eating places in Prague that includes specialties from each nook of Vietnam.

However the greatest Vietnamese hotspot in Prague is Sapa Market, situated on the sting of Prague. Generally known as “Little Hanoi,” Sapa is a melange of Vietnamese outlets, cafes, and eating places — and it’s one of many largest Vietnamese markets exterior Vietnam.

Spending a number of hours at Sapa is among the distinctive issues to do in Prague, although have in mind this isn’t a vacationer attraction. Ask earlier than you’re taking photograph of anybody. I like to try what persons are ordering on the eating places earlier than deciding what I would like. When you’d wish to plan your journey forward of time, Style of Prague has a good guide to visiting Sapa, together with what to eat on the totally different eating places.

Kasárna Karlín

Right here’s a spot that locals love that you simply’ll by no means discover in a guidebook. Kasárna Karlín is a giant open courtyard in my neighborhood of Karlín that was as soon as a barracks. Contained in the courtyard are a number of cafes and bars, artwork galleries, playgrounds for youths, sculptures, a fireplace pit, and out of doors sitting areas.

In the course of the summer time months there are many occasions within the evenings — suppose concert events, film screenings, and different reside performances. However even when nothing’s on, it’s a fabulously nice place to seize a beverage and relax for a number of hours.

A few of my neighbors consult with Karlín as “Small Berlin.” This place undoubtedly captures that feeling — it’s a inventive, different world. And that’s earlier than you get to the bar seating in a former swimming pool…

Study Learn how to Correctly Pour a Czech Beer

When you don’t know by now, the Czech Republic is residence to the most effective beer on the planet. And it’s low cost, too. It’s not cheaper than water anymore (they handed legal guidelines about that awhile in the past, however guests love repeating this statistic), nevertheless it’s unbelievable nonetheless.

You possibly can drink the beer just about all over the place — however for those who’re a beer aficionado, think about taking a beer-pouring class with Lokal. You’ll learn to correctly pour totally different sorts of Czech beers, from a standard na dvakrát pour to the mostly-foam mlíko to the blended gentle and darkish řezané to my favourite, the teeny-tiny šnyt that appears too lovable to drink.

At 3,800 CZK ($176), this course doesn’t come low cost. However for those who’re genuinely concerned about diving into Czech beer tradition past simply ingesting it, that is the easiest way to turn out to be an professional, and one of many coolest uncommon issues to do in Prague.

Journey a Paternoster

Prague is residence to a number of paternosters — open elevators that run repeatedly. They appear intimidating to get on — the American me was questioning, “Is that this even SAFE?!” earlier than we jumped on and had been whisked to the highest.

Of all of the paternosters in Prague, the one in Prague Metropolis Corridor on Previous City Sq. is probably the most well-known one, however as an alternative, I like to recommend you’re taking the one at Lucerna Palace (Palác Lucerna) simply off Wenceslas Sq.. This constructing is residence to a spectacular rooftop terrace and lovely views of the Prague metropolis skyline, and you’ll order drinks.

Hop on for a enjoyable journey and hop off if you attain the highest ground! Admission to the rooftop terrace is 100 CZK ($5).

And for those who keep on, don’t fear — you received’t be turned upside-down! You’ll keep right-side-up earlier than coming down once more. (Paternosters are a few of the greatest locations to get video for TikToks or Reels about Prague.)

Go to Únětice

Whereas there are loads of cool day journeys from Prague, one that you simply nearly by no means seen on lists is the city of Únětice (OON-ye-tee-tsa). This city is situated on the sting of Prague, however getting there may be the enjoyable as a result of it includes a protracted stroll or bike journey. It doesn’t have a ton of vacationer worth, nevertheless it’s one thing Czech folks like to do on weekends.

You may get to Únětice by driving a motorcycle or strolling. When you’re strolling, take the prepare to Roztaky U Prahy cease, then stroll to the tip of a reasonably avenue known as Tiché údolí and comply with it till it ends. The road (it means “silent valley” in Czech) turns right into a climbing path via the forest. After about an hour of strolling, you attain the city.

