Prague is a fabulous city that people love to return to, just like Paris or Venice. What’s more, it’s a perfectly safe city. The only risk you run is being robbed or scammed. But if you follow my 15 tips, you won’t fall into the trap! You’ll know how to avoid these tourist traps, which I know very well. I’ve lived in Prague for many years, so I can tell you everything you need to avoid without even thinking about it to have a successful stay in Prague.
Getting caught and scammed fuels this “shameful business.” As you’ll learn below, avoid bulk candy stores like the plague. In recent years, they’ve been popping up everywhere, and they’re a total scam!
Shopping, eating, or sleeping on Karlova Street
Karlova Street is a must-see for all tourists in Prague! Charles Street (in English) winds its way between Old Town Square and Charles Bridge. It is pedestrianized and follows the former coronation route of the kings of Bohemia, a path that led them to St. Vitus Cathedral. It was once one of the city’s main thoroughfares. In the Middle Ages, it was home to cutlers, then, during the Baroque period, to shoemakers. But today, it is the temple merchants who have taken over the place!
It is the busiest street in Prague! Be prepared to elbow your way through the crowds…
A succession of souvenir shops selling goods made in China, dishonest restaurants (watch this enlightening video in English), noisy hotels where I would advise you not to stay… In short, a street to avoid, especially if you don’t like crowds, as you’ll be shoulder to shoulder with other people. There are so many people that you end up not seeing the pretty facades or the entrances to the Clementinum (side entrance), St. Clement’s Church (classical music concerts) or the Baroque Colloredo-Mansfeld Palace at No. 2 (exhibitions) with its neo-Rococo facade and beautiful fountain with a statue of Neptune. While I strongly advise against eating there, you can buy a trdelník, a pastry that has become emblematic of the city😋.
Taking a photo on Charles Bridge with an owl on your arm or a boa around your neck
From time to time, unscrupulous individuals offer tourists crossing Charles Bridge the opportunity to have their photo taken with an owl on their arm or a python around their neck. Never accept ! This activity is completely illegal and these animals have no place among crowds of tourists. What’s more, they will try to extort money from you (hundreds or even thousands of crowns) because, of course, the photo is not free! The same scam sometimes operates in Old Town Square.
Eating ham on the bone in the Old Town Square
In the Old Town Square, wooden stands roast ham on the bone. Very tempting, you might say, especially as the aroma of meat roasting on a spit over a wood fire reaches tourists 100 meters away. These wooden kiosks are following tradition by selling Pražská šunka, or Prague ham, which has been around since at least 1860 (see this page in English). Yes, but here’s the thing: the merchant sells his ham by weight. This is quite normal in a country where ham is always sold by weight (a Czech would never ask for five slices of ham at the deli counter, but rather “20 deca,” or 200 grams). What is less normal with these kiosks is that they serve you a huge portion that would be enough for a family, claiming that it is the normal portion! So you can eat this ham (which is very good, by the way, accompanied by a slice of bread, a little mild mustard, and a good beer), but when ordering, insist that you want 100 grams and no more. This will save you from having to pay $25 for your plate. Unfortunately, many people feel compelled to do this once they have their plate in hand… In short, it’s a scam to be avoided , as exposed in this video in English (a bit like the candy below)! In fact, the city council announced in 2023 that the Old Prague Ham stand would be disappearing…
Be careful! Recently, visitors have alerted me to a scam at the small Havelské tržiště market (this market, the only one remaining in Prague’s historic center, dates back to 1232 but only targets tourists): they sell punnets of strawberries or raspberries all year round and by weight, which is not clear to visitors who end up paying €20 or €30 for their punnet! Also, take a close look at the price of bottled water in grocery stores in the city center and avoid French brands such as Vittel or Evian…
Take part in an organized bar crawl
Be aware! Following a deadly confrontation between partygoers and to ensure peace and quiet on the streets at night, pub crawls (or barathons, nighttime bar tours organized by a guide) have been banned in Prague since 2024! For a fixed price, groups of foreign tourists were taken from
one bar to another, often ending up heavily intoxicated and noisy in the streets of the city center. Guided and approved cultural or tourist tours are still allowed, but only before 10 p.m. After that time, any organized group activity visiting several bars is considered illegal and you may have to deal with the police.
