Enchanting, mysterious, unique, royal… The striking capital of the Czech Republic deserves nothing but praises. This amazing place is a beautiful fusion of rich historical heritage, fascinating culture, and majestic architecture, and, as you can imagine, the result of such union is truly something special. Even more, the cozy cobbled streets of Prague are meant for lazy evening strolls, interrupted only by stops for a quick photo. But can you really get to know this amazing city if you only keep to checking out in-the-public-eye places like most tourists? Of course not. So it's time to leave the beaten path of popular tourist routes and look beyond the standard list of must-sees. Are you ready to set off to explore Prague's hidden gems?
Wonders of Offbeat Prague
Colloredo-Mansfeld Palace
It seems like the best places to start looking for hidden gems should be somewhere on the outskirts of the city. How else can it be when the city center is one of the most popular places in the capital of Czechia, explored by tourists far and wide. But Prague knows how to surprise. One of the city's secret treasures is nestled right in the heart of the town, within a 15-minute walk from the Old Town Square. Welcome to the hidden palace of Prague, the spectacular Colloredo-Mansfeld, one of the most impressive sights of the city not yet spoilt by tourist crowds.
Although it can't really boast a striking facade, the palace's interiors are a work of art, making it one of the best sites to open your tour of offbeat Prague. The decorations of the complex are absolutely amazing, especially the fresco painting of the Olympian gods in the dance hall and a beautiful fountain with a Neptune statue in the courtyard. |
Although not very widely known, the Colloredo-Mansfeld Palace is a fantastic place with fascinating history, for centuries owned by the creme de la creme of Czechia's nobility. Even more, the estate most likely hosted a performance of the rockstar of classical music, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart himself!
Idiom Installation
Our second treasure hides in the Municipal Library of Prague, once again miraculously located nearby the fairy tale Old Town Square. If you are not a passionate book lover, the question of what so exciting exciting can be found in the library is probably rising in your mind. Well, the answer is rather simple and quite predictable, books. Or, to be precise, the amazing Idiom Installation, made out of hundreds and hundreds of books.
The impressive installation was created by Matej Kren, a famous Czech artist. Just imagine, countless books carefully arranged as a rising cylindrical tower. The different colors of the book spines ensured a rather catchy design, but what's truly impressive is the inside of the tower. Two mirrors were placed on the top and the bottom of the exhibit, providing an illusion of eternity. |
Visitors are welcome to peek inside the Idiom Installation and feel what it's like to be surrounded by infinite knowledge. Just resist the urge to get a book or two out of the construction, however tempting it might be.
Valentine's Shoulder Blade
The beauty of the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul is widely known around the world, so this church can hardly be considered a hidden treasure of Prague. Many travelers make sure to stop by the striking building for a quick photo, and some even glimpse inside to swiftly admire the interiors before moving on to the next Prague must-see on their list. But not everyone knows that the basilica's basement houses a sacred relic, a bone of a man who gave us the most romantic day of the year, Saint Valentine. Of course, when it comes to such celebrated figure as St. Valentine, it's rather challenging to determine the legitimacy of practically anything that supposedly belonged to him. Especially considering that there were quite a few Catholic saints known as Saint Valentine. |
On the other hand, it also means that no one can really say that the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul houses a forgery, so there is no reason why you shouldn't go and pay your respects to the patron of love. Yes, it might seem that taking your better half to see some ancient shoulder blade can't possibly be a very romantic gesture, but here we are. Prague truly is a magical place.
Museum of Alchemists and Magicians of Old Prague
Speaking of magic, another exciting place you probably won't find among the traditional list of Prague must-visit sights is a wonderful museum dedicated to the art of alchemy and magic. Nestled not far from Prague Castle, the museum is housed in the home of Edward Kelly, a world-famous occultist and self-pronounced medium who claimed to have fantastic alchemical skills as well as the one-and-only Philosopher's Stone. As an unofficial ex-capital of the dark magical arts, Prague has a lot to offer for those interested in everything occultic, and the Museum of Alchemists is the best way to dive into the world beyond. The decorations and interactive exhibits are clearly thought-through, creating a thrilling atmosphere of mystic and secrets. |
The second floor of the place is believed to be the actual tower where Edward Kelly performed his mysterious experiments hundreds of years ago. You are welcome to visit his private laboratory that looks exactly like you would expect the lab of an 16th-century evil scientist to look like, including the dark stone walls and creaky floors.
Spicing Up Your Trip
Delicious Prague
Ok, now when you have a better idea of what is there to see in Prague apart from the famous Dancing House, one of the most popular places to take a selfie, and the medieval Astronomical Clock, let's quickly discuss some important things you should keep in mind while planning your vacation.
First of all, Prague offers many gastronomical delights that you won't find anywhere in the world, so make sure to check out local pubs and cafes. Some of the most interesting examples of traditional Czech foods are beefsteak tartar that melts in your mouth from the first bite, juicy roast duck, rich and hearty goulash stew, and trdelnik, a delicious dough perfection with various sweet feelings. Plus, the Czech Republic is famous for its bear. The citizens are so enthusiastic about this everyone's favorite drink that they have their unique pouring method called Mliko (Milk in English). |
If you decide to give it a go, you will get a large glass of foamy beer, but not due to a bartender's mistake. This beer cloud has nothing to do with watery substances one usually associates with a poorly poured glass of beer. On the contrary, it boasts pleasant sweetness and delightful creamy texture, so don't hesitate to try.
Why Not See More?
Another great thing to spice up your holiday with is a memorable day trip to charming Brno, the second biggest city in the country. It's famous for the Moravian Karst, incredible kars landscape featuring over a thousand of scenic caves and gorges. The striking gothic revival Cathedral of Saint Peter and Paul is also an excellent place to stop by in Brno, as this sacred place is a real head-turner.
The fastest way to travel from Prague to Brno is via a high-speed train that can take you between the cities in a matter of 2.5 hours, leaving you more than enough time to explore the city's highlights before heading back to Prague in the evening. Other top choices among travelers in Czechia are Prague to Karlovy Vary, Prague to Budapest, Prague to Berlin trains. As you can imagine, these connections are rather popular among locals and tourists alike, so the rail tickets get sold out pretty fast. To avoid any unpleasantries, we advise getting your tickets beforehand. |
For example, you are welcome to use the Rail Ninja booking platform, offering a great intuitive interface and allowing to book tickets for any train in Czechia fast and easy.
And if you've seen everything there is to see (or you think so at least), and the city of Prague has nothing to surprise you with anymore, feel free to check out this detailed Prague travel guide. Apart from offering a lot of great suggestions on what to see (maybe you've missed a few places), it also provides up-to-date news about events in the city as well as some interesting articles about Prague travel.
And if you've seen everything there is to see (or you think so at least), and the city of Prague has nothing to surprise you with anymore, feel free to check out this detailed Prague travel guide. Apart from offering a lot of great suggestions on what to see (maybe you've missed a few places), it also provides up-to-date news about events in the city as well as some interesting articles about Prague travel.
As you can see, wonderous Prague has much more to offer that the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square. Yes, all the city's classic sights are worth stopping by, as nothing can tell you the story of the Czech capital better than a guided tour around Prague's renowned attractions. But if you expand your experience by putting a few offbeat places on your travel agenda, you can rest assured that your Prague getaway will be a holiday of a lifetime!