Keanu Reeves wasn’t the only Hollywood star in Prague during the recent heatwave. Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard spent several days exploring Prague, sharing glimpses of their visit on social media that range from iconic landmarks to an unexpected wildlife rescue.
Among the highlights was Bell’s impromptu rescue of a hedgehog crossing a city street, while the couple also documented time along the Vltava River, including a swim near Štvanice Island during the recent spell of hot weather.
Old Town landmarks and a riverside swim
Bell and Shepard documented several stops around Prague, with photos showing the family taking in some of the city’s best-known sights as well as quieter corners along the Vltava River.
Images shared on Instagram show Bell and the couple’s children spending time on the riverbank at Štvanice Island before wading into the Vltava itself. While designated swimming spots along the river have become increasingly popular during Prague’s summer heat waves, taking a dip in the main channel remains something relatively few locals choose to do because of varying water quality.
Shepard also shared a nighttime photo of himself posing in front of the Church of Our Lady before Týn, one of Prague’s most recognizable Gothic landmarks overlooking Old Town Square. In the accompanying caption, he reflected on returning to the Czech capital more than two decades after a very different visit.
“Prague was my favorite city to be drunk in 26 years ago, and it’s even better sober with a family! Impossibly beautiful gothic Eden made even better with a swim in the river,” he wrote.
The actor’s comments suggest the trip marks a return to Prague after first visiting the city in the late 1990s, when the Czech capital was becoming an increasingly popular destination for international travelers following the fall of communism.
Bell’s hedgehog rescue draws attention online
Perhaps the most memorable moment from the couple’s Prague vacation came not at a famous landmark but in the middle of a city street.
Bell shared a series of Instagram Stories showing herself carrying a small hedgehog she had apparently found attempting to cross the road. “Mid street this lil guy was about to become a pancake,” she wrote alongside one image. A second close-up photograph of the animal was captioned, “look how cute he is!”
The posts quickly attracted attention among fans following the family’s European vacation, adding an unexpected chapter to their sightseeing itinerary.
Bell is best known for starring in the television series Veronica Mars, a role that earned her international recognition. Her film credits include Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Scream 4, while she has also voiced Anna in Disney’s Frozen franchise.
Shepard is known for films including Idiocracy, Without a Paddle, and Hit and Run, which he also co-wrote and directed, and co-stars his wife. Beyond acting, he has become widely recognized as the host of the popular Armchair Expert podcast.
The family’s visit continues a long tradition of Hollywood figures choosing Prague as either a filming location or a vacation destination. While the Czech capital frequently hosts major international productions thanks to its well-established film industry and distinctive architecture, it also remains a popular stop for celebrities traveling through Central Europe.
For Bell and Shepard, the trip appears to have focused less on sightseeing checklists than on enjoying the city at a leisurely pace—from wandering Old Town’s historic streets to cooling off in the Vltava and, in Bell’s case, ensuring one small local resident safely made it across the road.
Lead photo: Instagram / Kristen Bell / Dax Shepherd
