Where to Stay in Prague for First Timers in 2024

Figuring out where to stay in Prague for first timers can be a bit of a conundrum.

There are the areas of Prague that are right in the heart of all the main attractions, like the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter. Alternatively, you might prefer the best neighborhoods in Prague to experience local life, like Vinohrady or Holesovice.

Some of the best places to stay in Prague might appear a little bit off the beaten track, but thanks to the compact city layout and some excellent public transportation, you are never more than half an hour away from anything.

I’ve stayed in Prague for two glorious weeks in the Old Town district and have visited and spent time in every area on this guide to Prague neighbourhoods.

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Drawing on that experience, I’m going to take you through where to stay in Prague for first timers, breaking down the best places in Prague so you have all the info you need right at your fingertips.

Ultimately, the best area to stay in Prague will come down to your personal tastes, but I can at least help you make an informed decision about the different options available, from historic Josefov to trendy Zizkov.

For each of the different locations listed, I have included an overview of the principal features and highlights, several cool things to do while you’re there, the pros and cons of staying in the area, my favourite Prague boutique hotels, as well as a couple of restaurant recommendations where you can try some local eats.

Where I Stayed in Prague (and Loved!)

Understanding Prague’s Neighbourhood Numbering System

Prague is divided into 10 main municipal neighborhoods. As a general rule of thumb, the lower the number, the closer to the city center and main attractions with convenient transport links. For instance, the fabled Old Town is smack in the middle of District 1, while District 9 is further afield.

Best Places to Stay in Prague Map

Where to Stay in Prague for First Timers

1. Prague Old Town: Best Area to Stay in Prague for First Timers

DISTRICT | 1 – Historic Centre
BEST FOR | For First Time Visitors, Sightseeing
DISTANCE FROM OLD TOWN SQUARE | 0-5 minute walk

The Old Town is the jewel of the city, filled with dramatic gothic churches and grand baroque houses. In fact, if you book accommodation in Prague’s Old Town, you will more likely than not find yourself situated in one of the many lovely, centuries-old buildings that fill the Czech capital. 

This is the best area to stay in Prague for tourists who like everything on their doorstep, including Prague’s most famous attraction, the medieval Charles Bridge, lined with statues of saints. 

At its heart is the Old Town Square, which is dominated by the bronze Jan Hus Memorial and overlooked by a pair of churches, Our Lady before Tyn and St Nicholas. Every hour, people gather beneath the Town Hall to watch the Astronomical Clock chime. 

Apart from the major sights, you’ll also have loads of choices when it comes to restaurants and bars. Really, the biggest challenge you’ll face will be separating the wheat from the chaff – the same holds true when it comes to the Old Town Prague hotels. 

The Old Town not only has its own marvellous attractions, but it also abuts the Jewish Quarter as well as Hradcany, where you’ll find Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral.

Cool Things to Do in Prague Old Town

• Pass through the gothic Powder Tower
• Beer, roast pork and langos from the food stall on the Old Town Square
• See the Astronomical Tower chime
• Stare up at the twin towers of the Church of Our Lady before Tyn
• Climb the Town Hall for panoramic views of the city
• Take a leisurely stroll across the Charles Bridge

Best Tours of Prague Old Town

• Old Town Hall + Astronomical Clock Entry
• Old Town & Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
• Ghosts & Legends Walking Tour

Best Restaurants + Cafes in Prague Old Town

• Traditional Czech Cuisine: Restaurace Mincovna
• Vegetarian: Maitrea Restaurace
• Brunch: Bistro Monk
• Coffee: Kafe Damu

Prague Old Town at a Glance

Best Hotels in Prague Old Town

2. Josefov (Jewish Quarter)

DISTRICT | 1
BEST FOR | For First Time Visitors
DISTANCE FROM OLD TOWN SQUARE | 5-10 minutes walk

Josefov is the smallest of the Prague places to stay I’ll cover in this guide. This compact area used to be the site of the city’s Jewish Ghetto, where Jews were forced to live from the 13th century onwards. The collection of ramshackle residences crowding in upon one another was largely torn down at the turn of the 20th century to make way for more modern structures. 

Fortunately, a handful of synagogues from various eras survived, providing a striking contrast to much of the rest of Prague’s architecture and adding another layer to this delicious cake of a city. The oldest of these is the Old New Synagogue, from which much of the Jewish Quarter radiates out. 

