Do’s and Don’ts When Visiting Prague

Cultural differences can completely take us by surprise, sometimes in unpleasant ways. As tourists, we hear about famous locations, oversaturated with people, and often end up in those same places. Our purpose here is to give you, a future visitor of Prague, a few hints as to having great experiences in this amazing city. After that, you can contact a travel service provider, such as Worldventures, and ask them to set up a perfect date.

About Prague

Prague is the capital of Czech Republic, a country situated in Central Europe. This might sound too general, but it’s important to keep in mind that Czech people don’t like being called Eastern European, or their country being called Czechoslovakia.

The city isn’t very big, but it’s filled with medieval architecture that brings visitors around every year. Prague has more than forty castles, open throughout the week, although some of them do close for a few weeks in winter.

This capital seems constantly awake and bright, having a very active nightlife and public transport that’s available 24/7. Its locations are quite safe and not too expensive. You’ll get to enjoy world-known national beers and strong liquors.

There’s always going to be something to do in Prague. Don’t assume that only summer or spring are good for walking and exploring. Winter can get beautiful too, especially if you’re there for the festival happening in January, which includes great music and tasty food. Go to Worldventures and check their offers and deals to get yourself a nice vacation.

What NOT to Do in Prague

Firstly, for the well-being of your wallet, don’t hop on any cab you see. A lot of unmarked taxis will roam around areas populated with tourists, such as train stations, in order to scam them. Even official companies won’t always start their meter and will ask you for a random sum at the end of your ride.

Secondly, also financially speaking, do not exchange money without proper consideration. Under no circumstance should you do it on the streets as you might end up with outdated notes. The best option is getting money out of ATMs. Your bank’s transaction fees will be nothing compared to exchange shop scams. On the same note, watch your pockets while on public transportation.

The city center is beautiful, but don’t try the restaurants and bars in that part of Prague. They are usually overpriced and take advantage of enthusiastic tourists, and they might not even offer service and products of higher quality. It could be quite the contrary.

Also, don’t fall for places claiming to offer authentic Czech food. A sign on the sidewalk does not confirm meal quality or deliciousness. These restaurants also place waiters dressed in fake medieval costumes outside to lure people in with their forced smiles. Don’t fall for it.

Another little scam happening in food joints is giving customers stuff they didn’t order and then charging them. For example, your waiter might bring drinks over and you’ll think they’re a manner of welcoming you. Until they end up on your bill at the end of dinner and the truth is out. Don’t accept something you didn’t specifically ask for.

Don’t focus on only visiting places which brochures insist are a must. This includes the overly famous Charles Bridge. Although beautiful and definitely worth seeing, it’s extremely crowded and it’s best admired during early mornings or from a bit of a distance.

When it comes to souvenirs, simply don’t fall for them. Probably 90% of them are mass produced and far from having any unique features. Especially in the center, you’ll find these shops on every corner, all selling the same toy puppets.

Finally, don’t spend your money on all sorts of tours, whether they involve vintage cars, tourist buses, Segway and so on. It’s simply not worth it.

What You Can Do in Prague

We’ve talked about things to avoid in Prague, now let’s see what you should do on this dream trip instead. If you really want to go on a tour, go on an alternative one, since they can show you a closer perspective on authentic Czech life and the city’s hidden gems.

As much as you can, explore the capital and its sights on foot. Many streets have kept the old cobblestone aspect and you’ll be able to feel the medieval air by actually standing near those historical buildings. If you must use some faster transportation, hop on the public buses or, if you get confused, use Uber and other similar apps.

Dare to visit the less frequented streets and neighborhoods. Stay there for a good meal as well. The food will be much more affordable than in the central area, and usually tastier too. Take advantage of the low beer prices and don’t forget to taste their fruit brandies as well. As an extra on your ‘To-Do List’: tip the waiters.

For souvenirs, Havel Market seems to be a good place to find hand-made objects. Ask locals for the best pubs and local restaurants suggestions. They’ll tell you which beers to try and where to find real absinthe, just in case you feel brave. This way, you won’t break the bank or go over budget either.

Most likely, you’re not really looking for a luxury vacation. If that’s the case and you don’t know how to start planning it, we’ve already mentioned seeking the aid of Worldventures. They help travelers all over the world get the best deals on accommodation and many other factors which make a trip great.

You can sign up for a DreamTrips membership and you’ll get amazing offers, not only for Prague, but many other beautiful cities too. Just text your friends and get them to join you. Have fun together in one of the most gorgeous Central European capitals.