Most of the stuff that I have written and will write on this page is pretty serious or informative, so I wanted to start something that is entertaining to read and to write. So, without further ado, I present:
Kyle’s Weekly Travel Guide.
Each week, I will pick a city and provide a short travel guide for your personal use. Occasionally, I will do a full country guide, so you can look forward to that too. With luck, it will be informative, but fun!
The first iteration of Kyle’s Weekly Travel Guide is a city that I know and love. That city? The city of a thousand spires:
Prague, Czech Republic
Things to Do
There are many things to do in the Czech Republic; it is a country that appeals to the interests of many. However, since this is my travel blog, I will give recommendations based on how I like to travel. If you like romantic river cruises or a nice park to sit and read, then this blog may not be for you.
First off I will start with Sightseeing. The most popular things to go see are:
Prague Castle
This castle is dope. Most castles are, but this one is really fucking big, and I’m pretty sure it was free to visit. It is a bit of a walk to go see it if you’re staying in downtown Prague (i.e Prague 1 or 2), but it is quite beautiful. Take St. Charles Bridge to cross the river if you are going, and make sure to take a lot of pictures.
The St. Charles Bridge
This bridge is really cool. It has statues every five feet it seems, and around sunset, there is no place like it in the city to get a good view of the river and of Prague Castle. If you are with your girlies or a significant other this is the insta-pic location for sure. Grab a coffee and walk the bridge, and I assure you it’ll be a nice hour of time spent.
Wenceslas Square
My hotel was on Wenceslas Square (holy fuck it’s a blender to type Wenceslas), so I had to include it because when I was there, it was the host to a massive anti-communist rally and I’m pretty sure the crowd was rowdy enough to start a riot if someone had the energy to kick it off. The energy alone was enough to include it here.
Old Town Square
This square is the heart of Old Prague and kind of defines the city. A bunch of quaint restaurants and shops surround the area, and at night it is full of Eastern European and Turkish men peddling all kinds of “favors” for really cheap. As I said, this square defines Prague.
Church of Our Lady before Tyn
This church towers over Old Town Square and provides the setting for the magic of Old Town Square. After you take the advice of the nightlife section, this will be your beacon to know how to get back to your hotel. At least it was for me.
Dancing House
I added the Dancing House because there is a really cool coffee shop on the roof, and the architecture of the building is unique.
Prague Suburbs
You have to go to the Prague suburbs, as weird as it may sound. There is a subway system in Prague that operates pretty well. The suburbs are where you will find crazy shit like a bar decorated in a rusty, scrap metal theme, and flea markets where Chinese immigrants fight tooth and nail to convince you the Gucci belt made of plastic leather and loosely hanging logos is real and worth the 200 euros they are demanding of you.
There are other things to go see like museums and a lot of churches, but go and look on TripAdvisor or something because I didn’t do that when I was there.
Restaurants
This section is small since I can’t remember specific restaurants. But expect goulash, pickled vegetables, and a lot of bread. You’ll be happy regardless.
Nightlife
Prague is an absolute fuck shack, let me tell you. Beer is cheaper than water and Czechs drink the stuff more per capita than anyone else in the world.
As I hinted previously, the nightlife will hit you like a freight train when sketchy men offer you weed, blow, and hookers with the aggression of a used car salesman. Once you make it past the gauntlet of what is essentially the Balkan version of downtown Cabo San Lucas, you can make your way to these bars: (Remember, this is the guide for places I’ve been to so if you read this and go “blah blah what about M1 or Zláty Storm Bar,” fuck you I didn’t go).
Fear House Praha
The rest of this list will feature bars that I enjoyed and recommend. This one is mentioned to avoid; unless you’re a lunatic and like horror shit. Fear House Praha is a haunted house and a bar rolled into one. They have an area specifically designated as a haunted house, but it leaks.
Imagine you’re enjoying a spooky themed drink in a dimly lit Halloween themed bar, and all of a sudden the chick from the ring walks around the corner and stares directly at your table. To add to that, if you show any fear, the actors take that as consent to constantly harass you. Not fun.
Karlovy Lázně
Karlovy Lázně claims to be the biggest club in Central Europe. I believe them. This five story club has everything and every type of music. However, the prices are high. The cover was 20 euros when I went, which is highway robbery knowing that you can go into a dive across the street and drink a Pilsner Urquell for 1 euro.
Inside, beers go for 4 euros. However, if you’re like me and love some good mood switches, then this place is for you. Every floor has a different style of music, ranging from EDM, Hip Hop/Rap, Soul, Rock, and even Country.
Jazz Republic
Prague has a million Jazz clubs but I had to throw this one in the ring. Mind you, I haven’t been to this place in a few years but if you want to listen to vulgar, extremely horny Frenchmen play the shit out of some jazz, the Jazz Republic is your spot. Good whiskey drinks here too.
Absintherie
Similar to Jazz Republic is Absintherie. Prague loves itself some absinthe. The inside looks like a man from the Victorian Era designed what 2023 would look like. Plus, the bartenders were extremely friendly and loved creating delicious, interesting drinks out of what is essentially rat poison.
I highly recommend Absintherie, and if you aren’t careful you can find yourself in this bar for hours. But seriously, take a shot of absinthe without sugar and tell me it’s not straight-up poison.
James Dean
Ah, James Dean. My favorite bar in Prague. When you walk into this place you will think that you walked into a 50’s diner straight out of classic Americana. However, when you go to the basement you’d think you just teleported to Hell’s Angels’ HQ in Buckeye, Arizona… and it’s amazing. The music is good, the drinks are better, and when you get there ask for a Slap in the Face. I won’t tell you what it is but prepare for it to be the best 25 euros you will ever spend.
The nightlife in Prague is one-of-a-kind. Just stay safe, and make sure to not listen to street merchants.
Safety and Don’ts
Prague is as safe as any other European city. Beware of pickpockets, and if you’re a woman, be cautious when walking alone at night. It is best not to exchange cash or show any extreme valuables in public, but that is just travel safety 101.
Beware of random tours; there are many tours in Prague that happen to be scams.
Please, please do not call the Czech Republic Chechnya. As the President recently renamed the country Czechia (Check- ia), many tourists have been accidentally calling the country Chechnya. Do not do that.
Additionally, don’t stay in the city center. Branch out! Find out where the locals eat, drink, and hangout and go there. Live like the locals.
How to Get There and Get Around
Currently, there is only one direct flight from the US to Prague. Delta flies to Prague direct from JFK. However, flying into common connecting cities such as London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Frankfurt (please do not fly into Frankfurt) will have simple connections into Prague.
Once there, Prague is a very walkable city, and taxis, ubers and the subway are all great ways to get around.
Key Language
- Hello— Ahoj (Ahoy), Dobry’ Den (dobree den)
- Goodbye— Na Shledanou (nas-khledanow)
- Yes— Ano
- No— Ne
- Thank you— Dekuji Vam (dyekooye vam)
- Please— Prosím (proseem)
- Beer— Pivo
- No I do not want a prostitute— Ne, nechci prostitutku
I hope that this blog was informative; and if you decide to travel to Prague, have fun!