Where to Stay in Prague, Czech Republic: The Best Hotels & Areas

As more and more tourists pile into the Czech capital, choosing where to stay in Prague is getting tougher by the minute.

No Central European city charms quite like Prague. From its Gothic church spires to its Renaissance and Baroque architecture, the capital of the Czech Republic possesses a rare power to captivate instantly solely on its outwardly dashing looks.

Not long ago, accommodations in Prague were bargain basement for Central Europe. With its rising popularity, however, the best hotels in Prague now meet nearly eye-to-eye with other popular Central European travel destinations that were, not long ago, far pricier.

Confused about booking your Prague accommodations? Plan your trip with this complete guide to the best places to stay in Prague, including the most popular areas, neighborhoods, and districts, and the city’s top hotels at every budget…

Best areas to stay in Prague, Czechia

If you’re used to searching out accommodations in larger European metropolises, Prague’s slightly smaller stature feels like a blessing. Still, each neighbourhood has a slightly different feel, and where you choose to stay in Prague will alter your experience.

To help you along, we’ve broken down our guide into eight areas & neighbourhoods we feel are most well-suited for travellers. All are within walking distance or a short tram/metro ride to most of the best things to do Prague, and get top marks for their central locations.

Whether you’re looking to wake up amidst the tourist bustle or on a quiet side-street in a leafy residential district, here are our recommendations for the best neighbourhoods in Prague for travellers along with our top accommodation choices for each…

• Old Town (Staré Město)
• Lesser Town (Malá Strana)
• New Town (Nové Město)
• Vinohrady
• Holešovice & Letná
• Karlín
• Smíchov
• Žižkov

Old Town (Staré Město)

✔ Best area to stay for first-time visitors & sightseeing

Any serious Europhile would scarcely want to miss the opportunity to rest their head among the beauty of Old Town Prague. With the exception of a few caveats, Old Town (Staré Město) is overall the top choice area in Prague for travellers.

There’s something special about waking up among magical cobblestone streets lined with centuries-old architecture with the buzz of Old Town Square and the beautiful vistas over the Vltava from Charles Bridge beckoning not far away. Especially if you only have one day in Prague, staying in Old Town lets you tackle Prague’s top attractions most easily.

When choosing to stay in Old Town, though, there are two major things to be aware of:

1. Prague’s immense popularity has pushed the accommodation prices in Staré Město to the highest levels in the city. Travellers on a tight budget may want to consider sacrificing location for other districts like Smichov, Vinohrady or Karlin where your koruna will stretch further.
2. The crowds in Old Town can also, especially in the height of tourist season, become suffocating. Anyone looking for a little peace should consider staying in quieter neighbourhoods like Holešovice, Karlín or Smichov.

Recommended hotels in Old Town (Staré Město)

Lesser Town (Malá Strana)

✔ Best area for culture lovers looking for a (slightly) quieter alternative to Old Town

Crossing over Charles Bridge from Old Town sets you into the heart of Lesser Town. Known most for Prague Castle hovering above, Lesser Town (Malá Strana) is a close second among the top places to stay in Prague.

Much like Old Town, Malá Strana will charm you deeply simply by walking around. Several of Prague’s top attractions lie here, along with street-side cafés, yummy restaurants, and amazing views over the city as you wander into the neighbourhood’s hilly fringes.

It shouldn’t come as much of a shock that accommodations prices in Malá Strana reflect both its convenience and grace. For more budget-friendly alternatives on the left bank of the Vltava, try out Letna and Holesovice to the northeast or Smichov to the south.

Recommended hotels in Lesser Town (Malá Strana)

New Town (Nové Město)

✔ Recommended area to stay for day-trippers

All it takes is one glance to know that New Town is a bit of a misnomer for this Prague neighbourhood. In fact, the roots of Prague’s New Town date back to the mid-14th century. (Not exactly my definition of “new” either!)

With its central location and easy access to the rest of the city centre, New Town (Nové Město) is a quiet yet convenient alternative to Old Town with all the requisite amenities at slightly more budget-friendly prices.

Quick access to Prague’s main train station by foot or via public transportation also makes New Town perfect for travellers looking to launch a Czech Republic itinerary with a couple of fun day trips from Prague.

Recommended hotels in New Town (Nové Město)

Vinohrady

✔ Top-rated neighbourhood to stay for relaxing greenspaces & tasty local restaurants

Venturing a little further east of New Town you’ll stumble into the leafy residential area of Vinohrady. This trendy neighbourhood is one of the most popular for Prague’s expat community. It’s hardly surprising considering the prime selection of parks, restaurants, and beer gardens scattered throughout.

