Making Memories

Although not rated very high on IMDb, Chasing Liberty was one of those coming-of-age movies that I loved. Yes, it’s super old, released in 2004. And no, don’t try guessing my age! 🙂 The story took place in Prague when the First daughter (code-named “Liberty”) accompanied her father on a state visit, where she eluded her protectors and met a handsome British boy—who unbeknownst to her was also a Secret Service agent—with whom she embarked on a romantic journey across Europe. So ever since watching that movie, I’ve always wanted to visit Prague. Surprisingly with all of the travels I’ve done throughout the years, I’ve finally set foot in Prague only last month!!

I’ll admit it—I fell in love with Prague almost immediately. Prague doesn’t feel staged or curated like some European capitals; it’s real, a little mysterious, and filled with stories waiting to be discovered.

Table of Contents

1. Why Prague?
2. A Little History & Fun Facts
3. The People & Communities
4. How to Get There
5. Best Time to Visit
6. Getting Around
7. Where to Stay
8. Must-See & Must-Do
9. Hidden Gems
10. What to Avoid
11. Costs Compared to Other European Cities
12. Suggested 3-Day Weekend Itinerary in Prague
13. Traveling with Teens and Kids
14. 📝 Tips & Tricks for Your Prague Weekend
15. Final Take

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Why Prague?

Prague feels like stepping into a fairy tale—but one where you can sip an ice-cold Pilsner (a Czech beer) without feeling guilty. There’s Gothic spires, Baroque buildings, winding alleyways, and a castle that sits over the city like it’s straight out of a storybook. It’s gorgeous, yes, but also surprisingly affordable. Compared to Vienna, Paris, or even Salzburg, your money goes far here: meals, transportation, and accommodations won’t drain your wallet, yet you’ll feel like a VIP wandering through history.

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A Little History & Fun Facts

Prague has been around for more than a thousand years, earning its nickname: the City of a Hundred Spires. It survived WWII mostly intact, so you can still marvel at the medieval architecture. Did you know Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world? (Prague Castle is not a single castle! It’s a coherent castle complex comprising over 70,000 square meters of palaces, churches, gardens, and other historical buildings.) And the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square is the oldest working one in the world—built in 1410!

Here are some fun little facts to enjoy as you explore:

• Prague has more bridges over the Vltava River than you can count—30+ of them! Charles Bridge is just the most famous.
• Czechs drink more beer per person than anyone else in the world. That’s basically a national pastime.
• Franz Kafka, the man behind The Metamorphosis, was born here. There’s even a quirky Kafka Museum.
• If you ever hear locals talking about “defenestration,” it literally means throwing someone out a window—a surprisingly recurring theme in Czech history.

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The People & Communities

Most people here are Czech, but Prague is home to Slovaks, Ukrainians, Russians, and a sizable Vietnamese community, which is reflected in its markets and food scene. English works well in touristy areas, but venture off the beaten path, and you’ll be hearing mostly Czech.

Prague wasn’t originally divided into “towns” in the typical sense, but rather into distinct, historically significant quarters that were once separate towns. The main historic towns or quarters in Prague are the Old Town (Staré Město), the New Town (Nové Město), the Lesser Town (Malá Strana), and the Hradčany (Castle Quarter), all of which were once independent settlements before being unified into the city of Prague. 

An interesting thing we learned from our Uber driver on the way to dinner: it’s nearly impossible to open a new business in Old Town. The government is serious about keeping the area “old.” Any new shop or café has to operate inside a historical building, and approvals can take months—or even years. That’s why the area feels timeless—no Starbucks on every corner here!

Side story: If you don’t already know, I’m Vietnamese. So, it’s very natural that I look for Chinatown, or an Asian restaurant everywhere I go. Upon arriving in Prague by train, we called for an Uber to our hotel. To our surprise, the Uber driver was Vietnamese!! Like this has never happened, even in my hometown where there’s the second largest Vietnamese community in the U.S. The Uber driver shared that there are about 60 thousand Vietnamese in Czech, most populated in Prague. There’s a large Vietnamese market complex called “Little Hanoi”, officially called Sapa Trade Center or Saparia (TTTM Sapa), which serves as a cultural and commercial hub for Prague’s Asian/Vietnamese community.

