Have you ever dreamed of playing princess for the day? Slaying a dragon? Galloping away into the sunset in a suit of shining armor? If so, it is my duty to inform you you have been summoned by the king to visit Prague, Czech Republic—the city Disney stole his movie sets from. Joking aside, here is what I recommend seeing—and skipping—in Prague, a city packed full of medieval mystery.

The Cultural Lowdown: 

If you’ve only visited Western Europe, scratch everything you know about European culture. Many of the social norms in Prague have been carried over from the city’s days in the Soviet Union, meaning the city can feel a bit unfriendly to those from Western countries. A quick tip—remain stoic on the streets and in public places. In my experience, laughing, crying, or smiling at those you pass will bring quite a few stares, but I’ve found it’s best to try not to be offended. Locals will sometimes take their cue from you and try reciprocate the energy you bring to a conversation. The mindset here is just different. What’s not different, however, is the choice of clothing. While I wouldn’t recommend strolling down the street in cutoffs and flip-flops, American and British brands are extremely popular in Prague, and you will see people in branded t-shirts and sneakers everywhere you go. As an American, I wished I had brought a more casual wardrobe! I experienced few language barriers here, as most Czechs speak a little bit of English. For the most positive response, be sure to greet those you meet with Dobry Den, Mluvite Anglicky? and you’ll likely get along just fine. 

What Not To Miss:

• Charles Bridge—First up, Charles Bridge, an attraction I found to be in the most vibrant area of the city. Just below the steps leading up to the bridge, a lively market was filled with vendors offering up all sorts of relics, from art to local snacks. The bridge itself was also packed with tons of gorgeous handmade art and jewelry for sale!

• Prague Castle—While a little touristy, Prague Castle offers a true glimpse into life of the medieval royalty. As the largest ancient castle in the world, this sight demands a full day of your trip, but it is well worth the time. Be sure to check out the castle gardens, which offer both astonishing views of the main structure and a respite from the crowds. Bonus—for just ten euros, you can hold an owl! 

• Restaurants On Side Streets—For an authentic, delicious, and more affordable dining experience, skip the tourist site-adjacent restaurants and opt for dinner in one of Prague’s many picturesque residential neighborhoods. I highly recommend Natureza Vegetarian House—the salad with grilled goat cheese was one of the best salads I’d ever had.

What To Skip:

• The Astronomical Clock Show—Though I’ll admit the actual astronomical clock is pretty cool and worth seeing, the hourly time change of the clock is not. Frankly, not a lot happens, and you’ll have to wade in to astronomical crowd sizes just to get a decent view.

• Old Town Square—I was slightly disappointed to find modern-day Old Town Square had an overabundance of Western chains and overpriced food. The architecture of the square is quite impressive, but if you’re not a huge architecture buff, this area might be worth skipping.

Peace out Prague! Don’t miss my next destination(s) as I road trip all around Italy!