SantoriniDave.com

Where to Stay in Prague

By Santorini Dave

Old Town Square in Prague on a sunny day.

Prague’s Old Town Square, founded in the 12th century, has witnessed key events in Czech history, from medieval trade fairs to political revolts. Today it is a central point for many of the city’s major attractions. The historic Hotel Lippert, which is comfortable and a good value, is perched right at the edge of the action.

The Best Areas to Stay in Prague

Rich in history, Prague offers medieval castles and churches and a stunning blend of Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau architecture that makes every street feel like a storybook. With affordable prices, vibrant culture, and world-famous beer, it’s one of Europe’s most charming and accessible capitals.

Despite being a city of over 1.3 million people, the central neighborhoods of Prague are in a relatively compact area. This means that while you might choose to stay close to certain attractions or activities, it’s easy to walk or hop on public transport to get to other areas. There is no single best neighborhood for tourists; many (but not all) of the big, historical attractions are concentrated around Malá Strana (Little Quarter) and nearby Prague Castle, Staré Mesto (Old Town), and Nové Mesto (New Town). This is a drinking culture so nightlife is found throughout, with a younger and wilder scene in New and Old Towns. The greatest concentration of hotels is found in these central neighborhoods although there are plenty of choices beyond the main tourist zones as well that can offer a fascinating experience. For romance, the quieter cobblestone streets of Malá Strana are the best bet.

Street of colorful hotels and cafes in Prague

Charming Malá Strana. Our favorite hotel in this area is The Augustine.

The Malá Strana (Little Quarter) is located on the west bank of the Vltava River. This slightly hilly area holds fairytale-like lanes and stunning sites such as the Baroque St Nicholas Church, but the real hard hitter, the massive complex in and around Prague Castle, is technically tiptoed into the bordering Hradcany neighborhood. In the daytime, especially during the summer, holidays, and weekends, this area gets swarmed by tourists, so try to visit early in the day to avoid the crowds. Despite all this being a very touristy area, there are still a number of very good restaurants and bars here, and it is easy to reach from the east side of the river on foot via the Charles Bridge or by public transport.

Elegant Art Nouveau sitting room outside of a cafe

The atmospheric Hotel Paris in Malá Strana does a great job of pairing historic Art Nouveau decor with modern amenities.

Staré Mesto (Old Town) feels like the center of everything when it comes to tourism. Old Town Square with its ancient buildings and famous Astronomical Clock is a hive of activity, especially on the hour from 9 am to 11 pm when apostle statues move mechanically beneath the clock face in a 45-second parade. All manner of museums, shops, pubs, and restaurants fan out from here, with highlights being the Josefov neighborhood (Jewish Quarter), to the north, with its fascinating Jewish history.

Elegant Art Nouveau facade of a concert hall in Prague

The Municipal House in Prague is a stunning Art Nouveau masterpiece that serves as a concert hall and cultural venue, renowned for its historic significance and ornate interiors.

To the south and east of Old Town is Nové Mesto (New Town), which despite being around seven centuries old is still newer than Old Town. This is a large and varied neighborhood that is the commercial center of Prague. It centers around Wenceslas Square, where you’ll find big-name stores and busy restaurants under tall and elegant apartment buildings. There are quite a few good museums all around and if you stay here, you’ll probably be walking across the less busy but very beautiful Legions Bridge to reach the west side of the river.

Contemporary bar and lounge in a hotel

New Town’s BoHo Prague offers triple rooms and suites, making it a great choice for families.

South of Staré Mesto and Nové Mesto are up and coming Smíchov, with lots of new hotels and drinking holes, and Vysehrad, which holds the magnificent Vysehrad Castle (where Prague is said to have been founded). Staying in either of these neighborhoods will put you in areas substantially quieter than the city center without being too far away, along with hiking and biking opportunities, making them great options for athletic or outdoorsy people wanting to be near the action.

The neighborhoods north of Malá Strana are Bubenec and Dejvice, the chicest and most exclusive residential areas in Prague. There are a few good-value yet upscale hotels here as well as some particularly good sights for families, including an aquarium, planetarium, dancing fountain, and Stromova, the city’s largest park. The Nostalgic Tram 41 trip on a cool old streetcar also starts in the Dejvice neighborhood at the Museum of Public Transportation. There are easy transport connections to the town center and this area is close to the airport as well.

