I moved around Europe for 6 months. If I had to pick a place to live permanently, it'd be this lively, walkable city.
- After spending six months traveling around Europe, I'd be most likely to move to Prague.
- The city's architecture, beauty, history, and walkability made it easy to fall in love with.
This year, I traveled around Europe for six months, spending quality time in some of the continent's most popular cities like London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Zurich.
During this period, I often thought about which European city I'd most like to call home. Although I loved my time in many of the cities I visited, my top choice would be Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.
Prague's architecture, natural beauty, history, and walkability made it easy to fall in love with. Here's why I'd move there if given the chance.
Prague is incredibly walkable and has great public transportation.
As an American who lives in Colorado, I'm used to hopping in my car to do almost everything. But in Prague, I didn't need a car once. Most of the time, I walked to wherever I needed to go.
Although I'd likely balk at a 45-minute walk in the US, I found myself eagerly putting on my shoes for the same in Prague. Why? Because each walk felt like an experience.
The city is home to jaw-dropping architecture, art installations, and green spaces. During every stroll, I'd notice a new statue or hidden detail, like how the city's coat of arms is engraved onto every manhole cover.
Although the cobblestone sidewalks did give my feet a workout, they were so picturesque that I didn't mind.
When I needed to venture a little farther, Prague's public transportation was second to none. The iconic trams were frequent, reliable, and incredibly charming.
There's so much history to explore.
Another thing I like about Prague is how much history there is to explore. For example, I visited Prague Castle, which is the world's largest ancient castle.
Although visitors can view ancient suits of armor and beautiful artwork, they can also learn about a 1618 incident when three Catholic officials were thrown from a window of the castle by a mob of angry Protestants.
The event even inspired a new word: defenestration — the act of throwing someone out of a window.
Perhaps the city's most recognizable landmark, however, is the Astronomical Clock. The clock's face not only shows the sun and moon's relative positions in the sky but also reveals a mechanical procession of the Twelve Apostles at the top of every hour.
The city is in a prime location for day trips.
Prague's location in central Europe makes it an ideal starting point for day trips or weekend getaways. One day, I headed north to visit a few national parks, filming locations for "The Chronicles of Narnia," and the Bastei Bridge rock formation.
Another morning, I took a train to the small city of Pilsen and toured the original Pilsner Urquell brewery (where pilsner beer was invented).
And in September, a five-hour train ride was all that stood between me and Oktoberfest in Munich.
There are always festivals, concerts, or events going on.
Although I appreciated the museums and tourist attractions, sometimes I wanted to get more of a local experience. On those days, there were a dozen options to choose from.
From wine tastings and live music to a harvest festival with traditional Czech dancers, I was blown away by the variety of events that took place around the city. One night, I even stumbled upon a Spanish-themed festival along the river, complete with food trucks and dancing.
Every day in Prague offered a new, unexpected joy, and if I could move to a European city permanently, it'd be at the top of my list.
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