I came to Prague fresh off a disappointing trip to Budapest. That trip followed a disappointing few weeks in the Balkans.

I was beginning to have doubts about my own ability to travel. Was I getting stagnant? Was I jaded? Was I not receiving these experiences the same anymore?

Then I arrived in Prague and put all these doubts to rest. I could still enjoy what great cities had to offer after all.

Prague had everything you'd expect from a major European hotspot.

Beautiful historic Old Town ✅

Seamless public transportation ✅

Vibrant parks ✅

But I kept uncovering more as I dove into the city.

Easy to Exist

Despite spending a week in Prague, I hardly spent any time "exploring."

Some cities are meant to be explored, while others are intended to be existed in. Places like Edinburgh, Madrid, and Stockholm are easy to exist in, making me feel like I could have a life there–and allowing me to feel more connected to the city.

Prague is a city that offers both, but I was tired of exploring. I explored Budapest and the Balkans without much to show for it.

It was time to slow down. So I did.

I woke up late and lazily strolled around. I wrote a blog post at a beer garden in Letna Park overlooking the city. I went for runs by the river and watched the sunset with the locals at Riegrovy Sady.

It was peaceful. I would walk into the Old Town if I wanted, but it wasn't often. I went sightseeing but at my own pace. I didn't see all the attractions, but I didn't care.

I just loved existing in Prague! I normally don't like cities overcrowded with tourists, but it didn't seem to matter here. The tourists and locals coexisted without clashing, unlike hotspots such as Barcelona or Paris.

Both sides seemed to have an unspoken agreement to maintain the vibes.

Day Turns to Night

Prague surprised me even further with some of the best nightlife in the world. I won't forget the night I celebrated the Euro Cup with my new Spanish friends, but that wasn't even half of it.

There was the night that started as a sunset cruise and finished at a 2-story rooftop club. I became friends with a party rep–at least I think we became friends? She taught me this dance, but I never saw her face.

Mysterious.

Then there was another night–a pub crawl with about 100 other travelers. It started slow, but as I found my people–a Spanish girl, two 18-year-olds with infinite stamina, and my friend Adrian–it picked up steam.

It was the longest pub crawl ever. Five, six, seven hours–I lost track. We ended up on the top floor of an abandoned building and the DJ played banger after banger.

Out of nowhere, I ran into a group of Swedish guys who were part of a memorable night in Ljubljana! I thought I'd never see them again but our reunion threw an extra burst of energy on a night filled with nonstop excitement.

It was one of those nights where you stay out so late that you know the next day will be ruined, but it was worth it nonetheless.

Or, just another day in Prague.

Life as a Local

I definitely didn't feel like a local after a week in the city but I did glean a bit of what life might be like.

I ended up in the suburbs on a couple long runs and was shocked by what I saw. No more old town. No traditional European vibes. The suburbs were...modern. Vibrant. Luscious and green with families pushing strollers and cyclists out for a ride.

The weather was perfect and as I passed by some Microsoft offices, I shocked myself by realizing that life could be pretty good here.

It wasn't just a tourist town–Prague had something for everyone.

I tried local Czechian food–delicious. But I definitely spent my time hawking Prague's kebab shops. More than the rest of Europe, Prague provided the biggest kebabs I could handle for €7 or less.

That's my kind of city.

It Doesn't Stop

There's even more to the city–Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, and the historic Old Town all vied for my attention.

They're the reasons that most people come in the first place. That, or it's the #1 country for beer consumption per capita. An impressive stat for a holiday destination.

But instead, I came to chill and take it slow. I came to live for a week in Prague after a forgettable travel month. I wasn't sure what I was seeking, but Prague showed me it had what I needed.

It was an easy city to plop my bags and I'm grateful.

People make a fuss about Eastern Europe lacking the modernity of Western Europe. I'd argue that all of Europe lacks the integration of vibrant futurism and medieval architectural marvels that Prague offers.

And Prague is better off for it.

What are your thoughts on Prague? Let me know in the comments!