Prague is an enchanting city embracing sugar, spice and all things nice! The city is full of history, picturesque panoramas, quirky architecture, dazzling night life and of course the famous Czech beer! It is a labyrinth of little streets. You get lost and find treasures which will stay with you forever.
However, Prague can get really crowded with A LOT of tourists and sometimes it becomes practically impossible to even enjoy the moments at the location in which you have invested your hard earned money. I have always believed to explore a city beyond Google's top recommendations. Prague was no such exception and boy,oh boy, was I in for a surprise! I have listed down my most favourite off-beat locations:
1. Vysehrad Castle
This has to be on top of my list. This Castle is built on a hill above Vltava River and you will share this amazing spot with only a handful tourists. Every frame is so romantic that that you are guaranteed to fall in love with this castle. You can check out a dedicated blog about my visit to Vysehrad here.
2. Letna Park
Letna Park offers you a quaint view of Prague looking over oh! so serene Vltava river. Letna is famous for its beer garden and lush green lawns which offer great spots for picnic, jogging, skateboarding or for just appreciating this wonderful cityscape. A piece of advice? Just get lost in this majestic park. Soak in this marvellous view. I spent around 2 hours just exclaiming over the beautiful Prague horizon.
3. The Municipal Library of Prague for Endless Books Tunnel
Next up, The Municipal Library! Ok, calm down. It's not your regular boring library. Here's the twist. It houses a cylindrical tunnel constructed with books which appears to be infinite. Oh and I did tell you it is created with REAL books! It is my version of "getting lost in a good book". The tunnel uses mirrors to create the infinity illusion. When I peeped into the tunnel, I realised that just like this infinity tunnel, our life should be focused on infinite learning because knowledge knows no bounds.
4. Prague City Hall for Paternoster elevator
After the endless books tunnel, let's visit an endless elevator right opposite Municipal Library. Prague City hall is saving one of the best kept secrets known as Paternoster Elevator. It is an old fashioned, open and continuous elevator with no buttons or doors. You hop on the elevator at your floor (elevator is still moving) and hop off at the desired floor (mind you, elevator is still moving). Just one word of caution- you must exit the elevator once it reaches topmost or ground floor as it rotates on the other side and continuous its journey. Go crazy creating boomerangs and feel like a kid all over again. Kindly keep in mind that it is an actual work place so you should be mindful of your volume. Otherwise, Czechs are genuinely really sweet and helpful.
5. Franz Kafka Museum for Piss Fountain
Franz Kafka was a famous Czech novelist and this museum hosts a lot of first edition of his books. Just outside the museum, you will find the most bizarre sculpture of two men peeing in the pond which is shaped as map of Czech Republic. Can you believe this? Wait, there's more. The statues are even dynamic as they move their hips and "parts" while peeing. You just cannot miss this fountain.
6. Franz Kafka Rotating Head
I was just roaming around the streets of Prague when I encountered this giant outdoor sculpture. The sculpture consists of constantly rotating 42 stainless steel plates which disintegrate and then integrate to form head of Franz Kafka. It is such an aw-stuck moment when you see the entire puzzle forming into this beautiful figure. That's why I said in the beginning, just get lost!
7. Freakishly amazing statues you can find
Apologies for repeating myself but I am not kidding when I say just get lost in this awesome city. The city is filled with eccentric statues and you will find these only when you are actually soaking in the vibe and roaming aimlessly. It brought a smile to my face every time I discovered one.
I stumbled upon one such statue-"Reader in an armchair". It is a giant statue just 2 min from Old Town Square wherein a reader is lost reading a book in an armchair.
Of course, I had to pose! :p
I became friends with another statue which looked really sad and lonely. So, I decided to give it company. Also the sad face is real because it was my last night in Prague.
That's it folks! Just go all out and explore because that's what travelling truly is! :)