Exchanging money in the wrong place, withdrawing cash from ATMs, accepting conversion when paying by card…
This is one of the downsides of Prague where, as in any place where tourism reigns supreme, you are sometimes seen as a walking wallet. Although Prague is an inexpensive destination (one of many good reasons to visit), people will try to steal from you when you exchange money, withdraw cash, or make payments. First of all, whatever the reason, never exchange money on the street. You might end up with Hungarian forints or crowns from the First Czechoslovak Republic! Next, avoid exchange offices with indecent rates of sometimes 16 CZK for 1 EUR instead of 24 or 25 CZK! To find out the two best places to exchange money, check out the map of honest exchange offices published by Honest Guide, which also posts videos (in English). At exchange offices, always ask in advance how many korunas you will receive, including commission, and do the math yourself. Because once you have the money in your hand, it’s over. And demand a receipt!
NEVER withdraw money from Euronet ATMs, which can be found everywhere! They will charge you nearly 15% commission!
In addition, do not withdraw money from ATMs labeled ATM and Euronet, but use “official” ATMs linked to a bank. Otherwise, you will be robbed: ATMs offer minimum withdrawal amounts of EUR 400, offer to do the conversion themselves (definitely decline!) and finally charge a commission of nearly 15%, or EUR 60, as explained in English here. Transaction fees for foreign cards range from CZK 99 to CZK 199 just to withdraw money! You will even be charged for checking your balance, which, to top it all off, will not even be displayed (see here)! What’s more, they are destroying local heritage, as seen here, again in English! It’s completely illegal, but this scam is so lucrative that they pay the fines received by merchants. Finally, one last piece of advice: when withdrawing or paying by card, always refuse the conversion offered to you, otherwise you will be robbed! Click on CZK !
Visit the museums of torture, sex machines, the KGB, chocolate…
There are many interesting museums in Prague, and if I don’t often recommend them ,it’s because time is limited when you’re in Prague for a weekend or three days. It’s better to stroll around and admire the architecture of the “golden city.” You can read my article on the must-see museums in Prague. You should also know that Prague’s city museums, the National Gallery museums, and the National Museum sites (tickets here for the National Museum) are highly recommended, not to mention the Castle sites (tickets here), the Jewish Museum (tickets here), and the Museum of Decorative Arts.
Prague has enough interesting museums, so avoid the bad ones!
You need to have time to spare to visit the torture museums (as elsewhere in Europe, there are few or no original objects, only copies in this museum “perfectly” located at the end of Karlova Street just before Charles Bridge…), eroticism (actually sex machines, with a €14 entrance fee near Old Town Square…) or chocolate (visited in its day by a former French president). They are all located on the main streets of the Old Town to better attract the gullible. The same goes for wax museums such as Musée Grévin and Madame Tussaud’s, just a few meters away. More discreet, in the charming Malá Strana district, the KGB Museum is run by a nostalgic USSR enthusiast who likes to handle firearms… (the Museum of Communism, on the other hand, is interesting, tickets here). In short, think carefully before entering any of these museums. You could surely make better use of your time. And beware, tourist traps are multiplying. Don’t fall for it!
Getting into the first taxi you see on the street or at the station
Prague taxis have always had a very bad reputation, although things have slowly improved. Now, at the airport (I should point out that the bus transfer to and from the airport is very cheap and works very well), all the taxis are reliable because Uber has had a monopoly since 2023 after winning the tender. No nasty surprises! And if you don’t have the app, there are Uber terminals in the terminals where you can order a vehicle.
