The World's Fanciest Starbucks Is At The Top Of An Ancient Castle

Let's face it, walking into any given Starbucks for fans of the java chain is like walking into coffee heaven. You may have even visited some signature locations, like the largest Starbucks in the world in Chicago, or the Paris branch, which is housed in a 17th-century building. But to sip your coffee and feel like absolute royalty, make your way to Prague in Czechia where there resides a Starbucks that sits at the top of an actual castle.

Hradcany is a quaint district in the capital city that houses Prague Castle, which was founded in the 9th century. The 753,474 square foot structure encompasses palaces and ecclesiastical buildings built in a number of architectural styles. It doesn't sound like the type of place that would be home to a popular global coffee chain, yet in the midst of the Romanesque and Gothic style edifices sits Starbucks, complete with an outdoor terrace that gives guests a stunning panoramic view of the red-roofed homes and towers of Prague. Many have taken to TripAdvisor to report that the location offers the best view, hands down, of any other Starbucks location in the world, making anyone who visits feel like a queen or king while they sip their coffee.

The Starbucks at Prague Castle is not to be confused with the company's second location, which opened on December 18, 2023, and sits just behind St. Vitus Cathedral in St. George's Square. The newer location has fantastic views of its own of the Cathedral and other historical buildings but does not have the outdoor terrace that visitors flock to in rain or snow, sun or sleet.

Starbucks opened its first branch in Prague in 2008 with the Prague Castle location opening in 2013. The event wasn't treated as just another opening of a coffee shop, but rather, it was a careful task of blending the modernity of the chain with the historical integrity of its location. Since then, the location has become a destination for Starbucks aficionados, influencers who can be seen basking on the terrace walls, perfectly coiffed and sipping iced matcha lattes, and those simply seeking a moment of rest from a long day of sightseeing. For whatever reason you might visit the spot, expect crowds at this one-of-a-kind location.

The Starbucks draw is so strong for some people that they will travel around the world to experience unique and beautiful locations. Whether this is you, or you just find yourself traveling for business or pleasure (and not purely for coffee), you might be amazed at the creativity and beauty of some of the company's shops. For starters, each of its six Reserve locations peppered around the United States and in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Milan are impressive both for their sizes and their beverage and culinary offerings. In Sabanilla, Costa Rica, Starbucks offers a view that could give the Prague Castle location a run for its money, overlooking a 600-acre coffee farm and Poás volcano.

The location in Grand Turks of Turks and Caicos is painted a cheerful light pink hue to match the colors of other structures in the tropical locale. In Ketchum, Idaho, a Starbucks is built to look like a log-decorated A-frame structure, which is perfect for a spot that looks out onto the Smoky Mountains — and in Savannah, Georgia, a Starbucks shop's decoration mimics the signature drooping Spanish moss trees that are so prominent in the city.

It's clear that Starbucks hasn't only nailed down coffee, but it also has one heck of a handle on making its locations look remarkable.