A Prague Itinerary for the Ethical Traveler

Prague is one of the most visited cities in Europe.  I’ve been told that nearly 80% of tourists who visit the Czech Republic only go to Prague and fail to see the rest of the beautiful country.  It’s no surprise when places like this see high tourist traffic.  The city is beautiful, it’s full of history, good food & interesting architecture.

What is over tourism exactly?  Is there such a thing as too many tourists?  Some suggest that raising rates or limiting entry are solutions to the problem.  These restrictions limit accessibility for everyone and so in my opinion, the answer is education.  Teaching travelers to make better choices is what might protect where we explore.

How can we be better tourists in places that are becoming overpopulated with visitors?  A Prague itinerary that is more eco & ethically minded can help ensure that we keep these places pristine for future tourists to enjoy.

Here are a few suggestions for a unique visit.  Also, I’ve included tips to being a responsible traveler in an extremely touristic area.  If the masses are more mindful, maybe we can help keep cities like Prague open and accessible to future vacationers.

Where to Stay in Prague

Your options for accommodation are endless in a city this vast & this this customary to tourists.

For the Budget Traveler:  Mosaic House is a hostel in town that is an eco friendly accommodation.  It’s the first carbon neutral hostel in the Czech Republic and it’s located downtown Prague.  I like hostels like this because they have private rooms or shared dorms.

For the Extended Stay Visitor:  The Emerald Prague is the perfect spot for someone looking to spend more than a weekend in the city.  It has the lay out of a flat with the feel of a hotel.  If you like this, check out other properties through Amazing Places.

For the Eco Conscious Tourist: The Adria Hotel has won several awards for their efforts towards your greener stay.  It’s convenient to Old Town and you can feel better knowing your hotel is making eco friendly initiatives.

For the Unique Vacationer:  Hotel Adalbert is a monastery that doubles as an eco hotel.  It is not in the tourist zone, but Old Town is easily accessible.  It is located in one of the quieter, greener areas of Prague.

Best Way to See the Sights

Early bird catches the worm.  This phrase has never been more apparent than when visiting Prague, especially in the summertime.  The city is crawling with visitors just like you.  They want to see all of the famous and beautiful sights just like you, but I’ll let you in on a secret.  Vacationers typically don’t wake up early.  They are on holiday, they want to sleep in and relax.

This is your opportunity to  go to the same spots that everyone else wants to see, except with NO ONE around.  I’ve found that even getting up to the Prague Castle at 7 or 8 in the morning makes a difference.  The lighting is better, the weather is cooler and you’ll be experiencing it with far less people.  My biggest travel tip is to use your jet lag to your advantage, get up early and pick one or two places to visit before the tours arrive.

What to Do

You’ll find dozens of Prague city guides online, so while I won’t go through every sight to see in the city.  Below I’ve listed a few of my many favorites.

Charles Bridge Tower 

The bridge itself is usually crawling with tourists or vendors & for me the best time to actually walk across the bridge is VERY early in the morning when you can have the space over the Vltava River almost all to yourself.  The thing I prefer to do is climb the tower at sunset and just peer down at the crowds, moving like little ants, the sun sinking behind the Prague Castle.

The Lennon Wall 

In the 80’s this normal wall got an upgrade with the slow addition of John Lennon quotes & inspirational graffiti.  This wall was made for Instagram!  There are usually groups of travelers in front of the colorful mix of tags and quotes.  There’s usually a street performer strumming a Beatles jam on the guitar.  It’s the only place where graffiti is “legal” in the city so leave your mark!

Wallenstein Garden 

I had originally called this the “Peacock Palace Place” because a friend told me vaguely where it was and they didn’t know the actual name.  The first time I tried getting here, we got lost finding the entrance, but I’ve been several times since to take a break from the crowds.  The best part is this geometric Baroque style garden is FREE!  In the summer they have concerts here and it’s open 7 days a week.  If that’s not enticing enough for a visit, there are peacocks that roam about free range style.

The Beer Museum 

Ok, so technically it’s more of a beer garden not a museum, but you have to drink the pints & do the research yourself right?  There are over 30 beers on tap!  Try a few and see what you like so you can explore the sudsy side of the city.  The Czech people know how to drink, beer consumption is one of the highest of any countries (per capita).  Pilsner was created here but there are dozens of other brews to try while you’re in town.  Often, a pint is cheaper than bottled water, so if nothing else it’s economical!

Jewish Quarter 

There are few European cities with a Jewish area/quarter as preserved as the one in Prague.  It’s important to learn a little more about the history of the region through looking into the past.  The most compelling thing in this area of town in my opinion is the old Jewish Cemetery.  It’s one of the oldest in Europe & an important monument for the Jewish community in Prague.  It’s moving to see the hundreds of prayers & stones resting on the graves.