However, be wary near the main train station or bus stations! Never get into one of these taxis! The city council has even had the signs at the station removed because they were directing tourists to unscrupulous drivers.
Similarly, if you hail a taxi in the street, ask for the price of the ride before you leave and say that you need a receipt (a legal requirement). This will force the driver to turn on the meter! Prague residents use reputable official companies, booking their taxi by phone and then receiving a confirmation text message with the fare, registration number, and type of vehicle. The taxi usually arrives within 5-10 minutes. Uber apps are very popular, of course, but so are Bolt and Liftago.
Chapkas, Russian dolls, bottles of fake absinthe… so many fake souvenirs!
Beware of souvenirs that aren’t really souvenirs! As you might expect,chapkas and Russian dolls are not Czech products. Neither is absinthe, to my knowledge. In fact, all those little green bottles that brighten up the windows of grocery stores in the city center don’t contain any (if you really want to drink it, go to Absintherie (two locations in the center of Prague), but expect to meet other tourists there. Another local alternative is the rather unusual Becherovka liqueur, which has a store at No. 4 Wenceslas Square, or good old slivovice (plum brandy), which you’ll find in absolutely every bar in the city.
Buy candy in one of the city’s many shops
These candy stores are a total rip-off! It always painsme to see tourists go in to buy a few sweets in bulk to treat their children, knowing that they are going to be ripped off with impunity! You’ll easily recognize these stores, some of which have a pirate sign. They’re everywhere! They’re called Candy Store or Captain Candy and can be found all over Europe, as you’ll learn in this video in English. You’ll find one on the famous Karlova Street mentioned above, of course, and another on the pedestrian street in the center of Na příkopě… Look carefully for the price per 100 grams (not easy to find, of course) and you’ll understand. In general, it’s more than €30 per kilo, and they use presentation and staging to attract passersby. On the other hand, to treat yourself, buy Pedro candies in any supermarket, which will be 10 times cheaper, as you’ll learn in this other enlightening video in English!
Danger! You will also see colorful candy packages in many grocery stores in the city center. These are jelly beans containing THC or hallucinogenic mushrooms. Do not eat them! You could end up in the hospital (see this video in English). The package even says in small print and in Czech: “for decorative purposes only, do not eat”… The Czech Republic is often far too permissive…
Take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, vintage car, or panoramic bus
Be aware that Prague is best explored on foot and not by any other means! The historic center is very small. You may only take the tram two or three times during your stay if it exceeds a weekend and you want to explore a slightly more outlying district such as Prague 2 or Prague 3. There is, of course, no need to take a horse-drawn carriage ride from Old Town Square. These are likely to be banned soon out of respect for the horses. The beer bike was banned (the beer boat remains, which is less disruptive, it’s true…) and I no longer see Asian-style rickshaws (except as advertising media, but they are also likely to disappear…) or Segways. As for the vintage cars parked on Pařížská Street, they are often poor copies and don’t even meet safety standards. I also see little white race cars driving around… At your own risk! Finally, bus tours are really of no interest in a city where it’s nice to get lost in the cobbled streets. Readers also often ask me for advice on cruises on the Vltava River. I can recommend Jazz Boat for a nighttime cruise, Lod’ Pivovar for beer lovers, or the unusual little river shuttle that is never mentioned in tourist guides.
Thai massages that aren’t very local…
I have never understood why people prefer McDonald’s to the 10 good local restaurants or Starbucks to Prague’s superb historic cafés. Just as I have never understood why people come to Prague for Thai-style foot massages! Of course, there are cobblestones everywhere in Prague, but a good pair of sneakers in your suitcase should do the trick! These types of establishments completely distort the authentic character of the city center, and you can find them on Wenceslas Square or Old Town Square, right on the ground floor of the magnificent Štorch House! And what’s the point of exposing yourself in a window with your feet in water for a fish pedicure session under the mocking gaze of onlookers? In short, to each their own, but I would rather recommend the relaxing beer baths (Bernard offers the best !, see here) that have been popular with visitors for several years now, a hotel with a spa, or, why not, heading straight to one of the country’s famous spa towns! “Prague is not Disneyland,” says the city council, which has even launched a program to reduce visual pollution and aims for quality tourism that is not just focused on cheap alcohol and parties.