Vinohrady is an excellent choice for travellers craving a quieter and greener alternative to other central districts with a bit more local feel.

Recommended hotels in Vinohrady

Holešovice & Letná

✔ Recommended district to stay for a quiet local vibe in an upcoming district

Not long ago Holesovice was hardly a place a tourist would want to step foot in. The former industrial suburb has, however, undergone something of a renaissance, becoming one of Prague’s coolest and hippest up-and-coming neighbourhoods much like Praga in Warsaw or Kreuzberg in Berlin.

If you don’t mind spending a little extra time on public transit, Holesovice & Letna offer good value accommodations for your stay, especially in the mid-range, in a cool setting that’s far quieter and more local than other central districts.

Recommended hotels in Holešovice & Letná

Karlín

✔ Top area to stay for a more local experience with good value accommodations

Although Old Town is only a quick walk or metro ride away, the small & friendly neighbourhood of Karlín feels worlds away from Prague’s touristy enclaves. There’s a palpable authenticity here as the area’s cafés, bars, and restaurants seem to cater towards local rather than foreign tastes.

Unless you’re dead set on being front and center, Karlín is great area to stay to experience local life and get better value on your accommodations while remaining relatively close to Old Town.

Recommended hotels in Karlín

Smíchov

✔ Recommended area to stay for shopping & good value accommodations in a quickly changing neighbourhood

Stretching along the Vltava River south of Malá Strana, Smíchov has all but shed its bleak reputation, transforming from a grungy industrial neighbourhood to a shopping and business centre that’s becoming, along with Holesovice, one of the city’s trendiest areas to stay.

Besides its excellent transport connections to the rest of the city, Smichov is a good choice for travellers looking to stay in a hip neighbourhood with plenty of shopping and trendy accommodation options offering better value than Old Town or Mala Strana.

Recommended hotels in Smíchov

Žižkov

✔ Best district for nightlife & an edgy local vibe

Although it’s a short metro ride from Old Town, Zizkov doesn’t get a whole lot of love from travellers. In the traditional sense, there isn’t much to draw visitors to Zizkov. (Especially considering all the wonders that lie just a few kilometres to the west.)

Unlike the obvious draw of Old Town or Mala Strana, Zizkov is a great area to stay for travellers more interested in edgy nightlife and authentic Prague living than being close to typical tourist sights.

It might take some getting used to, but Zizkov’s got a certain edge, much like Kreuzberg or Friedrichshain in Berlin, that will get under your skin the more you explore. The accommodation options here, much like other further-removed districts, tend to be cheaper than in the popular Old Town, Nove Mesto, and Mala Strana areas.

Recommended hotels in Žižkov

Best hotels in Prague

Along with Prague’s explosion in popularity, there’s been a massive uptick in the volume of accommodations within the city. Unfortunately, the demand continues to outpace supply, and finding hotels in Prague is no longer as easy (or cheap) as it once may have been.

Below, we’ve assembled a collection of the best Prague hotels at 3 different price points—budget, mid-range, and luxury.

Budget

The term “budget hotel” is becoming increasingly relative in Prague. Bargain-basement prices seem to be, more or less, a thing of the past in the Czech capital.

Even dorm beds at hostels in Prague are creeping up to levels that would get you well-appointed private rooms elsewhere in Central & Eastern Europe.

All of these budget hotels offer their most budget-friendly rooms for about $75-100 per night.

Hotel Sunrise

A breath of fresh air for budget travellers in Prague, the stylish Hotel Sunrise features everything you crave out of your accommodations without the high price tag normally attached to the city’s top hotels.

The rooms at Hotel Sunrise are clean, bright, spacious, and modern. They’re certainly a better value than its cost would suggest for Prague.

To get into this price point in Prague, of course, there’s always a bit of a sacrifice in location. That’s not to say that it’s necessarily a bad thing.

Although you’ll need to walk about 25 minutes (or take a short tram ride) to get to Old Town, you’ll appreciate the relative serenity of Nove Mesto, keeping you sheltered from the chaos and bustle of Prague’s main tourist area.

Bohem Prague Hotel

If you prefer your budget accommodations with a dash of modernity, you’ll dig the stylish and contemporary vibe of Bohem Prague Hotel.

Both bohemian and minimalist elements balance each other out to give the guesthouse a feel that’s all unto its own. The rooms throughout sway from bright and airy to warm and cozy. In both cases, the value is fantastic in a city of ever-rising accommodation costs.

Sticklers for a central location might find the trek to Smíchov a tiny bit inconvenient. But with quick tram access to Mala Strana and Old Town, it’s hard to fault Bohem Prague much, especially considering how far your koruna will go here.

