{"id":7043137,"date":"2026-08-21T08:42:46","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T08:42:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/9-unique-things-to-do-in-prague-for-conscious-travellers\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T08:42:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T08:42:46","slug":"9-unique-things-to-do-in-prague-for-conscious-travellers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7043137","title":{"rendered":"9 Unique Things to do in Prague for Conscious Travellers"},"content":{"rendered":"


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I happened to spend a week in Prague during its peak travel season, and in the midst of an intense heatwave that had gripped much of Europe. As someone who goes to great lengths to avoid crowded places, I threw myself the challenge of experiencing Prague beyond the beaten path, beyond the overtourism the city has been dealing with.<\/p>\n

I reached out to locals and residents for recommendations, and must say I was surprised by how my week panned out. The city not just surprised and delighted me at every corner with its glorious architecture, but also allowed me to ditch the crowds in my pursuit of sustainable travel experiences.<\/p>\n

Is Prague worth visiting?<\/h2>\n

I came across plenty of blog posts on the best things to see in Prague, and pretty much all suggested the same things: Take a tour of old town, new town (not so new, dating back to the 13th century!) and Prague castle. Gather at the Prague astronomical clock on the hour to see the show of the apostles. Walk on the 14th century Charles Bridge. Get drunk on absynth! <\/p>\n

There\u2019s no doubt that Prague is home to incredible architecture, for it is one of the only European cities that escaped widespread destruction during the war. But that also means that these Prague attractions draw thousands of tourists, especially in the summer. The good news is that it\u2019s quite easy to ditch the crowds, and still enjoy the city in all its glory, sample its unique culture and even give a little something back.<\/p>\n

Unique experiences in Prague<\/h2>\n

Here are my recommendations for low carbon, community-centric, culturally-curious experiences that will allow you to discover the city in a whole other way:<\/p>\n

1. Experience Prague through the lens of its homeless people<\/h3>\n
\"street\"street<\/a>
Street art in the neighborhood of Karlin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To scrape a different layer in the city, we signed up for a tour by Pragulic<\/a> \u2013 a female-owned social enterprise that trains homeless people in Prague as tour guides!<\/p>\n

On a warm summer afternoon, we met our guide who\u2019d spent years living on the streets of Prague. Under the shade of an old tree at one of his old haunts, we sat together as he recounted his life journey \u2013 growing up in a children\u2019s home, landing up homeless, meth addiction, the city\u2019s approach towards homelessness, and his transition receiving his own social housing. He led us through the by-lanes, to the city\u2019s grittier side, where people live under bridges and homeless shelters offer showers and clean syringes (yes). Some folks in our group worked on social housing in Amsterdam, and were surprised to hear the perspectives of someone who had experienced homelessness.<\/p>\n

Given that tours like this often come with criticism, I had to ask our guide how he felt about leading it. In his classic no-nonsense manner, he proudly told us this is the longest job he\u2019s held in his life \u2013 8 years and counting. He feels heard and seen. That says everything.<\/p>\n

Tip: <\/strong>You can also book the tour on GetYourGuide<\/a>. Use the app<\/a> to get 5% off on all tours using my code: SHIVYA5<\/p>\n

Also read: Ditch the Tourist Trail for These Conscious Travel Experiences in Northern Spain<\/a><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

2. Eat at a social enterprise that employs reformed convicts<\/h3>\n
\"strecha\"strecha<\/a>
A hub for travellers, social impact and ethical local food.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

St\u0159echa<\/a> is not just one of Prague\u2019s finest 100% vegan restaurants, but a movement in itself. It employs people who\u2019ve faced prison time or homelessness, helps the staff with debts and housing, and in an increasingly unequal world, offers amenities like tap water and free wifi to anyone who walks in \u2013 irrespective of their economic capacity.<\/p>\n

Within its cozy wooden interiors, over a veganized Czech meal of vepro knedlo zelo<\/em> (potato dumplings over a bed of sauerkraut) with ingredients sourced from local suppliers, I felt a sense of solidarity that feels rare to find these days. You also have the option to prepay for a meal that can be offered to someone in financial need. A great example of how the money we spend as travellers can give back to a city!<\/p>\n

Also read: All The Vegan (and Vegetarian) Food I Loved in Salzburg, Austria!<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

3. Stay in Prague\u2019s oldest monastery<\/h3>\n
\"Karlin\"Karlin<\/a>
Sunset in the neighborhood of Karlin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 10th century B\u0159evnov Monastery is Prague\u2019s and Czechia\u2019s oldest \u2013 and travellers can stay at the Baroque-style Hotel Adalbert<\/a> within it. For centuries, Benedictine\u00a0monks have lived on these premises, meditated, brewed beer and tended the gardens. The monastery complex is now designated a national cultural monument, and staying here contributes to its preservation, while also offering the rare chance to become part of Prague\u2019s spiritual traditions.<\/p>\n

Also read: Creative Gardening, Deep Work and Living in Berlin at 38<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

4. Escape the city in the rocky outcrops of a nature reserve<\/h3>\n
\"Divok\u00e1\"Divok\u00e1<\/a>
A welcome break from the city in the shaded, breezy walkways and meadows of Divok\u00e1 \u0160\u00e1rka.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not wanting to roast in the unprecedented heatwave in Prague, I postponed my plans of doing a nature-based day trip from the city to another time. But I\u2019m glad long term resident Divya (@recentlytravelled<\/a>) planned for us to spend a luckily cloudy day amidst the meadows, spring-fed pools and rocky hills of Divok\u00e1 \u0160\u00e1rka \u2013 just 40 minutes from Prague by tram! A Bohemian legend has it that the area is named \u0160\u00e1rka after a lovelorn female warrior who jumped to her death from one of the cliffs in this nature reserve. <\/p>\n

