Prague

[exhausted90]

Hi guys,

Just looking for some opinions on Prague as a destination for a holiday.

I've heard a lot of bad press in terms of the sex industry, is it really as bad as I've been told?

A few friends have told me to avoid as it's tacky, full of stripclubs/brothels and bars where the women serve topless. Is this really a thing?

Apart from Hooters and actually going to a strip club I didn't think pubs/restaurants would allow topless service?

I would like to go to just experience the history/sight seeing! Im going with DH so would like to avoid those sorts of places if possible.

My memory of Prague, having gone for a short break 20 years ago is that there wasn't that much to do.
I found various other city breaks better, eg Budapest, Barcelona, Berlin .

I was there in 2019 and loved it. We went in Dec so lots of Xmas markets with stalls etc. main square has a beautiful clock that is worth seeing, big display every hour. Lots of beautiful things to see if you don't mind walking. We went to an old monastery which has a bar and restaurant and it was absolutely beautiful. Lots of historic things if you're into that kind of thing too

Have a lovely time if you decide to go. I'll definitely be back

Gorgeous architecture, loads of history, yummy food, good concert halls etc. Some wonderful stained glass in the cathedral. Trips available out of town too, eg through the beautiful birch forests of Bohemia to castle Karlstein, or down to Cesky Krumlov.
Weekends can be a magnet for stag parties, as with almost any European capital, but easily avoided. Summer can be v hot for sightseeing - I went twice in October, and it was pleasantly warm with lovely Autumn colours in the forests.
If you like history, go to Prague castle - you can actually stand in the room where the famous defenestration happened, and see the grand staircase the nobles used to ride their horses up for jousting in the great hall.
Walk over the Charles bridge, admire the statues, while you listen to all the musicians busking (everything from jazz bands to classical flautists!), rub the statue that means you will one day return to Prague, eat in a restaurant beside the Vltava river with stunning views… there is plenty to fill up a few days visit, OP!

We were there in 2019, from a Monday to the Friday in late March and it was lovely on those days but it became apparent (by the noise) on the Friday that stag groups were starting to arrive so I’d say that weekends are best avoided.

We walked lots, there’s so much of interest to see. Something we both found incredibly interesting was the Museum of Communism. Prague Castle was wonderful too and the architecture around the city is beautiful.

There are lots of really nice places to eat and good bars, we certainly didn’t see anything dodgy.

I've never heard that Prague was full of sex industry / topless joints or that was a big side to the city?

I've only heard about the lovely architecture and history, how beautiful it is- so I wonder who has told you about that OP, given other PPs describe it similar to how my friends described their weekend visits! I'm sure they would have said if it wasn't and was tacky as neither couple would have liked that.

Only as much as any other large city really. The same could be said of London.

Have been with my kids and it's easy to avoid the seedy side. It's no worse than many other big cities as long as you don't seek it out. Plenty of culture and things to see. It's very beautiful. Came across more things I needed to explain to my kids in Cologne.

Another recommendation for the museum of communism. Was fascinating.