Where to Stay in Prague: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Franz Kafka famously said of Prague, “This mother has claws.” And he was right. There’s something about Prague that just won’t let you go. I can never get enough of this city. It has a little bit of everything: intriguing history, awe-inducing architecture, great pubs and clubs, and an expanding gastronomic scene to keep even the most ardent foodie busy.

I first visited in 2006 and have come back countless times (I even leading tours here for a while). While most tourists (especially backpackers) stay in or near the historic center, it’s important to remember that Prague is much more than that famous small core. There are a lot of interesting neighborhoods filled with incredible attractions and activities in this city of 1.3 million people. And the city’s transportation system makes it easy to get around.

In this post, I’ll break down the pros and cons of each neighborhood and give you suggested places to stay for each of them. But, first, some frequently asked questions I get about Prague:

What’s the best neighborhood for budget travelers?
Really, leave the historical center and prices drop. But if I have to pick one neighborhood for travelers on the cheap, it’s going to be Žižkov, a hilly, atmospheric district of cobblestoned streets and slightly delapidated 19th-century apartment buildings.

What’s the best neighborhood in Prague for families?
Vinohrady is a handsome neighborhood that is both quiet, pretty, and well connected to subway and tram lines.

What’s the best neighborhood in Prague for first-time visitors?
Most of the attractions that a first-time visitor is going to want to see and do are in Old Town and across the Charles Bridge in Mala Strana.

What’s the best neighborhood in Prague for partying?
Not all the beer in Prague will help you pronounce it, but Vršovice (pronounced Ver-sho-veetz-say) is a fun out-0f-the-center neighborhood where a lot of young Czechs go to party — particularly on and around Krymská Street.

What is the best neighborhood in Prague overall?
Mala Strana, on the castle side of the Vltava River is a feast for the eyes. I like to stroll around the narrow cobblestoned streets and just get lost for an afternoon.

So, with those questions answered, here’s a breakdown of each neighborhood with suggested accommodation for each:

 

Where to Stay for History: Old Town

Want to get a taste of the quintessential medieval vibes Prague is known for? Then head to Old Town, or Stare Mesto in the local lingo. Hugging the Vltava River, this compact area is the central heart of tourism in the city. Old Town Square is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, dominated by the Gothic-clad Old Town Hall and the wicked-looking Tyn Church. Don’t miss the Astronomical Clock or get a good view of the city from the Powder Tower, one of the last remaining old city gates. I love this area and, though it is ground zero for tourism, it is really beautiful.

Best Places to Stay in Old Town

• BUDGET: The Madhouse – If you want to meet people and are looking for a party, this is the best hostel in Prague to do that! The décor includes very cool murals and the knowledgeable staff organize events for guests every night. It’s super popular and one of the best social hostels in the city. Don’t come here if you want to sleep and not party! It’s technically just outside the Old Town, but it’s worth the walk if you want to party!
• MID-RANGE: Old Prague Hotel – Set in a historic building dating back to 1895, Old Prague Hotel is located in the center of the Old Town. All rooms offer a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi and they have courtyard or street view. The rooms aren’t beautiful and the hotel is simple but the breakfast is great, the location wonderful, and the staff is friendly. It’s nice and quiet too.
• LUXURY: Maximilian Hotel – Sleek and chic, this smart boutique hotel has comfortable rooms to rest your cobblestone weary feet. Splurge and get a room with a balcony to take in the view. There’s also a buffet breakfast, a fitness center, a restaurant, and a bar on-site.

 

Where to Stay for a Quiet Stay: Vinohrady

Sedate and stately Vinohrady is the ideal neighborhood to plant yourself in Prague if you’re looking some peace and quiet. Sure, there are bars and outdoor restaurants but it’s generally a relaxed residential district. Plus, Vinohrady is well connected to subway lines and trams so it’s easy to get anywhere in the city from here.

