Looking for the best walking tours in Prague? Look no farther!
Texans love their koláče*.
So much so that I get emails like this from Texas Humor on the regular. They really do know their audience.
Growing up, road trips weren’t complete (and still aren’t) without a visit to The Czech Stop or Hruška’s.
One of the most distressing parts about going to university in Massachusetts was when I asked for a koláč at a breakfast meeting (as they are p much synonymous with donuts in my breakfast vocabulary…you can’t have one without the other) and was met with a blank stare and a “wtf are you talking about what are those?
Side note: no wonder you damn yankees are so cranky all the time. You don’t have koláče and y’all are just now getting Chick-fil-A.
when I thought I would still get some koláče
So, when I decided to visit Prague, literally the only thing on my “must do” list was to eat some ~*authentic*~ koláče in their motherland.
I didn’t know much about the Czech Republic before going (other than two wild and crazy guys are from there), so I figured my koláče goal would be easily accomplished. But, story of my life, I got so distracted by how much I liked Prague that I forgot to get some!
Guess I’ll have to go back.
See also:
- Hate Traveling with Friends? Here’s How to Avoid Fighting on Vacation
- Scared to Travel Alone? Here’s 7 Ways to Practice for your First Solo Trip
The Best Walking Tours in Prague
Smoky and I had about 30 hours in Prague. We arrived by bus with just enough time to be content, but not enough to be completely satisfied. Given our limited timeframe, we didn’t want to strike out on our own and miss anything important, so we decided to go on two adventures with Discover Prague Tours.
See also:
I’d highly recommend them if you have limited time in the city, or just want an entertaining afternoon with a knowledgeable AF guide. They’ve got free walking tours (but you still gotta tip at the end…don’t be that guy), pub crawls, bike rides, and the two we took: the World War II and Communism Tour of Prague and the Prague Castle District Tour.
World War II and Communism Tour of Prague
“Unimaginable suffering, unspeakable courage, crushed dreams, and glimmers of hope: Prague tossed and turned in the 20th century’s storms, whipped up by the great powers surrounding it. This tour sheds light on the dark times and their defeat.”
We had Tate as our guide. Easy enough to remember his name since he’s an Idaho native and (allegedly) his parents decided to name their son after the state’s claim to fame.
I was honestly glad I met him, because I had never actually met anyone from Idaho before and was beginning to doubt that it really exsisted. I mean…think about it. Have YOU ever met anyone from Idaho?
This is one of the best walking tours in Prague because it’s a crash course in Czech history. American education likes to pretend that WWII started on December 7, 1941, so going into this I had no idea how important Czechoslovakia was to the conflict (hello Sudetenland and Czech manufacturing) and just how overall wild things had been over there for the last 100 years or so.
One of the most intense moments was at the end of the tour when Tate reminded our group of all the regime changes the area has survived in recent history. And you learn about all of them.
why does this building look like someone tickled its neck
Basically, the first half of the tour feels like Tate (or whoever your guide happens to be, but try to get Tate) is walking you through this Wikipedia article, except it’s a lot more exciting than sitting at home down a Wikipedia rabbit trail (which is the only other reason I can think of that you’d be reading about the German occupation of Czechoslovakia) because you’re actually walking where it happened.
my two fave things to do tbh
me too
The second half covers things like the Prague Spring and Velvet Revolution. Again, feel free to read up about the events and walk around Prague on your own time, but it’s not going to be nearly as fun as going on this tour.
Prague Castle District Tour
See the world’s largest medieval castle and Hradcany, Prague’s famous castle district. Enjoy the most spectacular Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture the city has to offer.”
We had Givi as our guide. The man, the myth, the legend. One of the first things he did was take off the yellow vest the guides wear so you can find them easily because he didn’t want to lose his street cred. We knew we were in for a great time.
I low-key wanted to take a photo with the statue…but no one else in my group did, so I had to act like I didn’t want to either.
Unlike the WWII and Communism tour, the Castle District Tour is more location-based. Instead of walking and learning general history, you learn the specific history of
- Places to avoid in Prague (like the Charles Bridge…”Don’t go there guys. It’s the most annoying place in Prague.”).
- Monasteries (like the Strahov Monastery, which idk about you guys, but looks like it’s realllly just asking to be burned down).
- Why the Czechs have hella beef with the Swedes.
- What a defenestration is and why Prague has so freaking many of them.
At Charles Bridge…whoops.
Bonus: I’m unsure if every one of these best walking tours in Prague has a “modern politics of Prague” sharing circle, but Givi took the time to fill our group in on the drunken antics of the current Czech president, how Czechs are reacting to the migrant crisis, and more.
We all appreciated his honesty, got a great laugh from his sarcasm, and felt reassured that Americans aren’t the only ones constantly “wtf” ing at our elected leaders.
See also:
- What was it like at Trump’s Inauguration?
- Black Tie & Boots: What’s it like to Attend an Inaugural Ball?
- What was it like at the Women’s March on Washington?
Saint Vitus Cathedral
This walking tour lasts about three hours, but feels like about 30 minutes because of how interesting it is. It seemed more like a elongated stand up set with some history thrown in.
There’s never a lull where you’re kicking your shoe on the concrete wondering when this dang thing will be over so you can go get a koláč…which is probably why I forgot to go and get one after.
Still thought I was gonna get a koláč at this point. only reason I’m smiling.
We booked both of the tours about 10 minutes before they started. If you liked to take one of the best walking tours in Prague, you can book online here if you’d like to, but don’t feel like you have to if your plans aren’t set in stone.
