Prague is a staple at the top of once-in-a-lifetime travel lists, with millions of people visiting the Czech capital every year. Gorgeous architecture, solid history, untouchable romance and Europe’s best beers flock here. However, a visit to Prague is not all smooth sailing and there are a few mistakes that many tourists make while traveling to Prague. It’s not as simple as coming to a venue, taking pictures, and drinking beer.
What People Make When Visiting Prague
I am not innocent of these, let alone. I have lived in this gorgeous Czech capital for nearly three years and have written a book about its history, but a good percentage of visitors encounter the same mistakes as many who have come before. I’ve seen the
Kafka is great, but does he represent Czech culture?how about something delicious TordelnicusNo trip is perfect, but avoiding these mistakes will make your visit to Prague all the more enchanting.? These are the biggest mistakes people make when visiting Prague.
1 – This is not Czechoslovakia
Believe it or not, some people still make the mistake of calling this country Czechoslovakia. It’s been over 30 years since the Velvet Divorce divided Slovakia and the Czech Republic. No excuses. Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, but many people also refer to the country as the Czech Republic.
2 – Russian dolls are not Czech dolls
Souvenirs are essential for any trip and Prague is no exception. However, many tourists visiting the Czech capital make the mistake of picking up one of the Russian dolls crammed into the windows of the shops in the city centre. These matryoshka dolls have nothing to do with Czech history or culture and are leftovers from decades of Soviet occupation. avoid.
3 – Have a beer in the Old Town Square
Prague is one of the world’s leading beer cities, but its reputation has led to steep rises in beer prices in the city centre. Tourists still flock to the Old Town Square pubs, where mediocre beer is sold at exorbitant prices by any standard. Whether you go to nearby Zizkov or to more remote neighborhoods such as Vrsovice, the best option is to venture outside the center.
4 – Stay in the center of Prague
Staying in the center of Prague is another way to save money. Hotel options in the city center are less cost-effective, taking advantage of visitors’ desire to stay away from the main event. Hotels outside the center are better value, offering great comfort at reasonable prices. Some bathrooms have hot tubs and saunas.
5 – Find recommended food and drink using TripAdvisor
Prague is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of tours and guides focused on everything from history to food and drink. With so much accessible expertise, relying on a plethora of review websites for recommendations is more than a little lazy. The culture of the requested review is the albatross hanging around the neck of the tourism industry. Follow expert advice instead.
6 – Eating at restaurants and pubs with English signs and menus
It may seem counterintuitive, but Prague tourists make the mistake of only frequenting restaurants with English signs and menus. For anyone looking for the best traditional food and drink here, this is a big mistake. People speak English around town, so if you have any questions, ask the staff. You may find your new favorite dish along the way.
7 – Visit famous attractions during peak hours
Prague’s famous attractions are a must-visit list item. Still, it’s hard to deny that the magic of Charles Bridge or the Astronomical Clock is somewhat dulled by sharing that experience with billions of people. Head to the bridge early in the morning or late at night to avoid clock times.
8 – Mistaking popularity for tradition
History is rarely as simple as people would like it to be. For example, it’s easy to walk around Prague and marvel at the importance and influence of the writer Franz Kafka, but the Prague-born Kafka was the son of a German-speaking Ashkenazi Jew. Prague has a great literary history, from Bohumil Hrabal to Jan Neruda, that is ignored by those who just want Kafka.
9 – Avoid Public Transport
Many tourists are apprehensive about using public transportation in foreign cities. I feel uncomfortable not knowing what I am doing. Many people who visit Prague walk too much, and there is no reason for this.of the city public transport Smart, efficient, easy to use, and comprehensive.
10 – Getting ripped off at ATMs and currency exchanges
Despite the occasional talk of joining the euro, the koruna is still the currency used in Prague. ATMs and money changers are ubiquitous throughout the city, but some simply don’t offer enough money to exchange money, putting a strain on your budget. Avoid foreign currency shops and Euronet ATMs in the city centre. If you use an ATM, be sure to select the “no conversion” option.
11 – Take a horse and old car tour
Quaint as it may seem, old car and horse-drawn carriage tours in central Prague should be avoided. For example, they are expensive and not particularly representative of traditional Prague life and culture. Walking through the center is great, but the secrets of its narrow streets cannot be found in the backseat of an old car.
12 – Ignoring traffic rules
It may seem shocking at first, but rules are rules. In Prague, trams have the right to travel on the road. What this means is that if a dazed visitor strays into the path of an oncoming tram, responsibility and liability rests squarely on the pedestrian’s shoulders. No need to repeat, but always be aware of oncoming traffic.
13 – Trdelnik is not traditional
Known as a decadent chimney-shaped pastry. Tordelnicus it’s delicious. Should I try it? Absolutely. Is it a traditional Czech dish? Absolutely not. Spitcake originated not in Prague, but in Slovakia and Hungary.
14 – Prague, Prague, Prague only
Prague is a great city to get your attention, but the country has much more to offer than the capital. Olomouc and Brno are the opulent cultural centers of Moravia, and the idyllic streets of Cesky his Krumlov and Karlovy his Val live up to the hype. Plzen (Pilsen) is truly a beer paradise and bohemian his Swiss expanses are stunning.
You’ll love Prague, but use it as a jumping-off point to explore the rest of the country.