When you’re biking, lease a motorcycle as advisable above and journey alongside the jap facet of the Vltava River, then cross it by the tiny ferry at Klecanky-Roztoky. From right here, head down Tiché údolí and comply with the trail till you hit city.

So what do you do in Únětice? Make like a Czech: park your bike and have a hearty lunch at Únětický Pivovar, the brewery, which dishes up quite a lot of Czech dishes. My private advice? Get the potato dumplings full of smoked meat — a few of the greatest issues on the menu. You may also get duck with potato pancakes, goulash with bread dumplings, grilled pork tenderloin in pepper sauce, and vegetarian quiches and salads.

Afterward, head to a close-by cafe, U Lasíků, which makes a superb choice of koláčy (Czech desserts). Seize a koláč with a espresso or lemonade and take within the peaceable environment earlier than heading again to the town. What a beautiful technique to spend a day and get to get pleasure from one of many hidden gems of the Prague space.

Have a Větrník in a Hidden Backyard

If in case you have a candy tooth, it’s best to attempt my favourite Czech pastry — the větrník (VYET-er-NEEK). The větrník is just like a profiterole or cream puff — it’s two halves of a spherical choux pastry with two sorts of cream within the inside (vanilla and caramel lotions), topped with a layer of caramel sauce on high.

Věterníky are SO good, however my favourite place to have one is Gardens Restaurant. It’s situated proper off Wenceslas Sq. within the New City, nevertheless it’s a bit hidden behind an alley. When you arrive, you possibly can benefit from the beautiful inside of the little restaurant, or dine exterior within the greenery-filled backyard. (I am going for simply espresso and pastry, which is okay.)

And their větrník is much more excessive than traditional, with three various kinds of cream, hazelnut praline, chocolate glaze, and caramelized nuts. It’s completely decadent, and if you pair it with the magical setting, it makes a beautiful factor to eat in Prague.

(Able to attempt extra větrníky? I like the traditional větrník at Eska, an avant-garde restaurant and occasional store in my neighborhood. Generally they function differing types — they as soon as had a scrumptious apricot větrník. Cafe Savoy is one other Prague restaurant that receives loads of accolades for his or her větrník.)

Be part of an Ecstatic Dance Social gathering

Have you ever heard of ecstatic dance? These sober dance events are a sensation all around the world, however they’re actually beginning to turn out to be a factor in Prague! Ecstatic dance is all about letting the music transfer you, with none exterior forces spoiling the expertise.

There are 4 guidelines to ecstatic dance: 1) Everyone seems to be sober — completely no medicine or alcohol. 2) No speaking, simply motion and dancing. 3) No images or movies. 4) You should be barefoot!

My good friend Ondřey, whom I initially met whereas backpacking in Central America, now runs Ecstatic Dance in Prague! Events happen each different Friday, typically on boats moored within the river, beginning at 7:00 PM with the dancing over by 10:00 PM (hell yeah, early birds).

You possibly can see the website here, nevertheless it’s all in Czech. I’d advocate trying out their Instagram page, which at all times has a hyperlink to the subsequent occasion. Tickets are often 500 CZK ($24 USD) for those who purchase upfront.

Go to a Cocktail Bar with a Secret Invisible Menu

Prague’s not simply in regards to the beer — we love our wines and spirits as nicely! Prague is wealthy with cocktail bars, that includes traditional and unique libations made with native liqueurs.

One Prague cocktail bar particularly price visiting is Anonymous Bar. Hidden on a quiet avenue within the coronary heart of the Previous City, this mysterious bar has a darkish inside and servers who put on Man Fawkes masks.

You order your first cocktail — maybe a signature cocktail that includes a fireplace present, or the blood cocktail that is available in its personal blood bag (eek!).

Then it comes time in your second drink — and so they deliver you the key menu. It’s invisible, in truth — and there’s a black gentle key that allows you to learn it. These cocktails are unique to individuals who stick round for a second drink — and I can guarantee you they’re a few of the greatest ones on the menu.

