Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is one of the most touristic cities in Europe. Its architectural treasures and beauty attract many tourists throughout the year. As a touristy city, it has a wide range of hotels that cover all possible qualities and budgets. But where is the best area to stay in Prague?
Located on the banks of the Vltava River, Prague is divided into 10 districts identified by the numbers Prague 1, Prague 2, Prague 3, etc. But don't think you are going out of the city center as the numbers grow as for example the district Prague 5 is one of the regions located very close to the city center. Local people use the names of the neighborhoods (Stare Mesto, Mala Strana, Vinohrady, etc.) more often than district numbers.
The best area to stay in Prague is the area that is known as the Prague 1 district, which includes the most central areas of the city. However, a number of other neighborhoods are an excellent alternative and should be considered when choosing the place to stay in the capital of Czech Republic.
We recommend doing a research and booking your hotel in advance, especially when traveling during peak season, to save time and nerves during your trip. The best websites to book hotels in Prague City are Booking.com and Agoda.com that always offer great deals.
Best Areas to Stay in Prague
We’ve made a list of Prague’s best areas with recommended hotels in each area for different budgets so you could easily find the ideal place to stay in the city.
1. Stare Mesto (Old Town)
If you will ask where the most beautiful and most popular area to stay in Prague is, we will definitely say that it’s the Old Town. This area is the most preferred by tourists visiting the city as it is the most convenient for exploring city’s top attractions and recommended for its historical value. Stare Mesto is a very charming area, as it preserved the entire medieval flavor and concentrates a large part of Prague’s tourist attractions such as the charming Old Town Square, with the Town Hall and its famous Astronomical Clock, the Clock and Gunpowder towers, and many others. In addition, when staying in the Old Town, you will be a few minutes’ walk from other main tourist attractions of Prague.
Stare Mesto has numerous restaurants, breweries, shops, fashion boutiques, bars and nightclubs with its streets being always lively and busy with tourists.
There is a wide range of hotels, making it possible to find accommodation of all types and prices. Most of accommodations are located around the Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock. There is also a great offer of apartments for more affordable prices than hotels, although in summer prices increase considerably.
The only downside to staying in the Old Town is that everything, including accommodation, costs much more than in any other part of the city. However, if you will book the hotel well in advance, you might be able to find good deals.
Some of the best rated hotels in Stare Mesto (Old Town):
You can explore Prague’s stunning Old Town on a tour that includes admission to the Astronomical Clock Tower where you can take the extraordinary views over the city from the tower by joining Prague 3-Hour Tour with Astronomical Clock Admission.
2. Nove Mesto (New Town)
Nove Mesto or the New Town is an ideal area to stay in Prague if you want to be close to everything but outside the main tourist area. Do not let the name of this district fool you, the area was founded in the 14th century and has a history of about 700 years. However, the New Town is a more modern area and also the commercial center of Prague.
Nove Mesto is also found within Prague 1 district, located on the right bank of the Vltava River, south of the Old Town Square. The location of the area could not be better for staying in Prague with just few steps from Wenceslas Square, the famous Dancing House and several museums.
Along the streets of this area you will find many hotels, cafes, restaurants and night clubs. Nove Mesto, considered the center of Prague nightlife, is also home to modern architectural masterpieces.
The New Town is also very well connected by public transport with metro and tram lines passing the area, even if you can easily walk from there to most places in the Old Town and Mala Strana. The main railway station of the city is also located in this region.
You can search for a hotel around the lively Karlovo Namesti and Wenceslas Square, the main centers of the New Town. Those in Wenceslas Square tend to be rather luxury hotels and therefore more expensive but in general the accommodation in the area is more affordable than in the Old Town.
Some of the best rated hotels in Nove Mesto (New Town) that can ensure a good stay in Prague:
3. Mala Strana (The Little Town)
If you are looking for the place to stay somewhere central but quiet, Mala Strana, also known as The Little Town, is the area that you should consider. The Vltava River runs through Prague and separates the Old Town into two distinct neighborhoods. Mala Strana is the other half, linked to Stare Mesto by the Charles Bridge. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful areas of Prague. Like in Stare Mesto, its streets preserve the rich and interesting medieval heritage.
