We spent 3 days in Prague last summer and we asked ourselves exact the same question.

It's overdone in every regards. Nice buildings yes! But the souvenir shops, the rip of by taxis, restaurants and hotels ....for us a "once in a lifetime" experience, for sure.

SV

It sounds like you let one unfortunate incident color your entire view of a fantastic city.

I've been to Prague 3 times and would head back in a heartbeat. It's unique in europe - the only major city to avoid destruction in WWII and retain much of it's ancient character. There is an incredible music seen, a host of wonderful sights and museums and tons of great (and inexpensive restaurants). Yes, the tourist center of town has a lot of tourist shops (the same is true of the tourist areas of any major city).

I can;t comment on the police issue - except if it had been me I would have reported them to the local precinct (but then I tend not to let people get away with things). Oh - and we always use maps - not electronic devices that IMHO are often inaccurate. (Some of the ones on car service cars here in NYC are frighteningly wrong at times - ignoring much faster routes to take you in circles and leading you into making illegal turns or driving on roads when they're closed to traffic, etc.)

Prague is definitely one of my favorite cities in Europe. But I'm one of those people who prefers atmosphere to "sites" or museums. I just loved the feel of the place - I can't even explain why. The town square took my breath away the first time I walked into it, and I made an effort to walk back through the square whenever I coming or going. I definitely will return to Prague.

Overflowing with tourists? Definitely. The Charles Bridge during the day and in the evening is obnoxious, annoying to walk over - but in the morning, you can enjoy it almost entirely alone. Very worth waking up early to see it then.

Another vote for love Prague and for the same reaons others have stated. I thought Stare Mesto was charming and I appreciate what Vaclav Havel did as an intellectual, dissident, and president. How often are a people wise enough to divide a country into two peacefully?

I was not overwhelmed by Prague. (But then again, I live in Paris.) It is charming, but in my opinion, it has been overrun by tourists more as a herd instinct than by genuine interest in the city. People want to go to at least one city in "Eastern Europe" and Prague is usually the place.

I disagree, kerouac, about the reasons people visit Prague. Just the other day, while resting my feet near the Arc de Triomphe, I was chatting with some American tourists sitting near me. The woman said she had heard Prague was wonderful and had hoped to visit (she never mentioned eastern Europe). I concurred, but I added how overrun with tourists it is, as a qualifier. I have had this conversation before.

I think that people have heard Prague is such a wonderful place that they feel compelled to visit. That's why I did, and I was not disappointed. I didn't care what part of Europe it was in.

'Annhig' has got it right: Prague is an amazing, wonderful city. If it's too 'Americanized' for you (a legit complaint), try Bulgaria...especially Plovdiv and the towns along the Black Sea. Most Americans have discovered Prague; not so for Bulgaria--altho that won't last long, I'm sure.

We visited Prague for 4 nights last year. We enjoyed our stay, and found it a gorgeouls little city. But in terms of cities I've visited and loved, I'd rate it somewhere in the middle.

This is a case of "not everybody has to like the same thing," as I tell my kids. We enjoyed the architecture, music, culture, and people (no, they weren't as friendly as the Italians, but we didn't expect them to be). We didn't enjoy the food, but we expected that, too. We really like art and museums, which Prague doesn't have so much of. A four-night visit was just right for us, then we were off to the Czech countryside, which we also enjoyed. We're all glad we went, but have other places on our list for future vacations (that's ok; given finite time and money, there aren't many places we return to).

I think it's more difficult to like Prague if you don't have any friends who live there. Czech people are not cold, mean, unfriendly, or out there to rip you off. They just don't laugh in public, think out loud, and make small talk as much as Americans do.

It is a struggle to live in Prague, but once you understand the Czech Mentality, it's a lot easier to find endearing.

Redstater...with an attitude like that, I think it's best for everyone if your son's passport is confiscated.No, make that destroyed. The world doesn't need attitudes like that.
If you had bothered to find out anything about the Czechs, their history and culture you might have understood a little more about them and their attitudes/reactions. Don't tell me a Finn has the same outlook on life as a Spaniard or a Thai...

As for Prague, its attractions are obvious and apart from that the culture is worth getting to know; straying from the centre brings rewards, as it does in any great tourist city. And this is a city bursting with artistic overtones, from painting and sculpture to an unrivalled canon of 19th and 20th (and 21st) century writers and poets. If you want to know about Prague as it was and is, read Jaroslav Hasek, Karel Capek, Milan Kundera (for a lite version) and above all, Ivan Klima.

I'd rather go to Prague than Munich.

For me, Prague was much more charming when I first encountered it in '93. The more it is "discovered" the less I like it. Of course, that makes me part of the problem, not part of the solution....