Light shines through open glass doorways in a boutique hotel

Vila Lanna hotel in chic Bubenec.

This area extends northeast into Letná and Holesovice, a traditionally working-class neighborhood that is getting more hip by the minute. Currently, hotel prices here are great value and nightlife is of the more hip and local variety, but eating options are limited. The C Metro line heads directly into the town center, making it easy to get in and out. The main sight here is Letná park with its fantastic views of Old Town.

You’ll get a local and more industrial feeling from the Karlín and Zizkov neighborhoods, located to the east of the northern part of New Town. This is where you’ll find much of Prague’s better hostels and low-budget accommodations. It’s easy to get into town by Metro or by walking for about 20-30 minutes. Zizkov is known for its raucous pub scene and there are some good (but not fancy) places to eat too, mostly in the form of hip cafes. There are a few things to see over this way, like the strange sight of the massive TV Tower with baby sculptures crawling on it, and the beautiful Art Deco National Monument that houses a museum with objects mostly from the 20th century. This is a great neighborhood for backpackers or younger travelers on a budget.

Striking tiled entryway of a hotel lobby, with yellow velvet bench seating.

The wonderful Hotel Fitzgerald is on a quiet street in Karlin, with convenient transit access to the central sights.

Heading south from here, you’ll reach the higher-end and quite fashionable Vinohrady and Vrsovice neighborhoods. With some good hotel choices and some very good internationally-inspired places to eat, the streets and parks are great for wandering around, far from the tourist crowds. That said, this is still quite close to the city center, with the Metro or tram getting you in within 20-30 minutes.

The Best Places to Stay in Prague

Gleaming revolving door entrance to a luxury hotel

Of all the great luxury hotels in Prague, we like The Four Seasons best. Don’t miss the incredible views from their rooftop terrace.

Exterior of Buddha Bar Hotel in Prague

The intimate and romantic Buddha Bar Hotel in Old Town is our top pick for a couples’ getaway.

Best Areas in Prague for…

  • Best Area in Prague to Stay for First Timers: Staré Mesto (Old Town)
    You can’t go wrong if you base yourself in Old Town – it’s pretty, central, packed with restaurants and sights, and yet easy to wander over the Charles Bridge to Malá Strana for more sightseeing. You can also find accommodations to suit most budgets. The Old Town is also the best place to stay if you’re visiting Prague without a car.
Hotel lobby with dim mood lighting and midcentury design

We love a boutique hotel, and Emblem is one of our top boutique picks in Prague. It has a great central location in Old Town, the best area for first-timers to the city.

  • Best Area in Prague for Sightseeing: Malá Strana
    Sightseeing in Malá Strana is a matter of simply turning the corner to admire more cobblestone lanes, towering churches, baroque gardens, world-class museums, and, of course, the grand Prague Castle. Start at Charles Bridge with its brooding statues and gorgeous views over the river, then wander to St Nicholas Church, window-shop along fairy-tale streets, and wind your up to Prague Castle’s museums, churches, and more – this will take up at least a day.
    • The Baroque Kaiserstein Palace overlooks Mala Strana

    The Baroque Kaiserstein Palace overlooks the lovely lanes of Malá Strana.

  • Best Area in Prague for Nightlife: Nové Mesto (New Town)
    Beer is said to be cheaper than water in Prague and hordes of people come from around the world to drink here. Clubs, beer gardens, breweries, cocktail bars, jazz lounges – you name it, no matter how you want to spend a night out, you can find your happiness here.
  • Best Area in Prague for Food and Restaurants: Staré Mesto (Old Town)
    There are so many great restaurants in this neighborhood that you could literally close your eyes and still stumble into somewhere serving something delicious. The range is vast as well. Try everything from fine modern European dining overlooking the river to excellent American-style steaks at George Prime Steak. New Town is an easy walk away and has even more options.
Elegant brick facade of a hotel in Prague

The 5-star Cosmopolitan Hotel in Old Town is perfectly situated for great restaurants and easy sightseeing.