It is worthy to note that “Little Hanoi” is open only until 7 or 8pm. We made the mistake for assuming the restaurants there would remain open until at least 9 or 10pm. We arrived a little bit after 8pm, and everything was closed! Our next options for Vietnamese cuisine were in New Town (walkable from Old Town) and Lesser Town.

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How to Get There

Prague is easy to reach from almost anywhere in Europe:

• By Air: Václav Havel Airport is 30 minutes from the center, and budget airlines like Ryanair fly here frequently.
• By Train: From Vienna, Berlin, or Munich, trains are comfortable, scenic, and drop you right in the city center.
• By Bus: FlixBus and RegioJet are budget-friendly, surprisingly comfy, and often have free Wi-Fi and power outlets.

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Best Time to Visit

Prague wears every season well, but each has its vibe:

• Spring (March–May): Mild weather, blooming flowers, fewer tourists.
• Summer (June–August): Long sunny days, outdoor concerts—but expect crowds. We visited during the first week of August.
• Fall (September–November): Crisp air, fall colors, fewer people.
• Winter (December–February): Cold but magical. Christmas markets, mulled wine, and snow-dusted rooftops.

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Getting Around

Prague is extremely walkable, but the public transport is fantastic and cheap—a 24-hour pass covers trams, buses, and metro for just a few dollars. You can buy 24, 48 or 72-hour passes. We used all of these transportation means during our visit. Uber rides are also cheap; they will literally pick you up for a 4-dollar ride!! Our ride from Letná Park to a Thai restaurant costed a little more than $4 for 4 of us!!

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Where to Stay

Boutique hotels and Airbnbs abound, many under $100/night. Stay near Old Town or Mala Strana for walking distance to main sights, or save by staying slightly outside and taking a tram.

We stayed at Hotel Leon D’Oro in the middle of Old Town, a few steps from the IAM Illusion Art Museum. We liked our 2-story suites with access to the rooftop terrace. You can enjoy the morning coffee or a late night cap while looking over the city!

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Must-See & Must-Do

• Charles Bridge at sunrise – Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it gets ridiculously crowded. But go at sunrise, and you’ll have the bridge almost to yourself.

• Prague Castle & St. Vitus Cathedral – You can skip the full ticket line and just wander the castle grounds (free). The views alone are worth it.
  However, the cathedral is very beautiful so I recommend you visiting inside. Remember to purchase the ticket at the information center across from the cathedral before standing in line.

• Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock – The hourly show is cute but a little overrated. The clock show is a tourist trap; it lasted less than a minute and with very few movements! The square itself? Magical, especially at night. Reading about the history of the clock is very interesting though, so you can understand all of the markings on the clock. It does more than just tell time!

• Beer culture – Prague is the beer capital of the world. Don’t leave without sampling a classic Pilsner in a local pub.

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Hidden Gems

• Vyšehrad – A quiet fortress with sweeping views and far fewer tourists.
• Letná Park Beer Garden – Great views and cheap beer. Win-win.
• Neighborhood bakeries – Forget trdelník (the touristy chimney cake – it’s super sweet to us, even without the filling!) Real Czech pastries at local bakeries are the way to go.

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What to Avoid

• Tourist trap restaurants around Old Town Square – Overpriced and bland. Walk a few blocks for better food.
• Cash exchange booths – They’ll eat into your budget. Stick with ATMs – calculate the amount of cash you may need, so you don’t have to withdraw everyday and pay the ATM fee multiple times!

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Food You’ll Love

Prague is a comfort food paradise. Think hearty meals and beer.

• Svíčková: Beef in creamy sauce with dumplings.
• Goulash: Rich, satisfying stew.
• Smažený sýr: Deep-fried cheese.
• Street food: Skip the touristy chimney cakes (trdelník) and grab a grilled sausage (klobása) instead.
• Coffee & sweets: Local bakeries are serving medovník (honey cake) and other delights.

Dinner with a beer will usually run under $15, coffee and pastry around $5. Compared to Paris or Vienna, your wallet will be smiling.

Our last meal in Prague was at FAME, whose Thai food is authentic and very good, and the decoration is much nicer than your typical hole-in-the-wall Asian restaurant. The place is owned by a Czech man and his Thai wife. Highly recommended.

Fun note: I was surprised by the number of boba places in Old Town, and no surprise that they are owned by Asians – well, the workers are Asians. I have recognized many to be Vietnamese! You sure won’t miss your boba fix since there are so many of them!

