Go beyond the Old Town and explore Prague's 6 best neighborhoods
Jul 18, 2024 鈥 5 min read
Get to know Prague one district at a time with this guide to the neighborhoods of Czechia's capital 漏 2015 Pauline Lewis / Getty Images
There鈥檚 much more to Prague than its medieval cobblestone center (yes, really!).
In fact, time spent discovering the Czechia capital鈥檚 interconnected neighborhoods can reveal the city鈥檚 freewheeling spirit, as well as some of its best restaurants, museums, beer gardens and parks. And Prague鈥檚 excellent public transportation system makes zipping around a handful of districts doable in one trip.
From the best areas for family travelers to those with the greatest nightlife, plan your trip with this guide to Prague's best neighborhoods.
1. Star茅 M臎sto (Old Town)
Best neighborhood for sightseeing
It鈥檚 no coincidence that Star茅 M臎sto (Old Town) teems with visitors: Prague鈥檚 medieval heart is home to the city鈥檚 must-see attractions. Starom臎stsk茅 n谩m臎st铆 (Old Town Square) is fringed by some of Europe鈥檚 finest buildings, including the Old Town Hall with its Astronomical Clock. Moments north, there鈥檚 the Prague Jewish Museum. Stroll east, and you鈥檒l soon be afoot the ancient stone arches of Charles Bridge.
Although Star茅 M臎sto is obligatory for first-time visitors, there鈥檚 plenty to lure Prague aficionados and locals too. Amid elegant shopping streets and timeworn alleys, there鈥檚 a swell of eclectic places to eat, including the city鈥檚 two Michelin-star restaurants, and . Galerie Rudolfinum, Kinsk媒 Palace and Colloredo-Mansfeld Palace, on the other hand, present striking art exhibitions in gilt-edged surroundings.
The high ratio of attractions to cobblestone square footage might suggest staying in Star茅 M臎sto is top dollar 鈥 and sure enough, there are luxury hotels here offering high-end sanctuary. International chains aside, though, you鈥檒l also find some affordable home-grown hotels and hostels.
Local tip: Staying in Star茅 M臎sto puts you bang in the hubbub, but it also affords early risers a contemplative stroll around the sights before the throngs arrive.
2. Mal谩 Strana (Little Quarter)
Best neighborhood for couples
Baroque domes and spires rise from a sea of terracotta rooftops in Mal谩 Strana (Little Quarter), creating an ideal setting for couples seeking a fairy-tale escape. Watched over by the Gothic grandeur of Prague Castle, the neighborhood brims with pretty boutique hotels; its winding lanes lead to ancient walled gardens and courtyard cafes.
Mal谩 Strana is connected to Star茅 M臎sto by Charles Bridge. During the busy summer months, the main route down to the river can rather lose its romantic mini-break charm. Although, by ducking onto the grassy island of Kampa, couples can reclaim a sense of carefree ease and pause for dreamy views across the Vltava.
As you would want and expect from Prague, Mal谩 Strana isn鈥檛 without its maverick side. Offbeat sculptures by David 膶ern媒, the enfant terrible of Czech contemporary art, lurk outside both the Kampa Museum and the Franz Kafka Museum. Then there鈥檚 the graffiti-clad John Lennon Wall and the Eiffel tower inspired lookout atop 笔别迟艡铆苍.
3. Nov茅 M臎sto (New Town)
Best neighborhood for museums
With its busy shopping streets full of international brands, at first glance, Nov茅 M臎sto (New Town) hardly screams culture. However, by exploring the passageways around the main Wenceslas Square, you鈥檒l soon discover a secret world of arcades which hints at the neighborhood鈥檚 more interesting, autonomous side.
The big cultural hitter here is the National Museum, with its impressive natural history collection and grand Neo-Renaissance interiors. Close by are some smaller spots worth finding: notably the Prague City Museum, the Museum of Communism, and the interactive National Film Museum.
From opulent art deco hotels to ultra-modern holiday lets, there鈥檚 a crowd-pleasing choice of accommodations in Nov茅 M臎sto. On a Saturday, rise for the N谩plavka Farmers鈥 Market and sample generous plates of Czech street food.
4. Karl铆n
Best neighborhood for cafes and restaurants
In 2002, floods swept through this once sketchy neighborhood. Phoenix-like, Karl铆n emerged renewed, and its grid of dusky-colored mansion blocks and slick office buildings is now a key food destination.
Arguably leading the pack of inventive restaurants in Karl铆n is Eska, although many of the eateries clustered around Karl铆nsk茅 Square would have grounds to quibble. Coffee connoisseurs will find themselves in slow-roast heaven, with the likes of Mu虋j s虒a虂lek ka虂vy serving flat whites to a young crowd. Make time to visit cultural hub Kas谩rna Karl铆n in a reimagined army barracks.
Local tip: Well connected to the center by tram and metro, Karl铆n鈥檚 independent hotels and modern serviced apartments make a convenient Prague base, especially if you鈥檙e looking for unfussy, affordable options close to some relaxed bars serving craft beer.
5. Vinohrady and 沤i啪kov
Best neighborhoods for nightlife
The leafy streets of Vinohrady begin to get more bohemian and graffiti-daubed as they bleed into the district of 沤i啪kov. For those keen to party in Prague away from the tourist-dominated city center, flitting between these two districts makes for a fun night out.
Vinohrady was once covered with vineyards. Nowadays, its collection of gastropubs, microbreweries, and wine bars still make it a go-to for a tipple. On a blithe summer鈥檚 evening, head to local park Riegrovy sady (Rieger Gardens). Not only will you find Prague鈥檚 biggest beer garden, but from its grassy slopes, you can watch the sun drop behind the city spires.
Then northwards, to hilly 沤i啪kov: where low rental prices attract a mishmash of young commuters, students and artists. The lights on the futuristic TV Tower will help you get your bearings when hunting down the next dive cocktail bar. Pal谩c Akropolis is the place to catch live acts among a local crowd.
6. Hole拧ovice
Best neighborhood for families
Families flock to Hole拧ovice for its two large, playground-studded parks: Stromovka and Letn谩 Gardens. Stromovka, for sure, is the more handsome of the two. That said, Letn谩鈥檚 proximity to the kid-pleasing exhibits at the National Technical Museum and the National Museum of Agriculture, along with its beer garden with views down over Star茅 M臎sto, is conducive to happy children and parents.
Only a 10-minute tram ride away from central Prague, staying close to Letn谩 Gardens is a smart choice if you鈥檙e traveling with children. The neighborhood鈥檚 mix of art nouveau and functionalist blocks contain some well-equipped holiday apartments. There鈥檚 also a glut of cool yet family-friendly cafes and restaurants, with Mr Hot Dog proving to be a sure-fire winner.
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