We decided to visit Prague on a whim, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we ever made! My husband had a 4-day break, and after being cooped up for so long due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were eager for adventure. Now that we are stationed in Grafenwoehr, Germany, just a couple of hours from Prague, it felt like the perfect first travel destination. We approached this trip with humble expectations since Prague isn’t often highlighted as a must-see destination like Paris or London, but we absolutely fell in love with this enchanting city! Here’s how our unforgettable trip unfolded!
Transportation
As new travelers, we were concerned about getting lost or stranded, especially with our infant accompanying us. It would have been easiest to simply drive our vehicle around the city, but we didn’t know what parking would be like downtown, and we didn’t have an international driver’s license, only the USAEUR license allowing us to drive in Germany. We also felt intimidated by taking our stroller on public transit, even though we knew it would have been cheaper. Instead, we parked our car at our hotel for 25 euros a night and used Uber to get around the city. Although Uber was the more expensive option, it was very convenient, and to our surprise, many of the drivers spoke English as well! With an average cost of 6 euros per ride and wait times of under five minutes, it was a reasonable choice for us, especially in the frigid temperatures. We made sure to bundle zuzu up really well each time we went out!
To avoid excessive transportation costs, we also walked to locations that were nearby, but only if it was within my walking limits. Postpartum recovery was far more grueling than I anticipated, thanks to a birth injury, forcing me to rein in my daily steps. But despite those hurdles, we explored Prague to its fullest—it’s an incredibly walkable city teeming with attractions just waiting to be discovered.
Lodging
The Hilton was beautiful and reasonably priced during the time we went. My husband was most concerned about the hotel including a gym, and the Hilton had an excellent Gym available to guests. The room was the perfect size for us, and the sweet staff even placed a crib in the room for our infant before our arrival. This thoughtful gesture made us feel welcomed and ensured that our little one had a cozy and safe space to sleep. The hotel staff did a wonderful job tidying up our room, which was always clean and well-maintained, and room service was great as well! We indulged in a few late-night snacks that were promptly delivered, adding to the convenience and comfort of our experience.
One of the most beautiful features of the hotel has to be the glass elevators that overlook the lobby and the gorgeous center chandelier. The sight of the chandelier, especially when illuminated in the evening, created a stunning ambiance that contributed to the overall charm of the hotel. Riding the elevators felt like a mini adventure, providing a breathtaking view of the hotel’s architecture and design, making each trip feel special.
There were a lot of other hotels in the area that were much lower priced and also very beautiful. If you are trying to stick to a lower budget, Airbnb is also a great choice for the area. Many of those options offer unique accommodations and the opportunity to experience local neighborhoods more intimately. However, the added amenities and services at the Hilton made our stay truly memorable, and I felt it was worth a little extra. Overall, our time there was delightful, blending relaxation with the luxury we hoped for.
Food
My husband and I are huge foodies! It’s one of the primary reasons we travel at all. Tasting the deliciousness of the world is motivation enough! The food reminded me of German food in ways, but it definitely has its own twist. We were lucky enough to experience so many amazing restaurants, although one was a tourist trap.
Walking the town can really work up an appetite, so during our outings we would stop at the street vendors to try different things. One of my favorites was Trdelnik! It’s a popular street pastry in Prague. The dessert is funnel-like and stuffed with various things! We chose the strawberry and vanilla ice cream topping. As large as it is, we decided to share one. It was more than enough! It was an excellent treat and easy to eat on the way to our next destination.
Our favorite restaurant in Prague was Restaurace Tiskarna. My husband ordered the Pork Knee and was blown away by all of the flavor packed into the dish. I ordered the beef in cream sauce with dumplings. It was an unusual dish, and when the waiter brought it to the table, I wasn’t sure I wanted to try it anymore. I didn’t think I would like it, but it was like nothing I’d ever tasted before. The flavors went together so well! I really enjoyed this restaurant so much because the food served here is higher-end, but at a much lower price point.
My husband is a true American at heart and can’t do without an American breakfast for long. These sorts of breakfasts are not common in Germany either, so it had been a while. We stopped by a restaurant called “Coffee and Waffles” to satisfy his craving. It was actually pretty great! The ambiance was very Hipster-like vibes and gourmet style food with reasonable prices. I ordered the Sweet waffles, eggs, and green beans, while my husbands had more of a savory meal with pork beans, waffles, eggs, and bacon. Interestingly, the waffles were not served with syrup, and they truly didn’t need it. The waffles are PERFECTLY sweetened as is. Chefs kiss!