Despite being so close to the city, we found its shaded hiking trails all to ourselves, and settled under an oak tree in one of its meadows for an afternoon t\u00eate-\u00e0-t\u00eate.<\/p>\n

Also read: Walking a 1000-year-old Pilgrim Trail Through the Italian Alps<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

5. Skip the crowds in local neighborhoods, walking tunnels and vineyards<\/h3>\n
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The walking tunnel connecting Karlin and \u017di\u017ekov.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We were lucky enough to find a HomeExchange in one of Prague\u2019s coolest, lived-in neighborhoods \u2013 Karlin. It used to be an industrial hub in the 80s and 90s, and a lot of its old factories and warehouses have been turned into hip cafes, restaurants, bakeries and boutiques. Art deco buildings and street art adorn its leafy cobbled streets. <\/p>\n

One evening, we were surprised to find ourselves in a walking and cycling only tunnel, that connects Karlin to the neighborhood of \u017di\u017ekov across the hill, where small vineyards still exist! Climb all the way up to V\u00edtkov hill for a stunning sunset with a panoramic view of the city.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re new to HomeExchange, use my code shivya-26 to get 250 extra Guest Points, equivalent to 1-3 nights of accommodation in Europe!<\/em><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for unique things to do in Prague for young adults, check out this alternate walking tour in Hole\u0161ovice<\/a> \u2013 one of the city\u2019s most creative neighborhoods.<\/em><\/p>\n

Also read: How I Used HomeExchange to Experience Europe Like a Local<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

6. Taste a bit of Iran in Prague\u2019s only Persian eatery<\/h3>\n
\"Aubergine\"Aubergine<\/a>
I got so excited about the food at Aubergine that I forgot to take a picture of it \ud83d\ude09<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I think I carry a bit of Iran wherever I go, and was so delighted to find Prague\u2019s (and the Czech Republic\u2019s) only Persian restaurant right in our backyard in Karlin! Descend down the steps of Aubergine to find yourself surrounded by domed brickwalls, traditional Persian instruments, photos from Iran, and the gentle aroma of Persian spices and herbs. <\/p>\n

Since travelling in Iran several years ago, I\u2019ve rarely ever seen ghormeh sabzi <\/em>on a menu. And having this vegan spinach and greens stew, with dried black limes, kidney beans and herbs at Aubergine brought back a flood of memories. SO SO GOOD. I wish I could\u2019ve tried the kuku sabzi <\/em>and mirza ghasemi<\/em> too, but sadly they weren\u2019t available as vegan options.<\/p>\n

Chef Ata Alipour grew up in Tehran and found his love for cooking as a young boy. But as life would have it, he ended up in Prague to live in exile for political and religious reasons. After working numerous jobs in cooking and catering for the local Iranian community, he finally achieved his dream of opening the country\u2019s first Persian restaurant. <\/p>\n

Sitting so far away from Iran, one way we can show solidarity with the Iranian people is supporting businesses by the Iranian diaspora, and appreciating the ancient Persian culture and cuisine from afar.<\/p>\n

Also read: <\/em>Why You Should Drop Everything and Travel to Iran Now<\/em><\/a> (well, not now)<\/p>\n

7. Row a boat on Vltava River in the silence of the night<\/h3>\n
\"Vltava\"Vltava<\/a>
Memorable evenings rowing at sunset in Prague.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I can still close my eyes and see myself floating in the breeze on Vltava River, as the colors of sunset fade away and the lights of Prague\u2019s magnificent old buildings flicker on. After the sweltering heat of the day, rowing a paddle boat on the river at night felt like creating a core memory. This is exactly what Prague is famous for (well, for the bigger cruises on Vltava River), but by virtue of being electricity and diesel free, it\u2019s a great low-impact way to slow down and let the city work its charm on you.<\/p>\n

Also read: A Slow \u2018No Fly\u2019 Journey from Switzerland to the Lofoten Islands, Norway!<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

8. Catch a performance at the theatres where Mozart once performed<\/h3>\n
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What to do in Prague on a warm summer day? Catch a show at Prague\u2019s National Theatre.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Prague\u2019s 19th century opera house turned National Theatre, on the banks of the Vltava River, is a sight to behold. Every time I walked past it, I gazed in awe at its Neo-Renaissance architecture. In the old town, the Estates Theatre built in neoclassical style (part of the national theatre) in 1783 is an architectural delight too. The ancient halls of the Estates Theatres once hosted the world premiere of Mozart\u2019s Don Giovanni. As it turns out, Mozart was first loved in the Czech Republic, long before finding recognition in his home country Austria and elsewhere! <\/p>\n

Sadly by the time I learnt about the affordability of drama, opera and ballet shows in these theatres, it was already time to leave. Next time!<\/p>\n

Also read: Fun and Alternative Things to do in Copenhagen \u2013 Perhaps Europe\u2019s Coolest Capital City<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

9. Sample Prague\u2019s incredible vegan food scene<\/h3>\n
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One of many vegan ice creams to cool off in Prague!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As someone who\u2019s been living in Berlin for nearly six months now, my benchmark for vegan food has become considerably high! And yet, Prague\u2019s vegan scene was full of surprises. Across the city, lots of locally-owned, locally-sourced, seasonal, plant-based offerings have sprung up, including all-vegan restos serving up Czech food, hand-churned vegan ice cream parlors and creative fusion food from around the world!<\/p>\n

I plan to write a vegan guide to Prague soon, but some of my favs were:<\/p>\n