  • Best Areas in Prague for Families: Bubenec & Dejvice
    Basing yourself in these neighborhoods puts you in a quiet area near the aquarium, planetarium, dancing fountain, and Stromova, the city’s largest park. The Nostalgic Tram 41 trip on a cool old streetcar also starts in the Dejvice neighborhood at the Museum of Public Transportation. Public transport is easy and it takes around 15-20 minutes to reach Old Town, and about a 10 to 15-minute walk to reach Prague Castle.
  • Most Romantic Area in Prague: Malá Strana
    Malá Strana looks like something out of a dream with its old stone lanes, centuries-old houses, the Gothic spires of St Nicholas Church, and Prague Castle rising above it all. Many eating options here are bistro-style, perfect for a table for two with a white tablecloth and a bottle of wine. Then there are the views across the river to Old Town – or walk there across the insanely scenic Charles Bridge.
  • Best Areas in Prague for a Local Vibe: Karlin & Zizkov
    Staying in this more industrial neighborhood outside the city center gets you away from the tourists and into a more hip and local scene. Stroll down the architecturally beautiful street, hang out in city parks, check out the wonderfully weird TV Tower, sip coffee in tiny cafes, or discover young and fun pubs. And great news, it’s about 15 minutes by public transport or a 30-minute walk to downtown.
    • Overhead view of colorful buildings in Zizkov, Prague

    Beautiful buildings in Zizkov.

  • Best Area in Prague for Walking: Malá Strana
    Really any neighborhood in Prague is great for walking but Malá Strana has less busy lanes, a huge array of parks, some hills to get you in shape, and exquisite views over the river and town. Sights and historic architecture are everywhere.
  • Safest Areas of Prague
    Anywhere in central Prague in the daytime tends to be very safe. That said, take the standard precautions of not walking alone inebriated late at night and being aware of your surroundings.
  • Unsafe Areas of Prague
    Drinking and drugs are usually involved in some form or another in a large percentage of Prague’s crimes that are targeted at tourists. Staying out late, drinking heavily and/or buying/using drugs will (like anywhere) put you at greater risk of theft and violence.
Light streams in through a window into a room showcasing a large floral arrangement

The beautiful Le Palais Art Hotel in Vinohrady.

The 8 Best Neighborhoods in Prague for Tourists

1. Malá Strana

Colorful buildings on a Prague street corner, with a cathedral dome looming in the background

Historic Malá Strana encompasses the eastern area of the Vltava River and sits just under Prague Castle. Hradcany, where Prague Castle is located, is technically another district, but we’re including it here as part of the same neighborhood for simplicity’s sake since most people will take both in at the same time when visiting. This is an extremely scenic area of cobblestone streets, lanes lined with ancient houses, and views over the river to Old Town. Start at Charles Bridge and then wind your way through ancient streets to magnificent churches, cute shops, fun bars, and some good restaurants, some with the best views in the city.

The amazingly detailed St Vitus Cathedral looms over the traditional buildings of Prague Castle

St Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle

Up the hill is Prague Castle, arguably Prague’s top sight and filled with so many museums, churches, and even a monastery, that you’ll want to schedule a full day there.

2. Staré Mesto (Old Town)

pedestrians walk through a square lined with decorated Czech buildings

Old Town is simply jam-packed with sights and often people as well. Everything is centered around Old Town Square that holds one of the city’s biggest attractions, the Astronomical Clock.

Astronomical clock in Old Town Prague, with the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn in the background.

Astronomical clock in bustling Old Town Square, with the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn in the background.

Roads and lanes spread from here, with churches, museums, cafes, restaurants, and some great beer-drinking holes. North of the square are ancient synagogues and the Jewish Cemetery and Museum that are a must-visit for understanding the city’s history. It’s easy to walk across the Charles Bridge from this area to reach Mala Strana or go east or south into the more commercial and urban feeling Nové Mesto (New Town).

3. Nové Mesto (New Town)

People roll suitcases past the historic buildings in New Town Prague

New Town feels new in the sense that this is where you’ll find the most shopping, clubs, and commercial activity in Prague, but the buildings are still grand and can sometimes be up to seven centuries old. Come here to shop, drink, dine, and visit museums like the Mucha Museum and the National (Národní) Museum.

