Where to Stay in Prague: The Best Neighbourhoods for First-Time Visitors

Prague is a small city by European standards. You can walk from one end of the historic centre to the other in under 30 minutes. But where you stay makes an enormous difference to how your visit feels. The right neighbourhood puts you inside the city. The wrong one means spending time and energy on logistics rather than Prague itself.

Here is an honest, local guide to the best areas to stay in Prague — what each neighbourhood is actually like, who it suits, what is within walking distance, and what most travel sites do not tell you.

Old Town (Staré Město) — the most convenient place to stay in Prague

Old Town is the obvious choice for first-time visitors — and it is obvious for good reason. Staying here means waking up within walking distance of the Astronomical Clock, Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, the Jewish Quarter and most of Prague's major sights. You can step out of your hotel and be somewhere remarkable in five minutes.

The trade-off is price and noise. Old Town is the most expensive part of Prague, and some streets — particularly around the main tourist drag near Old Town Square — can be loud late into the night. The key is location within Old Town: a hotel on a quiet side street, away from the bars and souvenir shops, gives you all the advantages with far fewer of the drawbacks.

One thing most guides do not say: the northern part of Old Town, around the Jewish Quarter, is noticeably quieter and equally central. Worth looking at specifically when you book.

Best for: First-time visitors, short stays of 2–3 nights, anyone who wants maximum convenience and minimum logistics.

Within walking distance: Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock, the Jewish Quarter, the Powder Tower.

Malá Strana (Lesser Town) — the most atmospheric place to stay in Prague

Malá Strana is the neighbourhood that makes people fall in love with Prague. Cobblestone lanes, Baroque palaces, hidden courtyards, Prague Venice — the canal tucked behind the city — and Prague Castle rising above it all. It is quieter than Old Town, more residential and in many ways more beautiful.

If you stay in Malá Strana, everything on the left bank of the Vltava is on your doorstep. Charles Bridge is a five-minute walk. Prague Castle is uphill — a climb of around 15 to 20 minutes on foot. Getting back to your hotel after an evening on the Old Town side of the river means crossing the bridge and walking back through Malá Strana, which is one of the most pleasant evening walks in any European city.

Best for: Couples, those visiting primarily for atmosphere, return visitors who already know the city.

Within walking distance: Prague Castle (uphill), Charles Bridge, Prague Venice, the narrowest street in Prague.

New Town (Nové Město) — the best value in the centre

Despite its name, the New Town was founded by Emperor Charles IV in 1348 — medieval by any reasonable standard. It surrounds the Old Town and offers good value, excellent transport connections and a more lived-in atmosphere than the tourist core.

Wenceslas Square is here — the long boulevard that has witnessed some of the most dramatic moments in Czech history, including the Velvet Revolution of 1989. The Dancing House, one of Prague's most photographed modern landmarks, is in the New Town. The main train station is here. All three metro lines converge at or near Wenceslas Square. Hotels here tend to be noticeably cheaper than in Old Town for equivalent quality — and Old Town Square is a 10-minute walk.

Best for: Travellers on a budget, those who want central but less touristy, business visitors, anyone arriving by train.

Within walking distance: Old Town (10 minutes), Wenceslas Square, the Dancing House, National Theatre, National Museum.

Vinohrady — what locals actually recommend

Ask a Prague local where they would stay, and many will say Vinohrady. This elegant residential neighbourhood, built largely in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, has wide tree-lined streets, beautiful Art Nouveau and Neo-Renaissance architecture, excellent restaurants and wine bars, and a genuinely local atmosphere that the tourist centre lacks.

It is slightly further from the major sights — but Prague's excellent metro (lines A and C) puts you on Old Town Square in under 10 minutes. The neighbourhood itself is beautiful enough that the small commute is worth it. For anyone spending more than three nights in Prague, Vinohrady is worth serious consideration.

Best for: Travellers who have been to Prague before, food lovers, those who want a genuine local experience, longer stays.

Within walking distance: Riegrovy sady park, Náměstí Míru square, excellent local restaurants.

Hradčany — next to Prague Castle, but think carefully

Hradčany is the castle district — the small neighbourhood that clusters around Prague Castle on the hill above Malá Strana. Staying here means unrivalled proximity to the castle and views over the city that are simply extraordinary.

Two things to know before you book. First: Hradčany is quiet to the point of emptiness after dark. Most restaurants and shops close early. If you want to spend your evenings in restaurants and bars in Old Town or Malá Strana — which is where most people end up — you will need to climb the hill back to your hotel on foot, or take a taxi up a steep and narrow road. This is worth factoring in seriously before booking. Second: Hradčany has fewer hotel options than other neighbourhoods and what is available tends to be expensive.

Best for: Those making Prague Castle the absolute centrepiece of their visit, photographers who want early morning access before the crowds.

Within walking distance: Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, Malá Strana (downhill).

A note on parking

If you are arriving in Prague by car, parking in the city centre is genuinely difficult — and expensive. Old Town, Malá Strana and much of the New Town have severe restrictions on street parking, and private garages fill up quickly in high season. Before booking any hotel in the central neighbourhoods, always confirm directly with the hotel whether they have parking, how much it costs and whether it needs to be reserved in advance. This single detail can significantly affect your choice of neighbourhood and hotel.

How your neighbourhood affects your tours

One practical consideration worth knowing: our Charles Bridge & Old Town Walking Tour begins at the Powder Tower — a five-minute walk from most Old Town hotels. Our Prague Castle & Lesser Town Walking Tour begins at Prague Castle — easy from Malá Strana or Hradčany, a short tram ride from elsewhere. Our Best of Prague Car and Walking Tour includes hotel pickup from anywhere in Prague — so your neighbourhood makes no difference at all for that one.

The short answer

• First time in Prague, maximum convenience: Old Town
• Most beautiful streets and atmosphere: Malá Strana
• Best value in the centre: New Town
• Best local experience: Vinohrady
• Best for Prague Castle: Hradčany — but factor in the evening hill climb

Frequently asked questions

Is Old Town Prague worth staying in? Yes — for first-time visitors especially. The convenience of being within walking distance of all major sights is hard to overstate. Choose a hotel on a quiet side street, away from the bars near Old Town Square, for a much better experience.

Which Prague neighbourhood is best for families? Old Town or New Town are most practical for families — central, flat and well-connected. Malá Strana is beautiful but hilly in places. Our Prague with Kids guide has more specific recommendations.

Is Vinohrady far from the sights? No. Vinohrady is on the metro — Old Town Square is under 10 minutes away. The neighbourhood itself is beautiful enough that the short commute is more than worth it.

How many nights do you need in Prague? Three nights is the minimum to see the city properly — two full days and one day trip. Four or five nights allows you to explore more deeply. See our One Day in Prague itinerary for how to make the most of limited time.

Do I need to think about parking when choosing where to stay? Yes — if you are arriving by car, always confirm with the hotel whether they have parking and whether it needs to be booked in advance. Central Prague has very limited street parking and garage spaces fill up fast in high season.