The Best Places to Stay in Vinohrady

• BUDGET: Onefam Miru – This social hostel has a large common area with Netflix and video games so it’s easy to chill out and meet people. The host daily and nightly events and also communal dinners. The beds are comfy and most have privacy curtains so you can get a decent sleep.
• MID-RANGE: Hotel Taurus – Just off the main square in Vinohrady, Taurus is a comfortable place to lay your head after a day of sightseeing. The 86 spacious rooms all have free Wi-Fi and satellite TVs.
• LUXURY: DownTown Suites Rubesova – DownTown Suites Rubesova is a very nice condo hotel. All the units are mini apartments and come with a kitchenette with a dishwasher, an oven, and a microwave.The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, an elevator, and luggage storage for guests. I found the rooms to be very quiet, the beds very comfy, and I loved the ability to make my own meals. It’s also perfect if you’re traveling with a family.

 

Where to Stay for Partying: Vršovice

Vršovice, pronounced Ver-sho-veetz-say, used to be a quiet but pretty residential neighborhood just out of the historical center of the city. But all that changed a few years ago, particularly around Krymská Street, when hip pubs, cafes, and restaurants started opening up. Head there on a Friday or Saturday evening and you’ll find the area buzzing with shaggy-haired hipsters drinking beer in pubs and on the street.

The Best Places to Stay in Vršovice

• BUDGET: Gallery Hotel SIS – This basic hotel is clean with satellite TV and free Wi-Fi in every room and boasts a nice breakfast buffet and friendly staff. If you just need a cheap place to stay, this is it as the dorm rooms in the hotel are very basic.
• MID-RANGE: Czech Inn – Ignore the silly name and actually check in to this fun hotel, which is both a mid-sized hotel and a hostel. The guest rooms are big, especially if you request a corner room with views looking down winding Krymská Street. You can get dorms here but if you want an affordable and nicer hotel room, I’d also consider staying here too.
• LUXURY: Le Palais Art Hotel – The geographically closest luxury property to Vršovice is a just a few blocks away. And it’s a nice one. The grand hotel is, as you would expect from the name, littered with art, both in the lobby and in rooms. There are even some sketches by Le Corbusier.

 

Where to Stay for Charm: Mala Strana

Translated as “Little Quarter,” Mala Strana is one of the most achingly charming neighborhoods in Europe. Cross the Charles Bridge from Old Town and prepare to be shocked and awed with narrow winding cobblestone streets, cute fountain-centered squares, and Baroque palaces (many of which are housing embassies today). Don’t miss St. Nicholas’ church, which was completed in 1755 and is considered the best example of Prague Baroque architecture.

The Best Places to Stay in Mala Strana

• BUDGET: Little Quarter Hostel – Located between the castle and Charles Bridge, this hostel has spacious dorms and is kept very clean. The beds aren’t super comfy but there are privacy curtains and the beds aren’t crammed in like sardines so you can get a good sleep. They have a great breakfast too (for an extra fee).
• MID-RANGE: U 3 Pstrosu – I love this cute little hotel. Rooms have wood-beamed ceilings and free WiFi (some have incredible views of Charles Bridge, which is nearly an arm’s reach away). The beds are very comfy and the showers have great water pressure.
• LUXURY: Augustine – Set in a still-working monastery from the Middle Ages, this hotel is one of the nicest and most luxurious in the city. It has 100 large rooms with all the perks you’d expect from a five star hotel. The basement bar is serves homemade beer from the recipe of the on-property monks. You can get exclusive tours of the Church`s private library.

 

Where to Stay for Foodies: Karlin

It’s not easy to settle on just one neighborhood for great dining as the Prague food scene has grown and matured in leaps and bounds in the last decade. Karlin, located just out of the center of town, is a good bet thanks to gastropubs like Lokal Hamburk, avant-garde Scandinavian-accented spots like Eska, third-wave coffee roaster M?j Šalek Kávy, and Veltlin, a wine bar that only pours vino made within the borders of the former Austro-Hungarian empire.