One cocktail that we ordered was served in an Elmo glass. The opposite was served in Wilson the volleyball.

(Concerned about visiting extra Prague cocktail bars? Two I particularly advocate are Bugsy’s Bar and L’Fleur. They’re situated across the nook from one another really easy to go to in a single outing!)

Climb Atop a Teeny Tiny Eiffel Tower

Standing on the sting of the river and searching towards Prague Fort, you may discover a tiny steel constructing on the hill to its left. Is that…an Eiffel Tower? Sort of!

Petřín Lookout Tower, situated on high of Petřín Hill, was initially constructed in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition. Whereas a replica of the Eiffel Tower, this model is just 20% of the dimensions of the Parisian unique.

Immediately, you possibly can climb the tower (know that it has 299 steps earlier than setting out). Climbing it prices 150 CZK ($7 USD); there’s an elevator that you could take for an additional price.

There’s a funicular that runs to the highest of Petřín Hill from Ujezd within the Malá Strana neighborhood. And don’t miss strolling across the high of the hill — moreover the tower, there are many good gardens, playgrounds, and wooded areas price exploring.

Attempt a Vietnamese Egg Espresso

When you’ve been to Vietnam, you most likely dipped a toe into the nation’s sturdy espresso tradition, having fun with tiny cups spiked with sweetened condensed milk. And for those who had been actually fortunate, you may need come throughout the confection that may be a Vietnamese egg espresso.

The Vietnamese egg espresso, or cà phê trứng, is a candy dish that provides blended egg yolk to the sweetened condensed milk earlier than including the espresso, giving it a consistency extra like marshmallow fluff.

Vietnamese egg coffees are a bit powerful to search out in Prague, however there may be one place left the place I like to get them. Cà Phê Cổ is a classy, superbly embellished restaurant within the Vinohrady neighborhood that serves up egg coffees together with their scrumptious menu (I like their Cơm Gà Hội An, Hoi An-style rooster and rice). In addition they have a location in Brno for those who’re heading that means.

Hike the Posázavská Stezka

Czechs like to get out and hike on the weekend, and there are many hikes inside a brief journey of Prague. An excellent reasonable hike is the Posázavská Stezka, situated inside an hour’s prepare journey from Prague.

It is a stunning and fascinating hike that has loads of up and down, together with views alongside the Sázava River. It feels a lot farther from the town than it really is.

Take the prepare from Prague to Kamenny Přivoz station and take it again to Prague from Petrov u Prahi, which ought to offer you 2.5-3.5 hours of climbing. And the Czech custom is to complete your hike with a beer — so be sure you try this! There’s a pub proper on the Petrov u Prahi prepare station.

A little bit of a warning: I used to be shocked to see a number of accomplice flags at bars on this strolling path. Judging by the Western decor that accompanied them, I believe the homeowners had been trying “Americana” fairly than what the flag really communicates. Simply preserve that in thoughts.

(Need to do extra climbing in Prague? A stunningly stunning place to go to, although a lot farther from the town, is Bohemian Switzerland, which is technically within the Czech Republic, on the border with Germany. You can book a hiking day trip from Prague with Airbnb Experiences here.)

Attempt Completely Central European Wines at Veltlin

You could know your means round a wine bar, however have you ever had the most effective of what Central Europe has to supply? It may not be as well-known as Bordeaux or Rioja, however we make loads of respectable wines in South Moravia, Czech Republic.

An excellent place to pattern these wines in Prague is Veltlin, a small wine bar within the cozy, tree-lined neighborhood of Karlín. I reside in Karlín, and it’s the proper place to have a non-touristy expertise in Prague.

What makes Veltlin particular is that they’ve relationships with all of the wine suppliers that fill their bar — completely Central European wines, taken from the bounds of the previous Hapsburg Empire. Ask for a glass of white and so they’ll pour you what they’ve chosen that day — maybe one thing Czech, nevertheless it might simply be Austrian, or Slovenian, or Hungarian.

Spherical out your go to with a number of nibbles — cheeses and meats that come from native producers. And so they typically placed on group tastings, that includes the works of a winemaker or specializing in a small area or varietal.

