Located on one of the winding, narrow cobbled streets beneath Prague Castle, in a vaulted, well-worn room is U Hrocha, or in English the ‘Hippopotamus”. From the old, damp stone walls, rough stone floor, heavy dark wooden furniture to the slightly surly service, drinking here is a true Czech medieval experience. Serving some of the best Pilsner Urquell to be had in the golden city, you won’t leave disappointed.

U Hrocha’s golden taps serve only one beer, Pilsner Urquell. The taps here are kept in great shape, and your beer is poured to perfection. If you’re hungry, there are some simple Czech classics to keep your belly full, like smoked pork knee, schnitzel, potato salad, pickled cheese, and pickled sausage. Your lucky if you get a seat, as this place is extremely small, and has been popular with the locals for generations.

The air here has a special consistency and smell. Damp and cool from the historic stone walls, combined with the smoke of many a lungless patron, and the lingering smell of fried schnitzels and french fries, you have a chance to breath some of the finest ‘pub’ air. But this is a small inconvenience for drinking fantastic Pilsen underneath the castle walls, in a truly historic pub. Take trams 22, 20, 12 to Malostranska Namesti, or the green line to metro stop Malostranska.