Top 5 Off-The-Beaten-Path Things To Do In Prague
Share
Tweet
After spending 5 months living in Prague a few years back, I can confidently say that it’s my favorite city on the planet. Prague’s unique culture and blissful atmosphere is unlike anywhere else in the world.
In addition to the beautiful cobblestone streets and medieval castles surrounding the city, Prague is one of the most budget-friendly cities in Central Europe. Everyday needs are extremely affordable, such as accommodation, transportation (taxis and metros), food and especially beer. In fact, beer is cheaper than water in Prague, and the Czechs are known to be the biggest beer drinkers in the world.
Prague is one of those magical places with so many things to do that you can’t turn a corner without seeing something interesting and unique. The lively nightlife scene, combined with delicious Czech traditional food and the ever-flowing amount of local beer, will make you never want to leave this place.
That being said, Prague does get flooded with tourists in the summer months. Of course, it’s important to see the main sites around the city at least once, but that’s not where Prague’s true colors lie.
The following is a list of the top 5 off-the-beaten-path things that you can do in Prague. If you follow my advice, you can escape the throngs of tourists and get a better taste of Czech culture.
1) Riegrovy Sady Beer Garden
As mentioned earlier, beer is literally cheaper than water in Prague. There are many notable beer gardens around the city that you should check out, but my favorite one is Riegrovy Sady. It’s located in my old neighborhood, Namesti Miru (on the green metro line), just up the hill.
Spend an afternoon here with some friends, drink local beer and taste the delicious local Czech food. My favorite view of Prague is from the top of the hill that overlooks all of Old Town. This beer garden attracts a younger and fun crowd, and you’ll often see live bands performing.
2) U Sudu Bar
This is by far my favorite bar in Prague. When you first walk inside the door, your first impression will be that U Sudu is a tiny, ordinary bar. But just walk down a staircase in the back and you will enter a new world that will blow your mind. You will keep turning corners and discovering new rooms in an underground, cave-like set up. There are 5 rooms, each with a different bar and different vibe. It’s the best place to get a beer before the night gets started because it’s cheap and fun.
3) Explore Vysehrad
Vysehrad is one of Prague’s hilltop castles that overlooks the Vltava River. This entire district, just a bit south of the city center, is almost picture-perfect with its many gardens, parks and some of Prague’s oldest and most treasured castles. The Vysehrad cemetery is a must-visit, as you will see famous sculptures, painted walkways, and decorated headstones from famous Czechs. I recommend having a picnic in the park that overlooks the river and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
4) Novy Svet Neighborhood
Located just behind Prague Castle, this area is virtually untouched by tourists. In my opinion, it is one of the most scenic areas of Prague. In the past, this was one of the poorest areas of the city, so the buildings aren’t as pristine as you might imagine. But, the old-style houses on the cobblestone streets are amazing to take in. This area is really small, so you can walk around and explore freely without feeling rushed.
5) Namesti Miru
Namesti Miru, or “Peace Square,” was my old neighborhood when I lived in Prague, and believe me, it’s called peace square for a reason. It’s close enough to the city center (3 metro stops away), but far enough away so there are few tourists. The main square has an epic Gothic-style Cathedral that is absolutely worth checking out. I’d recommend sitting down on a bench and relaxing so you can observe and immerse yourself in Czech culture.
/ 
Drew is a recent college graduate who has visited 43 countries since the beginning of 2012. His favorite things about traveling are eating the local foods, meeting awesome people and experiencing the nightlife scene. Drew is currently teaching English in South Korea and he blogs about food, culture and nightlife at the Hungry Partier. You can find Drew on Google+ and Twitter.