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Where to Stay in Prague (First Time)?

by Stefan DP
Published: Updated:
Prague city centre square

Visiting Prague feels like you are touring a fairy-tale kingdom. It is the capital city of the Czech Republic and one of the few cities in Europe that survived the WWII unharmed. Prague charms better than any European city due to its aroque buildings, Art Deco, Astronomical Clock, Gothic churches, and the 80th Century rooftops. Accommodation, from budget friendly to mid range and more luxurious properties is located in every district and neighbourhood.

The city enjoys a scenic beauty of the Vitava River that runs through it. Whether you are a local resident or a vivacious tourist eager to tour the history in this modern world, Prague has all that you need to see during your stay.

Prague’s Top Neighbourhoods include the Old Town area. It is the most popular city with overwhelming number of tourists every year. Also, it has the highest number of attractions compared to other neighbourhoods. The mode of transport is efficient with buses, tram, and subway easily available. The city has expensive but excellent accommodations due to high number of visitors.

[av_dropcap1]T[/av_dropcap1]he Nove Mesto (The New Town) neighbourhood part of town is not newly built as you may be mislead but it’s an English translation of the name Nove Mesto. However, it is the youngest town in Prague’s history. It has magnificent Gothic churches, the famous Wenceslas Square, and baroque buildings.

Hradcany (Castle District) is the home to world’s most sophisticated castle. The complexity of the Prague Castle extends as the city’s skyline. You will be delighted to see the castle where ancient Czech rulers used to seat and perform pagan sacrifices. Lastly, it is quieter and hospitable for travellers with subdue lifestyle.

Mala Strana, locally known as Lesser Town, puts a stop to visitors hankering for picturesque places in Czech. It is located below the Prague Castle and filled with traditional pubs, historical burgher houses and charming streets. The city rejuvenates your thoughts after a long strenuous day through therapeutic sightseeing.

The Vinohrady district looks young and full of nature. It has the second largest park in Czech, the Havlickovy sady. It is a gay friendly town and home to millennial. Public transport is great and visitors on a tight budget are welcome, but with caution!

If you travel by train staying close to Prague main railway Station and Praha Holesovice can be very convenient. Cheap deals for top hotels in Prague can be booked all over the city.

What’s the best area to experience the city as a local or when visiting the first time, what’s the best district for families and couples or for nightlife, or where to stay on a budget? Read on below to find out more best neighbourhoods to stay in Prague Czech Republic.

Where is the Best Place to Stay in Prague Czech Republic?

Prague Old Town Clock Tower and Cathedral

Best for First Time (Sightseeing): Old Town (Stare Mesto)Lesser Town (Malá Strana)

The Old Town takes you through the steps of making history. It is the best for sightseeing trips. The Old Square, Bethlehem Square, and the Astronomical clock found in the city hall are a must-see for any new tourist. There are great restaurants, antique stores, and boutiques that keep your eyes rolling from corner to corner. A nearby area called Joselov is home to six synagogues and explains how old Jewish ghettos looked like. Mala Strana is the best alternative place for sightseeing. It is partially home to the Prague Castle, Charles Bridge-the 14th century bridge, the man-made Kampa Island, John Lennon Wall, and St. Nicholas Church which was built by 3 generations of the same family.

Where to Stay in Prague City Centre

Book Best Accommodation in Prague

What’s the Best Area in Prague to Stay?

Where to stay in Prague for best nightlife? Old Town (Stare Mesto)New Town (Wenceslas Square area)Žižkov District

The Old Town defines a bubbly nightlife better than any other place in Czech. It is very crowded and expensive since everything is on high demand. The restaurants, pubs, hang-out joints, and accommodation hotels are easily available. There is Estates Theatre offering ballet dancing for visitors with flexible joints during their stay. Visitors with a great taste for classical music and never-to-forget night scenes can hang loose at the Rudolfinium Concert Hall. Wenceslas Square has a lively vibe that reflects the local nightlife. Alternatively, feel the Czech culture as it extends to the nightlife in Zizkov, the busiest nightlife district.