*Koláče is the artist formally known as kolache. You can file this under things that make me a pretentious traveler like saying Barthelona and Budapesht.
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Emily’s all over the place. She’s an expert on working holidays, studying abroad, and turning your #GapYear into a #GapLife. Learn how here.
Love your style of writing – adding some humor to good info! We were just in Prague and had dinner at the Dancing House – Ginger and Fred!
Author
Ah, I didn’t know there was a place to eat in there. Another reason to go back!
I had my first koláč at a bakery in Nashville a couple years ago (the owners had Czech and Texas roots?) and now I totally get what I was missing out on those 30+ years! Heaven in my mouth!
Author
girrrrl. so happy for you <3 I've had some since I got back (which was amazing), but still NOT the same haha.
Wow looks like so much fun! I’m so jealous 🙂 Cant wait to visit one day!
Author
Definitely move Prague to the top of your list!
I’ve just started going on walking tours while traveling and wish I did one when I was in Prague. Both of your tours look very interesting!
Author
I feel like they’re always a great introduction to the city! And yes, both of these were really fun <3
Gutted I didn’t do a walking tour in Prague, I have missed out massively. Prague is so beautiful and still remains my favourite European city to visit for Christmas Markets. When I go back, I will get on one of these walking tours for sure.
Author
I’d love to go at Christmastime. I bet it’s lovely all covered in snow!
I was there on April and went on a walking tour as well. Love Prague, especially the untouched fairy tale feel in the evening! We had an interesting raining day where the guards in front of the Prague Castle ran out of batteries in their metal detector so we waited at the entry of the castle for a hour (made some great friends tho).
Love your humor and your writing style.
Author
oh noooooo! Haha. There’s always something about those unfortunate situations that bond people.
Thanks for reading <3
Sounds like you had a super interesting tour. I always appreciate a tour with history and humor – much better than a simple tour of all the main attractions. I would definitely do this the next time I am in Prague :).
Author
Me too! Humor makes everything more enjoyable. Do go next time you’re there!
Bahaha! You know what…I have not met anyone from Idaho. Jeez. I’m glad you found someone actually from that state! 😉 And it sounds like you had an amazing time. If I have a limited amount of time in a city or just want to familiarize myself with it, walking tours are amazing! Will be booking marking this if I make it to Prague!
Author
Yes, please do. These two were great! And I know, right? lol. Next up: Montana. Is it a real place? who knows.
Really great post! Loved it.
Author
Thanks for reading <3
I never really thought about doing walking tours while travelling but it’s a great way to get to see a lot of sites in a short amount of time!
Author
So true! We feel like we learned so much more than if we just wandered around alone.
It looks amazing! Prague has been on my list for a long while,my dad keeps telling me that I have to go because it is really stunning. I’m sure I will use your tips for it!
Author
Girl! You gotta move it to the top of your list. The old town part literally looks like a Disney movie.
Prague is amazing, it’s one of the most beutiful cities in Europe! I’ve been there twice and I miss it so much!
Author
I 100% agree with your assessment haha. I did one night in Prague then three nights in Vienna on this trip and wish I could’ve switched them.
I loved Prague! I love the food and the people. We went with my in-laws and watching them take pictures with the penis statue was one of the highlights of the trip! I wish we had taken more walking tours. I’ll be pinning this for when we go back!
Author
I must’ve missed this comment the first time through. Imagining you with your inlaws is giving me life right now haha.
Awesome! I love a good walking tour – it’s one of my favorite ways to see a city! Saving this for the next time I visit Prague!
Author
Cool! I hope you have a fun time when you make it out there 🙂
I thoroughly enjoyed reading through this, you have such a fun, conversational writing style (not to mention beautiful photographs in here!) Prague has been inching its way up my bucketlist the past year or so, so this is perfect timing – saving for my eventual trip!
Author
I hope it’s inched its way to the top now haha.
I know so little about Prague’s history so I’m sure that I would love this tour! It looks like such a beautiful city.
and by “this” I mean all of them LOL
Author
hahahaha. You’ll love it for sure!
This is a great and comprehensive post. Prague is such a beautiful city!
Author
It really is <3
Looks like you had an amazing trip! Prague is def on my bucket list, thanks for the tips 🙂
Author
I did!
I love walking tours (and I love that you call out tipping at the end- a lot of people don’t realize they should tip when its free). Also, literally dying over that guy in the statue picture- I usually hate that stuff when I catch people doing it in real life, but in a picture its pretty funny!
Author
Girl you ALWAYS gotta tip. It bothers me so much when people are just like “Ok cool thanks” and walk off at the end.
And omg. the statue. Like that guy was going to TOWN.
Prague tour offers both walking and segway tour. Both travelling options are interesting. Walking tour offers to visit the various architectural places in Prague like dancing house, Charles Bridge, Prague zoo etc. If someone wants to enjoy the city from the core walking tour is one of the major options.
Wow, I’ve always wanted to visit Prague! It looks such a wonderful place that has so much charm in history. I think the best way to experience the place is to really take a walk I needs streets and connect with the locals. Thanks for The tips and the little humor in between!
Author
No problem! I hope you can make it there soon!
I’m also a fan of free city tours)
Since I started to travel I’m trying to book free city tours, cause it’s a great chance to discover new cities and to see awesome views for a free. When I was in Prague I got a tour at Generation Tours, but also heard a lot of tours in Sandemans company.
Author
I hear you! It’s also a great way to get your bearings in a new place.