The Best Where to Stay in Karlin

• BUDGET: Hostel Florenc – With free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and a cool common area with ping pong and foosball, this is a clean, budget-friendly hostel that’s perfect for travelers looking to socialize. The water pressure in the showers is great and the beds are comfy.
• MID-RANGE: Botanique Hotel – Located just a couple of blocks from the Florenc subway station in Karlin, this hotel was just recently renovated. The rooms are nature inspired and all have elegant modern bathrooms, comfortable beds, and really wonderful but simple decor.The breakfast is also really delicious too.

 

Where to Stay for Art Lovers: Holešovice

Pronounced “Hoe-lay-sho-veetz-say, this quasi-industrial-looking neighborhood has been, since the mid-1990s, a neighborhood for nightlife and clubbing. But in the last decade or so, it’s become a district where hip bars, restaurants, and cafes have opened up, perhaps only rivaled by neighboring Letna. But if you want to add art to the equation, this is the place for you. Be sure to check out DOX: Center for Contemporary Art, Veletržní Palac (the National Gallery’s wing of contemporary Art), and also stroll the streets to gawk at all the street art. There’s also the sprawling Stromovka Park for anyone looking to take a quiet stroll and get away from the city.

The Best Places to Stay in Holešovice

• BUDGET: Sir Toby’s – This two-decade-old hostel in Holešovice has both dorms and private rooms available, depending on your budget and style of travel. The attached pub can become raucously fun at times. They host regular events (trivia, cooking classes) and there are lots of board games and books for relaxing in the common area. It’s a fun, social hostel that makes it easy to meet people.
• MID-RANGE: Mama Shelter – Part of a small chain of hip, design-laced European hotels, the Prague outlet of Mama Shelter has been outfitted from a former Communist-era hotel. The rooms have a funky, hipster vibe to them with comfy beds and clean and large bathrooms. The garden-level restaurant serves comfort grub to go with your Czech beer.
• LUXURY: Art Hotel – This art-strewn property nestled between Holešovice and Bubenec offers comfortable rooms in which to relax after a day of art gallery hopping. And you need not go far to check out some local art. The hotel has a collection of works by Czech modern artists, including Jan and Pravoslav Kotík, Pavel Roucka and Pavel Štecha.

 

Where to Stay for Budget Travelers: Žižkov

This is a hilly, atmospheric district full of cobblestoned streets and dilapidated 19th-century apartment buildings. Prior to 1922, the area was actually an independent city separate from Prague. Historically, this was a working-class district and has a history of supporting left-wing causes, with locals referring to the area as the “Free Republic of Žižkov.” Don’t miss the 9-meter tall statue of military leader Jan Žižka and be sure to clamber up the TV tower to take in the view.

The Best Places to Stay in Žižkov

• BUDGET: Clown & Bard Hostel – This is a chill hostels with friendly staff and an eco-friendly vibe. The bunks are basic but the rooms are spacious and there are tons of cheap bears nearby if you want to go out and socialize (there’s a bar on-site too).
• MID-RANGE: Theatrino Hotel – This modern hotel boasts spacious rooms combined with Prague’s unique Art Nouveau style. The rooms are beautifully carpeted, spacious, and with comfy beds. The bathrooms are a bit small but always clean. The breakfast buffet is really filling too. There’s also a spa if you want to relax.
• LUXURY: Design Merrion Hotel – Located a short 10-minute ride from the Old Town, this charming hotel is set between Vitkov and Parukarka parks. Its modern rooms are stylish with spacious bathrooms and comfy beds. I also love the tasty breakfast buffet that is included too!

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Prague is a stunning, beautiful historic city. If you can avoid visiting during the hectic summer months (I personally love fall the most), you’ll get one of my favorite cities in Europe (some of my best travel memories have been made here) virtually to yourself. And, no matter your taste, you’ll find a neighborhood for you!