How to Avoid Tourist Traps in Prague [advice from a local]
BIG NO to Trdelník ("Chimney")
Yes, every travel influencer on the Internet is telling you to try this "traditional" Czech pastry, except there is nothing traditional about it and you are getting ripped off big time. The actual value of the Trdelník is maybe a quarter of its price. And this pastry is rather Hungarian than Czech.
If you actually want to try something traditionally Czech that the locals eat, try Koláč instead.
This is where can you get this delicious and much cheaper pastry:
Kus Koláče
The best Koláče in Prague you'll find! I go there more often than my wallet would like me to, but I just can't help myself! It's THAT GOOD!
Antonín's Bakery
Get delicious and high-quality pastries like Koláče or Czech sourdough bread. Yes, the locations are slightly out of the historical center, but it's literally 5-10 minutes away from the sights by public transport. It's local's favorite fancy pastry store and we also get icecream here during the hot summer days.
Náš Chléb
Your ordinary Czech bakery and where you can get Koláče or other pastries if you are on a budget and fine with an average quality.
Old Prague Ham is a scam!
Have you seen vloggers trying "the famous" Old Prague Ham on the Old Town Square? They probably paid for it much more than they needed to. In an investigation led by the Honest Guide, he managed to reveal that they mingle with the scales and charge tourists an insane amount of money.
So avoid it like the plague, that's what locals do.
Lokál
Would you like to try traditional Czech cuisine? Lokál is a local-approved restaurant with high-quality food and damn good beer on tap. My personal tip? Try Svíčková (it's a creamy vegetable sauce with dumplings and sirloin beef) or Guláš (originally not Czech, but we think of it that way).
I may get some shade from other locals for this tip, but I'd also recommend trying Fried Cheese with potatoes and tartar sauce. It's of an acquired taste, but so far all my traveler friends liked it and it was like nothing they've ever tried before! (Shhh, I like it too! :D It just has the same reputation here as pineapple pizza has in Italy. :D)
Kuchyň
U Kalendů
Please note that the traditional Czech cuisine is not very vegetarian or vegan friendly, nor it's a very healthy choice. So if you have any dietary restrictions, you have been warned. Luckily for you, we have MANY vegetarian, vegan, lactose, or gluten-free bistros and restaurants. I'm working on a guide for that, stay tuned!
Don't Buy Love Locks!
Please don't damage our beautiful sights with your love locks. :( There are stores scamming tourists by selling them overpriced love locks that tourists place on Charles Bridge statues and other sights. It's not a tradition and your lock will get removed anyway.
I get it, Prague is romantic. What I'd recommend instead is to enjoy some of our beautiful parks and gardens. Take a romantic walk, smell the flowers, and enjoy a piece of nature in the middle of a city. You'll feel like in a fairy tale!
Here are some of the most beautiful parks near the center:
Overpriced low-quality coffee places in the Old and New Town
I'm talking about those famous Instagram places, rooftop cafés, where you can take a selfie with the sights. You know which ones I'm talking about and I'm not going to promote them here by mentioning their names. :D
Prague has some of the most amazing specialty coffee places you'll dream about long after your visit. So why waste money on Insta-spots... (because yeah, you'll be forced to buy something if you want that pic).
EMA espresso bar
Are you a coffee enthusiast that wants to know all the secret spots the locals get their cuppas? Check out my Specialty Coffee Prague Guide!
Fake Absinthe Stores
Looking for some local liquors to try? Don't get fooled by all those stores selling the green sugary water pretending to be absinthe, there is nothing local about it, it's just a tourist trap.
Sklizeno store has some of the local delicacies, and farmer's products, but also booze from local brewers like the famous Žufánek. The Žufánek family founded the brewery and have since become absolute legends, winning prizes and the hearts of many local liquor lovers. By purchasing a liquor like this you are actually supporting a local business and buying a high-quality product.
Žufánek liquors can be found in some other stores, but usually not the regular supermarkets. And he also sells his legendary absinthe, the real stuff.
That concludes the top 5 tourist traps in Prague and what I recommend doing instead to get a more authentic experience of our beautiful capitol city. Enjoy your visit and hope you feel like a local!
© Copyright Lenka Šilhánová, 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Lenka Šilhánová is strictly prohibited.
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