I remember someone posting a message about a month ago asking whether to book Barcelona or Prague and hands down, I said Barcelona. Ok - I hadnt even been to Prague at that point, but from some research I had done (points of interest/itinery ideas), my view was that Barcelona was the best place to go.......and I still stand by that.
I arrived back from Prague last night after a 4 day stay.
I stayed in Miss Sophies apartments/hostel and highly recommend this place for security/location/comfort and cost.
My first view of Prague when i woke up my first morning there was how beautiful the architecture was. I%26#39;m an architecture photographer and I was in my element I tell you. Each and every building had it%26#39;s own story, whether it be of the Baroque era, or, modern day-graffitied walls. It really is a beautiful place Prague, with so much history behind it. I found the people more than friendly and very co-operative. I did struggle at times trying to ask for certain things in shops, but i just showed them a picture or a word from my travel guide and they understood. I particularly loved the little side streets off Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square - there was a camera shop with such an array of photographic equipment from the Vitorian era, to moden day Canon/Nikon DSLR%26#39;s -a real dream for me to see that type of shop especially now that 35mm camera%26#39;s are near obsolete in this country. The food was delicious and the cakes were to die for....
Ok - there%26#39;s my positives, and to be honest, i think that%26#39;s all Prague had going for it.
I knew, I just knew that I%26#39;d struggle with things to do - and that%26#39;s even BEFORE i went to Prague. My theory was therefore a reality. By day 3, i really did find it difficult to fill in that afternoon. Here are the places i visited:
Zizkov Tower - Amazing views of Prague, but the interior of the building made us depressed. I did think £3.75 was a bit steep for this trip up to the tower, as there was no guide to tell us the history of the place etc, etc. I think we were up there for all of 10 mins.
Charles Bridge - Charming, bustling, enchanting and historical come to mind. I really did warm to this tourist attraction. We also paid to go into the Old Town Bridge Tower which is a MUST DO for the views. I took some amazing pics from the top of this tower.
Prague Castle - Again, beautiful and enchanting.
Petrin Park - Lovely walk especially on a sunny day like we had. The Penicular tram wasn%26#39;t operating due to maintenance work, so it was the more physically challenging option of walking - but a better option me thinks.
Petrin Park Observation Tower - CLOSED. Was a bit annoyed about that really. Only open the weekends - what a waste.
Old Town Square/Astronomical Clock - a delight to be there and watch and great sense of %26#39;buzz%26#39; from the area.
Jewish Cemetery - Didnt bother, quite expensive to go in (£5 each).
If you are a devout catholic and religious, then Prague is a great choice of city for you. There must be more churches/chapels per square foot than actual pubs. Otherwise, I didnt feel this city had much to offer for your average tourist.
In addition to the above, I found it quite a poverty stricken city. If i didnt see Graffitti on the walls, then there was a tramp/beggar in it%26#39;s places begging for money in the same sitting position. My boyfriend actually got approached by an older lady asking for %26#39;little change...little change%26#39;. I%26#39;ve never had that with the other european cities i have been to (Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, Rome), but then again, this city is poorer than the aforementioned cities.
I did feel that Prague took advantage too much of the tourist. The prices of the souvenirs were quite high to be honest (£5 for a tiny ceramic Charles Bridge - and i mean tiny). That was in MOST shops by the way, whether it be in the main tourist bit or off the beaten track. WHOEVER SAID PRAGUE W AS CHEAP FOR BEER WAS RUBBISH. Ok - yeah, if you go into the outskirts of the city 10 miles away. Whether it be beer, a czech sausage wrapped in pastry, or a russian doll - it just wasnt cheap. The only thing that i considered a bargain was the fags!! So yeah, i think Prague%26#39;s government realised about 5 years ago how much money it could take from tourists and decided to take the pi$$ basically with upping the prices by 50%. Fair play to them, as they need all the money into the economy they need being such a poverty stricken city/country.
