10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Prague

The mistakes people make when visiting Prague mostly involve not taking full advantage of an opportunity to experience one of Europe’s most fascinating capital cities. The well-trodden tourist trail, while interesting in its own right, does not show you everything that the city has to offer.

Prague is generally a very safe city, though any popular tourist destination inevitably has its share of pickpockets and scammers. As is the rule for any such destination, exercise common precautions like being mindful of your valuables and assuming nothing is free. Remember that if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Read the rest of our list of common mistakes to avoid on your first visit to Prague.

10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Prague

1. Thinking Matryoshka dolls and Trdlo/Trdelnikor are traditionally Czech
2. Missing out on traditional local dishes
3. Eating at a touristy “local” restaurant
4. Only coming to Prague for the beer
5. Booking tickets on the wrong websites
6. Expecting everyone to be your new best friend
7. Only staying in the city center
8. Not being prepared for a lot of walking
9. Exchanging currency on the street
10. Underestimating the crowds

Hoteles en Praga

1. Thinking Matryoshka dolls and Trdlo/Trdelnikor are traditionally Czech

They aren’t

As you walk along King’s Road between Old Town Square and Prague Castle, you’ll see dozens of shops selling Matryoshka dolls – otherwise known as Russian nesting dolls. Well, the clue’s right there in the name: Russian nesting dolls. Despite the widespread belief that they’re a typical Czech souvenir, they have nothing to do with the local culture.

The famous Trdlo or Trdelnik are the same. They’re certainly tasty and sweet, and you’ll find them advertized as traditionally Czech, especially at the Easter and Christmas markets, but they’re actually a relatively recent invention. If you want to buy a souvenir that’s properly Czech, consider getting a wooden toy, beer or tea paraphernalia, mucha posters or spa wafers. If you want to get a T-shirt, look for one with the city’s name spelt the Czech way – “Praha”.

2. Missing out on traditional local dishes

Prague has a unique and fantastic cuisine

To fully experience and appreciate the local culture in Prague, you need to employ all 5 senses, including your sense of taste. Czech cuisine is very hearty and filling and, if you get it from the right restaurants, can also be very cheap, making it a budget-friendly way to fuel your trip.

The names of some of the top Czech dishes can be a bit of an obstacle. It’s hard to tell which is more off-putting: the thought of trying to pronounce “kozel světlý” without mangling it or the idea of eating braised pork knuckle. However, missing out on trying some of the top local dishes in favor of familiar fast food would be a huge mistake to make on your first visit to Prague.

3. Eating at a touristy “local” restaurant

They’re generally overpriced and poor quality

Categoría: Económico, Gastronomía en

While trying the best local dishes in Prague is a must, where you try them is also something to consider. Restaurants on the tourist trail, particularly in the center of Prague, tend to be specifically marketed at tourists. As such, their prices are usually higher, and they may lack authentic flavors and quality. They may also charge you for the bread or pretzels on the table without mentioning it – something to be aware of.

Fortunately, the great local restaurants in Prague far outnumber the tourist traps. Head off the beaten path to find no shortage of better options. If you really want a taste of the city, though, we recommend some of our own favorite local restaurants.

4. Only coming to Prague for the beer

There’s a lot more here than just cheap booze!

Prague is pretty famous as a party destination, in no small part due to its extraordinarily cheap beer. There’s something very satisfying about being handed a huge glass of foamy Bohemian beer and knowing that it’ll cost you only a few Czech koruna, though that’s only really true of the pubs outside the touristy city centre. If that’s all you want from a vacation, that’s fair enough. However, you’ll be missing out on one of Europe’s most fascinating, beautiful and diverse cities.

It’s a bit of a cliché to say that Prague has something for everyone, but it’s not far off being the truth. It’s a place that’s rich in history and culture, with fantastic dining, live music and shopping scenes. The list of amazing and unique things to see and do is extensive and goes well beyond propping up the nearest convenient bar. So, consider including at least 1 day in your itinerary to look at more than just the bottom of a glass – you won’t regret it.

