Czech Republic: Rosalie Powell (Top ten list: Prague)
Hello everyone! Now that I have been here for nearly 2 months, I have a pretty good understanding of the city. While there is way too much to explore in a semester or even a decade, today I’m going to share some of my favorite things! Here’s my top 10 list of things to do in Prague, Czechia. From museums, to food, to natural areas, and history, Prague truly has something for everyone. Especially students, which the city is full of!
10: The views!
Starting off strong, I had to include the amazing views on this list. Prague isn’t notably hilly to many of Europeans that are used to mountain ranges; however, compared to the flat topography of Madison, I feel spoiled with overlooking views of the city. I recommend climbing up the fortress Vyšehrad or a walk through Letna Park (historical location of the velvet revolution), to get a good view of the city and the Vltava river. If you have some extra time (and stamina to climb up many stairs), visit Petrin tower, a replica Eifel tower with 360 city views.
9: Beer & Lemonade culture
Czechia has the most beer drinking per capita of any nation in the world. This was a big culture shock to me because I am not used to seeing beer on tap in the school cafeteria or businessmen talking over a 11am pint. Besides beer, almost every restaurant and café will have at least one (usually 3 or 4) favors of house made lemonade. They are so tasty and fun. I recently tried a thyme lemonade, although raspberry and mango are personal favorites.
8: The Zoo
The Prague zoo is a must visit. As a student you can enter for 200 crowns (about $9). I have got to say after 4 hours, we still hadn’t seen everything. It is unlike any other zoo I’ve been to because a lot of the different species are kept together. There is a ‘savannah’ area with Zebras, Giraffes and Antelope. My personal favorite was the turtles sunbathing on a crocodile’s back. I would recommend going on a weekday (not in the summer), because you will have the zoo to yourself!
7: The nightlife
It would be unfair to not mention the nightlight this city is famous for. You can find live music every night of the week and jazz concerts are common in the city center. There is really something for everyone including board game bars, cultural centers, movie theaters, and the opera. There is always something to do with your friends in the evening.
6: The history
It hard to sum up how much you can learn about history here in Prague. There are artifacts found in this area dating back to 29,000 BCE. The city has a huge castle, fortresses & catacombs. The Holy Roman Empire dominated area, was later taken over by the Nazi party and later became part of the soviet bloc. This history is in recent memory and can be seen in the building and monuments. There’s so so much to learn!
5: Hiking/ natural areas
Many Czech people are avid hikers and are proud of the large swaths of natural areas that have been preserved over centuries of history. Within Prague there are many parks and green areas that feel isolated despite being surrounded by a capitol city. I live next to Letna park and I go there a couple times a week to enjoy the greenery, get exercise or have a picnic. There are areas to hike that are right on the metro line, so you are never far from a natural area while enjoying the excitement and amenities of a major city.
4: Bakeries
This might be biased because I have a major sweet tooth but I have absolutely loved trying out the bakeries in Prague. Everything is very affordable, for example it is common to get a loaf freshly baked bread for 40 crowns ($1.80), or a pastry for 30 ($1.40). These are fun places to study or meet with friends. It’s definitely one of the things I will miss the most!
3: Thrift stores/ vintage shops
One of my favorite hobbies is thrift shopping. I never buy my clothes new so it has been really fun to have more options for thrifting. In Prague it is really easy to shop sustainability while finding unique and affordable clothing. Some of the vintage shops are a little pricy especially in the center but either way I enjoy window shopping.
2: Museums
It has been so fun to explore the museums in Prague. Most have great student discounts so you can enter for $10s or less. There is just so much history and art in this area that the museums have so much to offer. Additionally, they usually have really cool architecture which is an added bonus. I would recommend the National Museum, the National Gallery & the Museum of Communism.
1: Architecture
The architecture in Prague is so beautiful. It feels like every building is covered in ornate details, statues, and pillars. There is a huge range with really ancient structures like the castle, 18th century apartment buildings, and soviet era construction. It makes every walk around the city special because I can’t stop looking up! The streets in the center are almost entirely cobblestone so it really feels like a fairy tale.
Rosalie Powell
Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin
Major: Environmental Sciences & Life Sciences Communication
Program: Czech University of Life Sciences Exchange
One reason I chose my program is because CULS is a life sciences school. This focus allows me to take a ton of classes toward my major (environmental science). Many of the courses include field trips and field experience which I think will enrich my academic experience and understanding of ecology. I’m really excited to see environmental science from a different perspective and explore Prague!