While we lived in Prague for over five years, we were simultaneously awed by its beauty and frustrated by the rapacious tourism development that had swamped its old town. More recently, I've heard from travelers disappointed by their visits to Prague because of the city's crowds and tourist schlock.

Yes, there's a fair heap of that. But, there are also ways to avoid it and there is much to see and experience in Prague without crowds. That's what this insider's guide is all about with tourist traps to avoid, best things to do, favorite Czech beers and pubs, neighborhoods to stay in, and where to eat in Prague.

Many moons ago, during our first month living in Prague, I remember exiting Charles University after a Czech language class and looking up at a night-lit Prague Castle and thinking, “My God, do I actually live here?“

It didn't seem real.

Even after five years of living in Prague, I could still turn a corner, catch the right light and get that feeling. Prague is a Bucket List and “Top 10 Romantic Cities” favorite — for good reason. But frankly, there's also a lot of touristy crap that can leave a casual visitor tourist-worn.

During my last visit to Prague, I played tourist for a day and forced myself to walk through through its main tourist artery — from the Prague Castle, over the Charles Bridge, down Karlova Street, through Old Town, up to the top of Wenceslas Square. Maybe it had improved since we lived there?

Nope.

But all is not lost. Here are some ideas on how to minimize the tourist schlock, what to do to replace it with, local neighborhoods to explore, Czech beers to try and where to eat in Prague at the end of the day.

Plus, we share recommendations on which Prague neighborhoods to stay in and some tours and boat rides that might help you explore the city even more. This all makes for a more enjoyable visit to Prague that also allows you to avoid some of the overtourism challenges that the city has faced and travel more sustainably by supporting local businesses.

Note: This post was originally published in May 2011 and was updated on June 4, 2019.

What to Avoid in Prague: Tourist Schlock

1. Karlova Street

In tourist hell, right next door to San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf and Bangkok's Khao San Road is Prague's souvenir-engorged Karlova Street. If you only retain one piece of information from this post, it should be this: avoid this street like the plague.

Don't ask why, don't be tempted. Just avoid it. Your visit will be all the better for it.

Alternative: “But how am I going to get from Charles Bridge to Old Town Square?” you might ask. Easy.

When you come off the Charles Bridge (on the opposite side of the river from Prague Castle), cut through the Klementinum (look for the doorway across the street to the left of Karlova street) and enjoy a peaceful stroll through a 14th century courtyard.

2. Concerts — or anything for that matter – sold by people in period costumes

If classical music's greatest hits served up in machine-gun style is your thing, by all means head right for the guys in period outfits. If, however, you have a taste for a full symphony and the real, high-quality, accessible classical music Prague is known for, go elsewhere.

Alternative: See #2 below for where to find high quality shows and buy concert tickets.

3. Wenceslas Square at Night

Where protesters once stood up to Soviet tanks during Prague Spring in 1968, hawkers now stand up for your opportunity to patronize their strip clubs. After dark, Wenceslas Square becomes a central place for strip club touts, prostitutes, their pimps and all manner of the shady and unpleasant. Although it's not unsafe per se, it's best avoided.

Alternative: After dark, walk any of the streets parallel to Wenceslas Square or take the metro to avoid the area altogether.

4. Astronomical Clock Show on the Hour

I know I'm going to get crap for this one. Don't get me wrong, the medieval astronomical clock on the side of Old Town City Hall is beautiful and worth a look.

But really, don’t worry about fighting with the tourist hordes that gather on the hour to see the “show.” The hourly spectacle features some figures moving around, a rooster call (my personal favorite) and a dancing skeleton (Dan's personal favorite). However, it’s really not worth the elbowing and unpleasant crowds you have to deal with to watch it.

Alternative: Have the clock to yourself to admire at any time outside the top-of-the-hour. If you find yourself tiring of the crowds on Old Town Square, pop up to the rooftop terrace at U Prince hotel, order a cocktail, and enjoy the view from above. It's particularly nice at sunset.

5. Prague's Scams and Overcharging at Tourist Restaurants

Unfortunately, some touristy restaurants and taxis still hold a narrowly opportunistic view of tourism and tourists (i.e., they scam anyone who looks like fresh meat).

