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Where To Stay In Prague For First-Timers: The Ultimate Guide
Where to Stay in Prague for First-Timers: The Ultimate Guide
So you’ve booked your flights to Czech Republic’s capital for the first time and you’re wondering where to stay. Prague is separated into 10 municipal districts and 22 administrative districts, so for a first-timer, deciding what districts and neighbourhoods to stay in can be overwhelming. Luckily, you’ve stumbled across this guide all about where to stay in Prague for first-timers! This will take you through the best neighbourhoods, hotels and hostels to stay in Prague according to your preferences. I’ve also included things to do in each neighbourhood, nearby attractions and the best restaurants, cafes and bars!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product through this link, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Don’t have time to read the full article? Here’s a run down of where to stay in Prague and the best hotel and hostel picks:
As I previously mentioned, there are 22 districts in Prague with tons of neighbourhoods. But, when staying in Prague for the first time, there are a select few neighbourhoods that I would recommend. Here is a quick rundown of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Prague and why they’re great for first-timers:
Staré Město – Aka Prague Old Town. It’s the best area to stay in for seeing popular sights and attractions including the Astronomical Clock and Old Town Square. Best of all, everything in the city centre is within walking distance.
Malá Strana – Aka Lesser Town/Little Quarter. This neighbourhood is great for first-time Prague visitors who want to stay close to Prague Castle and take in stunning views from Petrin Tower and Petrin Hill.
Nové Město – Aka Prague New Town. If you want to explore the most unique museums you will ever visit, then Nové Město is the place you’d want to stay in!
Karlín – This is Prague’s quirky neighbourhood where you can get a taste of the local experience. If you love trendy cafes and cool bars, then you’d love to stay here!
Žižkov – This neighbourhood is where you’d want to stay to get the best taste of Prague nightlife! So if you’re a party animal visiting Prague for the first time, Žižkov is where you’d want to stay.
Where to Stay in Prague for First-Timers
Now that we’ve gone through a quick recap of the Prague neighbourhoods I’d recommend you stay in, here’s a further breakdown of where to stay in Prague for first-timers!
Where to Stay in Prague for Sightseeing: Staré Město
If you’re wondering what the top pick for where to stay in Prague for first-timers is, then Staré Město, aka Old Town Prague, takes the cake! This neighbourhood is part of the Prague 1 district and is the best place to stay for sightseeing.
Prague Old Town, declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1992, is not only one of the prettiest areas in Prague but also an area of huge significance. The Old Town Square is the oldest and most important square in Prague’s history dating back to the 9th century. It serves as a marketplace of European trade routes and continues to be the location for Prague’s Christmas markets every year.
When roaming the streets of Old Town, you’ll find stunning gothic and baroque architecture reflecting its medieval vibe! Literally every building you walk past in Old Town Prague (and all of Prague to be honest) looks stunning!
Old Town is definitely the most lively and popular area in the city so it’s no wonder it’s the historic heart of Prague. And best of all, it’s close to many of Prague’s landmarks and major attractions! So if you love to explore the historic beauty of the city all within walking distance, then Old Town is the perfect place to stay in Prague for the first time.
Ibis Praha Old Town is the perfect place to stay in Prague for first-timers as it’s right in the heart of Prague, within walking distance from Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square and the Jewish Quarter.
They have a great breakfast buffet, the staff are lovely and if you happen to arrive in Prague earlier than your check-in time, they can keep your luggage safe for you without any extra charge!
📍Týn 642/6, Staré Město 110 00, 1 Praha 1, Czechia ⭐ 9.7/10
Women’s Only Hostel Prague is located only 100m from Old Town Square. It’s a lovely, safe place to stay as a woman, whether you’re travelling solo or with friends! They provide free wifi, city maps, a common room, book exchange, a washing machine as well as a restaurant and cafe!
Where to Stay in Prague for Prague Castle: Malá Strana
Malá Strana, aka “Lesser Town,” is a neighbourhood that sits beneath Prague Castle on the west bank of the Vltava River. Like Old Town, you’ll find beautiful streets and baroque architecture as you roam through the beauty that is Malá Strana.
If you’re wondering where to stay in Prague if you fancy exploring Prague Castle and seeing the stunning views of the city and Petrin Hill, then Malá Strana is the place for you! Additionally, it’s the perfect area to stay in if you’re looking for a quieter neighbourhood not too far from Prague’s city centre!
Old Royal Post Hotel is located only 500m from Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, making it a perfect location to access both sides of the river. They offer breakfast, free wifi in all rooms and a terrace/seating area as well as a dining area in some. You can even chill in the garden which is a nice, calm way to end your day of exploring the city!
For a name like Charles Bridge Economic Hostel, best believe you’ll find amazing views of the Charles Bridge from here! This hostel is only 10 minutes away from Prague Castle and Old Town Square and offers female-only dorms, free wifi, coffee, linen and reading lights! Additionally, they have a basement club that’s open Thursday to Sunday as well as car, scooter and bike rentals and sightseeing tours!
Nové Město, aka New Town, is Prague’s youngest historic district founded in the 14th century. It’s well known for being the home of Wenceslas Square, an area filled with shops, restaurants and bars.
But if there’s one thing about Prague New Town, it’s that it’s home to tons of museums. The most notable museum, sitting behind Wenceslas Square is the National Museum. This is the largest museum in the Czech Republic, housing almost 14 million collections from natural science, the arts, music and librarianship. Nové Město also has the Museum of Senses, the Cold War Museum, the National Film Museum (NaFilM), the Museum of Fantastic Illusions and more!
So if you’re wondering where to stay in Prague to see the most unique and fun museums and exhibitions, then New Town Prague is the place you’d want to be in!
