“The Golden City,” “The Heart of Europe,” “The City of a Hundred Spires,” “The Rome of the North.” These are just a handful of the many nicknames the city has received, and they speak to the beauty of this incredible city.
Rich with history, Prague is renowned for its elegant architecture, cozy feel, and uniquely diverse cultural history. Plus, it’s delightfully cheap, and a perfect place for college students. In this guide, you’ll find advice on how to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to food, where the best cafés are located, what sorts of day trips you should think about, and much more.
As you check out this list, keep in mind that Verto will have tons of activities planned for you, so be sure to check in with your Student Life Coordinator to see which of these activities you’ll be able to opt-in to with the group!
Where to Get the Best Instagram Post
Prague is already a seriously beautiful city. Just wander around for a bit, turn a corner, and you’re likely to be hit by a jaw-dropping scene that’s just right for an Instagram post. That said, there are a few places in the city that you won’t want to miss.
Old Town Square
Prague’s Old Town Square is a pretty popular tourist spot, so it might be crowded, but that shouldn’t put you off. You’ll find many of the city’s most iconic buildings here, including the Kinský Palace, the Old Town Hall, and the Church of Our Lady Before Týn. And besides, the square itself is breathtaking.
Photo Credit: Praguego.com
The Lennon Wall
The Lennon Wall is a more nontraditional tourist destination, but it’s still extremely popular. Since John Lennon’s assassination in 1980, this stretch of wall in the Malá Strana district near the French Embassy has been covered and recovered with tributes to Lennon, Beatles lyrics, and political messages. Bring a marker with you and add a message of your own!
Photo Credit: Smithsonian Magazine
Charles Bridge
Perhaps the most iconic piece of architecture in the city, this stone arch bridge across the Vltava River started construction all the way back in 1357! Decorated with statues and standing close to the water, the Charles Bridge is perfect for a romantic stroll — or a romantic Instagram post.
Photo Credit: PragueGO
Best Budget Eats
Czech cuisine is famously hearty — think sausage, roasted meats, fried cheese, goulash, and more. It’s also generally on the cheaper side, though if you’re looking for the ultimate deal, we’ve brought together some of the best budget eats in Prague below.
Naše Maso
Naše Maso, located in Prague’s Old Town, is a tiny butcher shop renowned for its specialty meats — and it’s also insanely cheap. For only $4.50 you can snag three slices of their famous meatloaf or a meatloaf sandwich. For just a little bit more, you can grab their slow-cooked pork belly. Whatever you get, you’ll walk away with a full belly.
Photo Credit: TripAdvisor
Sisters
Right next door to Naše Maso you’ll find Sisters, a sandwich shop that serves up traditional “chlebícek,” or open-faced sandwiches, for only around $3 a serving. You might have to grab two or three if you’re really trying to fill up, though that’s still a pretty impressive deal.
Photo Credit: TripAdvisor
Lidová Jídelna Tesnov
Don’t let the huge menu at Lidová Jídelna Tesnov turn you off. Everything’s tasty, and more importantly, everything’s cheap. Though it’s a self-service joint with communal tables — evidence of the restaurant’s Communist past — that’s just part of the experience. You can expect to pay around $5 for a heaping tray of food.
Photo Credit: Restaurant Guru
Zlatý Kríz
Zlatý Kríz, another deli with Communist roots, is one more place to grab a chlebícek, served up the old-fashioned way — think cold cuts, mayo, and other standard condiments. A local favorite, the deli is cheap, generous with its portions, and boasts some truly 1980s decor if you’re looking to time travel a bit.
Photo Credit: TripAdvisor
The National Library of Technology Cafeteria
When it comes to cheap eats and ideal working conditions, you can’t beat this hidden gem. The National Library of Technology is a great place to post up for some serious work, and its cafeteria, while nothing too fancy, serves up filling food on the cheap when you’re ready for a study break.
Photo Credit: TripAdvisor
Best Cafés to Study In
Every college student dreams of the perfect café — fresh coffee, plenty of space to work, and of course, free Wi-Fi. In most cafés in Prague it’s completely normal to post up and work or study, and the cafés we’ve selected are all work-friendly, but if you’re ever unsure you can simply ask an employee. If you’re tired of the library, check out this list of the best cafés to study in when you’re in Prague.
Café Ebel
This popular chain café has locations all around the city, so find one that works for you and settle in! You can grab a meal or just a drink, and post up to work as long as you need — the vibes at Café Ebel are always pretty chill.
