Rick Steves Prague & The Czech Republic

Rick Steves, Honza Vihan

It’s no exaggeration to say that without Rick Steves’ first-rate travel inspiration, we would probably not have moved from the US to Prague in 2017. We are devoted fans of his detailed guidebooks and nerdily entertaining TV show.

If you’re interested in culture and digging into a city beyond the general tourist recommendations, Rick Steves’ guides are for you. His books burst with practical advice and guidance on hotels, restaurants, transportation, and more. There are three particular bits that make them worth packing in your already overpacked luggage: his walking tours, his history recaps, and his insider tips.

Our favorite way to understand a city on our first visit is by going on a self-guided walking tour. Rick’s maps and instructions are very detailed and, honestly, sometimes a little corny. But they always orient us to the city and help us understand the context for the things we see.

Interspersed among the main content of the guide, Rick always includes sidebars that dig into historical bits, cultural stories, and other background information that enhances the experience. His opinions on which tours, museums, exhibits, castles, towers, and boat rides are invaluable, as are his logistics for the best times to visit, how to avoid long lines, using public transport, and getting the most fun for your money. With his guides, you’ll never feel lost in a train station or town square again.

The Prague guide includes eight self-guided walking tours, and they are all excellent, as are his ideas for exploring beyond the city limits. This book also features handy sample itineraries to help you make the most of your time in Prague. If you’re not traveling beyond Prague, you might like the more compact Rick Steves Pocket Prague which is a streamlined version of the Prague content from the full Czech Republic guide.

Few cities can match Prague’s over-the-top romance [and] evocative Old World charm… It’s filled with sumptuous Art Nouveau facades, offers tons of cheap Mozart and Vivaldi concert, and brews some of the best beer in Europe. Cross the famous Charles Bridge… Hike up to the world’s biggest castle for a lesson in Czech history and sweeping views across the city’s spires and domes. — Rick Steves

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