Top 5 Things For Backpackers To Do In Prague

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Prague is such a great shout for a long weekend away, what with the quick-like-a-fox 1 hour and 45 minute flights on offer. You can literally have breakfast in the UK and lunch in Prague, it’s that quick.

I actually won my trip to Prague in a competition I entered with the fab IceLolly.com – my lucky streak strikes again – so me and the boyf headed off on a rather swish long weekend away compared to what we’re used to! We stayed at the lovely, albeit very business-like, Lindner Hotel Prague Castle and even had the luxury of booked transfers rather than having to tackle public transport in a new country (an experience that usually involves arguments). So it was very nice indeed.

Prague

But Prague is still very much a backpacker-friendly destination with centrally-located hostels and a city that’s easy to navigate by foot. So here are my top 5 things for backpackers to do in the beautifully gothic Prague…

Prague

1) Explore Prague’s Old Town.

The historic Old Town is the place to go for impressive architecture and for soaking up the Czech culture. It is a bit of a tourist trap with the inevitable crowds and tour groups led by umbrellas in the air, but it is a necessary evil to see the lovely pastel-coloured houses and to people-watch from cosy bars and al-fresco cafes with a Pilsner in hand.

Old town square, Prague

Old town square, Prague

Old town square, Prague

Old town square, Prague

There is also the cool Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square, the oldest in the world still working. Pretty to look at whilst you chow down on a sugary Trdelník snack if you ask me.

Astronomical Clock, Prague

What I liked most about the square is that despite the crowds there weren’t that many people bothering me or peddling their wares like you see in places like Florence or Paris, just street performers and children chasing giant bubbles! It’s nice.

Old town square, Prague

Pastel houses, Prague

At night this is also a cool place to go out and I found a pretty cool jazz club down one of the side streets. Although try to avoid anywhere the ‘lads on tour’-esque stag do’s are headed. I tried a bar called ‘Coyotes’ hoping I’d find cowboy-boot wearing gals singing along to the jukebox on the bar and instead discovered girls in low-cut tops spinning neon bottles whilst lads ogled them. Plus, it cost a fortune for a rum and coke. Nah thanks babez, I’ll go listen to some middle-aged blokes play that smooth bass at the jazz club… Wait, am I old now?

Old town, Prague

Jazz club, Prague

2) Get on the beers, son.

As you can probs tell from the influx of stag parties, Prague is a boozy city that likes its beer. Jump into that culture at the Prague Beer Museum. Contrary to the name, this isn’t actually a museum, but a dark old-man’s-pub-like bar, famed for its beer tasting. With 30 different beers on tap, there’s lots to choose from so buy a wooden slab of 5 beers to try as many as possible! It’s fairly cheap too, my slab cost the equivalent of £7 (£1.40 a pop!).

Prague Beer Museum

Prague Beer Museum

For a more authentic beer experience, head to one of the establishments the locals frequent, quite aptly names ‘lokal’s. They’re like cafeterias with dark wood panelled walls, a chatty atmosphere and cheap pints. Far cheaper than any you will find bang in the middle of the Old Town, and not a stag party in sight.

Lokal, Prague

Old Town, Prague

3) John Lennon memorial wall.

I’m not entirely sure on the link between John Lennon and Prague, but this memorial wall near the Charles Bridge is a Prague favourite. People from all over the world come to write words of peace and hope, and the odd Beatles lyric, on this colourful wall whilst buskers with acoustic guitars play ‘Imagine’. Obvs.

John Lennon wall, Prague

John Lennon wall, Prague

Instax at John Lennon wall, Prague

John Lennon wall, PragueRound the corner there are love locks on a gate overlooking a wooden mill in the river to go with the whole peace and love vibe in this corner of Prague.

Love locks, Prague

Then there’s the John Lennon pub. Despite the Beatles and UK memorabilia, this place isn’t as cheesy as it sounds and I really enjoyed a raspberry lemonade in the so-called ‘romantic garden’ surrounded by pretty potted plants. Altogether a lovely little collection of sights and not as touristy as Old Town.

