Looking back on our trip to Prague, these are the tourist traps we’d still avoid and what we’d recommend instead.
Old town square (Staroměstské náměstí)
It’s beautiful, don’t get me wrong. But it’s also full of tourists, overpriced eateries, and people trying to hustle you into buying stuff you don’t need. We visited it once but then immediately walked off and explored the smaller streets around.
We went to a small café down a street. It had the best coffee & pastries ever, but without all the touristy hoopla.
Astronomical clock
I know, I know, people are dying to see it, but after finding out that the clock gets massive crowds every hour for its mechanical show, we skipped it.
We went for a morning tour around Kampa Island instead. The quiet riverfront, the art museum and the eccentric John Lennon Wall made us feel like we were in a less formal and real part of the city. No waiting around, just pure fun.
Charles Bridge at sunset
Yeah, it’s iconic, but if you want to see Charles Bridge without all the crowds, skip sunset.
One morning we got up early and walked across the bridge before anyone else did. It was a dream: just us, the morning fog, and some locals. We also took a detour into the quieter Lesser Town and discovered some pretty, small gardens that gave a nice view of the bridge.
Prague castle
We had been wanting to go to Prague Castle, but after hearing about the insane crowds and queues, we went to Vyšehrad Castle instead.
It’s not as popular, but the view of the city is phenomenal and it’s a lot quieter. We also took a walk through nearby gardens.
Wenceslas Square
This main square is filled with stores & tourists snapping pictures of the National Museum, but let’s face it, it didn’t seem authentic.
Instead, we went for a stroll in the Vinohrady area nearby. It had a real local vibe. The place is full of small cafés, boutiques, and art galleries. It was much more laid back, and we had amazing local food that was much more affordable.
Prague’s river cruises
The river cruises can look very tempting but are also expensive and overrun with tourists.
Rather, we hired a rowboat on Stromovka Park Lake and floated around. It was like a little private paradise, with trees and still waters. It was a refreshing alternative to the touristy boat trips down the Vltava.
Terezín concentration camp
It’s an important ancient monument, but most tourists arrive at Terezn without any idea what it means, and the mass tours are extremely impersonal.
We decided to go instead to the Jewish Quarter in Prague. It’s much smaller, but so filled with history and the narratives are so personal and reflective. We stopped at the Old Jewish Cemetery and Spanish Synagogue. Both were empty and gave us time to ruminate.
Prague beer museum
Prague is known for beer, but the Prague Beer Museum felt like a tourist attraction with overpriced drinks and snobbery.
Rather, we went to a local brewery, U Flek. It dates back to 1499. It is no less touristy but feels much more natural. The beer was fantastic, and the feel of the old place made it all the more interesting.
Shopping at Palladium mall
We hit the Palladium Mall when we were out shopping, and it’s full of global brands and designer clothes. Not quite the local experience we were after.
So we headed for Havelské trit, an old-fashioned market dating back to the 14th century. It’s stuffed with regional products, fresh vegetables, and handicrafts. It was a way to pick up souvenirs that actually seemed like a part of the city’s heritage.
