Praha

explorations of the colorful capital

By Lauren di Matteo

architecture

Words can't describe the beauty of this city, lovingly referred to as 'The Paris of the East.' It's comprised of endless Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Classicism & Empire Style, Historicism, Moorish Revival, Art Nouveau, Cubism Rondocubism, Functionalism, & Communist Era buildings.

FOOD scene

A compilation of three weeks of eating in Prague. Not pictured: the endless breakfast pastries consumed each morning and the one, mid-afternoon subway stop snack of pizza-by-the-slice. Don't judge, desperate times called for desperate measures.

Kavarna Misto, my favorite coffee & cake spot in Prague, with a traditional venecek pastry on the left.

Super Tramp Coffee, tucked into the most nondescript courtyard, in the most nondescript neighborhood. I couldn't find this place again if I tried--sometimes getting lost has it's rewards!

Lokál, my very first [and last] traditional Czech meal--bread and potato dumplings, ripened fried cheese, hotdog sausages with mustard, and braised beef.

here & there

donuts-cronuts

Dominque's cronuts have nothing on these from Oh Deer Bakery. We rolled out of bed, raced to the subway, nearly ran the several blocks from station to shop, and then proceeded to buy the rest of what was left. We made it a block and couldn't resist, had to stop for a coffee to accompany our cronut.

This is the stuff dreams are made of.

Trdelnik

Trdelnik--sounds like turtleneck--a traditional pastry cooked over coals, filled with ice cream--delish.

MUST SEES

I'm not one to embrace touristy places and activities, but here are a couple I enjoyed immensely.

Petřín Hill

There's a funicular you can take to the top of Petřín Hill, but it's actually a lovely little hike as well. One of the best views of the city.

paddle boats

I typically avoid most places that attract hoards of tourists; I'd rather find a different way to experience a place . So, trust me when I say, renting a paddle boat on the Vltava River is the [other] best way to see Prague. Go in the late afternoon so you can see the buildings light up during sunset.

neighborhood

In Prague 6, just steps from Petrini subway station, is where several friends and I rented a two story, three bedroom flat--complete with several balconies perfect for taking in the epic views during sunset.

Obora Hvězda

A gorgeous, 200 acre park not far from our flat, perfect for evening walks and talks.

TRANSIT

Prague is, by far, one of the easiest cities in Europe to navigate via public transit. Many of their trams are beautifully retro, and their subway stations are colorful and unique.

Farmers Market

Some of the best food & coffee consumed in Prague were found at the various farmers markets scattered around the city. It was also the ideal way to identify & taste allllll of the traditional Czech pastries.