Rick

I was lucky enough to have made my first visit to Prague in the early 90s, before the mass trappings of tourism and have been several times since. It is true there are now many more tourists and of course the trappings that go with them but it is also true that a great many beautiful but dilapidated buildings have now been restored to their former glory with the revenue these bring in. It is a beautiful city (my favourite) and I will return but for the moment I will make room for the others who wish to visit. The Czechs are not generally rude but often quiet, thoughtful and reserved people.

At the end of the day it is a good job we don't all like the same thing.

<<Redstater...with an attitude like that, I think it's best for everyone if your son's passport is confiscated.No, make that destroyed. The world doesn't need attitudes like that.>>

Thank you, Portuense, for your eloquent statement supporting tolerance, diversity, and respect for others' points of view.

For one brief, shining moment in early 1990 (after the Wall came down), Prague was a vibrant city celebrating new-found freedom. Citizens flocked to the streets, queing-up to make purchases from sidewalk venders! Everything was cheap. Everyone was friendly. Americans, especially, were welcomed and warmly greeted. Sadly, this didn't last very long.

I still enjoy going back.

Jinx Hoover

<<For one brief, shining moment in early 1990 (after the Wall came down), Prague was a vibrant city celebrating new-found freedom.>>

I wish I'd gone then instead of the late 90s. I thought the city was beautiful and enjoyed the food, but the crowds and the plethora of shops and money exchange facilities did color my impression. Plus, someone trying to pull me into a money exchange scam. I think I was offended that he thought I looked dumb enough to fall for it. I had to tell him twice that I don't carry dollars but use ATMs and when he got it, he melted into the crowd.

Caph52, your son will be fine if he decides to go. He won't be a tourist and will have time enough to get to know the place and some people.

I love Prague. I visited last October and found it beautiful.

Yes, there were lots of tourists, but I was one of them. Given that fact, is is hard to legitimately complain about crowds. There were lots of souvenir shops as well, but it is easy to ascertain that from outside without feeling a compulsion to enter if one does not wish to do so. I actually found some very nice crystal stores though. I also enjoyed the food I had in Prague, and found that it was certainly less expensive than some of the other places I have visited (Italy, Switzerland, Paris spring to mind). I did not have a car, so that was one less hassle to deal with. For the most part I walked (my hotel was very centrally located), but on the occasions I used taxis I was not ripped off.

I find it helpful to have a small amount of local currency before I arrive, just for emergency situations, like that of the original poster. Once I am situated I use ATM machines & my Cap One card.

Also, regarding comments that the Czech people are rude, one can find rude people in every country. I did not encounter any rudeness, but I also made it a point to learn basic pleasantries and other useful expressions in Czech. It's amazing what a tiny bit of effort will do.

I'm sorry the original poster had such a bad experience, but one bad apple shouldn't be a reflection on an entire city (or country).

Hmm. Evidently Redstater's son needs a history lesson because thanks to FDR's fecklessness, the Russians "got" a 44-year lease on the Czechs anyway. The notion that "we" should have let the Soviets "keep" anyone is rather distasteful.

So Prague has tons of tourists and some scammers. BFD. Welcome to a large European city with great historical significance. Barcelona has innumerable tourists and scam artists. Florence and Paris have various Roma groups who prey upon tourists time and again. London has ridiculous numbers of tourists, and a great deal of street crime. Why travelers to Central Europe desire some sort of immediate-post-Iron Curtain pristine preservation of gray and dingy misery is beyond me -- I prefer seeing how these cities have adjusted to the new economy and investment now that the Soviet boot is off their necks.

And the notion that Czechs are rude is pretty laughable when considering how many tourists to Prague are Germans, Russians and weekender English on bachelor party excursions -- three groups of tourists not known for their politesse. Has the OP been anywhere else in Central Europe? Other than in Germany or Kaliningrad, Germans and Russians are generally not well liked in Central Europe for obvious historical reasons.

We absolutely LOVE Prague and the Czech Republic and we have been there twice - in 2003 and just this past August. The architecture is amazing at every turn, it is simply a beautiful, gorgeous city, etc. We hardly ever encountered any rude Czechs, didn't have problems with pickpockets, etc. and the crowds were not that bad, even in August.

to the poster whose son wants to study there - he should definitely go!!! My duaghter studied in prague for 4 months in 2003 and loved it!!! She tells me she dreams of Prague every day & that is one reason why we returned this past August. I will always treasure the view from the Charles Bridge of the castle lit up at night!!! And we also like the food and the great beer!!!

I agree with Delaine - there are rude people everywhere!

"My son summed it up when he observed in disgust..."Should have let the Russians keep them".

That's why I'm glad we only have cats.

We loved Prague. The people were cordial, the architecture was interesting and we had a few really good meals, so to the person who said the food is awful, I must disagree. Oh yeah, the pivo!!!!!!!

Oh well, everyone is different. I dislike Aix-en-Provence, and I seem to be in the minority.