What’s on in Prague: Q & A with Alena, Untours Prague Staff

August 30, 2016 by Rachelwortmann

What do you love about living in Prague?

I get to live in the city which all the world wants to see. Prague has everything: nice architecture of many styles, many gardens for relaxing, galleries, cafes, and great views. Also, only half an hour by local transportation, the picturesque Czech countryside awaits.

What is something people don’t know about Prague?

The city is rich with history and interesting facts! When you walk across the Charles Bridge, stop in the middle and look around on both sides. You’ll be rewarded with a strange sight. On one side the silhouette of the Old and New Town, lined with a stone embankment and gorgeous buildings which are raised above the domes and spires of dozens of churches. On the other side is Mala Strana, pinched between the green slopes of Petrin and Summer, slowly rising from the natural shore to Hradčany. This unique view links the architecture across the city including the dramatic silhouette of the Prague Castle. It’s as if you were looking at two completely different cities, linked by the stone arches of the Charles Bridge–which isn’t far from the truth. Prague had been two separate cities until 1784!

What are the top places UnTourists should explore in Prague?

Old Town Square, Old Town Hall with the clock, Church of Our Lady Before Tyn, Municipal House with Smetana Concert Hall, Jewish Museum of Prague, Spanish Synagogue, Jerusalem Synagogue of Prague, Charles Bridge, Church of Our Lady Victorious, St. Nicholas Church, Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, Lobkowicz Palace, Petrín Park with funicular and lookout tower, National Theatre, Wenceslas Square, National Cultural Monument Vyšehrad… There’s so much to see!

What are you most excited about sharing with Prague UnTourists?

I am most excited to meet with UnTourists and discuss how my country has changed since the communist period, and to share my thoughts on what it was like ‘in those days’.

Aside from sightseeing, what experiences should Americans seek in Prague?

Cultural event tickets in Prague tend to be cheap, so I’d recommend going to operas, concerts, the Prague Spring Festival, Prague Autumn Festival, and the Magic Lantern Show.

What are some of Americans’ misconceptions regarding Prague and the Czech?

Sometimes people confuse Prague with Budapest (they’re looking for the Danube River and the Spas), but Prague has its own unique offerings. Many people find themselves surprised that there are so few things they don’t like. Prague is the city for all!

Any final advice for Americans considering a trip to Prague?

My recommendation is the stay for two weeks. You will feel more relaxed and comfortable and get to see most of Prague, a city filled with monuments and sights that many tourists miss. Honestly, you could spend an entire year exploring the city, but two weeks seems like a good start!