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Where to Stay in Prague, Czechia: Top Hotels + Areas
So you’ve booked your flights to Czechia’s capital for the first time, and you’re wondering where to stay. Prague is separated into 10 municipal districts and 22 administrative districts, so deciding what districts and neighborhoods to stay in can be overwhelming. Luckily, you’ve stumbled across this guide all about where to stay in Prague! This will take you through the best neighborhoods, hotels, and hostels to stay in Prague according to your preferences. I’ve also included things to do in each neighborhood, nearby attractions, and the best restaurants, cafes, and bars!
As I previously mentioned, there are 22 districts in Prague with tons of neighborhoods, but there are a few that I would specifically recommend. Here is a quick rundown of the best neighborhoods to stay in Prague and why they’re great to stay in:
Staré Město – Aka Prague Old Town. It’s the best area to stay in for seeing popular sights and attractions, including the Astronomical Clock and Old Town Square. Best of all, everything in the city centre is within walking distance.
Malá Strana – Aka Lesser Town/Little Quarter. This neighborhood is great if you want to stay close to Prague Castle and take in stunning views from Petrin Tower and Petrin Hill.
Nové Město – Aka Prague New Town. If you want to explore the most unique museums you will ever visit, then Nové Město is the place you’d want to stay in!
Karlín – This is Prague’s quirky neighborhood where you can get a taste of the local experience. If you love trendy cafes and cool bars, you’ll love staying here!
Žižkov – This neighborhood is where you’d want to stay to get the best taste of Prague nightlife. So if you’re a party animal, Žižkov is the place to stay for you!
Where to Stay in Prague: The Best Hotels, Hostels and Neighborhoods
Now that we’ve gone through a quick recap of the Prague neighborhoods I’d recommend you stay in, here’s a further breakdown of where to stay in Prague for first-timers!
Where to Stay in Prague for Sightseeing: Staré Město
If you’re wondering what the top pick for where to stay in Prague is, then Staré Město, aka Old Town Prague, takes the cake! This neighborhood is part of the Prague 1 district and is the best place to stay for sightseeing.
Prague Old Town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, is not only one of the prettiest areas in Prague but also an area of huge significance. The Old Town Square is the oldest and most important square in Prague’s history, dating back to the 9th century. It serves as a marketplace of European trade routes and continues to be the location for Prague’s Christmas markets every year.
When roaming the streets of Old Town, you’ll find stunning Gothic and Baroque architecture reflecting its medieval vibe! Literally every building you walk past in Old Town Prague (and all of Prague, to be honest) looks stunning!
Old Town is definitely the most lively and popular area in the city, so it’s no wonder it’s the historic heart of Prague. And best of all, it’s close to many of Prague’s landmarks and major attractions! So if you love to explore the historic beauty of the city all within walking distance, then Old Town is the perfect place to stay in for you!
Ibis Praha Old Town is the perfect place to stay in Prague for first-timers as it’s right in the heart of Prague, within walking distance from Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square and the Jewish Quarter.
They have a great breakfast buffet, the staff are lovely and if you happen to arrive in Prague earlier than your check-in time, they can keep your luggage safe for you without any extra charge!
📍Týn 642/6, Staré Město 110 00, 1 Praha 1, Czechia ⭐ 9.7/10
Women’s Only Hostel Prague is located only 100m from Old Town Square. It’s a lovely, safe place to stay as a woman, whether you’re travelling solo or with friends! They provide free wifi, city maps, a common room, book exchange, a washing machine as well as a restaurant and cafe!
Where to Stay in Prague for Prague Castle: Malá Strana
Malá Strana, aka “Lesser Town,” is a neighborhood that sits beneath Prague Castle on the west bank of the Vltava River. Like Old Town, you’ll find beautiful streets and Baroque architecture as you roam through the beauty that is Malá Strana.
If you’re wondering where to stay in Prague to easily explore Prague Castle and see the stunning views of the city from Petrin Hill, then Malá Strana is the place for you! Additionally, it’s the perfect area to stay in if you’re looking for a quieter neighborhood not too far from Prague’s city centre!
Old Royal Post Hotel is located only 500m from Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, making it a perfect location to access both sides of the river. They offer breakfast, free wifi in all rooms and a terrace/seating area as well as a dining area in some. You can even chill in the garden which is a nice, calm way to end your day of exploring the city!
For a name like Charles Bridge Economic Hostel, best believe you’ll find amazing views of the Charles Bridge from here! This hostel is only 10 minutes away from Prague Castle and Old Town Square and offers female-only dorms, free wifi, coffee, linen and reading lights! Additionally, they have a basement club that’s open Thursday to Sunday as well as car, scooter and bike rentals and sightseeing tours!
Nové Město, aka New Town, is Prague’s youngest historic district founded in the 14th century. It’s well known for being the home of Wenceslas Square, an area filled with shops, restaurants, and bars.