Things to Do
Visit the Museum of Senses
Visit the Museum of Communism
The Cold War Museum
National Film Museum
Museum of Fantastic Illusions
Magic Garnet Museum
Gallery of Steel Figures
Prague Lumia Gallery
Nearby Attractions
Dancing House
Man Hanging Out (Hanging Freud) Statue
Hanging Umbrella Man
Rotating Head of Franz Kafka
Best Restaurants, Bars and Cafes
Palestinian Restaurant (Mr Falafel)
Ideas are Bulletproof
Anonymous Shrink’s Office
Kitchen Ramen Bar
Veget Bistro Cafe
Výtopna Railway Restaurant
Top Prague New Town Hotel Pick
Photo Credits: Booking.com
Hotel 1. Republic
📍 V Tůních 1625, 120 00 Nové Město, Czechia ⭐ 8.7
Hotel 1. Republic is a hotel housed in the reconstructed First Republic Building. Its 1920s/30s interior and style is so pretty and the fact that it’s only 400m away from Wenceslas Square and the National Museum makes it even better! All rooms feature a TV, coffee and tea maker and a bathrobe, making you feel super comfortable during your stay!
Sophie’s Hostel is tucked in Nove Mesto, making it the perfect location for accessing the Old Town, Wenceslas Square and a range of restaurants cafes and shops. They offer an on-site bar/cafe with and a breakfast buffet (from 7am-12pm) and happy hour (from 6pm-8pm) !
Additionally, they offer free wifi and the staff provide insider tips for the best things to do and see in Prague!
Where to Stay in Prague for Quirky Vibes and Cafes: Karlín
Karlín is a neighbourhood located east of Prague city centre, along the Vltava River. It’s well known for its quirky vibes, trendy cafes, cool bars and dining scene. To me, it will always be remembered as the neighbourhood where I tried the best grilled cheese sandwich I’ve ever had (this was in Etapa cafe if you’re wondering).
Karlín is a much less touristy area but the great atmosphere and easy access to the city centre via public transport (or even walking for 30ish minutes) make it a lovely place to stay in Prague for a contemporary experience.
Things to Do
Explore the outdoor cultural centre, Kasárna Karlín
See a gig at Forum Karlín
Roam the Kaizel Gardens
Nearby Attractions
Lyčkovo Square
St Cyril & Methodius Church
Best Restaurants, Bars and Cafes
Etapa (Must try: Grilled cheese sandwich and hot cider with cinnamon)
Eska
Lokal
Proti Proudu Bistro
Top Karlín Hotel Picks
Photo Credits: Booking.com
Hotel Royal Prague
📍Thámova 688/36, 186 00 Karlín, Czechia ⭐ 8.7
Hotel Royal Prague is an elegant hotel located only 3 subway stops away from the city centre, making it very easy to access it! They offer free wifi as well as an on-site bar and breakfast buffet!
Best of all, the hotel has a spa/wellness centre and a fitness centre which are perfect if you plan on relaxing, winding down and staying active during your time in Prague!
The Hotel Fitzgerald is a newly renovated hotel offering modern rooms with high-quality, Swedish beds. It’s within walking distance from Old Town and the closest metro and bus station is only 400m away!
They have a newly opened Bistro restaurant, Twisted Fig, serving Mediterranean and Czech cuisine. Plus, you can even enjoy a relaxing massage in their spa!
Where to Stay in Prague for the Night Life: Žižkov
Žižkov: the bohemian neighbourhood of Prague known for its street art, alternative vibe and amazing nightlife. If you’re wondering where to stay in Prague to satisfy your party animal, then Žižkov is the place you’d want to be!
Although I’m not the biggest party animal, I stayed here the first time I visited Prague during my interrailing trip and I LOVED it! There’s a huge range of cafes, bars and clubs that appeal to a young crowd so obviously, I was hooked! To this day, I still think about the piña coladas I had in Bukowski’s Bar (mind you, this was way back in 2019)!
Žižkov is just as exciting in the day too! There’s the iconic Žižkov television tower that offers panoramic views of the city skyline and there’s a few historical attractions that are worth seeing!
Best Bars and Clubs
Bukowski’s Bar
Tiki Taky
U Habasku
The Palac Akropolis
Nearby Attractions
National Memorial on Vítkov Hill
Žižkov television tower
Church of Saint Procopius, Žižkov
Best Restaurants and Cafes
Café Pavlač
Taverna Olympos
The Zizkavarna
Martin’s Bistro
U Slovanské Lípy
Funwari Japanese Pancakes
Top Žižkov Hotel Pick
Photo Credits: Booking.com
Theatrino Hotel
📍Bořivojova 53, 130 00 Praha 3-Žižkov, Czechia ⭐ 8.4
Theatrino Hotel is a uniquely designed hotel only 4 tram stops (or a 20-minute walk) from the city centre! They offer a breakfast buffet in a magnificent former theatre hall in Art Nouveau style! You can also enjoy the spa centre, including a sauna and steam bath (for an extra surcharge).
📍Husitská 888, 130 00 Praha 3-Žižkov, Czechia ⭐ 8.9/10
Where better to stay in Prague’s nightlife neighbourhood than a party hostel? Hostel ELF is perfect for young travellers who love fun and adventurous nights including happy hour, beer tournaments, karaoke and free breakfast and BBQs/dinner!
Where to Stay in Prague for First-Timers: Final Thoughts
I hope this guide made wondering where to stay in Prague an easy choice for your travel needs/preferences! Ultimately the general (and most popular) pick for where to stay in Prague is Old Town but Malá Strana, Nové Město, Karlín and Žižkov are all neighbourhoods that will suit your fancy depending on what you like!
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