5. Booking tickets on the wrong websites

Watch out for overpriced third-party tickets

Categoría: Gastronomía en , Vida nocturna en

While it’s best to buy tickets for Prague’s many attractions, including the castle, in advance, you need to be careful when doing so. There are several websites making their money by overcharging unwary tourists by ten euros or more.

To avoid the price gougers and keep to your budget, check the prices and information on the official website for your destination and make sure you’re buying from a legitimate source. Prices might still not be low, but at least you know you’re not getting scammed. And while you’re there, maybe book a guided tour to really get the most from your visit.

6. Expecting everyone to be your new best friend

Czechs are generally more reserved

Categoría: Familias, Grupos

It can be a little shocking to encounter the seemingly reserved nature of Czech people, especially for those visiting from nations known for their welcoming and friendly dispositions. Restaurant staff don’t immediately act like they’re your newest friend. Strangers on the bus aren’t likely to strike up a conversation out of nowhere.

Rest assured, it’s nothing personal. If you manage to get to know a local, you will find no stauncher friend. However, getting to that stage takes more than a winning smile. This can make the locals come across as hostile or shy, but don’t despair. If you’re determined to meet the locals, try speaking a few words of basic Czech to break the ice.

7. Only staying in the city centre

You won’t get a proper local experience

The center of Prague is where you’ll find most of the city’s star attractions, including the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square, but that’s also its greatest fault. The fact that this area is so popular with tourists means that most of the shops and restaurants here are geared toward overseas customers with plenty of money in their pockets. As such, few locals head there unless they have to.

There are many unique and interesting attractions to be found within a relatively short distance of the tourist trail. If you want to drink at a proper local pub, eat at a proper local restaurant and experience a more local side of the city, consider straying from the beaten path to places like Náplavka, Vinohrady or Karlín. You’ll find the prices lower, the atmosphere hipper and the experiences more authentic.

8. Not being prepared for a lot of walking

You may exhaust yourself pretty quickly

Prague is a relatively compact city, with its main attractions focused around the city centre. It’s also a beautiful historic city with an ancient network of narrow roads. These factors combine to make walking the best way to explore. However, trying to do too much of it at once will come back to haunt you.

Firstly, you need to make sure you bring some comfortable shoes. The distances between attractions can be deceptively long and walking for long periods on cobbled streets will tire your calves and ankles. Secondly, consider breaking up your exploration days with stops in cafés, parks and other rest stops. If the journey is an especially long one, think about using the city’s excellent public transportation network. This includes a metro system, buses, bicycles, river taxi cabs and streetcars. There are road taxi cabs, too, but they have been known to overcharge tourists.

9. Exchanging currency on the street

It’s a scam

Categoría: Económico

Exchanging currency is a major dilemma for many visitors to Prague. While there are many options, relatively few give good rates. However, if a random person offers to swap your money for Czech koruna, say no and walk away. At best, you’d get a dreadful exchange rate. At worst, you’d be given notes from a completely different country.

Prague is generally card-friendly, but it’s usually good to have some local notes from a respectable source, but avoid using the exchange offices at the airport or bus and train stations. The banks around Wenceslas Square offer better rates, though they charge a small commission. Ask your tour guide or hotel staff for their recommendations.

10. Underestimating the crowds

A lot of people visit Prague!

This is hardly a unique issue with Prague, but the crowds you are likely to encounter around the main attractions are big. We mean really big. Most photos probably give you the impression that you’ll be able to get uninterrupted views of the Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock, but that will rarely be the case. With the city centre being a tourist hub and relatively compact, the reality is that you will have to deal with being around a lot of other visitors.

Of course, there are ways to minimize the amount of time you have to spend among the crowds. Visiting during the week and out of season is a good start. Hit the main attractions as early as possible in the morning or after about 2 pm or 3 pm, when the guided tours have finished. For attractions that require tickets to enter, book ahead of time online to dodge the queues. You could also consider getting away from the city centre and, indeed, away from the city entirely. Czechia is a beautiful country – go explore more of it!

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