But if there’s one thing about Prague New Town, it’s that it’s home to tons of museums. The most notable museum, sitting behind Wenceslas Square, is the National Museum. This is the largest museum in Czechia, housing almost 14 million collections from natural science, the arts, music, and librarianship. Nové Město also has the Museum of Senses, the Cold War Museum, the National Film Museum (NaFilM), the Museum of Fantastic Illusions, and more!
So if you’re wondering where to stay in Prague to see the most unique and fun museums and exhibitions, then New Town Prague is the place you’d want to be in!
📍 V Tůních 1625, 120 00 Nové Město, Czechia ⭐ 8.9/10
Hotel 1. Republic is a hotel housed in the reconstructed First Republic Building. Its 1920s/30s interior and style is so pretty and the fact that it’s only 400m away from Wenceslas Square and the National Museum makes it even better! All rooms feature a TV, coffee and tea maker and a bathrobe, making you feel super comfortable during your stay!
📍 Melounova 2, 120 00 Nové Město, Czechia ⭐ 9.2/10
Sophie’s Hostel is tucked in Nove Mesto, making it the perfect location for accessing the Old Town, Wenceslas Square and a range of restaurants, cafes and shops. They offer an on-site bar/cafe with and a breakfast buffet (from 7am-11am) and happy hour (from 6pm-8pm) !
Additionally, they offer free wifi and the staff provide insider tips for the best things to do and see in Prague!
Where to Stay in Prague for Quirky Vibes and Cafes: Karlín
Karlín is a neighborhood located east of Prague city centre, along the Vltava River. It’s well known for its quirky vibes, trendy cafes, cool bars, and dining scene. To me, it will always be remembered as the neighborhood where I tried the best grilled cheese sandwich I’ve ever had, pictured above (this was in Etapa cafe if you’re wondering).
Karlín is a much less touristy area, but the great atmosphere and easy access to the city centre via public transport (or even walking for 30ish minutes) make it a lovely place to stay in Prague for a contemporary experience.
Things to Do
Explore the outdoor cultural centre, Kasárna Karlín
See a gig at Forum Karlín
Roam the Kaizel Gardens
Nearby Attractions
Lyčkovo Square
St Cyril & Methodius Church
Best Restaurants, Bars and Cafes
Bagel Lounge Florenc
Etapa (Must try: Grilled cheese sandwich and hot cider with cinnamon)
Hotel Royal Prague is an elegant hotel located only 3 subway stops away from the city centre, making it very easy to access it! They offer free wifi as well as an on-site bar and breakfast buffet!
Best of all, the hotel has a spa/wellness centre and a fitness centre which are perfect if you plan on relaxing, winding down and staying active during your time in Prague!
The Hotel Fitzgerald is a newly renovated hotel offering modern rooms with high-quality, Swedish beds. It’s within walking distance from Old Town and the closest metro and bus station is only 400m away!
They have a bistro restaurant, Twisted Fig, serving Mediterranean and Czech cuisine. Plus, you can even enjoy a relaxing massage in their spa!
Where to Stay in Prague for the Night Life: Žižkov
Žižkov is the bohemian neighborhood of Prague, known for its street art, alternative vibe, and amazing nightlife. If you’re wondering where to stay in Prague to satisfy your party animal, then Žižkov is the place you’d want to be!
Although I’m not the biggest party animal, I stayed here the first time I visited Prague during my interrailing trip, and I LOVED it! There’s a huge range of cafes, bars and clubs that appeal to a young crowd, so obviously, I was hooked! To this day, I still think about the piña coladas I had in Bukowski’s Bar (mind you, this was way back in 2019)!
Žižkov is just as exciting during the day too! There’s the iconic Žižkov television tower that offers panoramic views of the city skyline, and there are a few historical attractions that are worth seeing!
📍Bořivojova 53, 130 00 Praha 3-Žižkov, Czechia ⭐ 8.4
Theatrino Hotel is a uniquely designed hotel only 4 tram stops (or a 20-minute walk) from the city centre! They offer a breakfast buffet in a magnificent former theater hall in Art Nouveau style! You can also enjoy the spa centre, including a sauna and steam bath (for an extra surcharge).
📍Husitská 888, 130 00 Praha 3-Žižkov, Czechia ⭐ 8.9/10
Where better to stay in Prague’s nightlife neighborhood than a party hostel? Hostel ELF is perfect for young travellers who love fun and adventurous nights including happy hour, beer tournaments, karaoke and free breakfast and BBQs/dinner!
I hope this guide helped in deciding where to stay in Prague for your travel needs/preferences! Ultimately, the general (and most popular) pick for where to stay in Prague is Old Town. I loved my stay at Ibis Praha Old Town as it’s very close to Prague’s landmarks as well as the other Prague neighborhoods mentioned. Plus, it’s within walking distance from Prague Main Railway Station, where the Airport Express bus stop is. But either way, each neighborhood has amazing transport links, making it easy to visit many places in the city!
More guides to help you plan your trip to Prague:
One Day in Prague: The Ultimate Itinerary (coming soon!)
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