Prague Guide: Our Favorite Things To Do & Hidden Gems | Prague, Czechia

What makes Prague's architectural landscape so remarkably diverse is actually a story of survival through centuries of political upheaval. The insane hodgepodge of buildings—medieval towers alongside Baroque palaces, Art Nouveau masterpieces, and even Soviet brutalist structures—didn't happen by accident. While many European cities were rebuilt in unified styles after wars or fires, Prague's Old Town largely escaped the massive destruction that befell other capitals, preserving layer upon layer of architectural history. The fortified gates leading onto Charles Bridge, still functioning as the main access points after centuries, exemplify this incredible continuity of infrastructure. The vintage trams rolling through the cobblestone streets offer another perfect example—what might be museum pieces in Germany or Britain remain working vehicles here, beautifully refurbished rather than replaced. This philosophy of preservation over demolition has created a cityscape where you can genuinely walk through time, from the 1800s gravestones at Olšany Cemetery with tree roots pushing up ancient stones, to modern Czech life unfolding in apartments beneath the elevated Charles Bridge walkway.

The city's intellectual and artistic heritage runs deeper than most visitors realize, particularly when it comes to the alchemical tradition and the birth of Art Nouveau. During Rudolf II's reign, Prague housed approximately 200 alchemists, making it the epicenter of European mystical science. The city attracted not just alchemists but brilliant scientists like Johannes Kepler, who proved that Earth revolves around the Sun while working here. This concentration of experimental thinking and artistic patronage created an environment where creativity flourished. Fast forward to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and Prague became the true cradle of Art Nouveau through the work of Alfons Mucha. While most people associate this glorious style with Paris, the Mucha Museum reveals the profound truth—the movement was perfected here for Czechoslovakia. The museum traces Mucha's life in distinct periods, showing how his personal journey created a complex feedback loop with his art, decade by decade. His later work designing stamps and banknotes for the newborn Czechoslovakia represents some of the world's coolest currency design, demonstrating how Art Nouveau wasn't just decorative but foundational to Czech national identity.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of spending nine days in Prague rather than just a quick weekend is discovering how both banks of the Vltava River shine equally. In many European cities, one riverbank is spectacular while the other disappoints, but Prague defies this pattern. The west side is hillier and has more traffic, yes, but the elevated perspectives and the journey up the fortification walls to Prague Castle reward every step. The castle complex itself—really more of a palatial compound with the main cathedral inside—offers those incredible skyline views that make the climb worthwhile, even if you choose to skip the interior tours in favor of the city's more unusual attractions. Speaking of which, Prague's collection of quirky museums is genuinely wild: the Museum of Alchemists with its atmospheric exploded gold dust displays, the Museum of Torture, the Gallery of Steel Figures complete with robot Horus and Mecha Anubis, the Film Special Effects Museum, and the Museum of Myths and Faith all compete for attention. These aren't afterthoughts or tourist traps—they're thoughtfully curated spaces that reveal different facets of Czech culture and history.

The food culture deserves special mention because it completely exceeded expectations. Finding a restaurant that made the cover of Prague's Best Places to Eat 2023 right in the tourist center seemed unlikely, yet there it was, serving everything from black truffle sausages to smoked mashed potatoes loaded with garlic. The větrník pastry—a puffy creation filled with vanilla cream and topped with caramel glaze so rich it tastes like melted Werther's Originals—represents the kind of traditional Czech dessert that simply can't be rushed through on a day trip. The beer culture is equally revelatory, though it takes time to discover the right spots beyond the obvious tourist pubs. This is why Prague rewards extended stays: you need multiple meals, multiple museums, and multiple morning walks across Charles Bridge at different times of day to truly appreciate how the city transforms from crowded spectacle to romantic perfection when you catch it at dawn with a light dusting of snow and practically no one else around. The city's beauty isn't just in its famous landmarks but in the everyday moments—watching vintage trams navigate the high streets, peering into the windows of apartments built into the Charles Bridge foundations, or wandering the older sections of Olšany Cemetery where 19th-century graves create an unexpectedly peaceful atmosphere once the sun breaks through the clouds.