Prague
Where to stay in Prague: the best areas, from the Old Town to Vinohrady
Prague is compact, but the area you choose changes the trip. Here are the four best areas to stay in, who each one suits, the hotel Picolo recommends in each and how far you will walk to Charles Bridge and Old Town Square.
7 November 20269 min
Picolo Editorial
From the middle of Charles Bridge you can see the whole choice laid out in front of you. On one bank the towers of the Old Town, on the other the red roofs of Malá Strana climbing towards the castle. Prague is small enough to walk across in an hour. But where you sleep decides whether your evenings are lively or quiet, and how much you see before the crowds arrive.
In short: where to stay in Prague
First visit: Staré Město, the Old Town, close to Old Town Square and Charles Bridge.
Couples and quiet evenings: Malá Strana, beneath Prague Castle.
Good value and spas: Nové Město, the New Town, around Wenceslas Square and Náměstí Republiky.
Like a local: Vinohrady, with cafés, wine bars and squares.
Our first choice: Check availability and prices at Four Seasons Hotel Prague
Staré Město: the Old Town
The Old Town is the medieval heart of Prague, with Old Town Square, the astronomical clock, the Jewish Quarter and the eastern end of Charles Bridge. Everything is within walking distance, and the streets are full from morning to late evening. Choose it for a first visit or a short break, when you want to make the most of every hour.
Best hotel: the Four Seasons stands on the river next to Charles Bridge, in buildings from three centuries. Ventana, on Celetná, is a minute from Old Town Square.
Four Seasons Hotel Prague
The Four Seasons on the Vltava, with Charles Bridge a few steps away. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Malá Strana: beneath the castle
Malá Strana, the Lesser Town, lies on the west bank between Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. The baroque palaces, embassies and walled gardens make it feel calmer than the Old Town, especially after dark. Old Town Square is about fifteen minutes away on foot, and the castle is a short climb up.
Best hotel: Augustine is set in a 13th-century monastery with a spa. Aria is a smaller hotel with a music theme, by St Nicholas Church, and the Mandarin Oriental also occupies a former monastery.
Check availability and prices at Augustine
Aria Hotel Prague
Aria Hotel in Malá Strana, a short walk from Charles Bridge and the castle. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Nové Město: the New Town
Despite its name, the New Town was founded in the 14th century. It covers Wenceslas Square, the National Museum and the streets around Náměstí Republiky and the Art Nouveau Municipal House. It is busier with traffic, but hotels here often offer more space and a spa for the price. Old Town Square is about ten minutes away on foot.
Best hotel: BoHo is a calm, modern hotel near Náměstí Republiky with a spa and pool. Almanac X Alcron is a 1930s hotel just off Wenceslas Square.
Check availability and prices at BoHo Prague Hotel
Check availability and prices at Almanac X Alcron Prague
Vinohrady: Prague like a local
Vinohrady is a residential district east of the centre, built in the late 19th century, with tree-lined streets, cafés, wine bars and Náměstí Míru with its neo-Gothic church. It is where many people in Prague actually live, and it suits a longer stay or a second visit. The tram takes you to the centre in a few minutes.
Best hotel: Le Palais Art Hotel occupies a Belle Époque building with a spa, on a quiet street close to Náměstí Míru.
Picolo’s choice in Prague
Four Seasons: the Old Town at your door
The Four Seasons is the best base for a first visit to Prague. It stands on the Vltava next to Charles Bridge, in buildings from the baroque, neoclassical and Renaissance periods. You can cross the bridge before breakfast and be on Old Town Square in eight minutes. In the evening the riverside rooms look straight across to the lit castle.
What Picolo would choose
What Picolo would choose: the Four Seasons in the Old Town for a first visit, and Augustine in Malá Strana for a couple. For more space and a pool at a lower price, BoHo in the New Town.
Why: the Four Seasons puts Charles Bridge at your door, and Augustine gives you quiet evenings beneath the castle. The trade-off: hotels in the Old Town cost more, and the best rooms go first.
More about Prague
All the hotels on this page are on Picolo’s list of the best hotels in Prague. For things to see between check-in and dinner, read the best things to do in Prague. Travelling in December? See the Prague Christmas markets.
Frequently asked questions about where to stay in Prague
What is the best area to stay in Prague?
For a first visit, stay in Staré Město, the Old Town, or just across Charles Bridge in Malá Strana. Both put Old Town Square, the bridge and Prague Castle within walking distance. Staré Město is livelier and more central, while Malá Strana is quieter in the evening. Nové Město and Vinohrady suit a second visit or a longer stay.
Is it better to stay in the Old Town or Malá Strana?
Choose the Old Town if you want to step out into the busiest streets and walk everywhere. Choose Malá Strana if you want baroque lanes, gardens and quieter nights, with the castle above you and the Old Town about fifteen minutes away over Charles Bridge. Couples often prefer Malá Strana, first-time visitors the Old Town.
Where should you not stay in Prague?
Avoid choosing a hotel on price alone in the outer districts if your trip is short, because you will lose time on trams. In the Old Town, rooms facing the busiest squares can be noisy until late, especially at weekends. Ask for a courtyard room, or stay in Malá Strana or Vinohrady if you sleep lightly.
When should you book a hotel in Prague?
Book early for May to September, for the Christmas markets from late November and for New Year, when the best hotels in the Old Town and Malá Strana fill first. January, February and early November are quieter and usually cheaper. Many rates on Hotels.com can be cancelled free of charge, so you can book early and still keep your options open.
Sources
Hotel locations, facilities and guest ratings come from Hotels.com and Picolo’s own hotel pages, last checked on 7 November 2026. The descriptions of the districts are based on Prague City Tourism. The comparisons and picks are Picolo’s own.
This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, Picolo earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Our picks are made independently by our editors.
Have a nice trip to Prague
Picolo Editorial