Demnika Palace

It’s nearly impossible to find a better sub-$100 hotel in the centre of Prague than Demnika Palace. And the fact that it’s a classy 4-star at 2-star prices makes it even easier for us to recommend.

Demnika Palace features spacious elegant rooms doused with a splash of old Italian style. There’s even an on-site restaurant serving fine Czech cuisine and a bar to sip on some local pilsners as a nightcap. Both rarities in the budget Prague accommodations market, to be sure.

Even the location of Demnika Palace gets top marks. It’s less than 10 minutes by foot to Wenceslas Square, where you can quickly launch yourself into everything Prague has to offer.

AXA Hotel

Newly renovated with a feeling that’s more boutique than budget, AXA Hotel wows with colourful and spacious rooms far better than its reasonable price would suggest.

This 3-star, built in a 1930s Bauhaus style, pushes beyond most budget hotels in Prague with facilities normally reserved for lofty price points. Guests can access (for a small fee) the on-site swimming pool, fitness centre, and sauna to sweat out the day’s pilsner-drinking and goulash-eating spree.

All that with a convenient location. This property sits just outside of Old Town, a short 15-minute walk from Old Town Square.

Hotel Salvator

If you want to be closer to the Old Town action without breaking the bank, Hotel Salvator is one of central Prague’s best-kept accommodation secrets.

This 3-star boutique hotel features spacious and clean rooms with an understated modern European elegance that lends comfort to your stay. Foodies will find refuge nearby at the on-site restaurant, La Boca, which serves an interesting mix of Spanish and Czech cuisine in a blindingly colourful setting.

The location is superb, too. In just ten minutes on foot, you’ll find yourself among the buzz of Old Town Square to launch your Prague adventures.

Mid-Range

In quality of accommodations, there isn’t a massive jump in quality as you swap our top budget picks for these mid-range choices. What you’ll notice more than anything is that your increased spend will get you a little closer to the centre of town, boosting convenience.

All of the following choices for the best mid-range hotels in Prague sit between around $100 to 200 per night.

Salvator Boutique Hotel

Set in a beautiful historic building in Prague’s city centre, Salvator Boutique Hotel surprises with a modern interior that betrays its ageless façade. All 38 rooms in this 4-star boutique hotel showcase colourful contemporary European designs sprinkled with a unique Czech twist.

If the on-site Restaurant FESTIVAL, serving local and international fare, doesn’t tickle your taste buds, head around the corner from to Wenceslas Square for a wider selection of Czech grub and quick access to Old Town.

Unitas Hotel

Occupying a former Jesuit convent turned Communist secret police hideout, it’s impossible to not give Unitas Hotel props for its historical backdrop.

With interrogations long ceased in this historic building, this 4-star traded in the surveillance equipment to deck out their rooms with impeccable modern furnishings that add to guests’ comfort. (The welcome drink doesn’t hurt either.)

And the location is nearly perfect, too. Within about a 10-minute walk, you can easily reach either Old Town Square or Charles Bridge to get your bearings for your Prague adventure.

Hotel Residence Agnes

Whomever said choosing accomodations in Prague was next to impossible clearly never spotted the Hotel Residence Agnes. This 4-star boutique hotel fuses classic European elegance with service that’s as impeccable as it comes in the Czech capital.

The attention to detail here is remarkable, from the free drinks on arrival to the rose arrangements in the guest rooms. Prague’s Jewish Quarter and Old Town Square both lie within a 10-minute walk of the hotel.

Savic Hotel

From the moment you step into Savic Hotel, its Central European charms will leave you spellbound. This 4-star is like none other in Prague, showcasing rich and elegant designs among traditional architectural elements.

The hotel’s building, dating back to the early 14th century, still shows signs of its long history. Exposed wooden beams and vaulted ceilings inside hide behind a Gothic and Renaissance façade that blends seamless with the surrounding ageless mojo of Old Town.

Besides its near-perfect location, minutes from Old Town Square, this property wins over guests with its outdoor areas. Sip a summertime pilsner on the street-side patio or warm up with a hot chocolate in the winter garden to get the full experience.

Golden Star

There’s no doubt you’ll fall in love with Golden Star from the moment you lay eyes on it. Guests are warmly welcomed by the 4-star hotel’s stunning Baroque building, set conveniently in the shadows of Prague Castle in Mala Strana.

Once buzzed by the façade, you might be a little surprised by the interior of Golden Star. Decidedly modern furnishings, rather than the classic European designs you’ll find elsewhere in Prague, accent the bright and airy rooms. Enjoy a free welcome drink on the house and a daily breakfast buffet with your reservation.

