From Kafka’s shadows to Kundera’s lovers, these books will sweep you through Prague’s haunting charm and timeless romance.
If you’ve ever wandered through the maze-like lanes of Prague, or even just seen a photo of those dreamy red rooftops, then you know there’s something otherworldly about this city. The cobblestones seem to whisper secrets, the Gothic spires look straight out of a fairytale, and even your coffee tastes more romantic here. But here’s the good news: you don’t need a plane ticket to experience Prague’s magic. All you need is the right book.
Give some of these a go, and whisk yourself away to the city full of Czech wonder.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
We have to start with what some people might consider to be the Prague novel. Kundera’s masterpiece captures the tension, beauty, and tragedy of life in Czechoslovakia during the Prague Spring of 1968. But don’t let the philosophical title scare you off. This story is a deeply human one about love, freedom, and the choices that define us.
Through Tomas, Tereza, Sabina, and Franz, Kundera takes us through the streets and cafés of Prague, exploring how love and politics intertwine in the most complicated ways. It’s moody, sensual, and deeply Czech. You’ll close it wanting to wander down Nerudova Street just to see if you can still feel their ghosts.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
In The Metamorphosis, poor Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning to find he’s turned into a giant insect. Yes, okay, it’s bizarre, but it’s also incredibly moving. Beneath the absurdity lies a reflection on alienation and the pressure to conform, two themes that feel oddly at home in Prague’s winding alleys.
If Kundera is the soul of modern Prague, Kafka is its haunting shadow. Born and raised here, Kafka infused his work with the city’s sense of surrealism, that strange mix of beauty and bureaucracy, poetry and nightmare.
And when you finally visit, you’ll spot Kafka everywhere. He’s got a museum by the river, a statue outside the Spanish Synagogue… Prague truly loves his melancholy genius.
The Good Soldier Švejk by Jaroslav Hašek
Time to meet Švejk, the most lovable chaotic character in Czech literature. Jaroslav Hašek’s The Good Soldier Švejk is an absurd, satirical romp through World War I, starring a bumbling soldier who may or may not be a genius.
Švejk’s adventures start in Prague’s pubs, with plenty of beer, blunders, and biting humor. It’s one of those books that perfectly captures the Czech spirit: irreverent, resilient, and always ready to laugh in the face of absurdity.
If you enjoy dry wit and stories that turn bureaucracy into comedy, this is your ticket to Prague’s bustling streets.
Prague Nights (also published as The Black Monastery) by Benjamin Black
If you’re in the mood for a moody historical mystery, this one’s a treat. Set in 16th-century Prague during the reign of Rudolf II, a ruler obsessed with alchemy, art, and magic, Prague Nights follows Christian Stern, a young scholar who just so happens to stumble into a murder investigation that spirals into courtly intrigue.
Benjamin Black paints a version of Prague drenched in candlelight, gold, and mystery. The city practically breathes alchemy here, with winding dark alleys, crumbling palaces, and whispers of forbidden experiments. Deliciously Gothic and perfect for anyone who’s waiting to bask in the towers of Prague Castle.
A Kingdom of Souls by Daniela Hodrová
This is a lesser-known gem, but if you love poetic, atmospheric writing, A Kingdom of Souls is a must. Daniela Hodrová is one of the Czech Republic’s most acclaimed writers, and in this book, she turns Prague into a living, breathing organism.
The novel drifts between reality and dream, the past and present, blurring the line between the living and the dead. It’s not a straightforward read. In fact, think of it as a literary labyrinth, much like the city itself. But if you let yourself sink into it, you’ll feel like you’re walking through the city’s ancient soul.
City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte
How about a paranormal adventure set in Prague’s magical castles? City of Dark Magic is a wild ride. The story follows music scholar Sarah Weston, who arrives in Prague to catalog Beethoven’s manuscripts and quickly finds herself tangled up with time travel, alchemy, romance, and even a bit of espionage.
It’s campy, over-the-top, and irresistibly fun, like the literary equivalent of a gothic rollercoaster. You’ll be racing through the pages (and possibly planning your next trip to Europe).
Under a Cruel Star by Heda Margolius Kovály
No list about Prague would be complete without a book that captures its 20th-century history. Heda Margolius Kovály’s memoir, Under a Cruel Star, tells her true story of surviving the Holocaust, returning to Prague, and enduring the political purges that followed under Stalinism.
It’s heartbreaking but also profoundly hopeful. The words are sincerely a testament to resilience and the enduring human spirit. Through her eyes, you’ll see a Prague scarred yet unbroken, a city that keeps rising from the ashes.
The Golem by Gustav Meyrink
If Prague has a patron myth, it’s the legend of the Golem. The Golem is a mystical clay creature brought to life by Rabbi Loew to protect the Jewish ghetto. Gustav Meyrink’s The Golem, first published in 1915, is the ultimate literary spin on that legend.
Set in Prague’s shadowy, dreamlike Josefov district, the novel blends mystery, mysticism, and psychological horror into something that feels like Kafka meets folklore. The narrow alleys, flickering gas lamps, and strange whispers in the dark… it’s all pure Prague.
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
