Where to Stay in Prague as a Tourist: 3 Best Areas & Hotels
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Prague looks compact on a map, and for the most part, it is. You can walk between many of the central areas in twenty minutes. But where you stay still makes a bigger difference than you might expect, especially if you only have a few days to get it right.
Pick the wrong spot and you could end up dealing with crowds from morning to night, staying somewhere that feels overly touristy, or missing the atmosphere that makes Prague so special.
We’ve been to Prague six times since 2014, staying in different neighbourhoods on almost every visit to figure out which areas actually work best as a base. We’ve also sent friends and family there over the years, recommended where to stay, and seen what they thought afterwards, which has shaped our perspective just as much.
In this post, we cover the three areas we’d actually suggest for a first visit (New Town, Old Town, and Lesser Town), with an honest take on what each one is like as a base, and hotel picks for every budget.
Just need a hotel you can’t go wrong with?
Our personal Prague hotel picks
Quick comparison of Prague’s best areas to stay
Prefer to choose by area? All three neighbourhoods below are excellent bases in the heart of the city. But New Town is our personal favourite for its restaurant scene, its more local feel, and the fact that you’re close to everything without being in the thick of it.
Here’s how each one compares, plus the hotel we’d pick:
Scroll right to see the entire table >>
|
Area |
Best for |
Vibe |
Our hotel pick |
|---|---|---|---|
|
New Town (our #1 pick ⭐) |
First-timers, food lovers, value seekers |
Central, modern, walkable |
|
|
Old Town |
History lovers, those who want to be in the heart of it |
Iconic, busy, atmospheric |
|
|
Lesser Town |
Couples, photographers, castle explorers |
Quiet, romantic, hilly |
Below, you can see the three neighbourhoods on our illustrated map:
1. New Town (Nové Město)
Best for: foodies, nightlife lovers, business travellers, and shoppers.
Pros
Cons
New Town (Nové Město) is our absolute favourite neighbourhood to stay in Prague, and we stayed here for the second time on our most recent trip. It feels more modern than Old Town and Lesser Town, but that’s actually part of the appeal.
You can have a beer in a bar full of locals, shop in a regular supermarket, and still be a 10-minute walk from Charles Bridge.
Prague Old Town and Lesser Town are packed with the main sights, which means they’re also packed with tourists, especially between May and October.
Staying in New Town gives you the best of both worlds: easy access to everything without the overwhelming foot traffic.
It’s not the prettiest part of Prague, and we won’t pretend otherwise. Parts of Nové Město feel more commercial than charming, and Wenceslas Square can get noisy at night.
If that bothers you, look for accommodation on the edges of the district near the Vltava River. But the restaurant scene is genuinely excellent, and you’re paying less than you would in Old Town for a more authentic experience.
Our top tip: New Town is worth exploring for its food and drink alone. For cocktails, we loved Parlour on Krakovská street: no signage, no menu, just tell the bartender what you fancy. For beer, Lokál U Jirátů has fresh Pilsners and a bar that slides out onto the street in summer. For a quick lunch, grab a chlebíček (open-faced sandwich) from Ovocný Světozor and eat it in the Franciscan Garden nearby… so delicious!
New Town is also one of the city’s main public transport hubs, with several metro lines intersecting here.
The main sights include Wenceslas Square, the National Museum, the National Theatre, Lucerna Palace, the Dancing House, and the Jerusalem Synagogue.
Our recommended stays in New Town
Mosaic House Design Hotel ($$) – One of the most stylish eco hotels we’ve stayed in, which runs on 100% renewable energy. You get free bicycle rentals too, which is the best way to explore New Town.
Almanac X Alcron Prague ($$$) – We celebrated an anniversary here and LOVED every moment of it! Stylish and recently renovated, with one of the best breakfasts we’ve had anywhere in Europe.
Luma Terra Prague Hostel ($) – A modern, well-designed hostel with rooftop views over Prague that rival most hotels in the city. Spacious rooms, and private ensuite rooms if you want your own space.
