Prague, Czech Republic takes the title of my favorite European city to visit. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also so rich in history and there’s so much you can learn first-hand. So without further ado, here are the reasons why Prague is my favorite city and why you should add it to your travel bucket list:
1. The city looks like it was taken straight from a fairy tale book 
From cobblestone streets to castles and Old Town Square, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time to a land of kings and queens and princesses locked away in tall towers. Take a stroll around Old Town, take in the rich Gothic style architecture and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time.
2. The rich history
If you want to learn about the rich history of Prague, I highly recommend doing the self-guided audio tour at the Prague Castle. You can explore the castle at your own pace and choose which areas you’d like to learn more about. I personally experienced the entire audio tour and it took me about 4 hours to get through it in its entirety. The audioguide costs 100 CZK to rent, or about 5 USD. It’s great for smaller groups, even better if you’re traveling solo!
I also highly recommend Rick Steves’ audio tours to learn about the history of Prague while exploring the city. It’s a free app that you can download to your phone which contains audio tours and corresponding maps of the city. I’ve used this app while visiting Prague & Italy, I have nothing but positive things to say! If you have a free morning or afternoon, download the Prague City Walk guide and do some exploring!
3. It’s C H E A P
Food is cheap. Beer is cheap. Hostels are cheap. This can be a very budget-friendly trip if you do your research and avoid tourist traps. For meals, I always tried to choose restaurants away from the more touristy areas in order to save some cash. You can still enjoy some tasty, authentic food without breaking the bank. On average, I spent about 5 USD for lunch and 9 USD for dinner.
Before my trip, a friend said to me “You’ll love Prague, beer is cheaper than water!” I didn’t take this comment too seriously at the time, but it turns out…..they were right! You can usually get a beer for 25-40 CZK, or 1-2 USD. SO CHEAP! Prague has many beer gardens with stellar views, I highly recommend spending an evening at Letná Beer Garden, sipping on a cold one and taking in the views.
4. Prague is very easy to get around
Prague is a very walkable city, which is great if you’re not going too far. But for those destinations that are a bit too far on a day that’s a bit too hot, Prague has an excellent network of trams and buses. The tram schedule is easy to understand and integrated with Google Maps. Both short and long-term passes are available, depending on your needs and how often you think you’ll be using the tram. Personally, I purchased a monthly pass for 500 CZK or about 22 USD (price has since been raised to 550 CZK) because I was there for 6 weeks and knew I would use it frequently.
5. It’s FUN, and there’s a little something for everyone
Want to spend a night out on the town? There’s a pub crawl for that. Want to watch the sunset with some picturesque views? Hang out by the Vltava River and watch the sun disappear behind the castle.
You’ll find quite a few guides advertising pub crawls around Old Town Square, but I’d recommend doing your research and booking online through a guide where you can read reviews beforehand. Pub crawls are a great way to meet some new people and check out some new bars while you’re at it! They’re reasonably priced and usually include a few free beers or drinks.
Into art history? There are a number of art museums throughout the city, like the National Gallery.
Also, check to see if there are any temporary art installations while you are there, I was lucky enough to find temporary Andy Warhol and Salvador Dalí exhibits while I visited.
Have you visited Prague before? What was the best part of your trip?
