Best Neighborhoods in Prague to Stay
It's not exactly fair to declare a handful of districts to be the best in Prague. What might be the best for you wouldn't necessarily be all that good to others, especially if you lead extremely different lifestyles. With that said, there's a consensus that Staré Mesto, Malá Strana, Nové Město, and the Karlín District are the most popular neighborhoods in Prague. They're the city's best tourist spots too. Staré Mesto, for example, is Prague's Old Town quarter where Medieval castles and centuries-old churches reign supreme. In contrast, Nové Město (translated as “New Town”) is a trendy hub of hotspots that never fail to draw the young and young-at-heart.
Best Neighborhoods in Prague to Live
The best, or rather the most popular neighborhoods in Prague aren't necessarily the best places to stay in the city. You can still live in these parts, sure, but there are other districts more suited for residential life. Expats will particularly like Vinohrady, where most of the city's foreign residents live. It's a welcoming area with lots of hotspots and a more open community. Smíchov, on the other hand, is Prague's business district. Anyone working in the corporate world who wishes to reside in a luxury apartment in Prague will find the place more than suitable.
Prague Neighborhoods to Avoid
Not a lot of people know that the Prague's crime rates are among the lowest in Europe, perhaps even in the entire world. Though it's a capital city, it's one of the rare ones that boasts a high safety rate, both during the day and at night. So does that mean all the neighborhoods in Prague are safe? No. There are still parts of the city you're better off avoiding. A good example is Perlovka, Prague's red-light district. Heaven knows what sort of sketchy characters congregate here come nightfall. The streets of Bartolomějská, Benediktská, or Krakovská may be near Staré Mesto and Nové Město, but they're notorious for their high crime rates.
Dejvice in Prague
While Vinohrady is better known as the premier expat area of Prague, Dejvice deserves as much credit for this too. It's an upbeat residential district that has its fair share of hotspots—perfect for foreigners who want to settle down but still want a bit of excitement in the Czech capital. Dejvice is particularly known as the university area, home to the city's most acclaimed higher education institutions and best international schools. Even the National Technical Library is here too. As such, many of its residents, be they foreign or local, are students and young professionals. This younger population resulted in Dejvice's hipper and trendier vibe.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Holešovice, Prague
If you need convincing as to why Holešovice is a neighborhood worthy of your attention, you can just read The Independent. The UK-based newspaper actually ranked it as one of the best neighborhoods in Europe. Not just in the Czech Republic, but in the entire continent! Although once you get here, you'll probably see the reasons for yourself. The neighborhood is an eclectic mix of traditional pubs and humble diners with cool nightclubs and avant-garde theaters. The old meets the new here, all mixed up with Prague's signature gothic aesthetic. You'll also find Prague Market (Pražská tržnice) here, a treasure trove of fashionable finds and delicious delicacies.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Karlin District, Prague
The Karlín District boasts the title of the “hippest neighborhood in Prague.” It's practically worlds away from what it was before—an independent town that would often flood during the wetter seasons. Today, it's a trendy district full of local life. It's notably less touristy with very few attractions to draw in foreign visitors. As far as architectural marvels are concerned, the Art Nouveau buildings are the only ones to expect here. They house the chic bistros, hip bars, and some of the best restaurants in Prague. Who wouldn't want to stay in such a place?
Source: Flickr.com/ Alex Fateyev
Malá Strana, Prague
As mentioned earlier, Malá Strana is among the most popular neighborhoods in Prague. Even those who aren't too familiar with the different districts in the city know or will likely get told about this place. Its name translates to “Lesser Town” but don't think that it means it's in any way inferior to the other parts of the Czech capital. The name simply means it's smaller compared to the more famous and bigger Staré Město (Old Town Quarter).
What to See in Malá Strana, Prague
There's a lot to see in Malá Strana. The ever-famous Prague Castle complex, for instance, is located here. The entire estate is made up of Prague's most beautiful castles, especially the gothic glory that is the St. Vitus Cathedral. You'll also find the stately Wallenstein Garden here, which practically belongs on the set of a Hollywood period film. Moreover, a few others include the Petrin Tower, the Church of Saint Nicholas, and the Strahov Monastery.
What to Do in Malá Strana, Prague
Many of the best things to do in Prague can be done in Malá Strana. You can relax in the gardens & parks, drink beer in the local pubs, and of course, spend an entire day sightseeing. There's no way you'll ever get bored here, whether it's your first time in the city or you've been countless times already.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Nové Město, Prague
Called the “New Town” of Prague, Nové Město is the city's most modern hub. It's a bustling commercial district with lots of exciting establishments, ranging from the chic Palladium Mall to the string of restaurants, bars, cafes, and more. With that said, what's great about what the city has done with Nové Město is that it never forsook its old-world opulence. Yes, there are many contemporary and commercial establishments here, but they're housed in classic Art Nouveau buildings. This stark contrast only makes the neighborhood even more fascinating.
