Old Town and New Town
Staying in Staré Město, the Old Town, means stepping out of your door straight into history. Everything is walkable, and you can see the main sights early or late when day-trippers have gone. The trade-off is noise, higher prices and streets that can feel overrun in peak season.
Nové Město, the New Town, is not new at all; it was founded in the fourteenth century. Centred on Wenceslas Square, it is more commercial and better connected by metro and tram. It suits travellers who want to be central but are happy with a slightly less picturesque street outside.
Malá Strana
Across the river, the Lesser Town is the romantic choice. Baroque buildings, quiet evening streets and the castle above make it feel like a film set after dark. Hotels here are often in converted historic houses, with all the character and occasional quirks that implies, such as steep stairs and small rooms.
It is close to the castle and Charles Bridge, though the hill means some walks are more strenuous than in the flat Old Town.
Vinohrady and Žižkov
If you want to feel like a resident, look east. Vinohrady is a leafy district of grand apartment buildings, tree-lined avenues and neighbourhood cafés, with a relaxed, grown-up feel. Žižkov next door is scruffier and livelier, famous for having a remarkable density of pubs.
Both are a short tram or metro ride from the centre, and accommodation is often better value. You will also eat and drink at local prices on your doorstep.
Karlín and Holešovice
Karlín, just east of the centre, has been transformed in recent years into one of Prague's most fashionable districts, with renovated industrial buildings, brunch spots and riverside paths. Holešovice, north of the river bend, is the city's creative quarter, home to galleries, a big market hall complex and large parks.
These areas suit repeat visitors or anyone who prefers modern design and a younger crowd over cobblestones. Transport links into the centre are good, and evenings are noticeably calmer.
Getting around from your base
Wherever you stay, Prague's public transport makes it easy to reach the centre. The metro has three lines, and trams run frequently day and night, with a reduced night network after midnight. Tickets are time-based and cover all modes, so a short-term pass is simplest for most visitors. If your accommodation is within a few minutes' walk of a tram stop, even outer districts can feel surprisingly central, and you will appreciate a quieter street when you return in the evening.
Good to know
- Check whether your hotel is up a hill or a steep street if you have heavy luggage.
- AeroVista Flight + Hotel packages to Prague let you compare neighbourhoods in one search.
- Light sleepers should ask for a courtyard-facing room in the Old Town.