Category: Czechia

Prague is really weird. In fact, the city is so extra that it doesn’t need a street art mural as Portland does, begging its inhabitants to “Keep Prague Weird.” From the David Cerny sculptures to the Museum of Torture, to the option of getting a fish pedicure, there are so many unusual things to see and do in Prague that visitors will actually have a hard time fitting all of them into their agendas.

In my ongoing quest to find weird and offbeat things to share with you, I thought about all of the possible weird things to do in Czechia’s capital city. I hadn’t yet visited the Sex Machines Museum. I still hadn’t seen all of the David Cerny sculptures. Most of all, I hadn’t ever taken a beer bath in Prague.

Finally, I managed to finally live out a lifelong dream of taking a bath in beer while drinking beer. Important to note is that I didn’t drink the liquid I bathed in. I love beer, but not that much.

So what is a Prague beer bath really like?

Take A Soak In Suds With A Prague Beer Bath

Yes, it wasn’t really a lifelong dream, but it’s been something that I’ve wanted to do ever since I first heard about it when I moved to Europe. It seems that beer baths are actually quite popular in both Germany and Austria too.

I wondered what it would feel like and if the experience would be relaxing. Were there any healing effects? Would I feel drunk by the end of the beer bath?

Regardless, I was pretty excited to finally undertake a beer bath, I hoped it would be as fun as it sounded.

Beer Spa Bernard in Prague

My Prague beer bath finally happened when I visited Canadian friends Jeff and Katie of Wandertooth. After spending the better part of the day exploring Prague with Katie by foot, she dropped me off at Beer Spa Bernard. Located in the heart of Prague’s Old Town, the location is central and easy to reach if you’re already in the area visiting tourist attractions like the Charles Bridge or astronomical clock.

Spa Bernard offers a private experience that can be enjoyed as a couple or, in my case, alone. And you know me, I like to fly solo!

I learned from the spa attendant that people have been partaking in beer since the Middle Ages. She went on to explain that a beer bath has tons of health benefits like helping your body with detoxification, increased blood circulation, calming of the nervous system, relief of joint pain, smooth skin, and more.

I’d been feeling pretty stressed around this time, so the beer bath was the perfect fix.

The Beer Bath

The experience at Spa Bernard begins when you head to the changing room to get undressed. They provide you with a bedsheet to wrap around yourself; a bathing suit isn’t required unless you’re feeling modest. As you can tell from my experiences at the German sauna, I have no problem with modesty whatsoever.

From there, you’re led into a room with two giant beer tubs, with each one comfortably fitting two people. The tubs are so amply sized, they can hold up to 350 liters of water. My tub was already filled with warm water, at a perfect 37 degrees Celsius, which they say is the optimal temperature for the experience. The attendant then placed the related beer bath ingredients (barley, hops, and yeast)into the water and left the room. I immediately tossed my sheet aside and jumped into the tub for a long soak.

The heavy smell of beer in the air and the thought of actually bathing in a giant tub of alcohol felt a little strange at first, but you soon forget this as you sink into the warm, soothing water. To my delight, it was a Jacuzzi bath, and the jets of water were soon massaging my entire body. The swirling water helps to release vitamins, proteins, etc.

Of course, no beer bath experience is complete without an actual drink of beer, so I grabbed one of the pint glasses conveniently placed next to the tub and poured myself a glass of Bernard beer. You’re actually allowed to drink as much beer as you want during your beer bath. Because, believe it or not, they have a keg directly hooked up to a tap right beside the tub!

After 30 minutes, the Jacuzzi jets are turned off, signaling the end of your bath time. I wrapped myself in the sheet again and was led by the spa attendant into a separate room.

Bed Rest and a Massage

You then climb into bed and are wrapped in fresh linens. You spend the following 30 minutes lying there alone, reveling in the relaxation of it all. During this time, you’ll sweat and give your skin time to absorb all of the ingredients in the beer bath.

