Looking for the perfect area to stay in Prague can be pretty challenging, especially if you are visiting the city for the first time. To help you navigate this task, I’ve prepared a guide that gives you a brief overview of various neighborhoods in Prague. I won't endorse any specific hotels, but I’ll mention several options for different budgets. Instead, I’ll provide the necessary information to help you choose an area that best suits your plans, whether it’s sightseeing, enjoying the nightlife, or exploring other parts of the Czech Republic. You can then select the ideal location for your stay by comparing different offers for your preferred dates.

Best Areas to Stay in Prague

When looking for accommodation online, you usually see how far a hotel is from the city center: 0 km, 0.3 km, 4 km, etc. In Prague, this distance will likely be measured from Wenceslas Square in New Town. However, it's important to remember that Prague's historical center consists of 4 former independent towns — Old Town, New Town, Lesser Town, and Hradcany. Each has its main square, beautiful churches, picturesque streets, museums, restaurants, and hotels to offer. Therefore, even if you are determined to book a room in the city center, don't limit your search to Wenceslas Square or Old Town Square.

Just outside the historical center, there are districts that offer affordable accommodation options, such as budget-friendly hotels and rental apartments. Vinohrady, Zizkov, Karlin, Holesovice, and Andel are all great places to stay. And if you can't find a suitable room in these areas, don't be afraid to look further from the city center. Prague is a very safe city, and it has one of the best public transportation networks in the world. Even the outskirts are well-connected to the city center, and it usually takes less than half an hour to get there.

You can use Google Maps or local mapy.cz to explore different locations and nearby public transport stops. Then, check the website of public transportation company to find out exactly how long it will take you to reach your desired destination, such as Muzeum station at Wenceslas Square.

How to Choose the Best Place to Stay in Prague?

Now, let's take a close look at each of the popular areas.

Old Town

Staying in Old Town provides easy access to various attractions. The Astronomical Clock, Powder Gate, or Charles Bridge are just a 10-minute walk from any hotel in Old Town. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to explore. The area is mostly a pedestrian zone, which is nice for exploring the city on foot. The only disadvantage to staying in Old Town is that it can be crowded with tourists, especially during peak seasons.

If I wanted to stay in Old Town, I would look into the quiet and beautiful area around Naprstkova and Karoliny Svetle streets. Here, you can find such hotels as MOODs Charles Bridge, The Mozart Prague, or Charles Bridge Palace.

New Town

The New Town of Prague dates back to the 14th century, though most of the buildings we see today are from the 19th century. It's quite a busy area with many shops, offices, and restaurants. New Town is bigger than all other historical districts combined. So, it's essential to check the map to see how conveniently a specific hotel is located. If you book a hotel near Wenceslas Square, Senovazne Square, or Republic Square, you will have all the main attractions of the right bank within walking distance and a good connection by metro or tram to other parts of the city. Look at The Julius, Grandior, Grand Majestic, Amarilis, Majestic Plaza, or Grandium. The central train and bus stations are also located in New Town, so it might be useful if you are planning to travel to other cities.

Mala Strana

Mala Strana, also known as Lesser Town, is one of the most picturesque areas in Prague. It offers a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere than the busy Old Town.

And by staying here, you will be close to landmarks like Prague Castle, Certovka, Petrin Hill, Valdstejn Park, and the iconic Charles Bridge. Mala Strana's cobblestone streets are lined with charming Baroque buildings, and taking an evening walk here would undoubtedly be one of the most romantic experiences during your stay in Prague.

Many of the hotels in this area look like fairytale castles — Alchymist, Augustin, Aria, Pytloun Old Armoury, and Golden Well, to name a few.

If you're planning to travel around the Czech Republic, it's important to note that Mala Strana is located on the opposite river bank from the central train and bus stations. However, the Malostranska metro station and several tram lines provide a good connection to other parts of the city.

Hradcany

Hradcany is a historic district near Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. Out of all historical quarters, this one is my favorite. There are no modern buildings here and not many shops, just magnificent palaces, old houses, and picturesque streets. If you stay here, you can also look forward to breathtaking panoramic views of the cityscape below, as this area is located on a hill.

The accommodation choice is not as huge as in New Town or Old Town, but the prices are generally lower. And there are really interesting hotels here. Hotel U Raka is the only preserved log house in the historical center. Hotel Questenberg has a restaurant in the former baroque chapel. Lindner Hotel is located in a 16th-century building right next to Strahov Monastery.

