7 unusual adventures in Prague: from alchemy to surfing on the Vltava

Prague Castle and Charles Bridge aren't going anywhere — but if you've already seen the postcard-perfect sights and want to experience the city from a different angle, this list is for you. Here you'll find places where you can see Prague at an unexpected angle: descend into a genuine 16th-century alchemical laboratory, ride a board on an artificial wave in the middle of the Vltava, soak in a tub of beer with a mug in hand, or throw an axe at a wooden target. Great for a group of friends, a family day out, or anyone simply tired of museum queues.

Speculum Alchemiae, Praha 1

The house at Haštalská 1 in the Old Town hides a genuine find beneath it: during the 2002 flood, a hole opened up in the pavement next to one of Prague's oldest houses, revealing a network of underground rooms sealed for centuries — it turned out to be alchemical laboratories from the era of Emperor Rudolf II, where alchemists once tried to create the philosopher's stone. The guided tour lasts about half an hour (cash payment, groups depart every 30 minutes) and leads through tunnels and reconstructed labs — not every exhibit is original, but the atmosphere is authentic; the gift shop sells elixirs made according to old recipes. A great option for anyone wanting to discover not just the touristy side of the Jewish Quarter, but its mystical one too.

Vlny Štvanice, Praha 7 (Štvanice Island)

On Štvanice Island, right in the city centre, there's an artificial standing wave on the Vltava — yes, you can actually surf in Prague. The wave sits below the Hilton hotel and forms the first obstacle of a slalom course; it's 7.5 metres wide, with wooden platforms on either side. The Vlny Štvanice complex offers river surfing, SUP boarding on the Vltava, e-foiling and kayaking on the channel, plus kids' programmes, slacklining, surfskating and live music. Instructors work year-round and equipment is provided on site — you do need to know how to swim, but no surfing experience is required.

Pivní lázně Bernard, Praha 1

One of the most quintessentially Czech unusual experiences is bathing in beer. The treatment takes place in a large wooden tub for two, filled with a vitamin-B-rich mixture developed by the Bernard brewery, while guests pour themselves fresh beer straight from the tap; a jacuzzi, Finnish sauna and salt cave with massage are also available. The spa (address: Žitná 9, Prague 1) is open daily, and a session for two with massage costs several thousand crowns — but the experience and the photos are worth it for a long time to come.

Sekyra Praha, Praha 8

Axe-throwing has made it to Prague too: a few years ago the trend arrived and stuck — the city now has several clubs offering competitive sessions. The format is simple: a brief instructor-led briefing followed by an hour of throwing axes at wooden targets, with a scoring element that makes it a surprisingly fun group activity. One such club is Sekyra Praha at Pernerova 49, Praha 8. It's a solid alternative to bowling for a birthday party or stag do — weekday slots can usually be booked with little notice, but summer weekends fill up fast.

TheCrossClub, Praha 7

This legendary underground club in Holešovice is far more than a concert venue — it's a genuine industrial art object. You'll know you've arrived when you spot the massive industrial sculpture in front of the tall yellow building — the club serves as a platform for independent art and a space for exploring different approaches to performative arts. Inside, floors of metal structures, gears and pipes look like an art installation in their own right, while in the evenings the club fills with electronic, techno and experimental music. Address: Plynární 23, Prague 7, near the Nádraží Holešovice metro station.

Zrcadlové bludiště na Petříně, Praha 1

A fun attraction atop Petřín Hill — a mirror maze housed in a miniature medieval castle. It's a popular attraction for kids and tourists alike, located in the garden by the Petřín Lookout Tower. The maze occupies part of a wooden pavilion where the Club of Czech Tourists once performed during the 1891 Jubilee Exhibition; it opened on 25 May 1891. In the second hall — the Hall of Laughter — convex and concave mirrors turn visitors into dwarfs or giants; the maze contains 31 regular mirrors and 14 distorting ones. You can get up here by funicular from Újezd station or on foot from Pohořelec — and combine the visit with a stroll through the rose garden and Strahov Monastery.

Speculum Alchemiae + a walk through Josefov (bonus route)

If the alchemical laboratory has captured your imagination, linger in Josefov for another hour: the quarter's narrow streets are full of hidden courtyards and Hebrew inscriptions, and just a couple of steps from Haštalská lies the Old Town Square with its astronomical clock — the contrast between the mysticism below ground and the touristy buzz above feels especially vivid right here.

These seven spots won't replace the classic Prague itinerary, but they'll complement it beautifully: at one you'll get splashed (in a good way) by a Vltava wave, at another you'll come out smelling of hops from a wooden tub, and at yet another you'll feel like an alchemist at the court of Rudolf II for half an hour. One piece of advice — book the beer spa and surfing lessons in advance, especially if you're visiting in summer: Prague's unusual attractions have long stopped being a secret known only to locals.

See also:

• 9 most romantic places in Prague: where to take your loved one on a date
• 8 places in Prague where kids will never get bored: from the zoo to the mirror maze

Source: aroundprague.cz