(Concerned about visiting one other wine bar in Prague? Vinograf is one in all my favorites and near the middle.)

Journey an Vintage Automobile Boat on the River

Stroll over a bridge on the Vltava on a pleasant day between spring and fall and also you’ll see the river dotted with boats. You’ll see some common paddle-boats, some big swans — and a few vintage vehicles which have been remade into paddleboats!

The vehicles are the good ones of all, and renting one in all these is certainly one of many extra uncommon issues to do in Prague.

My one huge advice is to put on satisfactory solar safety — there may be completely no shade if you’re out on the river. Sunscreen, a hat, and a long-sleeved shirt or jacket will serve you nicely right here.

There are a number of totally different firms with boat leases primarily based on Slovanský ostrov, one of many islands within the Vltava. Leases begin at 300 CZK ($14) per hour.

Feast on Dinner Off the Bone at Kantyna

Kantyna is one in all my favourite eating places in Prague and a real, native Czech expertise. This butcher store restaurant serves a few of the greatest native meat within the Czech Republic, and is a carnivore’s delight. (Don’t come right here except you eat pink meat and/or pork.)

However probably the most particular factor Kantyna does is “Dinner Off the Bone” — the butcher’s dinner that they placed on a number of nights every week. At this dinner, you’re served a multi-course feast that includes a lot of Kantyna’s greatest cuts, together with a number of uncommon and lesser-loved cuts. You’ll additionally get a welcome drink and a tour of the kitchen, all for 1,980 CZK ($92 USD) every.

Be able to eat adventurously! At this dinner I’ve had luxurious crispy pig’s ears and the most effective tripe I’ve EVER had wherever. As a result of it’s Kantyna, every part is completed tremendous, tremendous nicely. One of many pleasures is having carpaccio sliced in entrance of you by hand.

Be aware that as of late Kantyna are not taking particular person bookings, and as an alternative require a gaggle of 6-12. However if in case you have a sufficiently big meat-loving group visiting Prague, that is one in all my favourite celebratory dinners within the metropolis.

And don’t neglect the standard issues to do in Prague.

And now that we’re on the finish, I’ll add some extra widespread issues to do in Prague. Of COURSE it’s best to go to Previous City Sq. and watch the Astronomical Clock because it chimes the hour. (Simply don’t get a beer proper on Previous City Sq.. These cafes are massively overpriced.)

You need to stroll throughout the Charles Bridge to Malá Strana, taking within the views, and go to Prague Castle (price touring the fort grounds!) and Petřín Hill. Tour Prague’s Jewish Quarter, Josefov, and go to the outdated Jewish cemetery. Take within the wealthy historical past of the town and see why Historic Prague is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.

Wenceslas Sq. is on loads of itineraries nevertheless it isn’t THAT nice…it’s the worst components of Occasions Sq. with none cool neon. And whereas a lot of locations go all in on absinthe, it’s not practically pretty much as good because the cocktail bars I discussed above.

On the identical degree, don’t really feel a necessity to go to the Museum of Medieval Torture Devices or the Intercourse Machines Museum. There are higher issues to do in Prague.

See the Dancing Home, designed by Frank Gehry, and have a drink within the cafe on the high. Have a beer on the beer backyard in Letna Park. Take a photograph in entrance of the John Lennon Wall for those who really feel compelled to take action.

Prague’s Christmas Markets are beautiful, although I’ll be sincere — Vienna’s and Munich’s are a lot better.

Go on a Prague food tour (they embrace Kantyna!), or a historic pub crawl, or a historic walking tour. Even the alternative Prague walking tour for a guided tour in regards to the Prague of at this time — not the Prague of the previous.

However whether or not it’s your first time in Prague or your tenth, I hope this record has impressed you to go a bit past the standard Prague itinerary and get off the overwhelmed path. Take pleasure in your time in my adopted metropolis!

Extra on the Czech Republic:

Have you ever been to Prague? What’s your favourite uncommon factor to do? Share away!