It’s no secret that Prague is no secret.
During my stay in Prague, I joined throngs of holiday shoppers in Wenceslas Square and happily ate and drank my way through the bustling Old Town Christmas Market. I went with the flow of tourists across the Charles Bridge and up the hill to Prague Castle. I was having a wonderful time, but it seemed that I was always part of a crowd.
But I managed to find a side of Prague that was a bit quieter, at least at the time. These are some of the scenes I captured along the way.
Even near such a center of activity as Old Town Square there are side streets and alleys less-traveled by visitors.
High end stores like Prada and Cartier line the streets in Josefov (Jewish Quarter) between Old Town Square and the Vltava River.
I had lunch at a nearly empty restaurant across from the Prada store. Goulash was my meal of choice for the few days I was in Prague.
I loved this Art Nouveau building on Maisolova Street, where Restaurace u Stare Synogagy (The Restaurant at the Old Synagogue) is located.
Although there are many visitors to the synagogues and museums in the Jewish Quarter, it was rather quiet as I walked past the Old Jewish Cemetery and took this photo through the fence. The cemetery dates from the 15th century when Jews were not allowed to be buried outside of the ghetto. The last burial here was in 1787.
This view of the Rudolfinum, home to the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, is from Manesuv Most, the less crowded bridge north of the Charles Bridge.
A beautiful and quiet ending to a day in Prague.
This is my submission to this week’s Budget Travelers Sandbox Travel Photo Thursday series. Be sure to check out other photo and story entries on their website.
Cathy, I enjoyed your pictures of Prague! The goulash looked marvelous and is one of my favorite dishes. I too like wandering to find the quieter streets of bustling towns.
Thanks, Debbie. I loved the goulash — Czech comfort food!
For years I have wanted to visit Prague but the thought of so many tourists has put me off somewhat. Nice to see you exploring and finding the quiet side of the city.
Interesting that the Jewish cemetery in your photo looks very much like Sophie’s shots from Warsaw today. I wonder why.
Goulash and a glass of wine – order in what language?? sounds good to me.
Ah, yes. The wine — another indulgence while traveling. Hope I don’t get criticized for having white wine with goulash. I suppose I should have had a Czech beer. 🙂
Looks like a fun trip! Lots of different sides to one city… and definitly less touristy than you see elsewhere. The goulash looks delicious 🙂 Makes me wanna cook some!
I think there are a lot of aspects of Prague — I’ve just scratched the surface.
Oh wow. Your photos captured the calm. And I love the goulash pic. Never had it, but I’d like to try! And the old synagogue restaurant…WOW what amazing architecture. Also, the Jewish cemetery was quite intriguing and I really like the effect you put on that pic.
Glad you liked the effect on the cemetery pic. I like that, too. I had another one that didn’t show the fence, but I preferred the feel of this one.
Love your photos, Cathy. Prague is a very beautiful city. I’ve put it on my list.
Thanks! Beautiful city indeed.
It’s good to get away from the crowds. Shame that it’s getting harder and harder in Prague though…
Yes, it is a shame, but it’s certainly good for Prague’s economy.
I’m loving your posts about Prague! Great shots. 🙂
Thanks, Michael — I might just have another Prague post coming up 🙂
These pictures are great and I really like the Old Synagogue restaurant shot. it’s always great to see pictures of quiet streets. Prague has been on my travel bucket list for a long time and we hope to visit soon.
Thanks – Hope you get to Prague soon. Wonderful place to visit, quiet or not!
Oh, that goulash looks sooo tempting. I could eat that right now! It’s always good to find the quieter side streets of a city isn’t it? It gives you a better feel for the place. The old Jewish cemetery looks like a sad place.
Julia
The story of the Old Jewish Cemetery is sad. Another fact about it: there are up to 12 layers of graves (with about 100,000 people) because the area was so small.
Great pictures… I love Prague 🙂
Thanks – always nice to see you here! 🙂
Lovely post on one of my favourite cities, but one which can get incredibly busy (especially on Charles Bridge). Must find a goulash recipe …
Thank you, Julie. I guess that’s the downside of visiting fabulous places — everybody wants to go there!
Great pictures – love reading and following your website – would love to know how you get to travel so much outside a regular job – very nice and invitiing
Thanks, Eileen. I appreciate your ongoing support!
Super, enticing-the-traveler photos. Always enjoy my virtual travel with you !
Glad you’ve been enjoying the ride! 🙂
These pictures are quite lovely! <3
Thanks, Erica. I hope they capture a bit of the essence of the city.
Prague looks like like a fantastic place to visit, and the crowds seem like they’d be a small price to pay, especially when there’s so much empty space just outside of the square. Don’t know about the goulash thing though.
It is a fantastic place to visit — don’t be deterred by any crowds. If you go, try the goulash — my pic doesn’t do it justice.
Beautiful shots, Cathy. I love the architecture. That goulash looks delicious!
The architecture in Prague is stunning. There are several different styles that you see there reflecting so many interesting periods in history.
That goulash looks amazing! It’s nice to see you can still find quiet places in Prague.
I’m sure there are more quiet places to be found there, too. Wish I would have had more time.
Beautiful photos! I found myself drawn towards the quieter side streets in Prague as well, although I needed more time to find those really special gems – next time.
That’s what I keep thinking — I need to go back and do more exploring.
I’m going to Prague this March as part of my solo 70-day backpacking trip to Europe. I’ll look for off-the-beaten paths like this also, the quieter streets, the less known places. Thanks for the tips 🙂 (Dropping by from the Budget Travelers Sandbox Travel Photo Thursday)
How wonderful to take a 70-day backpacking trip — enjoy! I’d like to explore more of the Czech Republic outside of Prague. Hope you get a chance to do that in addition to visiting the city.
You were smart to get away from the throngs of tourists in Prague. (It’s also about which time of year you visit, I expect). Lovely night time shot of the Rudolfinum.
Thanks, Sophie. You’re right about timing. I was there early December and I think many are drawn to it as a great holiday destination. I know that I was. 🙂
I love these! It looks like you had a great time there and saw a lot. Prague definitely has two sides, and the quieter side really isn’t that hard to find even in the historical center. It’s about getting off the main tourist avenue even one or 2 blocks. My favorite quiet place in Prague is the area past the castle. So quiet, old, and beautiful. Seeing your photos makes me miss Prague even more 🙂
I’m flattered that you, a former Prague resident, has been enjoying my posts. I had lunch one day at a restaurant just beyond the castle area. It was quiet and I wished I would have had the time to go further — next time.
Almost looks like it belongs to a different era, then you see the modern aspects of the city. Love the pics!
Thanks, Corinne. Definitely an old world feel to Prague — so much history preserved there.
Prague’s quiet streets look so beautiful! The photo of the restaurant at Old Synagogue looks pretty (gold color definitely catches attention!)
Good idea of getting away from the crowd! I will try that sometime when I am visiting a popular tourist city =)
Finding the quieter side of a busy city is no easy job… so well done!
I also loved your style of writing, its like a travelogue, experience sharing.
I also followed you on twitter 🙂
wow, prague! definitely in my list of places to go…very soon!
Beautiful photos of a quieter side of Prague. I also find the castle gardens are quiet and a lovely place to wander!