Best Places to Stay in Prague for First-Time Visitors

Updated: 28 octubre 2023

This post explains where to stay while visiting Prague, particularly for your first visit.

We include details about each of the major neighbourhoods in the city and what you can expect to see or do in the area.


OVERVIEW

If this comment posted on our Prague Travel Tips Facebook Group sounds like you, then you’ve come to the right place!


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Because we speak with tourists every day during our walking tours. 

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They tell us what they like and don’t like about their accommodations around the city. Some rave and some rant.

We listen and then share what they tell us with our readers. All were first-time visitors at some point.

We learn even more from the hundreds of detailed comments and recommendations from visitors on our Facebook group which has over 30,000 members and growing every day!

These comments are filled with up-to-date hotel recommendations with detailed information from actual hotel guests.

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There are a lot of interesting districts in Prague.

While some are great for sightseeing, others might be worth visiting to enjoy some shopping or experience local artwork and culture.

You can usually find a place to stay somewhere close to each neighbourhood, so it makes sense to book a hotel or airbnb based on which activities interest you the most.

View from Prague Castle - Hradčany, Prague, Czech Republic

For instance, if you’re planning to vacation here with your family, you might want to consider a neighbourhood that is known for its family-friendly activities and attractions.

With that in mind, this post is designed to help you pick the right location for your stay in Prague.

We’ll provide a basic description of what you can expect to see and experience in each district.

Here is a list of the neighbourhoods we will discuss in this post:

  • Nové Město
  • Staré Město
  • Malá Strana
  • Holešovice
  • Hradčany
  • Vinohrady
  • Smíchov
  • Vršovice
  • Vyšehrad
  • Dejvice
  • Žižkov
  • Karlín
  • Letná

BEST SIGHTSEEING IN PRAGUE 

If you’re looking for the best place to stay in Prague and you’re planning to do a lot of sightseeing, the following locations are excellent options.

These districts are typically located in the older parts of the city, ensuring you’ll have the opportunity to see plenty of historic sites and landmarks.


Staré Město

This neighbourhood is also known as the Old Town area of Prague.

Staré město

And there are a lot of notable sites to see in the area such as the Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock, the Jewish Quarter, and more.


Nové Město

Although it’s newer than the Old Town neighbourhood, Prague’s “New Town” is still technically almost 700 years old.

North view of Dittrichova street in Nové Město, Prague

So, there are plenty of historic sites to see in the area such as the New Town Hall, the National Theatre, and several public squares.

This is also where you’ll find the Dancing House!


Hradčany

If you’re interested in seeing sites like the Prague Castle, Golden Lane, the Royal Garden, and many other important historic locations.

The attractions in this part of the city date back as far as the 9th century.


Malá Strana

This part of the city is also known as Lesser Town, and it’s right next to Hradčany, so you can see Prague Castle from here.

Prague Charles Bridge Mala Strana Tower

In addition to the views, this is also where you’ll find the Charles Bridge and the Baroque Wallenstein Palace.

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Žižkov

While there aren’t as many historic sites to see in this neighbourhood, there is at least one landmark you might want to experience – the TV Tower.

You’ll also find a monument to Czech hero Jan Žižka on Vitkov Hill.


Vyšehrad

This is the site of a historic fortress, the Rotunda of St. Martin, and the Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul.

St Peter and St Paul Cathedral in Vysehrad

Vyšehrad is also reportedly where the first Czechs settled in Prague.


BEST ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT IN PRAGUE 

If you’re interested in enjoying a concert, theatrical performance, or some other form of entertainment, there are several neighbourhoods in Prague that you might want to consider.

We’ll also cover some of the best districts for museums, sports arenas, artwork, or other attractions you may enjoy.


Smíchov

It may not be the most fashionable part of Prague, but this formerly industrial neighbourhood is now home to some of the best street art in the city.

Praha, Smíchov, Anděl

And it’s also home to the MeetFactory which hosts live music, theatre, and more.