2. Old Town (Staré Město)
Best for: history lovers and first-time visitors who want to be in the heart of it all.
Pros
Cons
Old Town Square looks like somewhere a film set designer invented, except it’s all real and it’s been standing for centuries.
Most of Prague’s main sights, like Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock, and the Jewish Quarter with its old Jewish cemetery, are within a short walk of wherever you’re staying.
We’ve been to this compact area many times, and we can tell you that Prague is a completely different city in March and July. In summer, it can feel like you’re paying a premium to share cobblestones with ten thousand other people.
The square is extraordinary, but the streets around it in high season (souvenir shops, overpriced restaurants, persistent touts) can wear you down fast. And having lived in NYC and London, we can definitely say we’re no strangers to busy streets!
If you can visit in the off-season, Old Town genuinely is a fairytale. In peak season, it’s a very expensive ticket to a beautiful but overwhelming place.
Our top tips: Head out before 8am if you want to see Old Town Square and Charles Bridge without the crowds. We’ve done it several times, and it’s one of the best things you can do in Prague… peaceful streets, soft light, and the whole place to yourselves. And for breakfast afterwards, Bistro Monk is one of our favourite spots in the city. The avocado toast with eggs Benedict is the kind of thing you plan the next morning around.
We found that staying four minutes from the square rather than on it made all the difference. The Allure Hotel has become our favourite stay in Prague. It feels like a retreat from the chaos rather than part of it.
Our recommended stays in Old Town
Allure Hotel Prague ($$) – Our go-to in Prague ⭐, and the reason we keep coming back to this area. Four minutes from Old Town Square, but so quiet you’d never know. We loved it so much, we were genuinely sad to leave. The beds alone were worth it.
Hotel Kings Court ($$$) – A grand 5-star hotel away from Old Town’s noisiest streets, with a spa and a wellness area. Every review we read led with the rain showers, and we’d book it for that alone.
White Wolf Hostel & Apartments ($) – Private curtains on every dorm bed and kitchen apartments if you want your own space. The Booking.com Traveller Review Award 2026 says the rest.
3. Lesser Town (Malá Strana)
Best for: couples, photographers, and anyone who wants to feel like they’ve stepped into a different century.
Pros
Cons
Lesser Town (Malá Strana) sits on the other side of the river, right below Prague Castle. Old Town is busy, Charles Bridge is busier, and then you cross to the other side and the noise drops noticeably… even in peak season.
We’ve spent afternoons just wandering the back alleys here with no particular destination and never felt like we were wasting time.
The streets are narrow, colourful, and full of small squares, hidden courtyards, and buildings that have been standing since the 13th century.
It’s also where many of Prague’s hidden gems are concentrated, including Wallenstein Garden and the narrowest street in Europe (which even has its own pedestrian traffic light!).
The main sights here include St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, and Prague Castle, all within easy walking distance.
By 9pm, Lesser Town is a different city. The restaurants are still open, the lights are on, but the tour groups are long gone. And mornings here are just as good in the other direction: the light on Petřín Hill before the city wakes up is gorgeous.
If you want lively evenings, New Town is a better base. If you want cobblestones and quiet, this is it!
Our top tip: Lesser Town has an upper part and a lower part, and it’s worth knowing the difference before you book. The streets closer to Prague Castle, like Nerudova and Vlašská, involve a proper uphill walk every time you return to your hotel. The climb builds character, and also calves. But if you don’t mind it, the views from up there over Old Town at sunset make it very easy to justify.
Our recommended stays in Lesser Town
Design Hotel Neruda ($$) – A boutique hotel on Lesser Town’s most famous street, with rooms that look directly onto Prague Castle. Yes, it IS uphill, but the views and the private spa make it worth every step.
Old Royal Post Boutique Hotel ($$$) – Friends stayed here and we visited them, and it immediately went on our list for next time. Suites come with their own terraces, close to Charles Bridge, on a lovely quiet square.
Budget accommodation exists in Lesser Town, but nothing stood out enough for us to recommend it. If budget is a priority, New Town’s Luma Terra Hostel is our suggestion.
