Here on TenMania, we love to travel, and Prague has been on our list of favorite cities for a long time, so we thought to share with you some of our suggestions. So are you planning for a short getaway these days and finding yourself particularly interested in Prague, the capital and largest city in the Czech Republic? Good for you, because Prague has many iconic attractions for its tourists and it will surely fascinate you right from the first seconds. Aside from being one of the top destinations in Europe, especially during the months of May to August, there are countless reasons to visit this magic city, so you’d better go check them out for yourself. And when it comes to places off the beaten path to visit in Prague, you will never stay out of options.
If you choose Prague this season, be aware of the peak months of July and August, when many tourists are on vacation and come here to discover this amazing and fascinating city. Therefore, you might be best advised to take a break from inevitable crowds around the most famous locations and take a tour to see some of the less frequented yet equally impressive places in the city. Below, you can find a list of suggestions with some great places off the beaten path to visit in Prague.
1. New World (Novy Svet)
People often complain about Prague being too full of tourists, curious to see the main points of interests in the city. But the mysterious and charming Prague is more than those iconic attractions, so you should make an effort to discover some of its less tourist-y, yet equally beautiful locations.
New World or Novy Svet is one of them, and it is located near Prague Castle, in a sort of a valley. This makes it seem a bit hidden and tourists usually miss it. This side of town is more like a small residential district and its original name comes from a long winding alley. Built in the 16th century, most houses in the area (which was originally a poor neighborhood) were reconstructed several years later and given face lifts, so they are small, but with a special charm, different from the typically grandiose architecture that can be seen in the central parts of Prague. A particular number of houses have been transformed into art galleries, restaurants or workshops, but the general atmosphere in this area is quiet and charming.
2. The Stratov Monastery
Since you are in Novy Svet, why not also going to visit the Stratov Monastery which is located in the same area and is another one of those fascinating places off the beaten path to visit in Prague? Built in the 12th century, it has since suffered many modifications throughout the centuries, as it was destroyed by fire and bombarded during the war. However, its main attraction remains the impressive library, with old volumes and manuscripts. At the same time, the Stratov monastery houses an art museum, a Museum of Miniatures, and a basilica, so you have plenty things to discover here.
3. The Frank Kafka Museum
If you are curious to find out more information about one of the most important Czech writers ever, Frank Kafka, whose 130th birthday anniversary was in 2013, go and visit his museum that houses an impressive collection, filled with details about his death, life and books written by him. The Frank Kafka Museum is located in the central area, near the Charles bridge, and right in front of it, tourists can admire the amazing writer’s statue. Inside, they can discover new things about Kafka, a writer who had a major impact on Western literature through his works and unique vision.
4. Valstjein Garden
This is another one of the places off the beaten path in Prague that is best to visit on a beautiful summer day. The city does impress any tourist with its beautiful castles, architecture and breathtaking landscapes, so the Wallenstein Palace is yet another important building in this respect. It is currently the home of the Senate of the Czech Republic. Built in the 17th century, in the Baroque style, the palace offers great views from the Valstjein Garden, which is a peaceful, excellent place to relax after a walk through the busy central part of the city.
5. The Cerna Hora Brewery
If you’re looking to see another side of Prague, with gems that are less known to most tourists, this brewery is also part of our list of 10 places off the beaten path in Prague. You may have heard about the famous Czech beer; this location is ideal to get to know more about its history and drink a few beers. Asides from being cheap, beer is really popular nationwide. The Cerna Hora Brewery, located in the Moravian hills, can be reached by car, because there’s no train station there, but it’s worth the effort. This is an authentic part of the country, with delicious traditional cuisine to experience on location.
6. A day trip to Olomouc
Most of tourists choose the classic path and visit the most important sights in Prague, but there are also plenty of beautiful areas around the country. Take a day trip to Olomouc, a great city in Moravia, in the eastern part of the Czech Republic, where you can arrive by train in only two hours from Prague. A small number of tourists choose to visit this charming city, so there’s much to see of the Czech life here, with plenty of things to do.
The most prestigious and old Palacky University is here and a large number of university students from all over Central Europe can be seen here. Moreover, you can see an impressive astronomical clock, beautiful fountains, cathedrals, restaurants and cafes in Olomouc.
7. Cesky Krumlov
Here’s another suggestion to see the medieval side of the country: Cesky Krumlov, well worth a trip while in Prague. Situated a few hours away from Prague, you can go and spend a half day here and see its beautiful buildings, including the Old Cesky Krumlov castle, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built around the 13th century, this small city is a real example of a small European city with amazing buildings and structures displaying Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance elements.
8. The Museum of Communism
Want places off the beaten path to visit in Prague? This place is a testimony for the communist period in the Czech Republic, as well as an interesting location for those who want to find out more about it, as well as see exactly how it was to live during that time. Located at the heart of the city, the museum provides plenty of good artifacts detailing life during the Communism regime for all those interested in the history of Czech Republic.
9. The House of the Black Madonna
This is another unique and less-known place in Prague, situated in the “Old Town” area of the city. Originally designed by Jozef Gocar, the house is currently a cubist building that hosts the Czech Museum of Cubism, with an impressive collection of artworks. Its name was given by the statue of a black Madonna standing in a small sanctuary inside the building and it is a real manifesto for modernity.
10. A World War II tour
Take a historic walk and explore the central area of the city with a World War II tour off the beaten path in Prague. This can give any tourist an overview of the historic center, as well as an opportunity to learn why people in Prague now drive on the right side of the road – plus a ton of other interesting facts.
Have you ever been to Prague? Can you recommend other places off the beaten path to visit in Prague? What about some great and lesser known pubs, beer houses, or restaurants? Let us know in the comments!