What to do: Don't let these places get away with it: be vigilant, mind your bill, count your change, and question or complain if you are being cheated. If you don't, you'll be doing yourself — and all other tourists who follow in your footsteps — a disservice.

If your restaurant bill arrives with extra service charges or “taxes” that are not specifically called out on the menu, refuse to pay them.

If you need a taxi, use a local taxi app or have the hotel or restaurant call a trusted taxi company in advance. I would never pick up a taxi outside the front door of the train station or hotel. If you pick up a taxi on the street, use a company like AAA or ProfiTaxi. Finally, if you've been grossly overcharged, pay what you believe is fair and walk away. We've done it.

Non-Touristy Things to Do in Prague: The Good Stuff

With the unpleasant stuff out of the way, let's focus on what to do and visit besides what we call the “Prague Tourist Triad” (Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square). The aim: to give you a feel for a living city whose history goes long beyond just a few pretty buildings. And, to help you avoid some of the tourist crowds in Prague.

You might be thinking as you read, “But that's outside the city center.”

In some cases, our recommendations are outside of the Old Town City center, but they are not so far. Within a few minutes, you are only a tram, metro or a few footsteps away.

1) Vyšehrad: An Alternative Castle

Just down the Vlatava River from Prague Castle is the lesser-known 10th century castle of Vyšehrad. In addition to offering great views of the Vltava River and the city, Vyšehrad features grassy grounds stocked full of locals having picnics with family and friends.

The cemetery at Vyšehrad is also home to many of Czech greats of art and music, including Alphonse Mucha and Antonín Dvořák. The Peter and Paul church is also worth a look – neo-gothic on the outside, but Mucha-inspired art nouveau murals on the inside.

2. Classical Music Concerts and Operas

Prague's music scene is one of the things that kept us there so long. Even if you're not a huge classical music aficionado, it's still worth trying to see a concert just to experience the venue.

Go directly to ticket offices or a venue's box office for real performances. Basically, if the concert is associated with a national ensemble, you’re more likely to see a high quality concert at a lower price.

If your visit coincides with Prague Spring, try to book tickets in advance or, for last minute tickets, visit the Rudolfinum box office. Prague Spring often features top performers, conductors and orchestras from around the world.

I cannot begin to count the $1000s of dollars we would have spent on all the performances we took in had we seen the performers on their home turf. Prices continue to go up, but are still reasonable compared with Western Europe and the United States.

Suggested concert venues: Rudolfinum (our favorite venue and home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra), National Theatre, State Opera. These concert halls not only have wonderful acoustics, but they also are just beautiful concert halls.

In addition, Prague's art and museum scene is constantly changing and evolving. Many of the galleries and events are located in interesting neighborhoods and buildings. You can check out the list of upcoming events, festivals and exhibitions here.

To provide you with more flexibility and discounts if you want to visit several museums at once, consider getting the Prague City Card (2-4 days). It also includes a free river boat cruise, which is a nice way to get an overview of the city on both sides of the Vlatava River.

3. Exploring Prague's Neighborhoods

Although Prague’s Old Town (Staré Město) and Lesser Town (Malá Strana) often steal the Prague tourist show (and for good reason) with their medieval architecture, it's worth it to spend time poking around some of the surrounding neighborhoods. The Art Nouveau architectural stock in Prague's residential neighborhoods is impressive.

Walk, look up and soak it up. Architectural period melange, details, mosaics, statues, paintings, are all standard fare. Not to mention, this is the way you'll really begin to understand what modern-day living in Prague is all about.

Suggested neighborhoods to explore and to stay in: Vinohrady, Vršovice (our old neighborhood), Žižkov, and Holesovice.

4. Prague Beer gardens

When the weather is warm (or at least un-cold and bearable), Prague’s beer gardens are the place to while away an afternoon, evening, or possibly even both. Beer gardens are casual affairs with long, simple picnic tables, a food stand or two serving greasy sausages, and — most importantly — an endless supply of freshly pulled Czech beer.

Relax with locals of all ages, from the stodgy business guy in a suit to grandpa with his dog to the young punk kids.

Recommended Prague beer gardens:

Letna Park Beer Garden(Prague 7) with views of the city and Vltava River or Riegrovy Sady (Prague 2) for a more grungy, local flavor.

