Top 16 Things to Do in Prague

I loved Prague. It’s one of my favorite cities in Europe. For me, Prague was one of those cities where you walk around and think to yourself, “Yep, this is it. I could live here.”

I love Prague’s complex history, its art, and its quirkiness! It’s more affordable than western Europe and there’s so much to do.

On my way to the Prague Castle

Prague has an abundance of historical landmarks, and luckily for tourists, they’re all within walking distance of each other. Prague’s most iconic sights include: Old Town Square and the world-famous Astronomical Clock, the Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral, the Charles Bridge, the Jewish Quarter, the Old Jewish Cemetery, and the observation tower in Old Town Square.

Prague’s Old Town Christmas Market dusted in a fresh layer of snow

There are nearly 100 museums in Prague’s city center! You could live in Prague for years and still have so much left to discover. I LOVED the Andy Warhol exhibit in Prague’s National Gallery, and I highly recommend the Museum of Communism. If I had more time in Prague, I would have also visited the Kafka Museum and the Kampa Museum, which is a modern art museum.

One of my favorite things about Prague is its art. Art is EVERYWHERE in Prague. One of the most iconic art sculptures is outside the Kampa Museum. These are the Crawling Babies by David Cerny. He created GIANT bronze babies that have bar codes where their faces should be. I’m not sure what kind of a statement Cerny is trying to make, but I’m guessing it’s about consumerism. In any case, they’re very creepy, but also hilarious. Now that’s what I call art!

Penguins along the Vltava

The artist’s intention is to raise awareness about climate change. The penguins are made from recycled plastic.

Hanging Man

The Hanging Man is a 7-foot-tall statue of Sigmund Freud and it hangs off the top of a building. It’s definitely a sight worth seeing.

I visited Prague in December, so I was able to visit a Christmas market in Prague’s Old Town Square. I found this wooden Christmas tree, and there was a sign next to it that read, ‘Try this slipper on and be my princess.’ (So, of course, I had to). This is what I mean when I say that Prague is quirky. It’s SO quirky, and I loved it!

How could I resist?!

Prague Metronome

Prague’s Metronome is off the well-trodden tourist trail but it’s just across the river from Old Town. Visiting the Metronome was a highlight of my time in Prague. The giant metronome sits atop a hill and overlooks the Vltava River. One interpretation of this sculpture is that its bright red color represents communism and the metronome’s ticking symbolizes Prague ticking towards capitalism.

When I visited Prague, the metronome was broken. “What does this mean for Prague’s political and economic systems?” I wondered. “Are we at a standstill in terms of political progression?” Fear not. I was told that the broken metronome was a source of great amusement to locals because Czechs relish dark humor.

Visiting the John Lennon Wall is touristy, but the wall’s backstory is actually quite interesting. It’s called the John Lennon Wall because an anonymous artist drew Lennon and some of his lyrics on the wall after Lennon’s assassination. Over time, the wall became a symbol of hope, peace, and freedom, especially during the Communist era.

Today, it’s a wall covered in graffiti. Some of it is related to John Lennon, but most isn’t. You can bring a can of spray paint and add your own message!

Avocado toast and lattes aren’t traditional Czech cuisine but they are popular among brunch-goers!

Most Czech cuisine is hearty, like ‘meat and potatoes’ hearty, and my guess is that this is because Czech winters are long and cold. You need nutrient-dense food to survive. Popular Czech dishes include pork goulash and bread dumplings, pork knuckle, and fried cheese.

Fried cheese became widespread during Communist rule because meat was in scarce supply. The meat shortages were devastating for Czechs. Luckily, they discovered that certain types of thick cheese when fried could prove just as hearty as meat. Over time, the Czechs took a liking to the fried cheese and decided to keep making it, even after the fall of communism. Today it is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, especially vegetarians. There aren’t many vegetarian options in the Czech Republic, but you can usually count on fried cheese.

Enjoying a delicious Czech beer while overlooking the Prague Castle and Vltava River

Beer is actually cheaper than water in the Czech Republic. It’s the country’s #1 export, and Czechs drink more beer per capita than any other country in the world!

Prague’s famed chimney cakes are actually a Hungarian dessert. But this doesn’t deter Czechs from selling the sugary snack on every street corner. Chimney cake is a cylinder of fried dough that is covered in raw sugar. It can be filled with a topping of your choice. Nutella is a popular option.

The Dancing House is a unique piece of architecture in downtown Prague. The building was constructed to convey movement, as if it were dancing. There’s a bar on the top floor that’s open to the public. It offers a great view of the Vltava River and a wide selection of cocktails. They also serve hot chocolate and other non-alcoholic drinks.

Colorful buildings

Prague is home to a variety of architecture. While in Prague, you can admire the following styles: Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Moorish, and Communist.

Hunger Memorial

Czechs are no strangers to tragedy and hardship. The Memorial to the Victims of Communism, or the Hunger Memorial, honors those who died from starvation under Communist rule. The Hunger Memorial is located on the western bank of the Vltava near the Kampa Museum.

Experience a unique vantage point by admiring Prague from the river.

The Czech Republic has fast and affordable public transportation that makes it easy to visit Prague’s surrounding cities. I recommend a day trip to the Bone Chapel in Kutna Hora, a tour of the former concentration camp in Terezin, and a day trip or an overnight stay in the fairytale town of Cesky Krumlov.

While I was in Prague, I read How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed by Slavenka Drakulic. Drakulic’s memoir portrays the challenges that eastern European women faced living under Communist rule. She will make you laugh and cry while educating you about a tragic time in history. Definitely worth reading!

Have you been to Prague? What did you love most about it? Let me know in the comments!

Thank you for reading! 🙂

– Travel Alli