Keep in mind that almost the entire area is a pedestrian zone. And you should be prepared for longer walks or rely on public transportation to reach Old Town or New Town destinations.

Vinohrady

Vinohrady is a charming residential district with many Art Nouveau buildings, beautiful parks, small shops, cozy cafes, and restaurants. It is located right next to New Town. The choice of accommodation options is excellent. From luxury hotels to affordable rental apartments — everyone can find something here. Take a look at Le Palais Art Hotel Prague, EA Hotel Tosca, Beránek, Clarion. The main transportation hubs in Vinohrady are Namesti Míru and I.P. Pavlova squares, with metro and tram connections to other parts of the city.

Karlin

Karlin has undergone a significant revitalization in recent years. From the shabby neighborhood, it was transformed into a trendy and dynamic district filled with modern office buildings, hip cafes, popular restaurants, and eclectic boutiques. Today, it offers visitors a taste of Prague's contemporary urban culture. Hotels Royal Prague, Pentahotel Prague, Charles Central, and The Hotel Fitzgerald are all good choices. In addition, there are a lot of guesthouses and rental apartments in this area.

Zizkov

Zizkov located just east of Prague's New Town. It's more authentic and overall cheaper than touristy downtown. There are a lot of hostels, hotels, guesthouses, bars, restaurants, and underground clubs.

Be prepared that you will probably see drunken people or smell weeds quite often. But don't worry; the neighborhood is safe. You have more chances to become a victim of pickpocketing in Old Town Square than to encounter a crime in Zizkov streets. The area also offers an excellent connection to the city center and the main bus and train stations.

Staying in Sir Toby's Midtown, Three Crowns, White Lion, Theatrino, Carlton, or one of the rental apartments will allow you to experience Prague as a local.

The most popular attractions of this district are Zizkov TV Tower - the highest building in Prague; Vitkov Hill, offering a unique view of the city; and Rigrovy Sady Park - the ultimate spot to see sunset in Prague.

Andel

Andel is a vibrant urban area situated on the left bank of the Vltava River, right next to the Mala Strana district. It offers a unique combination of residential, commercial, and entertainment spaces. Modern office buildings stand alongside houses from the early 20th century. This neighborhood is home to many international restaurants and trendy cafes. Hotels in the area generally have a modern style. These include Angelo, Andel's Prague, and NH Collection Prague, all of which are conveniently located near Andel Metro Station and Andel's shopping mall. A nearby tram stop provides excellent access to Mala Strana. However, it's important to note that this area is on the opposite bank of the river from the main train and bus stations.

Which Areas to Avoid When You Staying in Prague?

Prague is generally a safe city, but petty theft is common, especially in tourist areas. Be careful of pickpocketing while visiting popular spots like Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, or Old Town Square. It's recommended to keep your valuables and passport close to you.

If you're seeking a quiet place to stay, it's best to avoid streets such as Sokolska, Legerova, Zitna, Hartigova, and Wilsonova. These streets are the main transport routes, and traffic can be pretty noisy day and night.

If you plan to stay in the Old Town, be aware that the Dlouha and Kozi streets are filled with bars and music clubs. The area may become noisy in the evenings.

Wenceslas Square is not the most pleasant place to be at night as it attracts many drunken tourists, homeless people, prostitutes, and guys selling drugs. Usually, this diverse crowd is not aggressive, though.

Ve Smeckach Street near Wenceslas Square is basically Prague's red light quarter, so it is probably not an ideal area if you are looking for a more reputable location to stay.

Final Thoughts

Prague's city center is quite compact. For instance, the walk from Prague Castle to Wenceslas Square only takes about half an hour. Furthermore, Prague's public transport is both affordable and reliable. You can easily use trams or the metro to get around. So, there is no need to book accommodation only in Old Town at all costs. Even if you find something suitable in Mala Strana, you will be able to reach most sights by foot. Alternatively, if hotels in Zizkov suit your budget better, you can still easily reach the main attractions using public transport.

To find the best accommodation deals, you can use the Hotellook website to search and compare offers from different booking platforms.

If you planning to travel by car, there is an important thing to remember. Finding a parking spot in the city center and nearby districts can be quite challenging. Many of the spaces on the street are reserved for local residents only. It is advisable to look for a hotel or guesthouse that provides private parking.