I went to El Gaucho and Cowboys Steak House (pre-booked), and by far found Cowboys Steak House the BEST. El Gaucho was trying too hard to be an upmarket steak house. Ok, the staff wore Argentinian hats and ponchos and the decor of the restaurant did try to emulate that of a Argentinian rustic diner, but after eating at Cowboys, i felt that El Gaucho was overpriced/lacking atmosphere and it was the type of place were i just wanted to eat and go. Cowboys however, i give them 10/10 - the atmosphere was much more welcoming and comfortable. The decor was top notch. Predominantly modern with a touch of rustic ( a touch i say...). The seats were of a cow skin material/style with the walls lined with large mirrors. The food was presented to the highest standard. The veg had been marinated with herbs and olive oil, the steak was perfectly well done and had a welcoming size of lobster on the top (I had surf and turf). The pudding was just a perfect size and presented beutifully. Seriously, I throroughly enjoyed my meal here and really savoured the atmosphere and surroundings. The service was excellent also.
To summarise:
In my opinion, Barcelona has much more to offer and I believe has a more lasting and warming impression than Prague. Barcelona is passionate - Prague is quite boring. Barcelona has a huge vibrant richnesss about it, Prague had that typical Communist feel to it (poverty stricken, run down and lacks any sense of vibrance). Barcelona has the beach - Prague has the River with a over rated bridge. Bracelona has great sense of fashion, Prague has no fashion atall. Barcelona has a much better nightlife - Prague doesnt (I found the nightlife around Old Town square a let down, especially with everyother bar being a stripping joint). Barcelona has a impressive and rather famous Football stadium, Prague has %26#39;Sparta%26#39;..?? Barcelona oozes cosmopolitan, Prague oozes the word %26#39;Communist%26#39;. Barcelona has %26#39;Placa de Catalunya%26#39; - Prague has %26#39;Old Town square%26#39; - no vibancy here..
The only thing Prague has to offer is the castle, the architecture (Im going to admit it%26#39;s better than Barcelona, although im a passionate Gaudi fan and prefer his architecture) and Charles Bridge - that%26#39;s it.
If you seriously passionate about experiencing the best out of a city - go to Barcelona - no arguments!
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Ridiculous to compare these two fantastic cities!
If you approach a place with reservations like you, no wonder if your expectations are met. Prague is so popular and touristy because people love it.
Prague is the best in Europe for me.
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I find it quite amusing someone from Liverpool complaining about being as fro %26quot;a little change%26quot;.Whenever I am in Liverpool ( several times a year, the beggars ask for lot more than a little change and are a lot less polite about it,talk about the pot call ing the kettle black.
as for beer prices just where did you go?plenty of places in the center of Prague will give you beer at about £1 a pint (a great deal cheaper than Liverpool) OK if you go to the city outskirts or out of the city then it can get as low as 50p a beer.
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I have been to Prague %26amp; Barcelona, both cities are fantastic and very unique. How can you compare walking down Charles Bridge in the snow and lying on a beach in Barcelona? It really depends on your personal preference. I would probably choose Prague over Barcelona but that is my personal choice. If you have the opportunity I would visit both and make up your own mind.
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your report was interesting i have been to barcelona and found some places really dirty and seedy especially off the la ramblas . however will be going to prague next sunday. that restaurant s
sounds nice cowboys. for curio what did u pay for steak and lobster. will be interesting to find out the prices for food for eating out. cheers
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The two cities are almost like apples and oranges. Totally different. I went to Prague in the spring two years ago and had to wear a light jacket at times, short sleeves other times. I then was in Barcelona a few days later and you could wear short sleeves all day if you wanted. Barcelona has more of a beach city feel to it with alot of color and flair. Prague is in Eastern Europe. The people are less than 20 years removed from communism so you should have expected them to be more stoic, indifferent and aloof. And I mean all of that positively. There are people there, just like most any place, who are a bit too cold and hard but I saw some of that in Barcelona, Denmark, Sweden, Italy and every other country I%26#39;ve been to.
I don%26#39;t know what you mean about no nightlife in Prague. It%26#39;s been voted as one of the 10 hotspots in the world for nightlife, making the list with New York, Miami, Las Vegas, Amsterdam, Ibiza, Rio De Janeiro and others. I would say Prague is more oriented towards nightlife than Barcelona. More dancing and music places. In Barcelona, with the warmer climate, many people are fine with enjoying the beach and air during the day, dining at night and then bed.
I would go again to Barcelona in the winter because it will be warmer there, just like I%26#39;ll be in Florida in 10 days to see my brother and feel the warmth. I don%26#39;t go there in the summer as much because it%26#39;s warm here, too. Prague, though more expensive, I%26#39;d go to in the summer if I had the choice.