5. Glass of Wine at Grebovka Vineyard

There's actually a small vineyard within Prague’s city limits. And, there just happens to be a little café (called Altan) with a great gazebo sitting right above it.

These are the makings of a perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine and a cheese plate. For quality, we actually suggest trying the Austrian wine over the local Grebovka wine.

Address: Grebovka park is in Prague 10. Closest tram stop is Krymska on 22, 16, or 4 tram lines. Finding your way here through the windy residential streets is part of the fun; this is not a touristy area at all. Go past the Grobovka Pavillion to get to Altan Cafe.

Recommended Prague Tours and Activities

Our partner, Get Your Guide, offers many Prague tours and attractions. They have the lowest prices, guaranteed, for these tours with no booking fees or hidden charges. In addition, they work with their partners to ensure Covid-19 safety features and you can usually cancel up to 24 hours before in case your schedule changes.

For inspiration, consider some of the following Prague city tours to experience the city from different angles and to go a little deeper:

• Prague Sightseeing Dinner Cruise on Open-Top Glass Boat (3 hours): As mentioned before, Prague is pretty stunning at night. Everything is lit up, and it is especially magical from the perspective of the water. This evening cruise will take you along the Vltava River past many of the city's historical sites like the Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and Old Town. And, you get to enjoy dinner and a drink as you take in the city by night.
• Prague Walking Tour (3 hours): One of the best ways to learn about a city is through a walking tour, and this one provides a great overview and takes you through what we described as the Prague Triad above: Old Town Square, Charles Bridge and Prague Castle.
• Prague Walking, Bus and Boat Tour (4 hours): If a long walking tour sounds a bit daunting and you you want to mix things up a bit, consider this walking, bus and boat tour of Prague. It will take you through many of the Prague Triad sites, but you'll have a chance to also view some of them, like the Charles Bridge and Castle, from the water on a 1-hour boat trip. This tour also includes a guided walk through Josefov, the Jewish Quarter.
• Prague Historical River Cruise (45-Minutes): If you want a quick (and very affordable) view of Prague's historical sites from the river, this boat tour is a good option. And, it includes a drink so you can take in the views with a cold Czech beer or local wine in hand.

You can see all their Prague tours here and read customer reviews to select the type of tour that's best fits your interests, budget and schedule.

Where to Stay in Prague

There is certainly no shortage of accommodation options in Prague, whether a hotel or your own apartment rental. So it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming to choose where to stay based on your interests and budget.

Although booking accommodation in Prague's Old Towns — Staroměstská or Malá Strana — will put you in the middle of the city's main sites, we actually prefer staying in one of the nearby neighborhoods. They provide a more local feel with more non-touristy pubs, cafes, restaurants and shops.

Here are a few recommended accommodation options in some of our favorite Prague neighborhoods. Click on the neighborhood name to see a selection of all accommodation in that area. Plus, we've added both hotel and apartment options, depending upon your preference.

