How to go sightseeing in Prague on a limited budget

DW (English)

If you'd like to visit Prague but have a limited budget, these tips from Euromaxx reporter Aisha Sharipzhan will come in handy, from the insider cafe across the Charles Bridge to Prague Castle.

Transcript

00:00 I'm in Prague, where the beer is known to be cheaper than water.

00:03 And I'm on a mission today to see how much I can really do here

00:06 with 1200 Czech crowns, which is about 50 euros.

00:09 Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, known for its fairytale views,

00:14 charming cobblestone streets, beer, and hearty cuisine.

00:22 It also happens to be my hometown, and for tourists, it's a popular affordable destination.

00:27 We might have a bit of rain here and there today, but let's go spend some money.

00:30 Our first must-have is a public transportation ticket.

00:34 Even though Prague is easily walkable,

00:36 there might be moments you just want to hop on a tram or the metro.

00:39 You can find ticket machines at some stations,

00:42 but there is also an app that I find more convenient.

00:45 This is the Lytáčka app.

00:48 I would grab a 24-hour ticket, which covers buses, metros, trams, and regional trains,

00:54 all for 120 crowns, which is about 5 euros.

00:56 And I think that's a really good deal.

00:58 But for now, I'm going for a stroll.

01:04 Being in Prague is like walking through an open-air museum.

01:08 There are so many beautiful sights to take in for free,

01:11 like the iconic Old Town Square and its surrounding streets and alleyways.

01:14 And the famous Charles Bridge that crosses over the Vltava River.

01:21 The city's entire historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

01:26 I'm in need of a little coffee break, so I'm checking out this cafe here.

01:29 The average price of coffee can range from 30 to 90 Czech crowns.

01:33 I spent 85 crowns, about 3.50 euros, on my flat white.

01:37 This is one of my favorite moments, walking out in front of the cathedral.

01:51 I'm going to take a closer look by paying 250 crowns, or 10 euros,

01:55 for access to the basic circuit, which includes

01:59 the Old Royal Palace, whose halls are used for inaugurations

02:02 and is home to a replica of the Bohemian crown jewels.

02:05 St. George's Basilica, with its austere and Romanesque interior.

02:10 St. Vitus Cathedral, which I already admired from the outside.

02:16 Its construction took nearly 600 years to finish.

02:19 And it has breathtakingly colorful stained-glass windows.

02:22 And the Golden Lane, a medieval street of small homes

02:29 built for the guards of the castle in the 16th century.

02:32 One of which has an exhibit full of knight's armor and weaponry.

02:38 Later, the Bohemian novelist Franz Kafka lived here in house number 22.

02:46 One really cool thing about the 24-hour ticket is,

02:48 you can ride a funicular with it.

02:50 I love these things.

02:51 It was always something a little new and different to ride when I was younger.

02:53 The Pechin Funicular Railway has been around since 1891.

02:59 So cool.

03:02 This brings us up to Pechin Hill,

03:07 where you'll find something that resembles a famous Parisian landmark.

03:10 The Pechin Funicular Railway is a new line of railways

03:14 that are built to represent the famous Parisian landmark.

03:16 Apparently, the peak of this thing is at the same altitude as the Eiffel Tower.

03:21 So we call it our Prague Eiffel Tower.

03:23 After all that sightseeing, I'm starving.

03:28 My tip is to hit up a cozy pub or a laid-back gastropub for Czech food

03:32 to avoid being super overcharged.

03:34 I'm so excited.

03:35 My favorite Czech comfort food fits into my budget.

03:38 I'm going to get myself a smíčková for 10 euros

03:40 and a small beer for 2 euros.

03:43 Yum.

03:43 Your smíčková.

03:46 It smells so good.

03:48 Smíčková, bread dumplings with beef sirloin

03:52 swimming in a root vegetable sauce

03:54 topped off with cranberry preserve.

03:56 Oh my god.

03:58 I've been dreaming about this all day.

04:02 Now that I've refueled, I'm ready to keep exploring.

04:06 Next, I'm checking out the Jewish Quarter or Jozefov,

04:09 which was once a Jewish ghetto during the 12th century.

04:12 Here, you will find the Prague Jewish Museum

04:14 and the Old New Synagogue,

04:15 among many other sites with a rich history.

04:17 I got myself an original plain trdelník for 80 crowns

04:23 or around 3 euros 30.

04:25 It's a kind of spitcake made from a light dough

04:27 coated in sugar that's loved throughout Prague.

04:29 All right, let's try it out.

04:37 Oh my god, that's so good.

04:39 Soft on the inside, crispy on the outside

04:41 and still warm.

04:42 Delicious.

04:43 With the Vltava River flowing through the city,

04:45 of course boat paddling is a delightful way

04:47 to experience the city's unique charm.

04:49 You can rent these cute paddle boats for 300 crowns

04:53 or 12 euros 30 per hour.

04:55 As you paddle along the water,

05:00 you'll be treated to some breathtaking views.

05:05 I'm ending my day at Letna Park.

05:07 This park and beer garden hold a special place in my heart

05:10 because I used to hang out here back in the day with friends.

05:12 Got myself a half liter beer for about 67 crowns,

05:15 which is about 2.70 euros.

05:16 And we were well within our budget today,

05:18 so cheers to that.

05:20 Na zdraví.

05:21 Cheers.

05:22 Cheers.

05:24 Cheers.

05:25 We were well within our budget today, so cheers to that.

05:27 Nazaravid!

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