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 the perfect place to stay. You will find a wide variety of hotels located there, 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 places, serving a variety of different types of cuisine, with something to suit most tastes.

The city centre of Prague also provides easy access to plenty of 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 option. Walking, enables you to see the many sights that this destination has to offer. There are also plenty of places to enjoy a drink or a taste of the nightlife in the city centre, which includes such places as the Lucerna Music Bar and the Nebe Cocktail and Music Bar.

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

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

For a touch of romance, you can enjoy a stroll over the famous Charles Bridge, which dates from the 14th century and provides stunning views of the city. At night the bridge is lit by pretty lanterns. Another attraction you should definitely not miss is the fabulous Prague Castle, which dates from the 9th century and boasts a rich and fascinating history. You can take a tour of the castle complex and explore many of the buildings within it, including St. Vitus Cathedral and St. George’s Basilica.

Hotels in Prague City Centre

Other areas to stay in Prague

Prague is a fairly compact city, which means that there are other areas (away from the city centre) where you can stay whilst still enjoying easy access to the main sights, attractions and amenities. Prague districts 2, 5, 3 and 6 are also popular alternatives with those visiting this destination.

Prague 2 district

The smallest administrative district in the country, Prague 2 is home to some expensive residences as well as a number of attractions and amenities. You will find a number of hotels in this area, which lies next to the city centre of Prague. This district was only officially created in 1960, but it does boast various historical places of interest to explore. It is thought to be historically linked to the establishment of the Czech rulers making it a fascinating place to explore.

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 an expensive and attractive area where you will be able to enjoy some of the finest cuisine. One of the most famous parks in Prague, Rieger Gardens, as well as the Vinohrady Theatre and National House of Vinohrady, are also in this area.

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 to enjoy in this part of the district. These include the Botanical Gardens, the Baroque Villa America and the Gothic town hall. There is the chance to visit Charles Square, which is the largest square in Prague and one of the largest in Europe.

Hotels in Prague 2 district

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 many commercial buildings as well as an impressive shopping centre. The former film producing borough of Barrandov is also situated in this district and is home to such landmarks as the Barrandov Film Studios and the Barrandov Terraces.

Smichov is another part of this district and it has a strong industrial history. Today it is a commercial centre, with cosmopolitan offices, entertainment venues and shopping facilities amongst other things. If you are into horse racing, one part of the district you should definitely visit 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 good selection of different dining and entertainment establishments throughout this district.

Hotels in Prague 5 district

Prague 3 district

Another part of Prague which is very close to the centre is Prague 3. The largest part of Prague 3 is called Žižkov. Here you can find many restaurants, hotels and also historical monuments. The most popular of these is the Žižkov TV tower, where there is a really good restaurant. It is a modern building where you can enjoy both fine food and a great view. Another monument in Žižkov is Vítkov where you can see the statue of legendary Jan Žižka after whom the area is named. Near Vítkov lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This place is great for combining a good walk, soaking up the history and enjoying a beautiful view.

To spend your time strolling through a cemetery may sound like a rather strange pastime, but no trip to Žižkov would be complete without exploring Olšanské hřbitovy-  the city’s largest cemetery. There you will find  grand family crypts and art nouveau masterpieces, as well as neglected headstones and crumbling tombs. This place has a peaceful atmosphere. The end of the day can be spent in Palác Akropolis where there is a night club, concert venue, theatre, exhibition space, café and restaurant.

You can see here Czech and international artists. You should not miss Jiřího z Poděbrad Square where you can rest in a beautiful park which is dominated by the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord. Fringing the park are many restaurants, cafes and wine bars. Prague 3 is easily accessible by tram or metro to (Green line) station Jiřího z Poděbrad. There is nice accommodation in the Hotel Olšanka which has a sport centre and is situated in front of the tram station. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the centre (Václavské náměstí ). Close to this hotel (one station on the tram) is the big shopping center called Flóra.

Hotels in Prague 3 district

Prague 6 district

Prague 6 is a very beautiful part of the city, full of nature. It is still very close to the centre. The most popular part is called Dejvice. Dejvice is where the various embassies are situated. It is also popular with students as it has a large part of the ČVUT university. Dejvice is full of traditional Czech restaurants, such as Pivnice Bruska or Lokál Nad Stromovkou. The best known hotels are the Diplomat and International Prague. The nature reservation Divoká Šárka is beautiful and has some great views. From Dejvice it is very easy to reach the airport.

From Dejvice you go only two stations to Nádraží Veleslavín from where you can take the bus directly to the airport. In Dejvice, there is also the metro (Green line), the tram and bus stations. From there is very easy to go to the centre. By metro, you will be at the Old Town Square in just 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 definitely stop at Břevnovský klášter.

It is a beautiful monastery, surrounded by nature, where there is also a brewery and restaurant. Throughout the year, there are many interesting events held there. Prague 6 is a quieter part, full of nature. Everywhere there are restaurants and different types of accommodation. Prague 6 is also very close to the centre, Prague castle and other monuments. You can travel everywhere by tram, metro or bus. There is only one disadvantage - car parking. This problem is in most parts of Prague. Almost everywhere, there are "blue zones” which are residential parking places. So be careful about parking your car.

Hotels in Prague 6 district