Old Town 

It’s the architecture and charm that has made Prague popular.  Spend some time walking around some of the oldest streets in the city.  The astronomical clock is in the main square, with buildings around it dating from the 1400’s.  It’s a pretty impressive example of mechanics when you think that it’s been in existence basically since Medieval Times!

City Views 

There are several great views of the cityscape, and Prague is prettiest from above.  Letna Park is a city green space with plenty of spots to relax and enjoy the views.  There’s a beer garden here which is a great place for a happy hour pint at sunset.  Similarly, Petrin Hill sits high above the city and has stunning panoramas.  You can take the funicular up to the top or if you want some exercise, you can walk up.  I suggest taking the ride up and a trail back down.

 

Where to Eat

Restaurants are on every corner in every neighborhood in Prague, and so it can be a daunting task to decide which place has decent tasting, decent priced meals.  Ethical tourism means finding places that serve local, seasonal food with an emphasis on vegan and vegetarian dishes.  Doing a little bit of research ahead of time will keep you from circling the block, scouring over menus to see if they are worth your money and your palate.

Plevel is a Vegan & Vegetarian option in the city.  I hadn’t tried it personally, but several people have recommended trying their take on goulash, one of Czech’s national dishes.  Nothing beats walking around old town with a delicious ice cream.  Puro Gelato has fresh, natural ingredients along with vegan options, so enjoy your gelato guilt free.

Bohemia Bagel is right off the main street on route to the castle & it’s a perfect stop after you’ve been out early in the morning beating the crowds.  I came down the stairs from the castle just as groups were trekking up and sat down for a bagel sandwich after a full morning of exploring.  Lehka Hlava is Czech for “clear head” and is a great flavorful alternative to the meat heavy dishes found in traditional Czech cuisine.

For all my carnivores, there are several choices offering local choices doing seasonal, sustainable or slow food.  The Farm has a delicious farm to fork style menu.  They cook seasonally and with traditional Czech specialties.  Dish {Fine Burger Bistro} has epic juicy burgers and take your veggie friends with you, they have meatless options.  Another local lunch staple are chlebicky, basically an open faced sandwich.  Sisters Bistro is turning the tradition on its head with some unique pairings.  For a hearty meal, check out Lokal to enjoy a Czech dish alongside your beer.

What I DIDN’T Eat 

You will see people in the tourist zones chomping on trdelnik, a rolled dough cake sprinkled with sugar and often stuffed with cream or ice cream.  The problem is that it’s really only sold to tourists and is traditionally more Slovakian or Hungarian.  Czechs love their sweets so if you really want to try something more traditional, hit up a Czech bakery for something more authentic.

Where to Shop

Souvenirs may seem like a innocent purchase until you do a little more research.  You’ll find souvenir shops that line the streets of Old Town often have items made in foreign countries.  Be more conscious about your purchases on vacation.  Buy from local craftspeople, which means trying to avoid those tourist trap souvenir shops that have cheap items that aren’t even made locally.  Purchasing your gifts locally is the most sustainable option to ensure you are keeping your Koruna in Prague.  I found a high end boutique shop that sells city centric souvenirs, Pragtique, that I would recommend.  Also, From Prague with Love is a family run boutique that has gifts from the Czech Republic.

How to Get Around

Traveling by foot, bike, or public transport is the most environmentally friendly way to get around.  For exploring the major tourist attractions, you can easily access everything on your own by walking.  The trams are well connected & can get you around town cheaply & efficiently.  You can buy tickets right at the stops themselves, or take advantage of free public transit with your Prague Card which will also give you discounts to major tourist attractions around the city.  It is easy to use Google Maps to plan your route OR you can always go to the public transit website which can map out connections and tram time tables.

Walking through a city is my favorite way to get around.  It’s the best way to scout for good photo opportunities and I love getting lost in side streets.  It’s the best way to to see the city AND walk off all that beer you’ve been drinking.

Biking in Europe is popular and another environmentally friendly way to get around.  There are several places to rent bikes or take a bike tour of the city.  Praha Bikes and City Bikes are two companies I’ve used and would recommend.

Uber is relatively cheap option here if you want to use a car share app.

Want to learn more?   Pick up a Green Guide to Prague to get more ideas straight from locals to help plan the best Prague itinerary.  Thanks so much to the Czech Tourism Board & Amazing Places for my stay in Prague.  As always, my opinions and suggestions are all my own.  This post contains affiliate links.  I may receive commission on clicks and purchases, but the cost is not in any way carried over to my readers.

 

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