I%26#39;d suggest to anyone that they see both if they haven%26#39;t seen either. You will always have your favorite city if you travel alot and you will like somethings in some cities more or less than others. In Barcelona, I liked the food better. I liked the beer and clubs better in Prague. That%26#39;s how it works.
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I can%26#39;t understand what I%26#39;ve been doing all these years here if I could have just fit everything into 3 days. Prague has tourism and it has everyday life. Some people don%26#39;t catch onto it. Having worked in all the major European cities (St Helens included) I can say that I can enjoy the life without being sucked into the tourism.
Jason
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You couldn%26#39;t fill three days? We spent six days in Prague and felt like we only scratched the surface. We each have our preferences and our likes and dislikes...it%26#39;s what makes the world and the people in it interesting. And I%26#39;m sure Barcelona is lovely, although I%26#39;ve never been there. I think, however, that you went to Prague with a preconceived agenda and then looked for reasons to justify it. If you are %26quot;seriously passionate%26quot; about experiencing the best in a city, then you might want to become just as seriously passionate about getting to know the people, the history and the culture of the next place you visit rather than just checking out the top seven tourist spots. It might make your trip a bit more enjoyable.
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The comparison is interesting, but how can anybody really try to compare sparta with the Nou Camp. Sparta stadium fits into Barcelona%26#39;s mini estadio, their training camp.
Other points. Beer prices have gone up. not because Prague wants to rip tourists off, but because the European Union (and more importantly, your Mr Brown) insists on beer duty being at a certain minimum level - the Czech Republic still does not reach this. Beer is Prague is unbelievably cheap compared to the UK - around - honestly, what price did you expect to pay.
Economic growth means that prices do go up - otherwise all these second class Eastern Europeans, as you seem to look at them as don%26#39;t get any richer
In el gaucho, you should be able to find a meal with beer for 25 euros or so per person. Casa agentina on dlouha street near the old town square is rapidly becoming the steak place in the city
petrin tower is only closed in week days in the winter months. In the summer it opens, as fcor all Czech monuments, every day except Mondays
I agree the jewish cemetary is not worth the money. Take a free view through the gate on 17 listopadu street, or even better, pay 80 crowns to go to the Muzeum of Decorative Arts on the same street and look through the upper floor windows
Beggars - there are beggars and litter and prague is terribly dirty. But not as much as places like Rome
the best comment I liked though was
%26#39;... I didn%26#39;t feel that this city had much to offer your average tourist ...%26quot;
Everybody sees things differently and has a different opinion, but this comment just made me laugh
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TALLCHIEF:
I thought you comment:
%26quot;It%26#39;s been voted as one of the 10 hotspots in the world for nightlife, making the list with New York, Miami, Las Vegas, Amsterdam, Ibiza, Rio De Janeiro and others. I would say Prague is more oriented towards nightlife than Barcelona. %26quot;
Was absolutely hilarious!! I REALLY find it hard to believe that Prague is voted in the Top 10 for nightlife?!?!?! Are you having a laugh?!! How can you seriously compare Prague to IBIZA - clubbing capital of the world? What book are you reading?!?!
At the end of the day - everyone%26#39;s views are different towards Prague.
I%26#39;m surprise that one member only %26#39;scratched the surface%26#39; after 7 days was it?!?! What exactly did you go and see? You must have visited every chapel/church and every museum in the city to only scratch the surface. If you are into your churches/chapels and museums, then yes, you will find that a week is a reasonable enough time to cover these.
I did say dont forget that it has amazing archictecture and history, but that%26#39;s all it has going for the place to be honest. That%26#39;s not just my opinion, it%26#39;s also from other people who i work with that have also been to Prague recently.
And to whoever said about %26#39;beggars%26#39; in liverpool is load of cr@p. We do have big issue sellers, but we dont have beggars that literally lie on the floor in front of you begging for money with a paper cup and nearly every street corner!
Anyway - nuf said.
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so if jazz clubs,Opera,classical music,theatre,folk evenings and numerous pubs and venues with all sort of musical styles not night life wtf is?
Just because it%26#39;s not a clubbing center does not make it an attractive place for many people for night life.
And Liverpool does have more than it%26#39;s fair share of beggars,see tham in the mornings outside St.Johns shopping center arguing over who gets the use of the crutches that day,or the drunks shaking with the DT%26#39;s begging for a few pennies for the =ir next drink.We have the same in my city,I am not proud of it but beggars or one sort or another are in all major cities Liverpool is no exception.
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