How to ruin your trip to Prague

Getting a lot of emotions and enjoying your trip to Prague seems to be an easy task, but it also happens that, after returning from this beautiful and hospitable city, an experienced traveler sadly declares: “Prague is actually overrated.” How not to spoil your trip and appreciate the city in all its beauty - in our material.

Go to Charles Bridge in the middle of the day

1. Charles Bridge is a magnificent place and the most beautiful architectural structure in Prague, which is the best suited for long reflections, and in order to take a beautiful photo of the city, and simply admire its views. However, do not even try to go there between 9 am and 5 pm. It will be almost impossible to see anything at this time due to the huge number of people crowding the bridge. You will have to move in a live stream, and you are unlikely to be able not only to take a photo, but even just stop to admire the view. Avoid trying to walk across the bridge during rush hours, or better yet, get up early and head to Charles Bridge early in the morning as the sun rises. All the most beautiful pictures of one of the main Prague sights were taken at this time! (Photo: ChihPing)

2. Charles Bridge at different times of the day. (Photo: Adam Zahradka)

Watching the Astronomical Clock in a crowd of people

3. If you intend to witness the puppet show that plays out every hour with the chimes in Old Town Square, make sure you do not stand close to other people, among which there are pickpockets. Keep an eye on your belongings, even while watching the puppet show with your head held high. (Photo: Paul McDowell)

4. Astronomical clock on the Old Town Square. (Photo: Gosta Knochenhauer)

Put on high heels

5. Of course, there are such amazing women everywhere who easily walk in high heels on any surface, but you will probably regret stilettos in Prague. Most of the streets of the city are paved with paving stones and have an uneven surface that is completely unsuitable for walking on heels. However, for long walks, in principle, it is best to wear something more comfortable. (Photo: Kyle Johnson)

Order the wrong beer

6. It is likely that you have already tasted Czech beer while still in your home country. However, beer is different. Moreover, in the Czech Republic there are a huge number of varieties of this drink. Don't insult this city by ordering Heineken or some other beer that has nothing to do with the city you're in. And if beer is not your favorite drink, try one of the local liqueurs, such as strong Becherovka or plum brandy, which is made from plum juice. (Photo: Dmitry Lobachev)

Don't know a single word of Czech

7. The number of English-speaking residents of Prague is growing every day, but despite this, you can still run into someone there who does not understand English at all and speaks only Czech. In this regard, knowing a few phrases in Czech will definitely not be superfluous for you. At the very least, learn how to say “good afternoon” and “thank you” in Czech, or at least “Mluvíte anglicky?”. You will be surprised how much easier this can make your life. (Photo: Josh Holmes)

Decide to ride a bike

8. You may well consider cycling to be the ideal way to quickly and conveniently explore the city. However, for the Czech capital, you will have to make an exception. Prague is a city that is not suitable for cycling at all. Cobbled streets, not too good traffic, crowds of tourists plus really strange parts of the city, which include roads leading nowhere and unexpected hills not shown on many maps, will make your bike ride a real challenge. Instead, make your choice in favor of public transport. This is, in general, the same good way to travel around the whole city cheaply. For just five dollars, you can buy a 24-hour travel pass and take yourself on a wonderful excursion to remote parts of the city. (Photo: beautyfake)

Ignore non-smoking areas

9. Today, the Czech Republic has not yet adopted a universal anti-tobacco law, and, having rejoiced at the innovations prohibiting smoking in public places in Russia, you may not pay much attention to the fact that, once in the Czech Republic, ask for a place for non-smokers in some restaurant. And very in vain. Smelling smoke from head to toe on your first evening in the Czech capital is not a very pleasant prospect. Especially if it could have been completely avoided. (Photo: Kenneth)

Don't buy a subway ticket

10. Prague metro. (Photo: Nalap2010)

Unlike the Moscow metro, the Prague metro does not have the usual turnstiles and ticket collectors at the entrance. Theoretically, you can freely pass through special pillars, but you should understand that at one fine moment you may be stopped and asked to present a ticket. Controllers are not uncommon here. The fine in case of ticketless travel will be ten times higher than the cost of the ticket - it's not worth the risk!

confuse train stations

11. Nadrazi Holesovice. (Photo: LinksmanJD)

Whether you are arriving in Prague by train, going out of town or meeting friends, make sure you know exactly which station your train is arriving at. The central station and the Nádraží Holešovice station are often confused, and conductors are usually not very loyal to such confusion. Save your time and nerves.