• Vinohrady Hotels (Prague 2): A beautiful neighborhood filled with colorful 19th and turn of the 20th century architecture. Easy to spend hours wandering its back streets, lots of local cafes and restaurants.
  • Anna Hotel: This small, reasonably priced hotel, is located on a quiet neighborhood street near Namesti Miru. It's an easy 15-minute walk to the Old Town Square or enjoy getting lost in the colorful Vinohrady streets.
  • Apartment on Slavikova Street: A good option on a quiet Vinohrady Street if you prefer to have your own apartment with your own kitchen and space to spread out.
• VršoviceHotels (Prague 10): We're biased as this was our old neighborhood that we loved. Not quite as polished as Vinohrady up the hill, but Vršovice has a fun local feel to it with lots of turn-of-the-century architecture and streets to wander.
  • Czech Inn: This design hostel meets B&B is in a beautiful corner 19th century building. It is located near where we used to live in Prague, just down the hill from more touristy parts of Vinohrady and near the Grebovka vineyards mentioned above. There are also double and twin rooms available, in addition to dorms for the more budget-minded.
• Holešovice Hotels (Prague 7): Another neighborhood with beautiful turn-of-the-century architecture and residential streets with some big parks providing lots of green space and quiet.
  • Art Hotel Prague: Located in a quiet area not far from Letna and Stromovka parks, but Prague's historical center is about a 20 minute walk (and even shorter by tram).
  • Residence Nad Vltavou: If you're looking to stay in your own apartment, this option is in a modern building not far from the river in residential Holešovice.
• Žižkov Hotels (Prague 3): Traditionally a working class neighborhood, Žižkov today is known for its edgy, artistic and alternative side. It has some great street art, hilly streets, lots of local bars and art venues.
  • Carlton Hotel: Located in a good location not far from the Žižkov TV Tower with artist David Černý’s “Tower Babies” and close to lots of residential streets for walking and getting lost. Not far from the main train station and just a few tram stops to the center of town.
  • Žižkov Studio Apartment: A good newly renovated studio apartment option in the residential streets of Žižkov with a small kitchen, living room and loft sleeping area.
• Dejvice Hotels (Prague 6): This neighborhood is located above the castle and near several big parks. It's well connected for the airport.
  • Hotel Meda of Muesum Kampa: Located in a residential area near the main Dejvice circle. We had a friend who lived in this area and she really enjoyed it for its quiet, but also close proximity to the historical center and public transport.
  • City Castle Aparthotel: If you want your own apartment, this is a good location not far from the castle and very close to the metro and public transport. Lots of green space around as well, so good for active walkers.
• Karlín Hotels (Prague 8): In the last years Karlín has become rather hip and we know a few people who have moved to this neighborhood. It's a short walk to the historical center and close to the bus station and other transport hubs.
  • Botanique Hotel: A modern hotel with big rooms located in the Florenc area of Karlín, walking distance from old town and close to public transport.
  • Seven Wishes Boutique Residence: If you want your own apartment with modern fixings this is a good option on a quiet residential street about a 10-minute walk away from the old town.

Where to Eat in Prague: Czech Food and Recommended Pubs

There is definitely no shortage of hospodas (pubs) serving Czech fare throughout the city with varying levels of quality and grease content.

If you want a Czech restaurant or pub with a little better meat quality and less grease, give one of the following places a try. In addition to good Czech food, they usually serve tank beer (often, unpasteurized), making the Czech beer drinking experience all the more enjoyable.

Useful websites for reviews of new Prague restaurants: Czech Please, Spotted by Locals Prague, Taste of Prague's food blog.

Lokál

One of the newer additions to the Ambiante Restaurant empire. This place serves up quality and hearty Czech food at reasonable prices. Be sure to check out their constantly changing daily menu. In addition, they have tank beer, meaning that it will be harder to get fresher beer in town. So good. Address: Dlouhá 33, Prague 1.

Bredovsky Dvur

Just a block away from popular Wenceslas Square, but with a different feel from the high-traffic tourist areas. Try to go during lunch as there are inexpensive lunch meonus and you’ll be enjoying your meal with locals on their lunch break from nearby office buildings. Address: Politických vězňů 13 (parallel street to Wenceslas Square), Prague 1

Na Verandach

This restaurant is right at the Staropramen brewery, so you know the beer is fresh. Hearty food, too. Address: Nadrazni 84, Prague 5 (Smichov)

Olympia

Nice Czech pub serving both Czech and continental specialties. The changing daily lunch menu (11:00-3:00) offers hearty traditional Czech fare at reasonably prices. Address: Vítězná 7, Praha 1 (Ujezd)

Favorite Czech Beers and Prague Bars

If you are a beer drinker then you will be in heaven in Prague. Czech beer is that good. Even the big national brands like Pilsner Urquell, Budějovický Budvar and Gambrinus are really good, especially when you can find them pulled fresh from a tank. However, there are also lots of smaller label beers that are worth seeking out like Bernard, Svijany, and Krušovice.

And, every region of the Czech Republic seems to have its own small breweries and specialties. These micro-brews are becoming easier to find in Prague. Not to mention, the craft beer scene has exploded in the last few years so it's worth experimenting.

Below are some of our favorite Prague bars with a wide variety of Czech beers and craft brews on tap. Some of the places below also serve snacks and food, but beer is the main show.