Alternative Neighbourhoods
New Town, Old Town, and Lesser Town are our top picks for a first visit. But if you’re returning to the Czech capital or planning a longer stay, these two neighbourhoods are worth knowing about: Vinohrady and Žižkov.
You can see where these two areas are on our illustrated map below:
Vinohrady
Vinohrady is one of Prague’s most beautiful residential neighbourhoods, with pastel-coloured Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings lining streets that were once filled with vineyards.
Today it’s home to some of the city’s best cafés, restaurants, and wine bars, and it’s where well-heeled locals tend to live rather than visit.
We spent an afternoon in one of the area’s best green spaces (Riegrovy Sady Park), had a picnic, and watched the sunset over Prague Castle from there. Breathtaking!
The squares at Náměstí Míru and Jiřího z Poděbrad are both worth a wander too, and the food scene here is genuinely one of the best in the city.
What we love about this area
What we don’t love as much
Žižkov
Žižkov is Prague’s most alternative neighbourhood, grittier and livelier than anywhere in the historic centre.
It reportedly has more bars per capita than anywhere else in the city, and in recent years, hipsters have moved in alongside old-school locals, giving it a genuinely interesting mix.
We went up the Žižkov Television Tower, and it’s worth it! The views over the city are great, and at night the tower lights up in red and blue in a way that looks almost surreal from the street below (see picture below 👇).
It’s worth knowing that some streets around the main train station (Hlavní nádraží) can feel a bit rough at night. Nothing dangerous, but something to factor in when choosing where to stay within the neighbourhood.
What we love about this area
What we don’t love as much
FAQ
This section answers some of the most common questions we’ve come across when talking about the best places to stay in Prague.
What is the best part of Prague to stay in?
The best part of Prague to stay in is New Town (Nové Město). It’s central, walkable to major attractions, yet less crowded and more affordable than Old Town. New Town offers a quieter atmosphere with great restaurants, shops, and a wide range of hotels, making it ideal for first-time visitors.
What is the most touristy part of Prague?
The most touristy part of Prague is the Old Town (Staré Město). It’s home to top attractions like the Astronomical Clock, Old Town Hall, and the bustling Old Town Square. With its historic charm, it draws the largest crowds, which makes it the city’s prime tourist hub.
Is it better to stay in Prague’s New Town or Old Town?
We recommend staying in New Town for a more affordable, less crowded experience. It’s centrally located and walkable to major attractions. However, if you don’t mind the crowds and higher prices, Old Town offers a more charming atmosphere and is closer to the main sights.
What is the most beautiful part of Prague?
Prague is one of the most beautiful European capitals, and Old Town and Lesser Town are the main reasons why. Old Town Square is surrounded by stunning Gothic and Baroque architecture, including the Astronomical Clock, while Lesser Town’s cobblestone streets and views of Prague Castle make it one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods in Europe.
What is the coolest neighbourhood in Prague?
The coolest neighbourhoods in Prague are Holešovice and Vinohrady. Holešovice has a post-industrial, hipster vibe with art galleries, creative spaces like the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, and a thriving café scene. Vinohrady is more upscale, with beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, leafy streets, and some of the best restaurants and wine bars in the city. Both offer a local feel that’s a world away from the historic centre.
So, which neighbourhood is it?
New Town is our honest first recommendation for first-time visitors. Not because it’s the most beautiful area (it isn’t), but because it’s the one that consistently makes for the best few days as a base.
You can eat well, walk everywhere, and actually feel like you’re in a real city rather than a living museum. And if you’re staying there, the Mosaic House is one of the best hotels we’ve stayed in here, and the one we’d book again.
That said, Old Town in the off-season is really hard to beat. We haven’t regretted staying there either.
If you’re still working out what to actually do while you’re there, our best things to do in Prague covers the must-sees alongside the ones worth skipping.
And if you want to go a little further off the usual route, our hidden gems in Prague post has 37 spots most visitors never find, including that beer spa we keep recommending to everyone we know.
Hope you have a brilliant trip!
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