Photo Credit: Zomato
Cafedu
Located by the city center, Cafedu is a pretty unique coffee shop. You can grab a coffee or food during ordinary business hours and study in the café’s regular space, or you can pay a membership fee to take advantage of the café’s nonstop study room that’s located on the second floor and is open 24/7.
Photo Credit: TripAdvisor
Místo
Místo is a cute minimalist café with a ton of seats and plenty of space to spread out and work. Things can get a little bit crowded during brunch hours on the weekends, but if you’re looking to post up for some work on a weekday you’ll find a great quiet place to study.
Photo Credit: TripAdvisor
Dobrá Čajovna
Located right on Wenceslas Square, Dobrá Čajovna is about as low-key as café’s get. Inside, you’ll find food, tea, coffee, and special low-lying tables with pillows for sitting on — though if that isn’t to your taste, there are plenty of regular tables to sit at too.
Photo Credit: Restu.cz
Shakespeare and Sons
Shakespeare and Sons is a bookstore and café that features both new and used books in French, English, and other languages. The café portion of the store is a great cozy place to spend a few hours studying or reading.
Photo Credit: Twitter
Best Outdoor Activities
So you’ve been studying all day, trapped in the library, and now that you’re done you just want to take in some fresh air and stay outside as long as possible. The good news is that’s pretty easy to do in Prague. Here are some great outdoor activities to maximize your time outside.
Petřín Hill
This hillside park is covered with cute winding pathways and tucked-away gardens, while also offering panoramic city views. A funicular train will take you to Petřín Tower, which looks a bit like the Eiffel Tower. There’s also a mirror maze to be found, as well as the Štefánik Observatory and the Strahov Monastery.
Photo Credit: Wikiloc
Jirak Farmers’ Market
Prague has plenty of awesome farmers’ markets where you can grab some great food or simply stroll around, but the Jirak Farmers Market, open Wednesday through Saturday, is probably the most popular among locals. You can snag some excellent produce or spring for some delicious hot local dishes.
Photo Credit: Askan.biz
Prague Castle
Formerly the seat of the kings of Bohemia, Prague Castle has been dominating the city’s horizon for more than 1000 years. Naturally, it’s a must-see. You’ll reach it by walking across the Charles Bridge. It’s a bit of a walk but totally worth it. The site itself features museums and other amenities, which you can access with a student discount.
Photo Credit: Prague Castle Tickets
Havelský Market
The Havelský Market is one of the oldest markets in Prague — it’s been operating in the same location since 1232! If the history isn’t enough to pull you in, know that you’ll be able to grab some great souvenirs, from clothes and beads to puppets and toys. Plus, there’s plenty of delicious local food to be found in the market.
Photo Credit: TravelHK
Getting Outside the City
Part of the point of studying abroad is to go, well, abroad. If you’ve gotten pretty comfortable in Prague, it might be time to check out some of the incredible attractions located outside of the city. Below, we’ve brought together some awesome day trips that you won’t want to miss.
And because Verto’s headquarters is centrally located near a variety of public transport options, you’ll have no trouble getting to the train and heading out of the city.
Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary is a famous spa town located just 2 hours away from Prague by train, meaning it’s an ideal spot for a day trip. The naturally occurring hot springs in the area have been used for medicinal and spa purposes since the 1500s, so you know there’s something magical about them.
Photo Credit: Daily Travel Pill
See a Hockey Game
Pardubice, a town known for its long history of making gingerbread dating back to 1355, is also home to HC Dynamo Pardubice, a hockey team that plays in the Czech Extraliga. See a game and try some of the best gingerbread of your life, all in the same afternoon! And the best part is the city’s only an hour away from Prague by train.
Photo Credit: Amazing Czechia
Bobová Dráha
If you’re in the mood for something a little more intense, you need to check out Bobová Dráha, an outdoor bobsledding track located around 45 minutes from the city (though you can take the city’s public transportation to get there). Even if you’re not interested in bobsledding, there’s a great restaurant there — plus you’ll get some truly unique views of the city’s skyline.
Photo Credit: TripAdvisor
By now, you’re probably ready to hit the streets and start experiencing Prague on your own terms. But don’t forget, Verto will have other incredible activities planned for you and your cohort. Your Student Life Coordinators and the team on the ground are eagerly awaiting your arrival!
