Kaitlyn Moran is a student at the University of Denver and an ISA Featured Blogger. She studied abroad with ISA in Prague, Czech Republic.
Everyday in Prague I explore and learn new things about this city. Here are some of the *top-secret* things I’ve discovered during my time abroad:
1. You’ll never be able to visit all the amazing coffee shops
I’ve finally come to the realization that no matter how hard I try, I will never be able to visit all the cozy cafés and coffee shops on my ever-growing list. I attempt to visit at least one new place a week, but I always find myself strolling towards my favorites out of habit. Here’s my café guide to Prague:
Best Coffee
Ok, I am in no way a coffee connoisseur, but the best coffee I’ve had so far has been at Sicily Café. This café sits right on the edge of the tourist center, and is always the perfect quiet place to unwind.
Best Atmosphere
I recently discovered Monolok this past week! It’s a great atmosphere for studying or chatting with a friend. The combination of the great music, service, and eclectic menu will keep you there for hours! If you’re not in the mood for coffee make sure to try their lemonades!
Best Dessert
CukrKávaLimonáda should actually tie for atmosphere AND win best dessert. It’s one of my absolute favorite spots in Prague; always quiet and always delicious. It’s a perfect place to stop in after a long day of walking and sight seeing, or even if you’re just craving something sweet. Just looking at their dessert case will make you drool.
2. Trdelník is NOT traditionally Czech
If you’ve never been to Prague you’re probably not familiar with these cinnamon-sugar-coated, occasionally Nutella-filled, doughy rolls of deliciousness, but by the time you leave you will definitely have had your fill. After almost 2 months of insisting that every out of town guest try this amazing “local delicacy,” I learned that trdelník isn’t Czech at all! Rumor has it that they were invented by the Christmas market vendors as a cheap dessert to sell to tourists. I should have been more suspicious when I realized that they’re actually only sold in tourist centers…. Either way, I definitely recommend trying them at least once during your stay in Prague.
3. The parks!
Last, but certainly not least, are the parks throughout Prague. There are so many amazing inter-city parks scattered around the city including: Letná, Vitkov, and Petrin. Petrin is my favorite of the three. Its home to “the Eiffel Tower of Prague”–which is really just an observation tower–and beautiful gardens. Beware: its full of steep hills, so make sure to bring your walking shoes!
All of these parks are a great place to go for a walk or have a picnic but the best part about them is the views! Every single one has a breathtaking view of the city both day and night, and after spending a couple hours in them on a sunny day, you’ll never want to leave!
Want to read more about what our students have found while studying in Europe? Check out “4 Places to Visit While in Brussels, Belgium”