Mala Strana is located at the foot of Prague Castle and is home to many tourist attractions, such as the church of Saint Nicholas, John Lennon Wall, Franz Kafka Museum, Strahov Monastery and Our Lady of Victory, which houses the famous statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague that originates so many pilgrimages. It is also worth going up to Mount Petrin on the funicular route and enjoying excellent views of the city.
Mala Strana is the most exclusive neighborhood in Prague with various official buildings such as ministries, the Czech Parliament, and several embassies located in the area. In addition, there are many shops, restaurants and romantic parks, like the one on Kampa Island. Some of the best restaurants in the Czech capital are located here. The narrow cobbled streets create a very romantic atmosphere.
Mala Strana has the advantage of being very close to Stare Mesto and all its attractions. This area is very lively during the day but reasonably quiet at night. There is little nightlife in the area, so Mala Strana is an ideal area to stay in Prague if you are looking for tranquility and being close to all tourist attractions.
The number of hotels on offer is less than in the Old Town, but it is still very easy to find the perfect accommodation for a getaway.
Some of the best rated hotels in Mala Strana:
Mamaison Hotel Riverside Prague
4. Hradcany (Prague Castle Area)
Prague was founded from the construction of its castle in the 9th century. In the 14th century, the city began to be built outside of the castle walls and the area was called Hradcany. To make it easy, Hradcany is the area of Prague Castle, around the top of the hill where the castle and the majestic Cathedral of San Vito are located, as well as stunning views of the city can be seen.
In this area, in addition to the Prague Castle, which includes the Convent of Saint George and the always charming Golden Alley, it is essential to visit the Cathedral of Saint Vitus and the Strahov Monastery, founded in 1143.
It is true that Hradcany is the most comfortable area to stay for visiting this area and all its monuments. However, the area is even quieter than Mala Strana. During the day, you will find tourists who come to visit the castle, but at night the area is empty. There are no discos or nightlife and also not many restaurants and bars. Getting to the Old Town is easy and can be done by public transport as it’s very well connected by tram and metro lines.
For those seeking tranquility and preferring a relaxed travel style, Hradcany is an alternative to consider for staying in Prague. There are not as many accommodation possibilities as in other areas of Prague 1 district since it is somewhat away from the center. However, you can easily find exclusive accommodations including the one in medieval buildings. Apartments are also popular, as they are ideal if you like to cook or want to save on restaurants.
Here are some of the best rated accommodations in Hradcany (Prague Castle area):
Alchymist Prague Castle Suites
Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Are you one of those who likes to see cities from above? Here are some of the best viewpoints in Prague.
5. Vinohrady (Prague 2)
Vinohrady district is located not far from the center, just about 1 km from the Prague 1 district and is well connected with it. Another advantage of this area is that Hlavni Nadrazi, the city’s main train station, is located here. If you are planning to visit other cities like Budapest or Vienna, you will be conveniently close to the station when staying in Vinohrady.
Its name translates as "vineyard", since in the fourteenth century the entire area was covered by vineyards. Today, the neighborhood is full of parks and houses in Art Deco style. There is no lack of tourist attractions with the Wenceslas Square and the National Museum, Peace Square (Náměstí Míru) with the neo-Gothic church of Santa Ludmila, Vinohrady Theater and National House stand out.
Vinohrady is a traditionally student and expats neighborhood in the Czech capital and known as the gay district of the city of Prague. There is no surprise that throughout the area you will find cheap hotels and other kinds of accommodation, trendy bars, chic cafes, restaurants serving international food and numerous shopping stores with lively atmosphere. There are also many parks where you can relax after a long day full of sightseeing in Prague. Vinohrady also offers interesting nightlife, among which is a quite flourishing gay scene.
Accommodation in the area tends to be located high on the hill, as many hotels are located in old and stately mansions. However, hotels in this district are a bit more affordable than hotels in other districts and you will easily find hostels and apartments here. If you are planning a budget Prague trip, staying at Vinohrady might be a very reasonable option.
