Prague had always been on my radar, yet I’d never set foot in, perhaps because its food never particularly intrigued me. But when I zoomed in on Prague on Google Maps, I’m struck by how densely located the museums, historical landmarks, and glowing reviews. People fly all over the world to see this place. For me, it felt like one of those places you have to visit at least once ,even though I didn’t know much about it beforehand.
So, here we are: Prague.
Every cobblestone seems to tell a story. Towering statues loom across the city. And of course, tourists (and revellers) spill across the squares—very much like another Rome.
Before the trip, I listened to a podcast to give myself a little more background knowledge. Like other European cities, Prague shares a piece of dark history, which is most palpable in the Jewish Quarter. At times, it felt heavy, even unsettling, especially when I saw tourists taking smiling selfies in the cemetery.
One of the greatest charms in Prague is its architectures. I even jotted it all down before the trip—Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Art Nouveau, tried to figure out what are the differences. But when you are shuffling in a slow-moving queue to enter yet another church, it’s less about architectural analysis and more about not stepping on a person in front of you. That’s why everyone recommends visiting early in the morning to beat the crowds. Unfortunately, that’s a hard thing to do, too.
Still, it doesn’t really matter. There are plenty of vantage points to enjoy Prague from. Rows of pastel-painted terrace houses, waves of red rooftops—the city is far more colourful than most of the towns I’ve seen in the UK.
Across the Vltava River stands Prague’s most iconic landmark: the medieval Charles Bridge. It reminded me of Rome’s Castel Sant’Angelo Bridge—both guarded by hulking statues. During the day, it’s pretty crowded and chaotic, but come nightfall, the bridge lights up, the view toward Lesser Town feels straight out of a fairytale.
Good Food in Prague
As for the food, I went in with lowered expectations after rounds of research. Being landlocked, Prague’s cuisine leans heavily on meat, much like its German neighbour. Thankfully, with booming tourism, the city is now full with international restaurants as well.
Hostinec na Výtoni – Duck Speciality
Na Kopci – Michelin Bib Gourmand Awarded
Cafe Imperial – Grand Interior & Michelin-Listed
We sampled a variety:
- Vietnamese Old Hanoi and Nhà hai hành—my favourite Asian food, and I liked it a lot (excellent price performance too).
- Belgian Bruxx—a steaming pot of (rather skinny) mussels, but in a lively atmosphere.
- European Na Kopci and Cafe Imperial—a long-standing Michelin Bib Gourmand that filled up quickly, and a Michelin-listed grand cafe with solid classics.
- Czech Hostinec na Výtoni—and finally, the star: the most tender roasted duck I’ve ever had, the kind that impress anyone. Pair it with a pint of Pilsner Urquell, and don’t forget to pocket a coaster or two—they are charming little souvenirs.
