5 Reasons to Visit the City of Prague
Why you should definitely Czech out one of Europe’s most underrated cities
When you think about your top ten places to visit in Europe, which cities come to mind? Maybe wandering around the streets of Paris sounds like a dream come true? Or perhaps sightseeing in the historical city of Rome? Why not enjoy the beautiful beaches Santorini has to offer?
Europe definitely has plenty of great travel destinations, but most people wouldn’t think to visit the city of Prague. Nestled in the Czech Republic, right smack in the middle of Europe, surrounded by Germany, Poland, and Austria, Prague is a city worth visiting at least once during your next trip to Europe, and here’s why:
1. It’s breathtakingly beautiful.
If you didn’t know, Prague is an undeniably beautiful city. It’s an incredible city with so much culture and history. There is a bridge that connects the Old Town with the Lesser Town (not any less beautiful, however) and everywhere you look, whether it’s the cobblestone strees or the medieval architecture, it’s enough to make anyone fall in love with the city.
2. There’s a lot to do.
Are you a John Lennon fan? There’s a literal wall in Prague dedicated to him. Do you want to see the narrowest street of Prague? Vinárna Čertovka is so narrow it even requires a traffic light to prevent pedestrian traffic jams.
Or perhaps The Metamorphosis is one of your favorite novellas, and you’re a major fan of Franz Kafka? You’d be delighted to know there’s a moving statue of him right outside Quadrio Shopping Centre! If you’re more into chapels and Prague’s rich history, the stained glass of St. Vitus Cathedral is sure to leave you breathless.
3. It’s (kind of) cheap.
I was a broke grad student when I visited Prague. I couldn’t afford to live in the finest hotels or dine at the best restaurants. I did, however, live in a more than sufficient Airbnb for a very reasonable price. Even though Prague is not only the capital, but also the largest city of Czech Republic, it is still affordable for those who don’t have that much to spend, or frankly want to spend that much. You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck; it’ll be enough for the Airbnb, food, and a lot of fun sightseeing, touristy things.
4. Interesting food options for non-vegetarians.
I’m using the term ‘interesting’ because I’m aware that the food may not be for everyone. There’s meat, meat, and more meat. I, for one, enjoyed the food thoroughly, and ate until I was very full every meal. For carnivores, the food option is considered pretty diverse. In addition to chicken, beef, and pork, there’s boar, venison, and even rabbit. I’m personally a big fan of the Goulash, or Guláš, as the Czechs call it. The meat is tender, the potatoes are crispy, and the flavor is rich. To top it all off, there’s plenty of beer and delicious desserts to go along with it.
5. People are generally friendly.
I remember people didn’t give me weird stares as I walked around the streets of Prague. As a POC, it is not uncommon to be looked at a certain way in Europe. Having traveled a bit in Europe, I’ve had my fair share of strange stares because of my skin color. And trust me, it’s not something that goes unnoticed when you’re on the receiving end. In Prague, however, I felt that people were generally friendly. We were greeted in restaurants, just like our fair-skinned counterparts. It might also be worth mentioning that I had a roommate from Prague, and she was an absolute sweetheart.
There you have it. Five reasons to visit an absolute gem of a city. The next time you go to Europe, don’t sleep on Prague. Hopefully, you’ve been convinced to visit this amazing city nestled right in the heart of Europe. I had a great time in Prague and would go back in a heartbeat. It’s definitely worth Czech-ing out!
