Laura-Jane Adventures

If you are looking for a place to do some solo travelling and want to feel like you are in a real life fairytale, then head to Prague.

Ahoj! Back fresh from a solo trip to Prague I wanted to share a few of my favourite moments from four days spent in the city of spires.

Prague is the capital city of Czech Republic and has a deeply layered history. Dating back to the Kingdom of Bohemia (founded 1198) to more recent historical and political events such as the First and Second world war, and the Cold War. Prague has great historical significance and this is evident in the city’s architecture.

My trip to Prague was very last minute and the destination was recommended by a friend. It was both my first time visiting Czech Republic and my first full solo trip in a few years (my most recent travels have been a mix of solo travel but also staying with friends). Below are a few of my highlights.

One thing I generally recommend when travelling to Prague is always have some cash on you. There are a few markets and businesses which only accept cash and this will avoid disappoint if you arrive somewhere and realise they are cash-only (speaking from firsthand experience).

Run around the city! Or do a walking tour!

My first morning in Prague I took myself out on a run to explore the city. This is one of my favourite ways to take in a place. Normally I plan my route to pass famous landmarks and always end at a local coffee shop.

Prague’s districts are split into 22 numbered areas, I was staying in Prague 1 so started my run there, taking in Charles Bridge and venturing over to Petřín Gardens. Petřín Gardens is at the base of Petřín Hill and the hill itself offers stunning views of Prague. I knew it would be quite ‘hilly’ but did underestimate just how hilly it would be… So if you don’t fancy running up it or even walking there is a cable car which can take you to the top. At the top of Petřín Hill there are a multitude of famous landmarks such as Petřín Tower, which resembles France’s Eiffel Tower, and the Štefánik Observatory.

I then headed further into Prague 5 and 6, passing The Prague Loreto (a Marian pilgrimage site), Prague Castle and back across Charles Bridge to Prague 1. The run allowed me to see the city of Prague from a beautiful perspective and I finished it off with a coffee and pastry at a cafe called Nostress Bakery Vězeňská.

If you are not keen on a run around the city, another way you can experience it is by doing a walking tour. This could be self-guided or alternatively there are plenty you can book which are affordable. This gives you the opportunity to meet other travellers and get to know the city from the perspective of someone who lives there.

Národní Muzeum

There are a great choice of museums in Prague to check out. I admit I was a little overwhelmed by the choice and given how last minute my trip was I did not plan a museum visit before I arrived. Nevertheless, once I was there I had the urge to visit at least one.

This led me to checking out the Národní Muzeum – Prague’s National Museum. It houses a variety of artefacts ranging from the historical to those focusing on natural science. The ticket for the National Museum also includes access to the New Building of the National Museum, this is directly across the road and can be accessed via tunnel between the two buildings. The tunnel is also part of the museums exhibition and showcases how the cityscape of Prague changed during the early 20th century to around the year 2020.

If visiting the Národní Muzeum I would suggest downloading their app which gives you short and accessible audio guides to listen to as you explore the galleries.

A romantic date night itinerary

The premise of this trip for me was to enjoy my alone time and reset my focus. Whilst the entire trip was essentially me taking myself on dates I wanted to have one night where I took myself out on a little romantic date. Arguably I planned the perfect evening so for anyone out there looking to treat themselves, enjoy a night with a friend or partner, or if anyone is taking notes… this itinerary item is for you.

I started my evening with a drink at a cocktail bar I had stumbled across on my first evening in Prague. It was called Pruts and sits nestled in-between a few bars and an Osteria. The terrace was beautiful and the bar boasts some funky designs. The bar staff were friendly, and the cocktails were delicious and so cheap!

Next stop I took myself to Marina Ristorante, an Italian riverboat restaurant with incredible views of Charles Bridge. Here I enjoyed dinner whilst taking in my surroundings. Taking yourself out to a restaurant always seems like a big deal and I think it is where most people draw the line when it comes to doing things alone (maybe just my perception or what I have heard from friends etc.) but I think it is such a brave and liberating thing to do. Don’t get me wrong there were moments where I thought “ugh” this would be nice to share with someone but I was more than content sharing it with myself.

The final stop on my solo date itinerary was a boat tour of Prague. I booked this through GetYourGuide hosted by Prague Boats and it was roughly £15. Super easy to find, the boat was very clean and staff were attentive. The tour part of the boat tour was a pre-recorded guide which played as the boat went along the river. It was informative but if you want more of a personal touch with an actual guide I’d recommend shopping around.

Overall my trip to Prague was exactly what I was looking for. It has reminded me of the bravery and comfort I have in willing to do these types of things alone. I recognise my privilege in being able to say that, however if you are considering pushing yourself to do something similar I would suggest looking into a trip to Prague. It feels very safe, there are a lot of options for things to do, and it is a place where you can literally live your own fairytale or at least feel like you are in a fairytale with how enchanting it is.

I have included a few other general recommendations below the final pictures – feel free to check those out if you would like.

Until next time.

Lots of love,

Laura-Jane.

Food & Drink:

• Lehká hlava (Clear Head) – vegetarian restaurant
• Try a Trdelník – a type of spit cake
• Kozlovna U Paukerta – very affordable Czech restaurant
• Cafefin – nice spot for breakfast
• Eska restaurant and bakery – good for lunch and fresh bread
• VNITROBLOK – cafe and creative space (also has a Craft Gin Distillery nearby called Garage 22)
• If you drink alcohol be sure to try a traditional Czech beer

Things to do:

• Visit Kampa Park
• The Globe Bookstore and Cafe
• Farmer’s Saturday Market along the river
• Letná Lookout Beer Garden (incredible views – but bring cash!)