swim

I found Budapest very beautiful on sunny days, while Prague is picturesque the entire year.

For cruising it depends on what you prefer. Some of the thermal baths in Budapest are very beautiful with Art Nouveau style and an Oriental touch, but they are usually mixed and cruising is more subtle.
The saunas in Prague are the usual gay saunas, but with too many rentboys. Prague has a fetish/cruising club called Alcatraz that is pretty modern, well maintained and the guys were smarter than in similar clubs in Western Europe. And it is not too touristy.

One thing to keep in mind is that Prague had been flooded in the 1990s with Western foreigners looking for cheap and young hustlers, and some hotels, bars and saunas still cater to this clientele. That, of course, influenced also the attitude of the gay locals towards gay tourists. Some may be looking for their money while others may look down on them or might be simply annoyed. Instead of aggressive cruising and expecting availability it's better to show interest and respect.

7Continents

Was just in Prague - no naughty suggestions, as I was busy nights and free days (don't ask) but Prague was real easy to get around. Because it's so touristy you can find people who speak english if you need help and it is a beautiful city. It's not all that cheap though....I've been told you need to be a bit more of an intrepid soul to make your way round Budapest. One hint, if you are not taking a taxi from the airport, there are two shared vans, one goes to any location you want and is double the price of the one that goes to the city Centre, right in front of the Hilton and Marriott hotels. If you are staying in that vicinity and want to save some cash, check for it.

kylemore

Hard call. Went to both last year, but didn't really do too much naughty (by my definition at least ). Staying in hostels gave me good social opportunities without hitting the local clubs. Prague certainly has more of a touristy feel. Budapest seemed more reserved, but like I said I didn't really explore the "scene". Once advantage to Budapest may be its many thermal baths. Some are single sex and though they have cracked down on some cruising activity there are lots of places that forgo clothing.

If I were going back and had to pick one...I'm not sure. Sorry! I sort of got the sense that Prague may be more fun for a one-off, but Budapest has more to offer if you were able to invest more time/energy in it.

moomoo

Oh wow! I'm gone for a couple of days and suddenly this thread's exploded! ^^

Thanks all for your suggestions... I was leaning towards Budapest - mostly because it seems less "done" than Prague. But it looks like we're going to end up in Prague after all for the 1 May long weekend. Turns out Hilton's got a "Point Stretcher" thingy going on, so the we're going to stay at the Hilton Prague for a steal!

So what naughty (and not-so-naughty) things to do in Prague?

kevinsac

This there is some strange logic!

djjaguar64

Budapest was nothing special, the best bar being behind a hotel, i think behind the accor. Prague seems to be better based on accounts from friends who had visited there. Now now girls, no need to be vicious. And the thermal baths in Budapest has human excrement in it and other bodily fluids.

inyourvillages

I don't know what you mean by "naughty," but the reason that locals in Prague are snooty is because the city is overrun with westerners who have seen too many Bel Ami videos and think they're going to roll in and sleep with a dozen models just because they're from the west. (BTW, most of the Bel Ami actors are not Czech.)

Plus, the Czechs are some of the most reserved people in the world, and their city is also overrun with Brits and Americans who think that the whole world should speak English. And they're much much louder than Czechs.

Czech people are actually really nice. They just don't react well to this dynamic, and if it was my home town, I wouldn't like it either.

moomoo

So after much discussion, we finally settled on Prague. and about time too, because I'll be there in just over a week.

What still remains is to decide on a hotel. I did search the GLBT forums and found a few mentions of the Hilton or the Intercon, but I was wondering if any of you had any additional input.

A friend suggested I try one of the 'gay' hotels - but I'm not sure that's my cup of tea.

My main requirements are comfort and cleanliness (of course), luxury would be nice, but it's not paramount. A convenient location is definitely a plus. And, air conditioning! Definitely air conditioning!

So if anyone has any recommendations for a hotel in Prague (gay or not) - bring it on! Oh, and we'll be there from 30 April to 4 May. Thanks!

kenpasadena

I met a good friend in Budapest a few years ago and couldn't believe how cruisy it was. The baths are extremely cruisy and they are all over the place. Sunday afternoon is best. There are tons of men from all over Europe there as it's the new "Prague." However, afterwards my friend went back to the states by way of Vienna and said that it had the most incredible sauna he had ever been to. It was like something out of "Amadeus" but with naked men. I hear good things about the Adriadic coast as well. Happy hunting. PS - in Budapest they try to rip you off with drink prices at the bars. Be sure to ask the price before you buy.

peteropny

Have no idea about IC but have stayed at the Hilton (main one that looks like a glass cube). The hotel itself was fine but unremarkable - the drawback is that its about a 15-20 min walk to the "old town" area - main square or chain bridge.

holtju2

The IC in Prague is rather unremarkable as well. I would call it soviet style.

EastbayMike

Was in Prague at the end of March. Stayed at the Sheraton on Zitna. Just opened in March. Great location, really friendly staff, nice room....

Don't forget Babylonia during late afternoons/early evenings or Alcatraz late at night. Definitely forget Labrnth....

Vip4me

I am looking at hotels around 3 to 5 star that is close to the gay clubs and near restaurants (doesn't have to be a quiet street). I am just looking for a nice hotel that has air conditioning, a safe, and wifi but is near everything.

I am thinking of just booking the Sheraton Prague Charles Sq. mentioned on here..hopefully its walkable to cafes.etc.

moomoo, what hotel did you end up staying at?

Fanjet

There is a reason I go to Prague two or three times a year and seldom go to Budapest . In fact the last time I went to a bar in Budapest and hooked up with a guy, he was from the Czech Republic! The men from Budapest are definitely different than the men from Prague, but to each his own tastes. If you like men with green eyes, then pick Budapest. Prague is also a much easier city to navigate than Budapest as well. One warning about Budapest: there is a very picturesque promenade along the Danube (near the Marriott) that is frequented by hustlers (not always of the sex kind). Don't think that the Hungarian men are that forward, or that you are so hot. They're approaching you for other reasons. And because of this, the police do random identity checks there that may offend some in regards to privacy. As for hotels in Prague: there is no centralized gay area and bars and clubs are scattered about. However, it is always best to stay in the Stare Mesto (Old Town) part as you will be able to do most things by foot. The IC, Hilton Old Town (which used to be the Renaissance), and Marriott are in good locations.

matt_in_yul

I never been to Budapest, but have been to Prague... It is an interesting city because most of the people I met were not Czech. Met a few Poles, Americans and Brits there but the only Czech .
Tourist overule that city. I read somewhere 25%+++ of the city revenues where coming the tourist. I agree with the comment that me too, I felt Czech are hard to know and cold. But I do feel the same when I see all those tourist wanting to French Kiss a Quebecois boy in YUL... There was too many porn that is filmed in Montreal :-P So can we blame them?
I had great time in the different brew pubs, local cuisine restaurant and at some smaller gay clubs. Found very interested by the Czech music night at Termix: I never noticed how we, French, adapt and translate (badly) soo many songs until I heard them in Czech.
Also my tip would be to go see Lanterna Magica and Rodolphium instead of spending your Kc in a gay bar. You will feel more fullfilled.
I would say I was naughtier in London (it still hold a special place in my heart because of all the great souvenirs I had going out at G-A-Y and Heaven with my friend Vero) but my time in Praha was memorable... It is one the few place I know where beer is cheaper than Coca Cola.
Amen to that.
Cheers yall: Matt