Sit down at a terrace on Old Town Square
You’ll never meet a real Praguer there! Sitting on a terrace in the Old Town Square or Wenceslas Square (avoid the sandwiches at the café at No. 28: astronomical prices and a total rip-off!) guarantees that you’ll pay three times the price for your beer, coffee or meal!
If you see customers drinking beer from 1-liter mugs, don’t sit down in that establishment! It’s definitely a tourist trap (see the video in English)! I’ve never seen a Czech drink a 1-liter beer, which is more suited to German visitors. Here, the norm is 0.3 liters and especially 0.5 liters!
On Old Town Square, there are two exceptions that are worth visiting because the view more than makes up for the price difference: the incredible terrace of the Hotel U Prince with its breathtaking panorama over the city rooftops, and the Café Mozart with its bird’s-eye view of the famous clock. These are two great places that are little known to tourists! And Mincovna, on the opposite side, is a good restaurant where locals love to eat!
Beware of restaurant scams!
First of all, you should know that you should never spend more than CZK 75 (€3) on a beer! Eating out is very cheap in Prague, and beer even more so. At lunchtime, most restaurants also often offer a very inexpensive deal with a dish costing a maximum of CZK 200 (€8). Please note that this daily special is not always listed on the menu but on a separate sheet or sign (polední menu or denní nabídka). Don’t hesitate to ask for this offer to be translated into English. Some readers also occasionally alert me to scams they have fallen victim to: “free” aperitifs at U Fleků, “free” pretzels at U Vejvodů, scams at Malostranská pivnice, etc.
Be wary of gifts that aren’t really gifts, and remember that tipping is recommended but never legally required!
Be vigilant and refuse gifts that aren’t really gifts (it’s rare to be offered something for free in the Czech Republic; bear in mind that the concept of commerce isn’t very developed there). As for service, it is never included but not mandatory! It is customary to leave 5-10% by rounding up the bill. If you are not satisfied, don’t be intimidated by an unpleasant and insistent waiter, you have the right to leave nothing! Finally, avoid restaurants on major tourist routes (with menus displayed in bright colors in all languages and extra charges for cutlery) and prefer those on small streets or, of course, the ones I recommend! The same goes for grocery stores; those on tourist routes are often overpriced, and I sometimes leave empty-handed. Move a little further away or go to the supermarket.
Buying museum or train tickets through an agency
I know they exist, but it’s better to avoid them so you don’t pay extra. Whenever there’s a middleman, you pay more, which makes sense. Small kiosks in tourist areas offer tours and day trips here and there. Don’t use them! Getting out of Prague for the day is a breeze, as public transportation is easy to use and efficient. If you want to visit Karlštejn Castle or the ossuary in Kutná Hora for the day, go to the ticket office at the main train station, where you can get information in English (or visit this page, also in English, to purchase tickets online). The same applies to longer trips, such as to spa towns or Český Krumlov. Of course, those in a hurry can use an intermediary for Karlštejn (info here), Kutná Hora (info here), or Český Krumlov (info here).
Booking a hotel far from the historic center
Poorly located accommodation can ruin your stay! Some establishments (particularly large hotel complexes that mainly cater to organized tour groups) will explain that, despite the distance, you can quickly reach the center by public transportation. This is certainly true since, as mentioned, public transportation works very well in Prague. The question is: “Why stay far from everything and all the action and spend 20 minutes getting to the city center when you can stay there for the same price?” Also, beware of fake Airbnbs—stay alert!
Honest Guide is an English-language guide that also exposes all these scams. Check out their YouTube channel if you want to know more.