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Costs Compared to Other European Cities

Meals: ~$15 with beer
Coffee: ~$3
Public transport: ~$5 for a 24-hour pass
Hotel/Airbnb: Under $100 a night for really nice spots
Compared to Paris, Vienna, or even Salzburg, you’ll feel like you scored a deal at every turn.

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Suggested 3-Day Weekend Itinerary in Prague

Friday Afternoon & Evening

• Check-in & Orientation Walk
  Drop your bags at your hotel or Airbnb, then stretch your legs with a wander through Wenceslas Square and into Old Town. It’s the perfect first taste of Prague’s vibe.
• Astronomical Clock & Old Town Square
  Catch the hourly show at the Astronomical Clock if you’re nearby—it’s not life-changing, but fun to see once. The square is especially magical as the lights start to come on at dusk.
• Dinner in Mala Strana
  Cross Charles Bridge at sunset—trust me, it’s gorgeous—and grab dinner at a cozy Czech restaurant in Mala Strana. Try svíčková or goulash with dumplings.
• Optional Nightcap
  Prague’s nightlife is famous. If you’re up for it, check out a local pub or join a short evening river cruise to see the city lit up. We didn’t do the cruise, but our hotel receptionist promised the view from the river gives a different outlook than from the river banks!!

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Saturday – Full Day of Exploring

• Early Morning on Charles Bridge
  Get there just after sunrise before the crowds. You’ll feel like you have the whole city to yourself.
• Prague Castle & St. Vitus Cathedral
  Head up the hill before the tours arrive. The cathedral opens around 9 am, but even walking the grounds for free is worth it. Allow 2–3 hours here.
• Lunch near Hradčany
  Skip the touristy cafés right by the castle and walk a few blocks for more authentic and affordable Czech food. However, for convenience, we had lunch near the castle, at Lobkowicz Palace Café. The food was average, but the view was amazing! We had some more exploration to do in the area, so this was convenient.
• Jewish Quarter (Josefov)
  Spend your afternoon exploring the synagogues and Jewish cemetery. Note: they are closed on Saturdays (Shabbat), so plan this for Friday or Sunday instead.
• Evening:
  • Letná Park Beer Garden
    Chill with a local beer and panoramic views of the city rooftops. Afterwards, head back into Old Town or Mala Strana for dinner.
  • Or you can just walk up the Letná Park and have a picnic there while admiring the view. Note that the walk to the park is uphill. At Letná Park, there are several playgrounds (with a cool kid ziplining in which my kids enjoyed very much), basketball courts, skatepark. During the weekend, sometimes there are street music performances as well.

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Sunday – Hidden Gems & Slow Exploration

• Morning at Vyšehrad
  Start the day at this peaceful fortress overlooking the Vltava. Fewer tourists, gorgeous views, and it feels worlds away from the bustle.
• Late Morning: Café Stop
  Enjoy a leisurely brunch or coffee—Sundays in Prague are slower, and many small shops may open late or not at all.
• Flexible Afternoon Options
  • If you missed it on Friday: visit the Jewish Quarter (synagogues/museums reopen on Sunday).
  • Or explore museums like the National Museum or Museum of Communism. Tip: You can purchase a combined ticket for save a few bucks. For example, you can bundle the National Museum ticket with the Children’s museum ticket. There’s also a walkway in the courtyard from the National Museum to the Children’s museum.

• Wrap-Up Walk
  Stroll along the river, pick up souvenirs (crystal, garnet jewelry, or wooden toys), and soak up your last views of the Old Town.
• Dinner Before You Go
  Finish with one last hearty Czech meal before catching your evening train/flight.

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Holiday & Sunday Notes

• Jewish Quarter is closed Saturdays (reopens Sunday).
• Some smaller shops and restaurants close Sundays, but tourist areas (Old Town, Castle District, main squares) stay lively and open.
• On national holidays (like Statehood Day – Sept 28 or Liberation Day – May 8), some museums and monuments may be free, but others close completely—always check ahead.

