Experience the best of Prague with Withlocals

A Night at the National Theatre

The National Theatre in Prague’s been around for 130 years and is made up of four companies — Opera, Drama, Ballet and Laterna magika (experimental but entertaining thingys)! Czech works get the focus, but there are also familiar shows like A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Swan Lake on offer each year.

Take a cultural tour of Prague run by locals and they’ll show you where all the main (and hidden) cultural ports of call are, and also provide you with any need-to-know info (like yes, the National Theatre’s programs are all performed in Czech, but you do get subtitled screens to follow along in English). Useful to know.

Take a Walk Along Golden Lane

Franz Kafka lived in #22 from 1916-17 when he came here to write in peace. You can certainly see how he might be inspired in this beautiful row of very small houses, part of the Prague Castle complex. The houses date back to the 15th century, and their diminutive size reflects the lack of available space to build for the original inhabitants.

Named after the legend of alchemists who lived in the street and sought to make gold (almost certainly stayed just a nice story), Golden Lane is one of the top ten things to do in Prague and worth visiting for the beautiful, old world feel of the houses which line on the sides.

Take in a Great Film at Bio Oko

Old fashioned, small movie theatres are so rare now that they’re worth celebrating when you find one. Bio Oko has a history which dates back to 1940. Seeing a film here’s a fantastic alternative to a multiplex, and Bio Oko plays a mixture of mainstream and alternative movies, so there’s sure to be something to suit your taste.

When you take a city tour by a local, ask them to point it out to you. It’s located close to Letná Park and you’ll also find it has a great bar that’s a meeting place for local (and foreign) hipsters — providing a real Bohemian vibe all round!

Enjoy Coffee at a Bitcoin Café

The concept of Parallel Polis is very simple (but aren’t all great things?) It’s an arty, relaxed café that only takes Bitcoin as payment. Staff intermingle, chat and drink with patrons. There’s no obvious counter. Someone will greet you. It’s an anarchistic, techno space that intermingles coffee with technology experiments. There’s 3D printing going on and exhibits like a computer hooked up to the internet as the Chinese experience it (complete with censorship).

Taking a cultural tour of city highlights is a great way to find the quirkier cafés and places only locals know about. Also they won’t let you forget to stock up on Bitcoin first! There’s nothing more surprising than being told: “Sorry we don’t accept cash.”

Take a Czech Cooking Class

Really understanding a culture comes from getting to know a little bit about the cuisine — and what better way to learn than by taking a cooking class run by locals or a personalized Prague food tour? You’ll find there are many different options available — from traditional Czech cuisine to raw food.

You’ll learn new skills (remember there’s a real knack to some techniques used in different countries), get a number of new recipes to take home and feel a real sense of accomplishment. A cooking class where you learn to make something distinctly Czech like guláš or knedlíky is one of the really different things to do in Prague that you’ll be able to tell your friends and family about — and show off the skills you learned!

Off the Beaten Track Prague Walking Tour

A walking tour in Prague is one of the best things to do to experience the heart and soul of the city. Walking tours run by locals can be tailored to your requirements and let you get away from the traditional tourist areas. The Old Town is lovely, but what if you want to visit the non-tourist neighborhoods and discover street art and alternative culture in an easy and safe way? An Off the Beaten Track Tour is the way to go.

Learn about how life and culture changed after the fall of communism, and how its legacy affects the art and the people of modern Prague.

Visit the Biggest Flea Market in Europe!

Every Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Prague 9 there’s Kolbenova — covering over 50 000 square meters! You will find pretty much anything you might be looking for here — curiosities, second-hand and new goods – for some of the lowest prices anywhere! Clothes! Books! Antiques! Or some used furniture for your apartment. You’ll find unique offerings too — like actual artifacts from the communist era.

Because of the expansiveness of the market, it can be a good idea to take a local guide along who can point you to the best stalls and also speak Czech for you. Many sellers speak English, but it’s never guaranteed and your local host will probably even be able to get you more of a bargain.

Jewish History Private Tour

The Jewish presence in Prague dates back over 1000 years, and its rich cultural influence would fill a large history book. Luckily you don’t have to read such a hefty volume as your local private tour girl will be able to show you and sum up all the highlights!

You see the seven hundred year old Old–New Synagogue where writer Franz Kafka attended services, and the Jewish Museum which displays a memorial to the Jewish victims of the holocaust and you’ll also visit the famous Old Jewish Cemetery.

The benefit of local private tours in Prague is that you’ll see more than just the obvious; in this case you’ll also get to see the Jewish influence on other areas of Prague.