The treatment concludes with a 20-minute massage. You can even direct the masseuse focus on a certain area of your body. As I had a desk job, I asked her to concentrate on my neck, shoulders, and back. My massage turned out to be so blissful that I actually fell asleep for the last few minutes.

Sadly, the Prague beer bath experience had to end, but I felt absolutely fantastic. I returned to the changing room, got dressed, and finished off my last glass of delicious Czech beer.

What do you think? Would you take a bath in beer? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

Location

Prague Beer Spa Bernard
Týn 644/10, 110 00 Praha 1-Staré Město, Czech Republic
+420 221 771 048
http://pivnilaznebernard.cz

Good to Know

1) The price of the Prague beer bath, complete with the quality snuggle time in bed and a massage, is 3590 CZK or €140. The price is reduced if you opt out of the massage. See the spa’s full price list.

2) To gain full health benefits of the beer bath, don’t shower for at least 12 hours. No worries, you will not smell like a drunken sailor afterward.

3) To check out accommodation options for Prague, take a look at booking.com.

4) Go on a guided tour when you’re on vacation in Prague.

5) If you love the country like we do, check out some of our top-rated content:

• 23 Exciting Things To Do In Brno Czechia (And Beyond) – This list of things to do in Brno, Czechia includes recommendations for offbeat sites, trendy restaurants, popular attractions, & day trips.
• The House Of The Black Madonna Prague – When in Czechia, visit the House of the Black Madonna Prague, home to the Museum of Czech Cubism & the Grand Cafe Orient.
• These 41 Prague Photos Prove It’s The Prettiest City In Europe – Considering a visit to the capital of Czechia? Be convinced to go there right now by looking at these Prague photos.

* Disclosure – This post contains some affiliate links. If you book a tour or hotel, I’ll earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

When I visit a new city, I tend to go out of my way to see the more unusual places there. Especially when you can find things that are never going to appear on a postcard or be featured in a guidebook. Some of my top highlights over the years have been the Montagne De Bueren In Liège, built to keep soldiers from venturing into the city’s red light district, and the Lloyd Hotel In Amsterdam where all the rooms feature a unique design and range from 1 – 5 stars.

Lucky for me, Prague is packed full of weird things to see and do. Check out some of my top highlights; photos taken from my various visits there over the years.

A Collection Of Weird Things In Prague

From statues of cows decorated with women’s butt cheeks to fish pedicures and more, Prague is full of many weird and offbeat things.

1) A Mystery Man

This statue of a rather gaunt-looking, barefoot man resting on a bench resides outside of a small hotel in Prague’s Old Town, just across from Estates Theater.

I spent a good 30 minutes scouring the Internet to find out more information about this mysterious gentleman only to come up with … absolutely nothing. Well, I did learn that tourists are known to pose for rather inappropriate pictures with him which is not surprising in the very least. You should see the one I took! Just kidding, I left him with his dignity intact figuring he already suffers enough each and every day.

2) A Torture Museum

Prague has more than a few strange museums, such as the infamous Sex Machines Museum. While I haven’t had the chance to get schooled in sex machines just yet, I visited the Museum of Torture last December where I had a very interesting, not to mention disturbing experience viewing over 60 devices used to torture humans during medieval times.

Unfortunately for those who used to Google the phrase “how to sexually torture yourself” and arrived at my site, my previous write-up didn’t offer them any instruction or guidance on the matter.

3) Tram Turned Restaurant

Two trams have been converted into a little dining establishment called Tramvaj. Located in the heart of Wenceslas Square, it’s an overrated tourist trap but really cute nonetheless.

If you’re a transportation nut, you should definitely check out nearby Restaurant Výtopna, where small trains circulate a 400-meter miniature railway system, passing by every single table.

4) A Cow Statue Decorated With … Women’s Asses

Another item to add to our list of weird things in Prague? This incredibly odd statue is what inspired me to start this “weird and wonderful” series in the first place. I remember leaving my hotel, taking a shortcut to Wenceslas Square to check out a Christmas market when I stumbled across this eyesore. In complete disbelief and utter shock, I entered a state of deep belly laughing which didn’t stop for about 5 minutes.

