WEEKEND IN PRAGUE: A VOLUNTEER’S GUIDE

Only have one weekend in Prague? Our volunteer Nicholas put together a fun and easy itinerary for solo travelers staying at Hostel Elf — with local food, walking tours, museums, Czech beer, jazz clubs, coffee, koláče, and nightlife. Here is how to make the most of your weekend in one of Central Europe’s most exciting cities.

Day 1
 

6pm - Easy Dinner around Hostel ELF 
Žižkov is full of cheap, easy meals for when you’ve just arrived at the hostel. You can grab a quarter of a pizza for 60 CZK at the restaurant just downstairs, a fantastic Czech meal around the corner at restaurant "U Slovanské lípy", Indian curry a minute walk away from Spice India, or a kebab from just about anywhere! The area around the hostel is a budget traveler's dream. 

9pm - Clubbing
If clubbing is your thing, Prague is definitely going to hit the spot! Duplex is a world famous nightclub, recently ranked #39th in the world, with a little bit of everything for everyone. There’s nightly events, a rooftop bar, and a continually bustling mix of people from all around the globe
there to have a good time. If you wanna keep the party going, make your way over to Epic for some ripping electronic music and dancing.

Day 2

10:30am - City Walking Tour
I always start off a trip to a new city by taking a walking tour provided by a passionate local guide. While there are many fantastic tour companies in Prague, the one I took was the Old Town/Jewish Quarter tour provided by Pulse Tours. I met one of the guides, Paul, at an event in
the city and he invited me to take his 12pm Old Town tour. It was one of the best, most enjoyable, and most informative city tours I’ve ever taken. This is a pay what you want type tour but the bar to entry is much lower than similar tours I’ve taken (60 CZK per head paid to the company). They provide daily tours of the Old Town/Jewish Quarter, the Castle, and Nazi/Communist history in the morning and early afternoon.

1pm - Czech Lunch
While in Prague, one must try a local dish or two! One of the most well regarded restaurants in the city by the locals I talked to is Kozlovna Apropos. They have a wide range of rich goulashs, tender roasted meats, and light salads. Price will run you anywhere from 300-500 CZK so it’s on
the pricier end but well worth the cost. My personal favorite entree is the "Guláš z hovězí kližky dušený na černém pivu s houskovými knedlíky", a delectable beef beer goulash with dumplings.

3pm - Museum
I’m a sucker for a museum afternoon and there’s certainly plenty to choose from here. My personal favorites are the National Technical Museum, the Cubism Museum, the Kafka Museum, the Jewish Quarter, and Prague Castle. If you’re under 26 and/or a student, there’s a high chance you’ll be able to attain a hefty discount! However the adult tickets are not too expensive, around 200-300 CZK on average. The National Technical Museum is my personal pick for the best bang for your buck. They have an airplane hangar sized room filled with Czech planes, trains, cars, cycles, and motorcycles, as well as exhibits for photography, architecture, printing, the sugar industry, and much more.

6pm - Beer!!!
Did you really even visit Prague if you didn’t have a beer (or many)?! While one can obtain a good Czech beer (Pilsner, Staropramen, Kozel, etc.) on just about every street corner. If you’re in the mood to taste the best this country has to offer, I’d recommend Smäd Craft Beer Bar here in Žižkov. They have a wide selection of beer types, all brewed in house, and even the option to get 20 CZK tasters! We were big fans of the WA Cantina Erante 13 (Saison) and the Robin na Grepu 12 (APA).

9pm - Jazz Club
Worn out from a long day of walking and exploring? One of the city's many jazz clubs offers the perfect place to chill and end your big day in the city. I’d recommend JazzRepublic if you’re looking for a younger, more lively scene, U Malého Glena if you want that truly local experience, or JazzDock if you want to meet new peeps!

Day 3

9am - Coffee & Koláče
Another Czech must try is Koláče! It has a soft, doughy base, a creamy cheese filling, fresh jam, and a crunchy sugar crumble. You will want to eat one everyday after tasting them! Kus Koláče is the most renowned by locals in the Prague 2 neighborhood, but you can find them at just about any coffee shop or bakery in town. My favorite nearby coffee shop with a wide selection of rotating Koláče is MistCoffee. With my cappuccino and koláč I’m ready to take on the world!