Holešovice

Some people refer to this as Prague’s coolest district, and it’s not hard to see why with its art studios and theatres which host a variety of shows including arthouse cinema and contemporary dance.


Vršovice

This is the site of Eden Arena, where Prague’s two biggest football teams play their home games every year.

If you’re a sports fan, this is an excellent opportunity to enjoy some of the best sporting events in the city.


Karlín

If you’re interested in experiencing the culture of Prague, this neighbourhood is home to Kasárna Karlín, a cultural center with art installments, sculpture gardens and outdoor movies.

Křižíkova str2, Prague Karlín

MOST FAMILY-FRIENDLY PRAGUE NEIGHBOURHOODS 

These districts are known for their family activities and attractions such as parks, picnic spots, gardens, public squares, fairgrounds, and more.


Letná

This district is home to one of the most beautiful parks in the entire city, and you’ll also find the Výstaviště exhibition grounds nearby.

Prazske-vystaviste-holesovice

These are great places to go for a walk or even enjoy a nice picnic, and they’re definitely safe for families.


Vinohrady

Once named after all the vineyards that used to be in the area, this neighbourhood is now home to tree-lined streets and public areas like Náměstí Míru Square, Wenceslas Square, and more which are very family-friendly locations to visit.


Dejvice

This residential area has many shades of the former communist life in Prague, and in addition to those sites, there are also bike paths and even a nature reserve nearby which families might enjoy.


BEST PRAGUE NEIGHBOURHOODS FOR NIGHTLIFE

If you’re interested in having some fun after dark, there are several great districts to visit which are home to excellent beer gardens, bars, clubs, and other things to do at night.

Since we’ve already mentioned every major neighbourhood previously in this post, we’ll be offering a simple list for this section.

  • Staré Město
  • Vinohrady
  • Smíchov
  • Vršovice
  • Žižkov
  • Karlín
  • Letná
Žižkov

Each of these locations would be a great place to spend some time after the sun goes down, so if this is a focus for your trip, consider staying in one of the areas listed above.

Žižkov is home to the most pubs per capita in the city – a total of roughly 300 pubs.

This might be one of the best places to stop for a drink. Letná Park is home to one of the best summer beer gardens in the city. 


BUDGET-FRIENDLY NEIGHBOURHOODS IN PRAGUE 

Whether you’re looking for the cheapest hotel in Prague or you just want to enjoy some well-priced shopping or restaurants, some districts are going to be more budget-friendly than others.

This list provides a few different districts where you can find budget hotels, affordable food, and great places to shop.

  • Staré Město
  • Nové Město
  • Holešovice
  • Vyšehrad
  • Smíchov
  • Karlín
  • Letná

Hotels in these areas can range from 500 CZK - 1000 CZK on average, and there are plenty of great things to do in each neighbourhood that are either free or won’t cost much.


BEST PRAGUE NEIGHBOURHOODS FOR RESTAURANTS AND SHOPPING

There are a lot of great places to shop and grab a bite to eat in Prague, and many of the best locations are actually neighbourhoods we have already covered previously in this post.

The following list of districts will include several spots you might want to either visit or consider staying in while you’re in the city.

  • Staré Město
  • Malá Strana
  • Holešovice
  • Vinohrady
  • Vyšehrad
  • Vršovice
  • Smíchov
  • Dejvice
  • Karlín

While most of these locations have a lot of cafes and restaurants you might want to check out, there is also a great Saturday Market in Vyšehrad and some markets in Karlín as well. 

Smíchov is home to a shopping mall, so if you’re looking for a wide variety of places to shop, that could be a great place to stay.

Žižkov is home to the highest number of pubs per capita – around 300 pubs in total – so if you’re interested in grabbing a drink, this might be the best neighbourhood to visit.

http://pragueoffthemap.com/tips-by-district/overview-of-prague-districts

https://passionpassport.com/prague-neighborhood-guide/

Prague Travel Tips

About The Author

Stephen Pickhardt

Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and Europe, and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers. Stephen has been published and featured in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and more.
Updated: octubre 28th, 2023
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