Best areas to stay in Prague

Not many think to visit Vysehrad, let alone base themselves there, but they should – in both respects. The area is about a 20min or 40min walk to Charles Bridge, and from its rocky mound position offers brilliant views over the Vltava River, with the spires of the Prague Castle complex on the other side of the river on the far right. Vysehrad means ‘high castle’ and is named after the 10th-century castle that once stood here, although remnants of its fortifications remain today. This quieter area is home to a spacious park and the national cemetery, the final resting place of many prominent Czech poets, composers and novelists. It makes a peaceful escape from ‘downtown’ Prague, although it’s well connected with a metro station and tram service; otherwise, it’s a pleasant stroll along the river to reach your final destination.

Vinohrady is the best area to stay in Prague for romantics, who can admire its elegant Neo-Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings in all their ornate glory. In this chilled-out area, you can go for a stroll through the large Riegrovy Sady park, mooch around one of the many farmer’s markets and wind your way down the tree-lined streets towards the showstopping Namesti Miru. It’s also home to loads of hip little coffee shops if you need a caffeine fix, too.

Nearby Zizkov is another relatively affluent, chilled-out area, and is home to one of the most unique sights in all of Prague: the Television Tower. Designed by Czech artist David Cerny, the futuristic tower has giant babies crawling up it; this is classic Cerny, where you can see more of the same over in Kampa Park with his giant, barcode-faced Crawling Babies. But back to Zizkov. This neighbourhood is slightly grittier than Vinohrady, but it’s home to a wealth of great pubs, which is a great insight into local life.

There’s loads of hotels to choose from in Nove Mesto, along with plenty of theatres, clubs and cinemas to entertain yourself with. At one end sits Wenceslas Square, one of the most iconic spots in Prague with its National Museum sitting at the top of the long square and shops lining the street down to its pedestrianized end. Also in the area is the National Theatre (Narodni Divadlo), its breathtaking design and riverfront position making it one of the top things to see here, whether it’s a performance itself or simply admiring the architecture from outside.

From the Old Town side, cross over Charles Bridge and immediately into Mala Strana, otherwise known as the Lesser Quarter. This is more of a residential area with many Renaissance and Baroque buildings, as well as the fabulous Church of St Nicholas and splendid Wallenstein Palace and Gardens. Also here is Kampa Island, home to the tourist-heavy, graffitied John Lennon Wall, and leads onto Petrin Hill which you can take the funicular up to.

Sit above the clouds – well, okay, ground level – in Hradcany, the Castle District. From its ridge-top position, you’ll be rewarded with sublime views of the town and river below, as well as a whole day’s worth of activities up at the Prague Castle complex itself. But even before you enter the castle, the surrounding area of the square is well worth exploring, with the likes of the sgraffito-clad Schwarzenberg Palace, home to the Baroque Art in Bohemia gallery, and Sternberg Palace, which houses the National Gallery of European Art. But of course the best reason to base yourself here is for the Prague Castle complex; with its three separate entrances, the place includes an array of museums, the Gothic St Vitus Cathedral and unmissable Changing of the Guards procession.