Some of the best rated accommodations in Vinohrady (Prague 2):
6. Zizkov (Prague 3)
Zizkov is the Prague 3 district. Although its origins are based on an old working-class neighborhood, it is gradually evolving into one of the most attractive neighborhoods in Prague. If you are looking to get away from the city center, Zizkov is an ideal area to stay in Prague. To get to the city center, you can take a half hour walk or get there in about 15 minutes by public transport.
Zizkov has several places of interest, such as the 216-meter-tall TV Tower with a good viewpoint, the giant statue of the Hussite hero Jan Zizka, the New Jewish Cemetery and Olsany Cemetery, considered to be the largest park in Prague.
Zizkov offers diversity with a big number of restaurants and bars as well as nightlife venues. The liveliest part of the area is the closest to the Old Town.
The most important advantage of this Prague area is that hotels are available at very affordable prices and there’s an opportunity to experience more authentic environment. In this neighborhood, you can find hotels and hostels that are much cheaper than in the ones in the Old Town so staying in Zizkov is recommended if you are traveling to Prague on a tight budget but don't want to give up the comfort of staying at the hotel. It is also a smart option to stay in Prague if you rent a car. As it is a bit away from the city center, you will find accommodation with parking easier and you will not have to bear the traffic.
Here are some of the best rated hotels in Zizkov (Prague 3):
7. Josefov (Jewish Quarter)
Josefov is the old Jewish quarter of Prague, also known as the Jewish Ghetto. It is named after Joseph II, the holy Roman emperor who emancipated the Jews in 1781. Josefov still remains the center of the city's Jewish community. In the area, there are several synagogues, the oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe, the medieval cemetery with its impressive tombs and the Monastery of Santa Ines.
Josefov is located in the northwest corner of Stare Mesto, so its location is completely central. However, it is a much quieter area than the Old Town, but also very well located and very comfortable to walk anywhere in the most touristic part of the city.
Although Josefov dates back to the 10th century, hotels here are set in newer buildings, as the Jewish quarter suffered severe damage during World War II. You will find many boutique hotels, old bookstores, traditional restaurants, cafes and interesting museums with a lot of charm.
Here you can find some of the best rated hotels in Josefov (Jewish quarter):
If you are not planning to stay overnight in Josefov, you can explore the Jewish heritage of Prague’s Jewish Quarter on a 2.5-hour walking tour. You will get an in-depth view of the Jewish community in the Czech Republic, hearing personal stories and more.
8. Smichov (Prague 5)
Smichov is the 5th district of Prague and one of the largest districts in Prague. The area is located on the same bank of the river as Mala Strana but south of it. It is another of recommended options to stay in Prague as the area is not far from the center. It is just a 20-minute walk to the center or you can use public transport.
Smichov is a luxurious neighborhood with recently renovated buildings and many hotels. Most hotels are located in Andel area (with its metro station) and Ujezd. If you will be staying in Smichov, choose your hotel in one of these two areas.
There are also many trendy restaurants, cinemas, entertainment venues and the huge Novy Smichov shopping center. One of its special attractions is the largest Staropramen Brewery, a factory that produces hundreds of thousands of barrels of splendid beers. You can enjoy a drink or have a beer tasting of Staropramen.
Some of the best rate hotels in Smichov (Prague 5):
Tips
Prague is one of the richest cities in Central Europe in terms of places to visit and the main ones can be found in our Prague Attractions List. To save money while exploring the main attractions of Prague, we highly recommend getting Prague Card which gives you free access to over 50 attractions.
The guide to amazing day trips from Prague can be found here: Best Places for Day Trip from Prague.
Prague is dynamic and vibrant city at night, so we also created the list of top things to do in Prague at night for an epic night out during your stay!
Eating traditional Czech cuisine in Prague is possible on practically every corner of the city. Here is an overview of local dishes to try during your stay in Prague.
There are several ways to get to the city center from Prague Airport. To make your arrival in Prague city center a little easier, we have provided detailed information here: How to get from Prague Airport to City Center.