What’s the best neighbourhood to stay in Prague for families? Lesser Town (Malá Strana)Castle District (Hradcany)

Travelling as a family can be cumbersome since you have to safeguard the interests of all members ensuring their security and comfort during their stay. Mala Strana is a perfect place to spend your days. The nightlife is silent away from all the parties on the streets. There are serene hotels and hostels to stay for family members looking for quiet place to meditate their night. Party addict families can find accommodations near clubs, pubs, and theatres to relax. The Castle District is favourable for families travelling on a tight budget. The number of visitors reduces as the night approaches and everything gets cheaper by night.

Best neighbourhood in Prague for local vibe? KarlinVinohrady

Karlin and Vinohrady are one of the best places that will teach any visitor the culture of Czech just by observing. Vinohrady and its neighbourhood is well known for its wine culture, hospitality to different sexual orientations, and modernity. The number of coffee houses is bigger than any other district in Czech. Due to influx of professionals, international cuisines, diners, and wine are easy to locate. Cultural attractions include Vinohrady Theatre, parks, and Namesti Miru, the Peace Square.

Best places to stay in Prague for romantic trip (couples & honeymoon)? Lesser Town (Malá Strana)

From walking out of Theatres to paved lanes of Mala Strana District as you listen to sonatas spilling through the palace windows; it is hard to beat the romantic coupling on the baroque gardens. Begin with a perky breakfast in one of the medieval Hotels before proceeding to pay tribute to Estate Theatre where Mozart played Giovanni.
Start your romance as you kiss by the streets of Mala Strana or Lesser Town and make a promise as you approach the rows of cherry trees. Hold hands in the afternoon on the Wenceslas Square as you stand right where Velvet Revolution took place. For a perfect dinner, order a house-special gingerita, a cocktail, and a blue smoke burgher in one of the wine havens in the town.

Where to stay in Prague on a budget? SmichovKarlinŽižkov

Travelling on a tight budget requires you to have done a conclusive research on the city you will be spending the day and resting in the evening. Factor in the transport and accommodation costs. Living in a smaller neighbourhood like Zizkov, Karlin, and Smichov can be a great way to evade expensive lifestyle in Mala Strana, Stare Mesto and New Town. The towns are closer to the city and public transport is easily available. The restaurants are cheaper and affordable traditional cuisines are in every corner.

The 5 Best Neighbourhoods in Prague (Praha) for Tourists (First Time)

1. Old Town (Stare Mesto)

Old Town Prague Vltava river and bridge
Tour the great city that was meant for walking as you visit the most historic places in Europe. Begin by visiting the Powder Tower that was used as gun powder store in ancient times. Proceed to see the Tyn Church that extends to almost half of the Old Town Square and witness the Gothic culture.

Lastly, visit the surviving Old New Synagogue before connecting to Lesser Town via the historic Charles Bridge.

2. New Town

Prague New Town area houses
The city not only survived the ruins of World War II, but also protected the expensive history of Czech Republic. Enjoy a captivating eye sighting as you walk through the Vysehrad Park.

Witness the work of American architect, the Dancing House, by Frank Gehry. Finish your tour of the city by stopping at the Wenceslas Square.

3. Lesser Town (Malá Strana)

View from Old Town Prague to Charles Bridge and Mala Strana district
Calling it Lesser Town is a bit satirical since it is very clustered, lovely, and picturesque. It is the home to Czech’s biggest church, St. Nicholas, which was founded in 1703.

Other medieval buildings that will catch your eye are Smiricky Palace and Old Town Hall. Both buildings define the history of the nation from the 10th Century. The Petrin Hill gives a clear sky view of the city on a good day. The trees on this hill are covered in bloom during spring.

4. Vinohrady

Vinohrady area in Prague Czech Republic
It is a green city that means vineyard. The town is filled with Art Deco houses for sightseeing. In case you need a professional help while on vacation, this is the town to go for. Make sure to visit its historic attractions such as Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord which was inspired by the Noah’s Ark.

Pose for a photo standing next to the famous Husuc Sbor, the church with skylight rooftop. Lastly, catch the metro train next to the Peace Square before calling it a day in Vinohrady.

5. Prague Castle (Hradcany)

Prague Castle in evening sunlight
Apart from spending your stay in the shadow of a castle, tourists can enjoy the city from its many appeals. You can visit the Royal Garden which produced the first tulips in Europe as you get to know St. Vitus Cathedral which is the most important and treasured cathedral in all of Czech.

Walk majestically on the Golden Lane of Prague Castle as you head out to see St. George’s Basilica, the church with colourful baroque facade.

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