Love culture? Then you’ll fall in love with Prague. The capital of the Czech Republic has established itself as one of Europe’s leading city break destinations thanks in large to its incredible architecture – the city was born during the Gothic era and flourished during the renaissance.
However, for all Prague’s unquestionable beauty… there are many hidden gems much closer to home – in Cambridge. A stay in Cambridge will not only allow you to explore both modern and traditional architecture, but it will also place you in a city that has truly shaped the world we live in with history around every corner.
Culture vultures
If you’re a culture vulture then Prague may be at the top of your list of places to visit. It boasts some of the most significant cultural institutions in the world, including the National Theatre and the Estates Theatre; as well as hundreds of concert halls, galleries and cinemas with Prague regularly hosting festivals ranging from the Prague Fringe Festival to the Prague Spring International Music Festival; and film festivals such as One World and the Febiofest.
In terms of sights, Prague has benefitted from suffering considerably less damage during the Second World War compared to major cities in surrounding regions. Some of its most popular sights include: Prague Castle, with the St Vitus Cathedral that stores the Prague Crown Jewels; the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square; the picturesque Charles Bridge; the National Museum on the Wenceslas Square; and the Lennon Wall.
However, while Prague’s festivals and cultural scene may have an international reputation, Cambridge is surely in the same echelon.
Several fairs and festivals take place in Cambridge, the most notable of which is perhaps the Midsummer Fair, which dates back to 1211 and today acts as an annual funfair. However, there is also the annual Cambridge Beer Festival and the Cambridge Folk Festival, one of the largest folk music events in the UK. Cambridge too has a strong reputation for popular music – it is the home of Pink Floyd; literature; and film.
Most of the sights in Cambridge revolve around its world famous university, arguably the most famous educational institute in the world. Its 31 colleges dominate the centre of the city, which also boasts beautiful bridges, cobbled streets and stunning gardens. Among the highlights are the Grasshopper Clock, on the corner of Corpus Tyler library; King’s College, the largest and most spectacular in Cambridge; and Oliver Cromwell’s House, which takes you back to the 17th Century.
Raise your glasses
As a thriving city break destination, it comes as no surprise that Prague is famous for its nightlife, food and drink. In fact, the Prague restaurant Allegro was the first to receive a Michelin star in the whole of post-Communist Eastern Europe. Indeed there are hundreds of restaurants and bars in the city, particularly around Mala Strana, Stare Mesto and Nusle. Of course all this goes without mentioning its love of beer – the Czech Beer Festival is the biggest beer festival held in the Czech Republic and it takes place for 17 days every May.
However, the selection of food and drink options in Cambridge is similarly endless. There are many traditional pubs in Cambridge; as well as cafes and tearooms serving cream teas, scones and cappuccinos. The restaurant options are wide and varied, from traditional fish and chips; to Michelin star dining; and a range of international cuisines including Chinese and Indian. Of course as a university city, it’s no surprise that the nightlife scene in Cambridge is also wild and frenzied – with highlights including: All Bar One and B Bar, which are both for the over-21 crowd only; Club 22; Ballare; and Club Salsa.
Our verdict – Cambridge on a budget or Prague
If there are two cities in the world more beautiful than Prague and Cambridge, then we’d certainly like to visit them.
Both are real havens for holidaymakers that want to expand their mind. Prague has more than 10 major museums sitting alongside its countless theatres, museums and galleries. Meanwhile, Cambridge, with its world renowned university colleges, also boasts fantastic theatres, live music and brilliant museums.
So if these two cities are among the best in the world for culture then perhaps they can be separated in terms of shopping, food and drink, and the other elements that make a holiday complete? However, again it seems they are almost on a par with each other – so perhaps you should save yourself the cost of a flight and check out the cultural wonders on your own doorstep?
Monday: Blackpool on a budget or Benidorm.