I’m quite sure that people passing by me during those moments thought I was completely insane but really … one needs to question the sanity of the statue’s creator.

5) A Guard At Prague Castle

As I walked closer to this sentry at Prague Castle, I wondered if he was a wax figure or even a robot. There was no way that he was a living and breathing man who didn’t break character even when surrounded by a whole bunch of wild photo-snapping tourists.

I found myself wanting to poke or tickle him. You know, to prove that he was real? Fortunately for both of us (mostly me), I managed to keep my behavior in check and left this man to remain standing proudly in his stoic position.

6) Crazy Looking Candy

After getting over my bull statue encounter, I finally ended up at the Christmas market. I promptly bought my first cup of hot mulled wine (which I had every day throughout the rest of the trip) and some of the red string candy pictured below. Wine and candy pair well together, right?

Unfortunately, the candy wasn’t really that good. Too sweet for my taste and it sent me into a sugar high that made me feel like I’d just had a Red Bull.

7) A Restaurant’s Rather Prehistoric Decor

If you go to any restaurant in Prague, eat at Restaurace U Lípy. Stepping inside, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time to an old world, even a prehistoric one as no one’s quite sure about why dinosaur paintings are displayed on the wall. You’ll be served traditional Czech food by adorable old men (3 or 4 who work there and share the exact same name) who will even treat you to live entertainment, performing songs like Rock Around The Clock.

8) Drug Supply Shops

You never know when you may need a skull or alien-themed bong or just a regular old pipe. You’ll find this shop just off of Old Town Square.

While I couldn’t find the exact address of this particular shop online, you’ll be happy to know there’s another one not too far away called Growman’s Plains where you purchase not only bongs and pipes but other supplies to help grow your marijuana crop. You can even buy products from their online store!

9) Fish Pedicures

Head to one of the city’s many Thai spas to receive a Middle Eastern pedicure treatment where tons of tiny little Garra fish nibble the dead skin off of your feet. Especially fun is sitting in the front window where tourists and locals stare at you and snap pictures.

This particular photo is of the store window at Thai Paradise located along Wenceslas Square. While I never opted to endure this treatment, I did stop for a really lovely invigorating 30-minute Thai massage here when visiting last July.

Treat yourself, as prices are cheap enough to entice even low-budget travelers.

10) Themed Containers

More weird things in Prague? Spend a whopping €24 on one of these odd bobblehead-like containers sporting corporate logos and emblems of soccer and hockey teams. Toronto inhabitants will be thrilled to see a Toronto Maple Leafs container in the photo. And no, I didn’t buy one. You’ll be able to find these in any touristy souvenir shop throughout Prague.

11) Ironic Movie Posters

One summer, a hipster-pleasing exhibition was held at the New Town Hall Tower featuring all sorts of ironic movie posters by Michael Výstava. Exhibit or not, visit the tower as a climb to the top offers up some really beautiful panoramic views of the city.

12) T-Shirts For Bad Girls And Beer Drinking Champions

Apparently, Prague is the place where bad girls go! I never would have known unless this t-shirt had told me. As with the odd-themed containers, you can find these t-shirts at any touristy souvenir shop.

13) A “Darth Vader” Statue

As much as Star Wars nerds would be excited to think that this statue is of Darth Vader, it’s really a Jewish golem.

The history of the golem is quite interesting. It’s been said that a 16th-century rabbi created the golem to fend off antisemitic attacks and over time it became so violent that it began killing gentiles. Some even say the golem fell in love and became a monster upon being rejected. Eventually, the golem was destroyed and hidden in the attic of the Old New Synagogue remaining until it’s needed again.

What do you think about these weird things in Prague? Have you found anything weird there? Tell us about it in the comments.

Good To Know

1) If you need somewhere to stay while you’re visiting Prague, check out your options with booking.com.

