We are in Prague the last week in August (then on to Germany for a week). We usually travel in early Spring or late Fall for three weeks but this is a trip that we do not have control over dates or length as we are meeting up with family. What can I expect for crowds? I realize weather can go either way. We are planning a day trip to Kutna Hora but other than that we are 6 days in the city. Any advice? What should I expect. Versailles last year in October just about did me in with crowds.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20038 posts
Total visitors to Prague each year.................. are you sitting down......................... more than 6 million.
Highest month in 2014 was August with about 654,000 visitors
Second was July with about 604,000 visitors
Third was September with about 593,000 visitors
Then if you get a map and look at the size of the tourist zones you might get some idea of what to expect.
Still, a beautiful city.
Here is a plan for four days: http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/four-days-in-prague/
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
We stayed near Prague from the 1st week of July into the 1st week of August this summer and it was very crowded in the primary tourist areas. There is a swath of the city from the Strahov Monestery east of the river, down through Castle Hill, across the Charles Bridge, through the pedestrian zone toward the west into the old town square all the way over to Namesti Republiky, that can be absolutely packed with people. I mean wall-to-wall. You'll be watching the Astronomical Clock chime in a crowd of hundreds.Once you get out of those areas it isn't bad at all (as is the case with most European cities) but the problem is that those are the areas that have the things you want to see! It really is worth braving the crowds though...the city is uniquely beautiful, has a lot to offer, and has an extremely interesting history that I knew little about before we spent a month in the area.
I might suggest that besides Kutna Hora you add another day out of the city to one of the beautiful castles in the area such as Konopiste or Karlstejn (Karlstejn is the more touristy of the two). If you spend four full days in the city you will see everything quite thoroughly and a break to a couple of places out in the countryside might be a welcome relief especially if the weather is hot.
I hate crowds too but it's just part of the price you pay to visit places as stunning as Prague.
Posted by
OP
Tacoma, WA, USA
598 posts
Thank you both. We will mentally prepare and try to hit the tourist sights early. Did you have a favorite pub, restaurant or view point?
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
I have a strategy for seeing popular places in Prague. I hit the streets at 7 am and for about two hours have it all just for myself and few locals. After that go for Vysehrad, Letna, Vinohrady, Albertov (where most buildings of Charles University are - one of the oldest universities in Europe /1348/) and there are some parts of Old Town and Mala Strana (Little Quarters) where there are fewer tourists.
Rick Steves' book Prague & the Czech Republic is very useful to get information what to see in Prague and what day trips to do. Also check these websites for more information what to see and do:
http://pragueexperience.com
http://praguepost.com
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
The Francouzska Restaurant in the Municipal House was designed by Mucha in the art nouveau style and is quite stunning. It looks like it would be quite expensive but with the exchange rate right now it's a bargain! It's a nice place to pop in for afternoon coffee, which is lovely.
We also like restaurant Slavia Kavarna for it's literary and art history. Vaclav Havel used to hang out here along with many other well known Czech writers and artists. It's perfectly preserved art deco decor is beautiful (IMHO; I know that Rick thinks it's shabby but I would vehemently disagree!) and they have a nice menu of traditional food as well as other fare. Again, great prices for what you get. The menu is printed in multiple languages (yes, they expect and get a lot of tourists) but I don't think that aspect of the restaurant has eroded the quality. Make sure to go downstairs to the restroom...very cool art deco vestibule area. Check out the coat check with it's spiral staircase down to the storage room. The bar is spectacular. Make sure to take a look at the famous painting by Olivia of "The Green Fairy".
There is an outdoor restaurant at the back of the Modern Art Museum that sits right on the river...great food and amazing view of the old city.
Another one right on the river that's nice for drinks in the afternoon or dinner (after dark to see the lights of Castle Hill across the river) is Marina Grosseto Ristorante. It started it's life as a huge barge but has been beautifully converted into a multi-level restaurant. It's has walls of windows/skylights and an outdoor patio at the level of the water. Excellent food.