Nearby, the Jewish Cemetery is a poignant reminder of the cramped conditions that once existed, with tombstones piled upon tombstones. 

Accommodation options in Josefov proper are pretty sparse, as are convenience stores and eateries. 

Having said that, since this little sliver of land is only a few steps away from the Old Town, you could easily stay in this part of the city and just venture south for provisions, as it were. Plus, it’s also the best place (unsurprisingly) to find a little kosher cuisine.

Cool Things to Do in Jewish Quarter (Josefov)

• Discover the turbulent Jewish history of Prague at the Maisel Synagogue
• Marvel at the stunning interiors of the Spanish Synagogue
• Check out the Old-New Synagogue
• Walk through the distinctive Jewish graveyard
• Visit the neo-romantic Ceremonial Hall
• Shop on ritzy Rue de Paris
• Tour the Rudolfinum Concert Hall

Best Tours of Prague’s Jewish Quarter:

• Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
• Prague Castle & Jewish Quarter with River Cruise

Best Restaurants + Cafes in Jewish Quarter (Josefov)

• Traditional Czech Cuisine: Pata Ctvrt Restaurant & Cafe
• Middle Eastern: Kafka Hummus Café
• Belgian: Les Moules
• Gourmet: La Veranda

Josefov at a Glance

Best Hotels in Josefov:

3. Mala Strana: Best Area to Stay in Prague for Families

DISTRICT | 1
BEST FOR | For Families
DISTANCE FROM OLD TOWN SQUARE | 15-minute walk

Literally meaning the ‘Little Side’ but often more romantically rendered as ‘Little Quarter’, Mala Strana is a really pretty part of Prague to stay in.

Once upon a time, its palaces housed the wealthy gentry, and that air of nobility continues to pervade the streets today. 

Despite still being a popular haunt with visitors from out of town, it offers a respite from the crowded and manic Old Town in high season. 

This side of the Vltava River might not be quite as happening as the east bank, but it is a good base from which to explore the Prague Castle complex that lies just to the north.

You can also easily venture east into the Old Town whenever you want, before retreating back across the drawbridge, or in this case, the Charles Bridge. 

If you’re looking for 5-star hotels in Prague, the Mandarin Oriental can be found here, along with an abundance of excellent restaurants and some lovely old-fashioned beer halls.

The extensive parkland of Petrin Hill is a great place to have a picnic in the summer. You can munch on some local ham, cheese and bread purchased from Albert, Czech’s homegrown supermarket chain while gazing down at the views of Prague.

Cool Things to Do in Mala Strana

• Dazzle your eyes with the gilded treasures of St. Nicholas Church
• Learn about the iconic author Franz Kafka at his namesake museum
• Snap a selfie with John at the Lennon Wall
• Climb Petrin Hill for panoramic views of the city

Best Restaurants + Cafes in Mala Strana

• Traditional Yugoslavian Cuisine: Luka Lu
• Beer & Pork Dishes: Pork’s
• Coffee & Baked Goods: Cukrkavalimonada
• Upscale Czech: Restaurace U Mecenase
• Czech Pub: Lokal U Bile Kuzelky
• Gourmet Bakery: IF Cafe III

Mala Strana at a Glance

Best Hotels in Prague’s Mala Strana

4. Hradcany: Where to Stay in Prague for Couples

DISTRICT | 1
BEST FOR | For Couples
DISTANCE FROM OLD TOWN SQUARE | 25-minute walk

Most of Hradcany is taken up by the Prague Castle complex, which got its first buildings in the 9th century.

Since those early days, the site has expanded to include St. Vitus Cathedral with its magnificent stained-glass windows, the Italian Renaissance-inspired Royal Garden, and the Golden Lane, a narrow row of houses where once upon a time goldsmiths plied their trade.

From up here, you’re gifted with some of the best views the city has to offer, as well as some of its most impressive and iconic buildings. This includes the Romanesque St George’s Basilica, Prague’s oldest surviving church, and the Old Royal Palace, which features the grandiose Gothic stone vaults of Vladislav Hall. 