2) Make your holiday in Prague special by going on a guided tour.

3) If you’re a fan of Czechia, check out some of our top posts.

• 23 Exciting Things To Do In Brno Czechia (And Beyond) – This list of things to do in Brno, Czechia includes recommendations for offbeat sites, trendy restaurants, popular attractions, & day trips.
• Photos From A Snow-Filled Prague Castle Tour – Do something different and head to Prague during the winter season. Take in Christmas markets or better yet, take a snow-filled tour of the Prague Castle complex.
• These 41 Prague Photos Prove It’s The Prettiest City In Europe – Considering a visit to the capital of Czechia? Be convinced to go there right now by looking at these Prague photos.

*Disclosure – This post contains some affiliate links. If you book a tour or hotel through any of these links, I’ll earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

We all know that Prague is one of the prettiest cities in Europe. It also has a more curious and quirky side, full of many weird and offbeat things. But did you know that Prague also has a dark side, with sites of interest that would please only those with more unusual and eccentric tastes?

If you’re into things like this, then take yourself to the Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments, conveniently located in the heart of Prague, beside Old Town Square, close to the Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock, and many other prime tourist attractions.

The Museum Of Medieval Torture Instruments In Prague

At the Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments in Prague, you can walk through 14 different exhibition rooms to view 66 barbaric devices used during the middle ages to illicit confessions and punish those found guilty of criminal and/or religious offenses.

The museum is appropriately situated in a dimly lit underground cave and as you make your way through, sounds of agonized screams can be heard, as well as menacing music, both of which lend to an overall spooky experience.

Among some of the more notable pieces in the collection?

There are some chastity belts, items that men would “gift” to their wives or daughters while they were away at war to ensure their faithfulness. There are also heavy iron masks that petty criminals would be forced to wear for a specified period of time. These masks would identify them as criminals wherever they went and ensure bad treatment from others. Some of these masks actually had spikes on the inside, painfully piercing those who wore them. Pictures of these items can be found in the gallery above.

Then there’s the classic French guillotine used to cut off people’s heads. One of the most astonishing pieces is the “Iron Maiden”, a chamber used to enclose a human being.  Once inside victims were either slowly tortured or killed using spikes, knives, and nails, all while they were standing. You can also view their complete list of torture instruments.

Note, this is anything but a fun place. It’s very much not for children. In fact, there are many adults who won’t be able to complete the tour without rushing through. As many online reviews have stated, The Museum Of Medieval Torture Instruments is not for the faint of heart.

While interesting, it serves as a grim reminder of how poorly humans can treat one another. As you look at the devices and read about how they were used, you’ll cringe. You may even start to cry, as you wonder how people could have doled out such terrible torture and punishment.

Watch/share this video about the Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments and better yet, subscribe to my Youtube channel for even more travel-related videos.

What do you think about the Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments? Would you tour such a place?

Location

Good To Know

1) As the museum’s space is quite small, you can complete your tour in approximately 45 – 60 minutes. Each of the devices is explained on informational boards in both English and Czech. Admission is around €10.

2) Find a place to stay while you’re in Prague with booking.com.

3) Make your time in Prague extra special by going on a tour with Get Your Guide.

4) If you like unusual things around the world, check out some of these strange places:

• An Extreme Staircase, The Montagne De Bueren In Liège – Montagne De Bueren is one of the world’s most “extreme” staircases. With a 30% incline and 374 steps, scaling this staircase is no easy feat.
• Marmore Falls In Italy Is Home To The World’s Tallest Manmade Waterfall – Marmore Falls is the largest manmade waterfall in the world. Created by the Romans, this 2000-year-old waterfall is 165 meters high.
• The Ružica Church Belgrade Has Chandeliers Made From Weapons – Visit the Serbian capital’s oldest church, Ružica Church Belgrade, to see two unique chandeliers made from pieces of WW1 weapons.

*Disclosure – This post contains some affiliate links. If you book a tour or hotel through any of these links, I’ll earn a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!