John Lennon pub, Prague

John Lennon pub, Prague

John Lennon pub, Prague

John Lennon Pub, Prague

Pastel houses, Prague

4) Get a load of the view from Petřín Hill.

I stumbled across Petřín Hill Park completely by accident as it was so close to my hotel, but I had the best morning exploring it. First up there’s the Petřín Tower, an observation deck which gives outstanding 360° views of the city of Prague.

Petrin Tower, Prague

Prague

Prague

It’s not for the faint-hearted though, as I had to walk 299 steps up a spiral staircase to be rewarded with the magnificent view. Obvs I could have paid the extra £2.50 odd to take the lift up, but dude, I’m a backpacker, every koruna counts! That’s more Trdelník money! The steps were ok considering I’m a non-gym attending asthmatic, but vertigo-sufferers be warned, the open views of the ground below is scary AF. Worth braving for the fab view though.

Petrin Tower, Prague

Petrin Tower, Prague

Also in Petřín Hill Park are gorgeous rose gardens, a mirror maze that’s popular with families, pony rides and lots of sculptures. It’s just lovely to walk around. But be warned there are some steep hills – trainers advised!

Rose garden, Petrin Hill Park, Prague

Rose garden, Petrin Hill Park, Prague

Rose garden, Petrin Hill Park, Prague

5) Czech out all the food. (LOL)

You have to try out the local cuisine when you’re travelling somewhere new, right? Well hands up, I’m a fussy eater when it comes to meat so I found it a bit of a struggle in Prague. But I promise there’s a Czech food experience for everyone!

Mama Lucys, Prague

Goulash at Mama Lucy's, Prague

Goulash with dumplings is a big one and very rich but worth a go. I also really liked potato pancakes with sauerkraut as a starter – yes.

But the the very best Czech food is the sugary and cinnamon-laden treats that are Trdelníks! Yes, what I keep referring to throughout this post. Like a spiral of churros, these things are bloody amazing. You can have them with a range of fillings from Nutella to ice-cream and raspberries.

Trdelnik, Prague

I’d recommend steering clear of Talian Sausages though, even my meat-loving bf couldn’t hack these bad boys. And no, neither of us opted for pork knuckle…

Czech food, Prague

One to avoid… Charles Bridge.

Although a massive tourist attraction and on most visitors’ Prague bucketlists, Charles Bridge is just awful. Tourism at its absolute worst with hundreds of tourists with selfie sticks, tour groups blocking the path, the bridge lined with stalls selling tat and you can barely even see the bridge itself. Hell.

I’d recommend viewing the bridge from a neighbouring bridge or from the riverside where you can get fab photos of the bridge itself with its lovely arches, without the hassle of a bajillion people pushing, shouting and blocking your view. I’m not about that.

Charles Bridge, Prague

There you have it, my top 5 attractions and experiences to go for in Prague, plus one to avoid! Enjoy!

Have you been to Prague? What do you think of my top 5? Anything I missed out? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @HeelsInBackpack!

Superdry maxi dress, Prague

8 comments

  1. Oh wow, those views! I’d definitely brave the 299 steps to see that panorama. That’s a good point about Charles Bridge too, I know it’s a popular sight but never thought it would be THAT busy on the bridge itself. Definitely one to miss or maybe visit super early in the morning? It looks like you had a great time and I LOVE that stripey dress you’re wearing, it’s so colourful!

  2. Love your photos, brings back wonderful memories of our wedding there 1 year ago, right behind the astronomical clock. The inside of this building behind the clock is amazing also and well worth a look if you can get in. There is nothing I don’t like about Prague and can’t wait to go back there.

  3. just got back from prague, it was a bit too touristy for me, but in the spots where you could get away from the hordes of tourists it was really a beautiful city…you forgot to mention the beer garden though, such a beautiful spot with great views and a chill atmosphere

  4. I love Prague! I’ve been there once and I would love to go back. There is so beautiful and also good food! We were at some monastery restaurant at our trip, where was a super tasty food. You didn’t mention a Prague’s Gothic cathedral: St Vitus, (which is at old town). It’s awesome on the outside and in the inside too!

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