Due to the lack of real estate space and the fact that, unlike in the Old Town or Mala Strana, there seem to be almost no actual locals in the area, there are limited options when it comes to food and drink venues. What is available is almost exclusively aimed at tourists – and is therefore overpriced and of mediocre quality. 

Of course, what you lose in authenticity, you make up for with arguably the best location to stay in Prague for proximity to the top attractions.

Cool Things to Do in Hradcany

• Promenade through the halls of the Old Royal Palace
• Marvel at the stained glass window of St Vitus Cathedral
• Enjoy views of Prague from the Great South Tower
• Take a seat in the pews of 10th-century St. George’s Basilica

Best Tours of Prague Castle District

• Prague Castle Skip-the-Line Ticket
• Prague Castle 2.5 Hour Guided Tour

Best Restaurants + Cafes in Hradcany

• Czech Beer Hall: Restaurace U Labutí
• Traditional Czech Cuisine: Kuchyn
• Vegan: Vegan’s Prague

Hradcany at a Glance

Best Hotels in Prague’s Hradcany

5. Vinohrady: Best Place to Stay in Prague for Long-term Visitors

DISTRICT | 2
BEST FOR | For Long Term Travellers
DISTANCE FROM OLD TOWN SQUARE | 25-minute walk

Vinohrady was once covered in grapevines, hence its name, the ‘Royal Vineyards‘.

While there’s no hint of agriculture around these parts today, the area still lives up to its moniker by being the best neighborhood to stay in Prague for regal residences – as well as boasting a fair few wine bars where you can sample the local vintages.

This part of the city is dotted with parks both large and small, including Riegrovy Sady, which is a popular hangout spot for casual gatherings. Throw back a beer or two while looking down at the cityscape below.

It’s also possibly the best part of Prague to stay in if you want to brush shoulders with well-heeled locals rather than the tourists that fill the Old Town or Mala Strana.

With numerous parks and an abundance of modern shopping outlets, it’s no wonder this is one of the most desirable (and most expensive) places to live in Prague.

Additionally, if you’re in Prague for longer than a few days and want to explore more of what Czechia has to offer, the main train station is located in the northeast of Vinorhady. From here, you can head to other major cities like Brno and Karlovy Vary.

Cool Things to Do in Vinohrady

• Enter the hallowed and highly decorated aisles of the Church of St. Ludmila
• Toast the area’s history with a glass of wine at Danu
• Wander the Italianate park of Havlicek Gardens
• Head over to Riegrovy Sady to watch the sunset over the city with a cold beer

Best Restaurants + Cafes in Vinohrady

• Bistro: Sweet & Pepper DAYS
• Coffee Shop: La Boheme Cafe
• Coffee & Brunch: SLOW Cafe
• Czech Beer Hall: Restaurace Sokolovna

Vinohrady at a Glance

Best Hotels in Prague’s Vinohrady

6. Letna + Holesovice: Coolest Area to Stay in Prague

DISTRICT | 7
BEST FOR | Coolest Neighbourhood in Prague
DISTANCE FROM OLD TOWN SQUARE | 25-minute walk

Ask a local where is the best place to stay in Prague and there’s a good chance they’ll say Holesovice.

For a long time now, it’s been called the coolest neighborhood in Prague, though in some ways it can feel very self-consciously modern. Just look at the Paralelni Polis cafe, where you can get a great cup of coffee as long as you can pay in bitcoin – and only bitcoin. 

Not so very long ago, Holesovice was an industrial wasteland. Now, it’s been converted into an area brimming with street art, hipster cafes, and bizarre/amazing buildings relics like the Vystaviste Exhibition Grounds, built for the 1891 Jubilee. 

It’s not all industrial chic. There are also a couple of large green spaces where people chill out in beer gardens during summer days. The first is Letna Park (my favourite park in Prague!), which offers beautiful views of the river as well as the bridges that cross it. There’s also a giant metronome (what else would you replace a monument of Stalin with?) 

The second is Stromovka Park, an expansive area of ponds, playgrounds and a planetarium. Originally conceived as a royal hunting ground, these days the deer seem to have been replaced by joggers, dog walkers and families on their weekend days out.