Where is Nové Město Located?
Nové Město is near the center of Prague. Geographically speaking, it's not right smack in the middle of the city, but it's still a central part of the Czech capital.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Smíchov, Prague
Are you moving to Prague for work? If you are, you're likely to end up in Smíchov. This is the business and nightlife hub of the Czech capital. It's where you'll find office buildings, co-working spaces, and cafes filled with laptop-tapping freelancers. At least, this is what you'll see during the day. Come nightfall, however, all that business and finance shed away to bring out the sparkling nightlife scene of the city. Bars and clubs reign supreme after dark here, drawing in those who consider going out a way of life.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Staré Město, Prague
Without a doubt, Staré Město is the most popular neighborhood in Prague. It's the old town quarter of the Czech capital, the area where the city's fairytale-like fancy blooms in its full flower. There are cobbled streets, grand halls, gothic churches, and a medieval Astronomical Clock that's straight out of a storybook. Staré Město is what most travelers talk about when they say that Prague is a beautiful city. Every corner grabs your attention, offering a small window to the idyllic and romantic past in the midst of today’s tumultuous times.
What to Do in Staré Město, Prague
Although there's a lot to do in Staré Město, the best and most common activity is to go sightseeing. The district is such a feast for the eyes, so much so that you won't know where to start. A particular highlight is the medieval Astronomical Clock attached to Prague's Old Town Hall. It's a beautiful piece of classic engineering rendered in the vibrancy of old-school Czech craftsmanship. You shouldn't miss the majestic church of Our Lady Before Týn too. With its imposing towers and striking spires, you'd almost think that you've seen the building in a Disney film.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Vinohrady, Prague
Anyone relocating to Prague should know about Vinohrady. This is the district that most of the expats call home in the Czech capital. It helps that the neighborhood itself is largely residential, complete with luxury apartments, complexes housed in Art Deco buildings, and chic penthouses. Vinohrady is upscale and trendy, thanks in large part to its amazing culinary and nightlife scenes. The expat community will love the global cuisines offered here, not to mention the chill cafes where they can rest and relax. Come nightfall, Vinohrady livens it up with the various bars and nightclubs on offer. It's particularly popular for its gay clubs, the best havens for the city's LGBTQ+ community.
What to Do in Vinohrady, Prague
It's almost easier to ask what isn't there to do in Vinohrady! In this area, you can go sightseeing, visit art galleries, go on a foodie tour, party at the bars, and dance the night away in the nightclubs. It's the type of neighborhood that can keep you entertained and stimulated all day long, and perhaps this is what made the expats settle down here too.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Vršovice, Prague
Hipsters rejoice! There's a neighborhood in Prague that's just for you: Vršovice. This laid-back district is made up of Art Nouveau buildings that house local designer boutiques, vintage shops, and unique cafes. Other establishments include concept stores that offer fascinating finds, modern restaurants, and cool speakeasies. These aren't the types of hotspots that everyone would know about. Rather, they're the kind of low-key but awesome discoveries if you've been around the block often. Overall, Vršovice may be off the beaten path, but you'd inevitably thank your lucky stars that you ended up here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Prague Žižkov
Žižkov is another nightlife hub but it's not as busy as the more popular districts in Prague. The hotspots here are more local and traditional, ranging from calm bars to old-school bars. Set in a largely residential neighborhood, this is the perfect place to have a chill night out on the town. Those who prefer to just eat good food and sip cocktails instead of partying and dancing all night long will love it here. And you know what's ironic? Despite its strong nightlife, Žižkov is actually one of the safer neighborhoods in Prague. It boasts low crime rates.
What to Do in Žižkov, Prague
As you'd expect, the best thing to do in Žižkov is to go out at night. Right when the sun goes down, the hotspots here light up and welcome its largely youthful customers. For a more touristy thing to do, you can also check out the iconic Žižkov TV Tower, a communist-era structure that's famous as the “second-ugliest building in the world.” But if it's such an eye-sore, why is the tower still there? It's because it stands as a reminder of the country's tumultuous history.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Get to know more about Prague with this neighborhood guide. Though it doesn't have all the different districts of the Czech capital, it sheds light on the central areas that truly define Prague as a great metropolis and a popular destination.
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