Prague Travel Guide

Destination
Prague, Czech Republic
Sleep
Gorgeous Prague Rooms
Eat
Lokal  |  Nase Maso  |  Mujsalekavy  |  Restaurance Mincovna  |  Bakeshop
Shop
Debut Shop  |  Misenska 10
See
Old Town Square |  St. Vitus Cathedral  |  Dancing House  |  St. George’s Basilica  

We had four gloriously sunny days in Prague, and we loved every minute of them. It’s rare to be able to describe a visit to a city as effortless, but that’s exactly how our time in the Czech Republic felt. Everything from airport transportation to our lovely hotel to restaurant visits fell into place perfectly. We were led astray by Google Maps only once when deviating from the usual tourist path, and although I feel like we were easily able to check all the items off our Prague wishlist, I would gladly go back again.

Sleep
Gorgeous Prague Rooms
We’ve had good luck with “new to Expedia” hotels over the years and this one, a converted apartment in luxurious Josefov, just down the street from Gucci and Tiffany’s, was no exception. Our top floor suite was immaculately decorated, blissfully air-conditioned and offered us access to a shared terrace where we could watch the sunset while enjoying a glass of local beer.

Eat
We ate so well in Prague. And probably more than we really needed to. But when everything is delicious everywhere you go, it’s hard to resist. Plus, vacation calories don’t count.

Lokal – Dlouha 33
We loved all the Ambiente Group restaurants we ate at – which was virtually all of them – but Lokal was our first stop, and with good reason. The old beer hall turned restaurant (and still beer hall) serves authentic Czech dishes made fresh. I was a big fan of their fried cheese with tartar sauce, a true Prague classic.
Nase Maso – Dlouha 727/39
Another member of the Ambiente group, Naso Maso, a butcher shop, is just a few doors down from Lokal. The menu is short since it really is a butchery. But it’s worthwhile to order and take a seat inside. Not only were our meals superb, but we were sitting so close to locals – literally elbow-to-elbow! – that we had some fun conversations, too.
Mujsalekkavy – Krizikova 386/105
The 2002 floods devastated Prague. But they gave Karlin, a neighbourhood with a bad reputation, new life. Just outside the main tourist area, it is a treat to visit; the quiet streets are lined with lovely buildings and hip cafes. Among them, Mujsalekkavy, which is primarily known for its coffee, was our favourite. Dishes on the menu are healthy without sacrificing flavour, and instagrammable, too.
Restaurance Mincovna – Staromestske nam. 7
We visited Bratislava in 2009. While in Slovakia, I fell in love with two local treats: bryndzove halusky, tiny dumplings in a sheep cheese sauce, and Kofola, the Czech version of Coca-Cola. I wanted to experience both again in Prague, and I found them at this undeniably touristy spot in Old Town Square. The atmosphere is chaotic, but if you love Slovak food and can’t get to Slovakia during your trip, a visit to Restaurance Mincovna is the next best thing.
Bakeshop – Kozi 981/1
No holiday is truly complete without a good pastry. Our favourites in Prague were from Bakeshop, just off Old Town Square. The cherry galette was to die for – especially when topped with leftover cream cheese from a bagel order.

Shop
I still didn’t actually buy anything in Prague – this is my normal – I did stumble upon some adorable shops where I was, admittedly, tempted to buy some non-traditional souvenirs.

Debut Shop – Kaprova 14/13
Just a block from our hotel, this beautifully white-and-marble store sells all the things that tempt me most – candles, sunglasses, jewelry, and notebooks.
Misenska 10 – Misenska 67/10
Named after its address, this charming boutique near Prague Castle was new when we visited. Between the blush exterior and all white interior, I was smitten, but it was the locally designed clothes they sold that really caught my eye.

See
Prague is a gorgeous place. All you really have to do is take a walk – you’ll see sites along the way and get to take it all in, too. We were lucky to be able to get to all the major attractions and, of course, we had some favourites.

Old Town Square
All right, I admit, this one is obvious. But no list of top Prague attractions would be complete without the inclusion of Old Town Square. Shaped more like a circle, the charmingly cobbled spot is encircled by pretty pastel buildings. The best time to visit is early morning, before the crowds arrive. It’s beautiful in the evening, too, but you will be competing with hundreds of travelers for the best photo opportunities.
St. Vitus Cathedral – III. nádvoří 48/2
Tucked away on the grounds of Prague Castle, this cathedral looks relatively unassuming from the entrance, but the interior views are spectacular – particularly on a sunny day. St. Vitus houses a breathtaking array of vibrant stained glass windows; when the sun is out, jewels of coloured light dance on the cathedral walls. It’s magical.
Dancing House – Jiraskovo name 1981/6
Fans of architecture in general, and Frank Gehry, in particular, will delight at his Prague masterpiece, a metallic tornado whipping around the corner of a soft pastel city. Dancing House is an utter contrast to the rest of Prague, but beautiful in it a different way.
St. George’s Basilica
The grounds of Prague Castle have been home to many churches over the years, including St. Vitus Cathedral. But St. George’s, founded in 920, is the oldest. Decorated in a simple style, particularly compared to ostentatious St. Vitus, it serves as a beautifully preserved testament to the long history of the city.