Cool Things to Do in Letna + Holesovice

• Grab a picnic blanket and head to Letna Park for superb views
• Check out the latest exhibit at DOX Centre for Contemporary Art
• Get your caffeine fix at the bitcoin-only cafe Paralelni Polis
• Do as Macklemore says and go thrift shopping
• Wander about the eclectic buildings of the Vystaviste Exhibition Grounds

Best Cafes in Letna + Holesovice

• Coffee & Brunch: Cafe Letka
• Coffee, Beer & Event Space: Vnitroblock
• Modern Cafe: Paralelni Polis
• Light Lunch: Bistro Kostelni 16

Letna + Holesovice at a Glance

Best Hotels in Letna + Holesovice

Other Best Places to Stay in Prague for First Timers (Further Afield)

7. New Town: Best Area to Stay in Prague for Luxury

BEST FOR | For Luxury Travelers
DISTANCE FROM OLD TOWN SQUARE | 20-minute walk

Despite its name, Nove Mesto (aka the New Town) is still more than 650 years old.

Occupying a huge area that encircles the Old Town, it’s where you’ll find the National Museum with its gorgeous main hall and fantastic cultural institutions like the National Theater and State Opera House.

Nove Mesto also houses the controversial but utterly unique Dancing House, masterminded by architects Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry. 

Plus, if you really want to tick every checkbox on the list, you can visit the Head of Franz Kafka rotating statue, a distinctly underwhelming kinetic sculpture that for some reason still manages to crack the top 20 list of things to see in Prague on TripAdvisor.

8. Karlin + Florenc: Where to Stay in Prague for Budget Travellers

DISTRICT | 8
BEST FOR | Budget Travelers, Trendy Cafes
DISTANCE FROM OLD TOWN SQUARE | 30-minute walk

Lying east of the Old Town, it wasn’t so long ago that Karlin was a bit of a tired, rundown neighborhood. Now, thanks to waves of investment, you’ll find a mix of smartly renovated 19th- and 20th-century buildings as well as brand-new designer office spaces. 

To complement this, there are lots of trendy restaurants and cafes down every street.

With more affordable accommodation options than the Old Town, this is more of an area to stay and hang out in than to see any particular sights, though I am rather fond of the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius, which stands out as completely different in design from most of the other churches you’ll find in the Czech capital.

9. Zizkov: Best Place to Stay in Prague for Nightlife

DISTRICT | 3
BEST FOR | Nightlife, Young Travellers
DISTANCE FROM OLD TOWN SQUARE | 30-minute walk

Zizkov is arguably the best area to stay in Prague for nightlife, as the streets thrum with bars filled with a young, happy-go-lucky crowd. 

While the rebellious out-there nature of this area has lost some of its cool caches in recent years, it remains a lot edgier than the more upmarket areas like Vinohrady and Nove Mesto. It’s also where you’ll find accommodation bargains.

There are a couple of things to check out here. 

First, Vítkov Hill provides some of my favourite views of Prague away from the tourist crowds and just so happens to have one of the largest equestrian statues in the world. 

Second, Zizkov Television Tower is one of those Communist-era constructions that some people describe as an eyesore and others think of as adding a different flavour to the architectural mix. I’ll let you make up your own mind.

10. Smichov: Best Area in Prague for Local Living

DISTRICT | 5
BEST FOR | Business Travellers, Nightlife
DISTANCE FROM OLD TOWN SQUARE | 35-minute walk

On the west bank of the Vltava River, this was once a busy industrial area filled with factories. Many of these have now either been turned into cool artistic spaces (check out the MeetFactory) or subsumed by modern shopping malls. 

One place that hasn’t changed, however, is the Staropramen Brewery, which has been located in Smichov since it was founded in 1869.

The main part of Smichov is a buzzing, bustling place, but if it all gets a bit much, you can always head up to Kinsky Garden, a lovely green space designed by members of the nobility to resemble an English garden. While there aren’t any tea and scones in sight, you can get a rather scrumptious slice of cake at the park cafe.

Best Prague Tours

I love taking guided tours if I’m visiting a city for the first time, and Prague is no exception. Learn all about Prague’s history and culture from a knowledgeable local guide and have everything planned for you. No fuss, no muss!