Captain Candy
On a positive note, we stumbled upon the coolest candy store while wandering downtown. We bought many different kinds to try once we got back to the hotel. The watermelon flavored candy is Captain Candy’s best seller for a reason! We have since learned that Captain Candy is a European candy store found across Europe, not just in Prague. Which we plan to take advantage of every chance we get!
Sight seeing
We made it to some of the tourist attractions we wanted to see, but not all of them. Prague has so much to see that we decided to stick to the attractions closest to downtown. Old Town Square, also known as the Staromestske Namesti, was one of my favorite locations in the city. We love street food, and there were a lot of vendors in this area, so we were able to try many different things. Peeking over the square is a 14th-century Gothic cathedral called the Church of Our Lady Tyn (or Chrám Matky Boží před Týnem). It houses the oldest organ to exist in Prague!
Prague was founded around the 5th century, which is why it is so rich in history. There are so many interesting monuments and museums. We actually stumbled across the Jan Hus monument while exploring the Old Town Square. It incorporates Hussite warriors and protestants who were exiled after the lost battle of White Mountain in the Thirty Years’ War. It was built in the 1900s in honor of Jan Hus, a dean at Charles University who was burned alive under accusations that he was a Heretic. There are so many other historical attractions just like it that are sprinkled all over the city.
We made sure to stop by the Powder Tower for some good ol’ selfies. Then strolled by the Vltava and crossed the scenic Charles Bridge. An iconic area to go running, which my husband truly enjoyed. The Palladium Mall is also located centrally in the city. It was both large and beautiful. We are big shoppers, so we actually visited the Mall twice during our stay!
There is still so much we want to see in Prague that we are planning a second trip with a longer stay. We are hoping to check out the castle, St.Vitus Cathedral, and the Jewish monastery.
Navigating with a Stroller and Infant
Our baby was an absolute angel during this trip! She brought so much joy and laughter to our journey, filling every moment with her delightful coos and giggles. We truly cherished these moments together. Our little one loved exploring new sights and sounds, her eyes wide with wonder as we ventured to different places, and of course, she also took every chance she could to get a nap in! The only slight inconvenience was lugging the stroller when taking Ubers. As I was still healing postpartum and could only manage our little one, my husband quickly became a pro at swiftly unloading and loading the stroller, as our rides often picked us up in the bustling streets of downtown.
Prague is generally a stroller-friendly city as far as we can tell, making it an excellent destination for families with young children. We only toured the center of the city, which was very accessible. We didn’t have any issues navigating through the winding streets and charming squares. The cobblestone pathways can be a challenge, but we were fortunate to have had an excellent stroller that folds up nicely and can handle the cobblestones like a champ. Its sturdy wheels provided a smooth ride over uneven surfaces, allowing us to explore the city without any discomfort. Additionally, it was also nice to have the undercarriage to hold our items securely, freeing up our hands for taking pictures and enjoying the beautiful sights around us. This feature proved to be invaluable, especially when we stopped to sample delicious local treats or when we ventured into shops to browse souvenirs. Overall, our experience in Prague with a stroller was quite pleasant, and we would recommend it to other families looking to explore this enchanting city.
Currency
The currency in Prague differs significantly from that of the USD or Euros. Items are typically priced in the thousands due to the prevalent use of the Koruna. Conversion rates can be confusing, particularly for tourists. A rule of thumb is to divide the cost of purchases by 21 to obtain a ballpark estimate in USD. This method was so useful to us, especially when our internet was not working well. For those seeking a more precise conversion, utilizing Google is an excellent option, provided internet access is available.
Travel Documents & COVID-19
Before hitting the road, we made sure we were eligible to travel and that we would have everything we needed to move freely while we were there. I gathered our passports, Digital Vignette (for driving across the Czech border), and our COVID cards. The COVID requirements also included an online arrival form for entry, though no one ever actually requested to see this.
During our time in Prague, the regulations surrounding COVID were moderate. There was still so much we could experience as long as we kept our masks on and presented our COVID certificates. It was important for us to keep our COVID passes with us at all times because it was nearly impossible to gain entry to any building without them, especially restaurants. We would not have even been seated without them.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the experience was absolutely amazing! We would undoubtedly return, this time armed with wisdom to save more money and steer clear of those tourist traps. Prague is a stunning city that captivates the heart; if you find yourself in Europe pondering your next destination, this enchanting gem of a city is a must! It offers a more affordable alternative to the popular giants like London or Paris, yet exudes the same vibrant energy and charm. Our time there was truly unforgettable! Overall, Prague embraced us warmly, leaving us with many cherished memories.
Ayla Ellison 