Unfortunately, this also attracts scammers and those wanting to make money out of unsuspecting tourists. Below is a list of the less glamorous side of Prague. DO NOT exchange currency on the street. It will always be a con β fake money, old notes or a distraction in an attempt to rob you. Then compare this to the mid market exchange rate on Google or ex.
This rate will give you a benchmark of what the exchange rate should be. The poorer the rate is, the more commission the exchange bureau has added.
There are so many different taxi scams in Prague. Other scams include β giving you change in Russian roubles they look similar to the Czech Koruna or taking you to the wrong hotel e. The Europa hotel, instead of Europe hotel and then charging you an extra fee to drive to the correct hotel. Prague has Uber which gives you an estimate of the price before you get in and if anything dodgy happens β like they take you on a longer route, you can send a message to Uber and try and get it refunded.
These are so many pink and green florescent Thai massage parlours in Prague. Others double as beauty bars where you can get a pedicure and your nails done. Most Thai massage parlours are dotted around the Old Town with a rickshaw outside and tourists sitting in the window having their feet nibbled by fish. While the Thai massage might be authentic, nothing else about them is. I first noticed this on a busy high street in Stockholm, Sweden last year. I was concerned the man was hurt but people walked by ignoring him.
Then I noticed a baseball cap in front of him on the pavement. He was begging. There were at least 5 men along Charles Bridge doing exactly the same and many throughout the Old Town and leading up to the castle. Bowing to show they are offering themselves to people, they feel humbled and are asking for an act of mercy. However, while on Charles Bridge I did meet a more aggressive beggar who wanted to show me his pet mouseβ¦. Mostly seen in the summer months and typically made up of my fellow Brits.