These are the most popular, high-rated tours of Prague:

• Old Town & Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
• Prague Castle Guided Tour
• Evening Vltava River Cruise with Dinner
• Prague Medieval Dinner with Unlimited Drinks

Prague City Pass

Don’t forget to grab your Prague City Pass

The benefits of purchasing a Prague City Pass (CoolPass):

• Access to 70+ of Prague’s best attractions, tours, cruises and museums
• Prague CoolPass on your mobile device
• Choose from 1-6 day passes for adults or children
• Get special savings offers

What’s included in the Prague City Pass:

• One-time Entry to 70+ top attractions in Prague
• 2-hour Historical Prague bus tour
• Romantic Vltava river cruise
• Digital Prague attractions guide
• Discounted price for 24-hour hop-on, hop-off bus tour

How to Get Around Prague

Walking

Where should I stay in Prague is a tricky question to answer. How should I get around Prague is not. Without a qualm, I recommend walking. 

You see so much more on foot than you ever could on public transport – that’s how I stumbled upon some fantastic art deco sculptures adorning a completely unassuming waterfront apartment block.

Plus, even if you stay in one of the relatively remote districts, you will still be only around 30 minutes’ walk from the Old Town.

Public Transportation

If you’re in a rush or are a bit footsore from all the exploring, however, the city has an excellent array of buses and trams, including one (Line 17) that runs all the way from Holesovice, through the Jewish Quarter and Old Town, and into Nove Mesto. 

There are also ride-share services like Bolt for more off-the-beaten-track locales.

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Like most cities in Europe, Prague can be easily explored by a hop-on hop-off bus. You can book your pass in 24 and 48-hour durations. Once you hop on board, you will be given a headset and audio guide.

A hop-on hop-off bus pass is a great way to see the city without all the walking.

Prague Airport to City Centre

For getting to and from the airport, there’s a convenient express service that connects to the city’s main railway station. Just make sure you double-check the timetables ahead of time. 

Better yet, book yourself this popular private Prague airport transfer.

Or, if you don’t mind sharing your ride, check out this highly-rated shared airport transfer.

Best Time to Visit Prague

As with so many places around the world, summer in Prague is best avoided unless you enjoy jostling with a seething mass of humanity. 

The best time to book your Prague stay is during the shoulder seasons of April-June and September-October, when the temperatures are mild and there are, overall, fewer people. Just bear in mind that spring here tends to be rainier than autumn.

May is the Best Month to Visit Prague

May is a particularly good time of year to visit Prague because there are several brilliant activities to do in Prague. 

First and foremost, of course, is the Czech Beer Festival, a celebration of the country’s most famous export. There are a ton of different microbrews to try, with plenty of meat and carbs to keep you grounded.

For culture fans, May is also when Prague has its Fringe Festival, filled with comedy, music, and dance.

Winter in Prague

Alternatively, if you don’t mind some fairly cold weather and misty days, you could come during the winter, when there are much fewer tourists and Christmas markets pop up around the Old Town.

How Many Days in Prague for First Timers

One of my favourite things about Prague is just how easy it is to navigate. That also means you can pack a lot of exploration into the space of a long weekend.

A simple 3-day Prague itinerary could look like this:

3 Day Prague Itinerary – Day 1:

Start the weekend in Prague – where else? – the Old Town, which is packed with pretty churches and historic monuments. With the abutting Jewish Quarter, it will be a full day of sightseeing.

Check out this Old Town & Jewish Quarter Walking Tour.

3 Day Prague Itinerary – Day 2:

On day two, cross the Charles Bridge to Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. There are lots of bars and cafes along the Vltava River where you can relax afterward, or you can clamber up Petrin Hill for views of the city.

This Prague Castle Complex tour has you covered.

3 Day Prague Itinerary – Day 3:

Finally, you can make a really easy full-day trip to Cesky Krumlov if you want to get out of town for a bit (I loved Cesky Krumlov!).

Or explore the exhibits of the National Museum, before climbing up to Vysehrad Fortress (I loved it up here!), which boasts a beautiful basilica, a statue-filled park and pretty views of the riverscape.

Where to Stay in Prague for First Timers Conclusion

Most visitors to the Czech capital immediately want to know where to stay in Prague Old Town – and it’s a fair question, considering how convenient it is as a base to see the city’s major attractions, as well as have copious dining and drinking options in stumbling distance from your hotel. 

However, as I hope I’ve shown you, there are some absolutely brilliant choices away from the obvious tourist hubs that will give you more of a taste of local life. All the areas of Prague have something unique and wonderful to offer.