Rick Steves' Son Adores This Vibrant European City As A Budget-Friendly Place To Live

Rick Steves' son Andy Steves has taken after his father by extensively traversing Europe and offering advice to other travelers. He keeps cost in mind just like his father, too, often sharing his favorite free activities to do in Europe and discussing how to decide if an Airbnb or hostel is best for your trip. Both father and son also know that some cities are overall cheaper than others. One of Andy's favorite affordable cities for both living and vacationing is Prague, Czechia (or the Czech Republic).

When speaking to Uproxx, Andy stated that he often uses Prague as a home base when spending extended amounts of time in Europe. He even owns a couple of apartments there. Food and drinks in Prague are especially affordable, as Andy often finds meals for less than $10. Restaurants known for good food and good prices include Kafe and Houska, Libeřské lahůdky, and Restaurace V Cípu Michalská. Aside from general affordability, Czechia's low terrorism and crime rate helps it rank among the world's safest countries year after year. The fairly tame weather is another bonus.

Prague is not just cheap. It's also incredibly fascinating, with centuries-old structures that make it feel like a medieval fairy tale. There are imposing statues, opulent churches, peaceful gardens, and more. For some of the best examples of these attributes, explore Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, and the Malá Strana region of the city. This route features famous landmarks like Prague Castle, Klementinum, and the Waldstein Palace, to name a few. Winding streets between these landmarks are filled with colorful buildings and chic storefronts, too. The caveat is that these most beautiful parts of the city can sometimes be the most crowded. However, there are plenty of hidden gems within Prague.

One of Andy Steves' favorite hangouts is Letná Park, a spacious park with amazing city views and a beer garden. Charles Square is another peaceful spot and is surrounded by historic buildings like the opulent Church of St. Ignatius. For a less crowded place combining views and history, head to Vyšehrad for medieval structures, a park, and the stark Saints Peter and Paul Basilica. See Vyšehrad's layered history by booking tickets for the Magic of Vyšehrad walking tour offered through Praha Vyšehrad.

Public transportation in Prague is vast and cheap. There are buses, trams, and a metro (subway). One ride on any of these modes is only around $1.50 or around $15 for a 72-hour pass. Paris may have one of Europe's best public transportation systems, but single rides and 72-hour passes are double the price of Prague's. The Prague airport is also connected to the city via public transportation, which makes for a much cheaper alternative to taxis.

Another reason why Andy Steves loves living in and visiting Prague is its location. Major cities like Berlin are just a few hours away, as are lesser-known but still amazing places like Kraków and Bratislava. Prague is the perfect home base for exploring more of Czechia, too. Less than two hours away is Pilsen, popular for its Pilsner Urquell Brewery and Patton Memorial Pilsen, a museum showcasing Pilsen's World War II connections. Karlštejn is less than one hour from Prague and features the historic Karlštejn Castle situated on a picturesque hilltop. Plus, these other towns are often even cheaper than Prague.