Prague Take Two: Rediscovering a City I thought I Knew

It’s funny how travel can surprise you—especially when you return somewhere you thought you had figured out. In the past few years, I visited Prague only for work. It was a whirlwind of meetings, hotel lobbies, and barely a glimpse of the city beyond the occasional stroll between commitments. I left thinking it was nice, but not somewhere I was dying to see again. In February 2024, I gave Prague a second chance—this time as a tourist—and it completely transformed in my eyes. What I found was not just a charming European city, but a storybook wonderland, especially when explored off-season. Choosing to visit Prague in February may sound unorthodox, but it turned out to be a stroke of genius. The usual tourist crowds were blissfully minimal, the air was crisp but not biting, and on a few evenings, delicate snowflakes fell just as we wandered through the glowing Old Town. Romantic is an understatement.

For accommodation, I picked the Buddha-Bar Hotel Prague. I’ve always loved the Buddha-Bar concept, and this hotel didn’t disappoint. The location is unbeatable—just a short walk to the heart of the Old Town and steps away from their signature restaurant. The breakfast was fresh and flavorful, the décor atmospheric and sultry, and you could even stream signature Buddha-Bar music right in your room. That said, the hotel has a distinctly moody, low-lit vibe—part of its identity, I’m sure—but if you prefer brighter, airier spaces, it’s worth noting. As for the restaurant, while beautifully designed and a treat for the senses, the pricing felt more luxury global than Prague-local. A lovely experience, but there are plenty of other gems nearby that offer great food at a more down-to-earth price.

This time around, I let the city lead. We meandered through cobbled streets, stumbled upon cozy bars, quirky museums, and stumbled (literally) upon a bar that serves your beer via miniature train. Yes, really—a tiny locomotive whizzing along the bar counter with your pint. It was just one of many small delights that made the city feel whimsical and alive. From historical marvels like Charles Bridge and Prague Castle to unexpected finds tucked into narrow alleys, the city proved why it’s so beloved by tourists from around the world. Only now do I truly get it.

If you’ve ever been to Prague on business—or skipped it because you thought it might be too crowded or cliché—reconsider. Come in the off-season. Wander without a plan. Let the city surprise you. Because it will.

Accommodation Tip: While I really liked our little Buddha Bar hotel and its prime location there may be a few other good choices around worth investigating according to your standards. I did love the room choice of the “Luxury Premier Double”. It was bigger than most European rooms and had a beautiful bath with dragon mosaic on it. We loved that we could stream via the room TV the chill buddha bar music as we prepared for our day. Another nice touch was a glass of champaign as a welcome drink! Totally agree with their slogan “Not just another hotel, it’s a lifestyle”

Excursion Tips: For a four day stay, you really do not need to leave the city. I do recommend taking your time, enjoying some hidden gems rather than jumping from one tourist attraction to another. If I need to recommend a few favorites, I will start with a nice walk on foot (if weather permits) which took us from old town, through Narodni street and across Most Legii bridge. You are then already in another world, Petrin Hill, with the famous Petrin Tower on top. If you are not afraid of heights its recommended to climb to the top and get a bird’s eye view of the city. From there you can easily walk down towards Prague Castle, possibly stopping for a bite in one of the little restaurants in the streets leading to the Castle. While you are here wander the charming Golden Lane, famed for its colourful houses. You can then complete a full circle, and cross one of the bridges back into old town. An afternoon in old town could include a fun visit to the Prague Museum of Fantastic Illusions. While it might look like a kid activity, we really got a giggle out of this one and some nice selfies too! If you are looking for a more educational activity you can also visit the sweet “Story of Prague Museum”. Lastly in the museum section, if you are particularly fond of trains, we found the “Kingdom of Railways” museum surprisingly fun and could easily spend an hour or two walking through the vast miniature train models. A recommended cultural activity and if you are fond of classical music especially, can be found in form of a Cathedral concert. Listening to Vivaldi’s four seasons in this unique interior, creating amazing acoustics, and with the second oldest organ in Prague -has left us speechless.

Gastronomy Tips: My first recommendation is more about the concept than the food to be honest, but if you are beer lover its a must! This is the Vytopana Railway Restaurant where you can expect to receive your beer on rails. Absolutely adorable. My second recommendation was a truly unique Tapas place- Spejle. This is by far the classiest Tapas I have eaten out of Spain and for sure will return to next time I am in Prague.