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Traveling with Teens and Kids

We find these trips to Europe are a little challenging if your kids are not into sightseeing, museums, churches and castles/palaces. There are lots of history and culture, but it would be so boring for them if they are not interested. To balance everyone’s interests, we always try to find something fun to do such as concerts, shows… activities that involve more than just walking around and admiring old buildings! lol 😀

In Prague, our kids enjoyed messing around in IAM Illusion Art Museum, the performances at the Medieval Dinner Show (5-course dinner with unlimited drinks (beer & wine). We didn’t go, but a friend who also traveled with kid, who was there just a week before us, recommended Museum Kampa.

We also saw signs advertising concerts/live music, but didn’t have time for them. Classical concerts are often held in beautiful settings like the Cathedral of St. Clement. Jazz live music are often played in smaller venues.

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📝 Tips & Tricks for Your Prague Weekend

💰 Currency & Payments

• Czech Republic uses Czech Koruna (CZK), not the Euro.
• ATMs give the best rates; avoid touristy cash exchange booths—they rip you off. Note: most people think hotels would not give a good exchange rates. On the contrary, our hotel gave a higher exchange rate from US Dollar than comparing to other currency exchange booths in Old Town.
• Credit cards are widely accepted in restaurants, cafés, and shops.
• Bring cash for small purchases: While credit cards are widely accepted, small shops and markets may only take cash, so it’s good to have some Czech koruna on hand.

🍺 Tipping

• 10% is standard in restaurants. Round up in cafés and small eateries.
• Bars: leave small change or round up.

🚶 Getting Around

• Prague is very walkable, especially Old Town, Mala Strana, and Castle District.
• Public transport: trams, metro, buses are cheap (~$5 for 24 hours).
• Use tram lines to reach places like Vyšehrad or Letná Park easily.
• If you want a more unique experience, Prague Old Car provides vintage car tours. Called tours, but they’re more like cars for hire!! You can customize the itinerary to your liking; we even saw people who just used it to go …luxury shopping!!

Luxury Shopping

Pařížská Street is Prague’s premier luxury shopping street, located near the Old Town Square, and is the most expensive street in the Central and Eastern Europe region.

The standard VAT rate in Czechia is 21%. Czechia will reimburse between 12% and 16% of the amount you spend during your trip on products subject to standard VAT rates. The minimum purchase threshold is 2000 CZK.

Fashion Arena Prague Outlet offers of more than 200 global brands with discounts of 30 to 70%. Here, you can get the tax refund instantly at the information booth, no need to wait to file the refund at the airport.

📸 Best Photo Spots

• Charles Bridge at sunrise – nearly empty and magical.
• Prague Castle viewpoint – panoramic city shots.
• Vyšehrad Fortress – stunning skyline without crowds.
• Letná Park Beer Garden – capture the red rooftops with a cold beer in hand.

🛡 Safety

• Prague is generally very safe, even at night.
• Watch for pickpockets in crowded tourist areas, especially on Charles Bridge and Old Town Square.
• Keep an eye on your belongings in trams and metro.

🗣 Useful Czech Phrases

• Hello / Good day: Dobrý den (DOH-bree den)
• Thank you: Děkuji (DYEH-koo-yee)
• Yes / No: Ano / Ne
• Cheers! (for beer): Na zdraví! (Nah ZDRAH-vee)
• Excuse me / Sorry: Promiňte (PROH-min-teh)

🍴 Food Tips

• Skip touristy trdelník; try local pastries or klobása street sausages instead.
• Don’t be shy to try Czech beers—they’re world-famous and cheap.
• Try local food markets: Discover fresh local produce and traditional Czech treats at places like Náplavka Farmers Market or Havelská Market.
• Stay hydrated: If you plan on doing a lot of walking, have a refillable water bottle. Prague has many public fountains with drinkable water.

Others

• Purchase a Prague Card: This card offers free entry to many attractions and unlimited public transport, making it a great deal if you plan to visit several sites.
• Visit during off-peak hours: To avoid crowds at popular spots, try visiting early in the morning or later in the evening.
• Explore beyond the tourist hotspots: Take time to wander through lesser-known neighborhoods like Žižkov or Vinohrady for a more authentic experience.

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Final Take

Prague isn’t just a city you visit—it’s a city you feel. Between its history, affordability, and charm, it’s the perfect European getaway, whether you’re chasing fairy-tale views, hearty food, or just a weekend that feels like stepping back in time.

Note: All photos in this post were taken by my phone. I will update with better photos once we have time to go through the photos on the camera!