Yep, and thursdaysd summed it up perfectly: The same number of tourists that find things to do and see all over the large cities of Berlin or Vienna cram into the smaller centre of Prague and the castle hill.

On various trips I've visited Berlin, Dresden, Budapest, Prague and Vienna and enjoyed each city in its own way. I'm more interested in art, architecture and history more than night life, so that really wasn't a big consideration for me.

I thought the museums in Berlin (Pergamon, Altes, Gemaldegalerie, Bode, etc.) and Vienna (Kunsthistorisches, etc.) were fantastic. I found Dresden very interesting, and it too has great museums (Raphael's Sistine Madonna with the very famous cherubs hangs in the Gemaldegalerie at the Zwinger.) I also like the grand cafes of Vienna and Budapest. As one poster mentioned, the many hundreds of years of architecture on display in Prague is fascinating too. For me, Prague did have something of a fairytale quality despite the huge crowds. It's a tough decision, but I would definitely include Prague.

For modern architecture Berlin has to be tops practically in Europe IMO

Just think you are seeing for all practical purposes a brand new world capital just being built - lots of audacious new architecture to be a showcase of Germany - and even things like the Holocaust Memorial next to the new American Embassy is novel in its architecture.

Not a whole lot of old architecture though...

Prague is so crowded that nobody goes there any more.

Christina, I LOVE it.

yeah great comment Christina

Hello nytraveler

Could you please share with me who did you use for your walking tour of Prague? We used a private tour a year ago that turned out too expensive, she was in no rush or normal pace and hit us with an enormous bill at the end of the day. This time we are returning with relatives visiting Prague for the first time and would like to take a tour similar to the free walking tour in Berlin. Any recommendation for us?

Thanks

One thing that Prague, if many reports are true, has that the other cities do not seem to have as much, is petty street crime against tourists - pickpockets, etc.

I heard the petty crime warnings when I went to Rome, and again when I went to Mexico City, and noticed nothing untoward in either city. Of course, I do tend to watch myself when in any unfamiliar setting.

I never had any problem in Prague and I've been there a lot, including outlying areas. Well, maybe that's part of the reason I haven't had a problem, I am not always in the most touristy areas, but I am there, also. I don't think it's anything like some of the worst places I've heard (I heard of more in Madrid when I was there, although again, it never happened to me). I just don't let people pickpocket me, don't lend myself to that activity by the things people do so they can be pickpocketed.

I would doubt Prague is worse in that behavior than Budapest, hard for me to believe, having been to both places.

Now having said that, I have a friend who was pickpocketed in the Prague subway. She's a total ditz, however, so it doesn't surprise me in the slightest. I never got the whole story as to what happened, though, so maybe it wasn't her fault. I have heard one might be more cautious in the metro late at night than in some cities, though.

"so maybe it wasn't her fault" - it's never the victim's fault.

No it's not the victim's fault, of course

but it could be that through naievety she presented the pickpocket with a golden opportunity perhaps - a sitting duck as we'd say - thus knowing that there even might be a problem is a plus to taking even simple precautions to avoid being victimized - knowing that there may be a problem helps lessen that problem - being aware of your surroundings and, unfortunately IME, being leery of anyone coming up to you, sad to say.

On our recent trip to Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Budapest and other smaller cities, we were warned by all tour guides that pickpockets are around and we should hang onto our purses and wallets. I was not worried in any of these cities when I was with a group or just walking with my husband. I would just use common sense about the safety of her belongings and yourself and you will be fine. I definitely did not feel Prague was more unsafe than the other cities. We walked lots and lots in Prague and were never bothered.

Well, I wear a money belt, so even when I WAS pickpocketed (in
Rome) all I lost was an expiring bus pass and one day's supply of cash. And the wallet - I rather thought I could buy it back off the street the next day, but had to settle for a different one.

Prague Pickpockets and Other Crime
Illegal activity in Prague - pickpockets, car break-ins and car theft, black market, taking a taxi, police stations in the city center.
www.myczechrepublic.com › Prague Guide

This site gives great advice for tourists in any city but especially in Prague, which it does say of:

<Pickpocketing is one of Prague's most common crimes. We are sad every time we hear stories about someone getting their money, documents, camera or cell phone stolen.>

and though this could also apply to many tourist meccas reports of it happening in Prague just seem so much more than other cities.

Again knowledge of the problem pretty much abates it or cuts your losses to like thursdaysd reports.