To learn more about Czech beer, book a Prague beer tour that includes visits to local puts, beer tasting, information about local beer culture and a hearty Czech dinner.

Prague Beer Museum

It's not really not a museum, but it does serve close to 30 different beers on tap from small to medium breweries across Czech Republic. This is the place to learn about Czech beer the old fashion way — by drinking it. The owner is meticulous about buying only small kegs, keeping the keg lines clean and changing the beer menu every three months. Just be careful and pace yourself — mixing heavy beers can have a devastating effect the next day.

Address: The original Prague Beer Museum on Dlouha street is now closed. But, the Prague Beer Museum pub has opened up at Náměstí Míru (Americká 341/43, Prague 2) that is bigger and has a full menu. In addition, there's a second location at Smetanovo Nabrezi 22 in Prague 1 (Staré Město). So you can have your fill of hearty Czech food to go with all those great beers.

Pivovarsky Klub

In addition to a good selection of beers on tap, this place offers a minimum of 240 beers (Czech and international) in bottles on the menu. Ask the waiter for advice if you get paralyzed on what to order. This place also has good and reasonably priced Czech food, too. Address: Krizikova 17, Praha 8 – Karlin

Kavárna Mlýnská

This isn't so much a pub as it is a mill that has been turned into a café near Kampa Park. It's quite close to the touristy areas, but is a local place that serves wonderful unfiltered Bernard beer. Address: Všehrdova 449, Prague 1

Zly Casy

One of the recent additions to the Czech craft brewpub scene with an impressive list of craft beers on tap. A bit outside the center in Prague 4, but worth the effort. Address: Čestmírova 5, Prague 4

Practical Prague Travel Tips

1. What to Take With You

If you forget anything at home, you can probably find a replacement for it in Prague. Shopping possibilities are endless. For those coming from North America, be sure that your electronics can take 110-220 volts so that you don't blow out your gear.

Much of Prague is covered in cobblestones and stone sidewalks, so beware of high or thin heels that can get easily stuck between the stones. You'll be doing lots of walking so invest in comfortable shoes.

2. How to Get Around Prague

Public transportation in Prague is truly wonderful. If you're going to be in Prague for several days consider buying the 3-day pass for unlimited travel for 310 CZK. Otherwise, you can purchase individual tickets for either 32 CZK (90 min) or 24 CZK (30 min). Be sure to validate your ticket before starting your journey. You can plan your journey by public transport here.

If you do need a taxi, be wary of picking one up off the street, especially near train stations or other highly touristy areas. Use a taxi app or have the hotel or restaurant call one in advance for you. We recommend AAA Taxi or ProfiTaxi.

Consider booking a Prague airport shuttle so that you have someone waiting for you when you arrive and don't need to deal with any taxi games.

3. Money and Tipping

ATM machines are everywhere in Prague and almost all of them take international bank cards. We recommend using these to take out local money instead of using currency exchange places.

If you must exchange money, avoid using the currency exchange places along Wenceslas Square or Old Town as they are known to charge high commission fees or exchange rates. Some have multiple exchange rates depending upon how much you want to exchange. If you do need to use one, ask in advance how much in Czech crowns you would receive for your dollars or Euros. Don't be afraid to walk away if the rates are atrocious.

Credit cards are accepted in most restaurants and shops. Euros are also often accepted in many stores these days as well.

Tipping is usually around 10%, rounded up to the next whole figure. When in touristy restaurants be sure to check your bill for strange service charges and count your change carefully.

4. Safety and Security

For the most part Prague is a safe city, but like everywhere in the world it's important to stay aware of your surroundings and your stuff, especially your passport and wallet.

Be careful when walking around at night in dark streets and areas around Wenceslas Square. When in bars, cafes or restaurants keep an eye on your bags and stuff, especially in more touristy or popular areas. Stay alert when on public transport in touristy areas as groups of pickpockets have been known to work together on trams or metro cars.

Our Prague Recommendations in Podcast Form

If you're still curious about what else we recommend to see, do and eat in Prague, listen to this podcast interview on Prague we did with Chris Christensen of Amateur Traveler.

The post Insider’s Prague: 5 Tourist Traps to Avoid and Things to Do Instead appeared first on Uncornered Market.