WHERE TO STAY IN PRAGUE

If you are interested in where to stay in Prague, you may also be interested in where to stay in Budapest, where to stay in Vienna, where to stay in Moscow and where to stay in Dubrovnik.

City Centre, the best area to stay in Prague

In order to really enjoy all that Prague has to offer in terms of great attractions, sights and places of interest, the city centre is a great place to stay. You will find a wide variety of hotels located here, so finding a suitable place to stay won’t be a problem. You will also be able to select from a wide range of eating establishments serving up a variety of different types of cuisine, with something to suit most palates.

The city centre of Prague also provides access to public transport, including the metro, buses and taxis. This means that you can get around with ease, although you will find that exploring this area by foot is the best choice, as it enables you to see the many sights that this destination has to offer. There are also plenty of places to enjoy a drink or soak up the nightlife in the city centre, which includes places such as the Lucerna Music Bar and the Nebe Cocktail and Music Bar.

Prague city centre corresponds with Prague 1 district which includes most of the medieval heart of the city. All of Staré Město (the Old Town) and Josefov (the Jewish Quarter) are in the district, as are most of Malá Strana (the Lesser Town), Hradčany and Nové Město (the New Town).

When you stay in Prague City Centre, you will be able to look forward to a full and exciting itinerary, as there is plenty for you to do here. Some of the key attractions that you will be able to look forward to when you stay in this part of the city include the historical and architecturally fascinating buildings at Wenceslas Square, the Lucerna Arcade with its hanging horse monument inside, the Wenceslas Monument, and the National Museum. This area of the city is packed with history, culture, architecture and entertainment, so you will have everything you need right on your doorstep when you stay here.

For a touch of romance, you can enjoy a visit to the famous Charles Bridge, which dates back to the 14th century and provides stunning views of the city, which has turned it into one of the most popular attractions in Prague. Another attraction you should definitely not miss out on is the fabulous Prague Castle, which dates back to the 9th century and boasts a rich and fascinating history. You can even take a tour of the castle complex and explore many of the buildings within it, including St. Vitus Cathedral and St. George’s Basilica.

Other areas to stay in Prague

Prague is by and large a compact city, which means that there are other areas apart from the city centre where you can stay while still enjoying easy access to sights, attractions and amenities. Prague 2, 5, 3 and 6 areas, are also popular options amongst those visiting this destination.

Prague 2 district

The smallest administrative district in the country, Prague 2 is home to costly residential homes as well as a number of attractions and amenities. You will find a number of hotels in this area, which lies next to the main city centre of Prague. This district was only officially created in 1960 but it boasts a range of historic places of interest to explore, as it is thought to be an area that is historically linked to the establishment of the Czech rulers making it a fascinating place to visit and stay.

This area is home to the Czech national cemetery as well as some medieval fortress ruins. Prague 2 also covers the historical centre known as Vinohrady, which is a costly and attractive area where you will find some of the finest cuisine. One of the most famous parks in Prague, Rieger Gardens, can be found here as can the Vinohrady Theatre and the National House of Vinohrady.

Another part of Prague 2 is Nove Mesto or New Town. This is more of a business based area with good transport links. However, there are also a number of key sights and attractions in this part of the district, which includes the Botanical Gardens, the Baroque Villa America, the Gothic town hall and Charles Square, which is one of the biggest squares in Europe and the biggest in Prague.

Prague 5 district

Situated to the west of the city, Prague 5 is actually one of the largest districts in Prague. There are a number of different areas that make up this district, which has very good public transport links to enable you to get around easily. Andel is considered the centre of this district and has a lot of commercial premises as well as an impressive shopping centre. The former film producing borough of Barrandov is also situated in this district and is home to landmarks such as the Barrandov Film Studios and the Barrandov Terraces.

Smichov is another part of this district and has a strong industrial history. Today it is still a commercial centre, with cosmopolitan offices, entertainment venues and shopping facilities amongst other things. If you are into horseracing one part of the district you should definitely pay a visit to is Chuchie, as this is where the Velka Chuchie racecourse is, which hosts a variety of racing events. You can also look forward to visiting a range of dining and entertainment establishments throughout the various parts of this district.

Prague 3 district

Another part of Prague which is very close to the centre is Prague 3. The biggest part of Prague 3 is called Žižkov. Here you can find many restaurants, hotels, but also historical monuments. The most popular is the Žižkov TV tower where is a great restaurant. It is a modern building where you can enjoy food and a great view. Another monument from Žižkov is Vítkov where you can see the statue of legendary Jan Žižka after whom that area is named. On Vítkov is also Tomb of the unknown soldier. This place is great how to connect fresh air with history and a beautiful view.

To spend your time strolling through a cemetery may sound like a somewhat morbid pastime, but trust me that no trip to Žižkov would be done without exploring Olšanské hřbitovy which are the city’s largest cemetery. You will find there, for example, grand family crypts and art nouveau masterpieces alongside neglected headstones and also crumbling tombs. This is a place where you will feel very peaceful atmosphere. The end of the day you can spend in Palác Akropolis where is nowadays a night club, concert venue, theatre, exhibition space, café and restaurant.

You can see here Czech and international artists. You should not also miss Jiřího z Poděbrad Square where you can have a rest in a beautiful park with a dominant Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord. Around the park are many restaurants and cafes or wine bars. Prague 3 is very well accessible by tram or metro (Green line) station Jiřího z Poděbrad. Very nice accommodation is in the hotel Olšanka where is also a sport centre and it is in front of the tram station. To the centre (Václavské náměstí ) it is about 15 minutes. Close this hotel - only one station by tram is a big shopping center called Flóra where is also metro station (green line).

Prague 6 district

Prague 6 is very beautiful part full of nature and still very close to the centre. The most popular part is called Dejvice. Dejvice is very well known thanks to embassies which are situated here. It is also part popular for students because there is situated a big area of ČVUT university. Dejvice is full of traditional Czech restaurants as a Pivnice Bruska or Lokál Nad Stromovkou. The most known hotels are Diplomat and International Prague. Very beautiful is nature reservation Divoká Šárka where you can enjoy a beautiful view. From Dejvice is very easy how to go to the airport.

From Dejvice you can go only 2 stations to Nádraží Veleslavín from where you can take the bus directly to the airport. How I said in Dejvice is metro (Green line) but also tram and bus stations. From here is very easy to go to the centre. By metro, you will be on the Old Town Square in 10 minutes. Another beautiful place in Prague 6 is Letohrádek Hvězda which is situated in the part called Petřiny. On your tour around Prague 6, you should not stop at Břevnovský klášter.

It is a beautiful monastery where is also a brewery and restaurant and around peaceful nature. Also during the whole year are here many interesting events. Generally, Prague 6 is a very peaceful place full of nature. Everywhere are many restaurants and options for accommodation. Prague 6 is very calm but still very close to the centre, Prague castle and other monuments. It does not miss also great transport infrastructure, you can go everywhere by tram, metro or bus. Only one disadvantage is with car parking. This problem is not only here but in most parts of Prague. Almost everywhere are "blue zones” which are residential parking places. So be careful about parking your car.