Luxury

Got a few extra koruna to spend on accommodations? Prague is one of Europe’s classiest cities to do it! Unlike hopping from budget to mid-range, jumping into Prague’s luxury accommodations scene puts you into the ranks of some of Europe’s most memorable hotels.

Besides their prime locations, these top 5-star hotels feature unforgettable style, swoon-worthy city views, and world-class amenities in varying combinations.

All of our choices for the best luxury hotels in Prague cost $200+ per night.

Buddha-Bar Hotel Prague

To say that Buddha-Bar Hotel Prague is a bit of an enigma for Central Europe is an understatement. Outfitted with richly coloured Oriental decor, this 5-star luxury boutique hotel seems more likely in the streets of Hong Kong or Shanghai than in a cobblestoned alleyway in an old European city.

From the rooms to the common areas, everything at this property is absolutely exquisite. The on-site Siddharta Café isn’t just a great hotel restaurant, but a great restaurant, period. It’s nearly impossible not to let your taste buds fall in love with its world-class Asian dishes that throw in a European twist for good measure.

Alchemyst Grand Hotel & Spa

Classic Central European class pervades every inch of the Alchemyst Grand Hotel & Spa. This 5-star luxury hotel, housed in a 16th-century UNESCO-protected Baroque masterpiece, stuns throughout with a timeless elegance that’s fit for royals.

Even if you find the ornate decor overindulgent at times, the on-site Ecsotica Spa and Health Club might sway your decision. Top off your evening with a dip in the pool or with a relaxing sauna session to let the stresses of Prague’s crowds melt off of you.

And let’s not forget about the prime Mala Strana location. In less than ten minutes by foot, you’ll get to either Prague Castle or Charles Bridge to soak in some of Prague’s most famous views.

Art Deco Imperial Hotel

Richly decorated and soaked with elegance, the Art Deco Imperial Hotel is a feast for the senses. Even at street level, this 5-star luxury hotel draws you in with its compelling Art-Deco façade that will remind you as much of the streets of Paris as Prague.

The hotel’s art-deco theme doesn’t stop at the door or at its name. Throughout the property, you’ll find artwork and mosaics, furnishings, and tile work that authentically surge to life this bygone European design movement.

Aside from the cultured appearance of the Art Deco Imperial Hotel, you’ll love the on-site Café Imperial, a restaurant once frequented by Franz Kafka that’s esteemed for its traditional Czech cuisine and international dishes whipped up by local celebrity chef Zdenek Pohlreich.

Golden Well

It’s not exactly rare to mention that a luxury hotel is fit for royalty. In the case of Golden Well, it’s not exactly untrue either.

Built in Renaissance style and once occupied by Emperor Rudolf II, this 5-star boutique hotel charms inside and out. The grace of its ageless façade is matched by Renaissance-inspired decor and a warm and cozy feeling throughout.

If there’s one reason to drop your koruna on the Golden Well, it’s the views. Set on a quiet pedestrian street below Prague Castle, the property dazzles with picture-perfect views above Old Town and Mala Strana. Wake up to a delicious breakfast on the 4th-floor on-site restaurant to start your day with one of the city’s finest panoramas.

Radisson Blu Alcron

No list of the best luxury hotels in Prague is complete without giving a nod to the Radisson Blu Alcron. Built in Art-Deco with over 80 years of history behind it, this 5-star property impresses not just with its elegant modern rooms but with its top-notch extra amenities.

Don’t just take our word for it. The Alcron, one of the hotel’s two on-site restaurants, boasts an illustrious Michelin star for its esteemed degustation menus. The other restaurant, La Rotunde, is no slouch either. Its award-winning menu tickles the taste buds with high-brow Czech cuisine and international dishes.

Round that off with a relaxing sauna, a hip art-deco lobby bar, and a central location just steps from Wenceslas Square, and it’s not hard to see why travellers choose Radisson Blu Alcron as their home away from home in Prague again and again.

Final recommendations

• Looking for cool central accommodations on a budget? Look no further than the Hotel Salvator, a budget-friendly option with a convenient location and a cool Spanish/Czech restaurant attached.
• Craving a central 4-star with modern European charm? The hip Salvator Boutique Hotel is your ticket to a comfortable and luxurious stay close to the action without totally breaking the bank.
• Want some of the finest luxury accommodations that Prague has to offer? We’re big fans of the superb location & modern stylings of the Radisson Blu Alcron. Eat at the prestigious on-site Michelin-starred The Alcron to experience some of Europe’s finest cuisine.