People walk by market stands on a street lined with colorful buildings.

Outdoor shopping in New Town Prague.

Elaborate facade of the National Museum in Prague

The National Museum at the top of Wenceslas Square houses extensive and beautifully curated exhibits that showcase Czech history, natural sciences, art, and culture.

Charles Square is the biggest in the city, although Wenceslas gets more tourist traffic and feels like a grand boulevard. (New Town wraps around the Old Town to the east, southeast, and south.)

charles square in Prague

Charles Square

4. Vinohrady & Vrsovice

A well-manicured park in bloom, macked by stately Czech townhomes

This neighborhood was once home to a vineyard but today it’s fashionably urban and away from the central tourist area. While they aren’t filled with sights, these are wonderful areas to wander around and you can enjoy some truly elegant architecture alongside the many parks and views out to Prague Castle.

Umbrella-covered tables along a pattern-tiled sidewalk

We liked the breakfasts at Sweet & Pepper Days Cafe in Vinrohady.

There’s also an international influence here that shows mostly in the great restaurant offerings from Mexican to Vietnamese. You can get here via the Metro or tram in around 20-30 minutes from Old Town.

5. Smichov & Vysehrad

A man sits on a stoop of a small shop on a Czech street lined with cafes and small stores

Vysehrad Castle is a large park complex up a hill with a handful of museums, an ancient cemetery, and the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul, which is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau. The views here over the river are spectacular and you’ll find more local families enjoying the area than tourists, especially on weekends.

People walk around a round castle structure

Exploring Vysehrad Castle

People walk in the open door of a stone cathedral

Basilica of St Peter and St Paul

Smíchov is more industrial and is one of the grittier neighborhoods of Prague, but it’s up and coming and is a great hunting ground for hip coffee houses, breweries, and cafes.

6. Bubenec & Dejvice

Pink and yellow buildings on a narrow street in Prague

These neighborhoods north of Malá Strana are chic (Bubenec more so) and a great location for families. Sights include an aquarium, planetarium, a dancing fountain, the huge Stromova Park, and the Museum of Public Transportation that marks the start of a pleasant sightseeing trip on Nostalgic Tram 41.

Round water fountain in the middle of a grassy green park

Stromnova Park

Old train cars housed in a museum building

Museum of Public Transport

Dejvice is great in particular for Communist-era architecture and this is most exemplified at the Hotel International.

7. Letna & Holecovice

People with umbrellas walk down a mosaic-tiled sidewalk in Prague on a rainy day

Locals cite Holecovice as the coolest area of Prague although tourists looking for sights won’t find much over this way. The cool factor comes more from the nightlife and cafes. The green spaces, Letna Park in particular, are a big draw and the neighborhoods are as safe as they are clean and pretty. It’s also easy to get here with the C Metro line running directly into downtown.

Peaceful park set around a calm reservoir

Letna Park

8. Karlin & Zizkov

A red, modern streetcar passes through an intersection in Prague

There aren’t tons of sights out here but these neighborhoods are popular, especially with backpackers, for their lively nightlife and inexpensive lodging. It’s an industrial area with some older buildings and more graffiti than you’ll see closer to the city center. Wander here to find cool cafes and cheap eats and to gawk at the weird yet fascinating TV Tower. The main sight here is the National Monument, an Art Deco building holding a museum dedicated mostly to the 20th century.

Tourists walk below a large bronze statue of a man on a horse

Statue of Jan Zizka at Prague’s National Monument

Large antennae-like tower at the end of a residential street.

The TV Tower

Summary: My Favorite Hotels in Prague

My Favorite Prague Hotels

• 5-Star Hotel: Four Seasons
• 4-Star Hotel: Cosmopolitan
• 3-Star Hotel: Mooo Downtown
• Boutique Hotel: Aria
• For Families: BoHo Prague
• For Couples: Buddha Bar
• Best Pool: Hilton
• Near Airport: Courtyard
• Near Train Station: Exe City Park

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my small team and I provide guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece - as well as best places to stay in some of my favorite cities - like London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Venice, and Florence.

Questions? Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.