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Where not to stay in Prague: The best tips to travel safe!
Avoid mistakes when choosing accommodations in Prague. Find out which areas are most recommended for your stay in the city.
Picking the right place to stay in Prague can save you both time and money, especially if you want to get around the main tourist attractions with ease. While the city has plenty of historic neighborhoods, some can be less convenient due to their location, the distance from key sights, or the limited options available for tourists.
That’s why we put together this guide to help you spot areas to avoid and those that offer a better mix of safety, transport links, and surroundings. That way, you’ll have a much clearer idea of which accommodation best suits your needs.
What should you consider before choosing a place to stay in Prague?
Before choosing where to stay in Prague, it’s important to understand the differences between its districts. Keep in mind that the city is well connected, but not all areas are equally close to the main tourist attractions. That’s why we’ll walk you through the key things to consider below.
1. Proximity to tourist areas
A good location can make a big difference during your trip. For example, staying close to the main tourist areas lets you explore much of the city on foot, while staying in outlying districts usually means longer journeys and a greater reliance on public transport.
2. Access to public transportation
While no area of Prague is completely cut off from public transport, some outlying neighborhoods rely mainly on buses and tend to have longer travel times.
So if your goal is to visit places like Old Town Square, Prague Castle, or Charles Bridge, the best option is to stay in areas close to metro lines A, B, or C, which offer faster connections.
3. Balance between price and location
Staying in Prague’s historic center has the advantage of putting you just steps away from the main tourist attractions, but it also comes with higher prices, usually ranging between $130–270 per night.
On the other hand, nearby neighborhoods like Vinohrady, Karlín, or Smíchov usually offer accommodation ranging from $75 to $160 per night, with good transport connections and travel times of under 15 minutes to the historic center.
4. Neighborhood experience
Each neighborhood in Prague offers a different experience. While Staré Město and Malá Strana are ideal if you want to stay close to the main landmarks, areas like Vinohrady have a more traditional and peaceful atmosphere.
On the other hand, Žižkov is the perfect area for enjoying Prague’s nightlife, while neighborhoods like Karlín and Holešovice stand out for their cultural, food, and arts scenes.
5. Perception of safety
Prague is one of the safest capitals in Europe, but perceptions of safety can vary depending on the area and time of day. Some neighborhoods near train stations or in outlying districts may feel less safe due to lower street activity at night.
Areas to avoid in Prague
Below are the areas we generally recommend avoiding when choosing where to stay in Prague, especially if it’s your first visit to the city.
1. Prague 10
Located in the southeast of the city, this district is largely residential and includes neighborhoods such as Hostivař, Záběhlice, Strašnice, and Vršovice, offering a quieter experience and a closer look at everyday life in Prague.
However, because it is quite far from the main tourist areas, you won’t find many bars, cafés, restaurants, or art galleries geared toward international visitors. In some cases, you may also encounter language barriers.
If you’re only staying in Prague for a few days, this may not be the best area to stay. Depending on the neighborhood, getting to the historic center by public transport can take between 15 and 35 minutes, as some parts of the district are better connected than others.
However, if you’re planning a longer stay or traveling on a budget, neighborhoods like Hostivař offer more affordable accommodation, typically costing between $35–70 per night.
2. Prague 1, Prague Hlavní Nádraží Train Station
The area around Hlavní Nádraží, Prague’s main train station, often attracts travelers because of its central location between Prague 1, Prague 2, and Prague 3, providing excellent transport connections across the city.
However, nearby areas such as Vrchlického Sady are often busier and noisier than other central neighborhoods. Because of this, it may not be the best area to stay if you’re looking for a quiet and pleasant place to relax or walk around.
3. Prague 14 (Černý Most)
On the northeast side of the city, you’ll find Černý Most, a neighborhood in the Prague 14 district that is mainly residential. It has several transport options, but travel times to places like Old Town Square or Charles Bridge are usually over 30 minutes.
In addition to being far from Prague’s main tourist attractions, the area doesn’t have many services or shops aimed at tourists. If you’re on a tight budget, you might find great deals on accommodation, but you’ll need to spend more time and money getting around.
4. Prague 5 (Zličín)
Zličín is part of Prague 5 and is known for its shopping centres and residential areas. Its location on the outskirts makes it a convenient option for staying close to the airport, but not ideal for exploring the city on foot if you’re short on time.
Although it has a metro station on line B, trips to the historic center usually take between 25 and 40 minutes. It’s primarily a residential and commercial area, with little historic character and few attractions for most visitors.
If you’re visiting Prague for a short trip and want to stay within walking distance of major attractions, restaurants, and historic landmarks, Zličín is unlikely to be the most convenient choice.
Best places to stay in Prague
Now that we’ve covered the areas that may not suit most visitors, let’s look at the neighborhoods that consistently rank among the best places to stay in Prague.
1. Malá Strana
Often called the “Little Quarter,” it lies just below Prague Castle on the other side of the Vltava River. The area itself is worth exploring, with its historic streets and gardens, and it’s only a short walk from landmarks like Charles Bridge and Kampa Island.
Malá Strana is known for being peaceful and safe at night, while during the day it becomes lively and full of tourists. Many travelers consider it one of the best places to stay thanks to its beauty and its easy access to Prague’s main attractions.
You’ll find mid-range hotels here for around $150–280 per night, though it’s best to book in advance to get better prices. No matter how long you stay in Prague, this area is always a great choice for being close to the city and experiencing it fully.
2. Staré Město
For a first visit to Prague, this is the best area to stay. You’ll be right in the historic center, where many of the city’s most important landmarks are located. From here, you can easily explore many attractions on foot, saving both time and money if you’re only staying for a few days.
You can visit Old Town Square, the Prague Astronomical Clock, and the Jewish Quarter. In addition to having plenty of restaurants, cafés, and museums nearby, the area is generally quiet, although it’s still a good idea to take care of your belongings, as pickpockets can be an issue.
Since this is Prague’s historic center and one of the main tourist areas, hotels here usually cost about $160–300 per night. It’s more expensive than other neighborhoods, but you’ll have most of the main sights and tourist services close by.
3. Nové Město
It’s located next to Prague’s historic center and offers a good balance between a central location and moderate accommodation prices, thanks to its wide range of hotels.
Accommodation there usually costs between $110–220 per night, which is noticeably cheaper than other areas in central Prague. You’ll also find safe streets throughout the day and plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars that make the evenings quite lively.
You can walk through its streets and reach Wenceslas Square, the Dancing House, and several important museums that are must-sees in the city. It’s also one of the best places to catch public transport if you plan to move around to other areas.
If you’re only staying for a short trip, this area has a lot going for it, but it’s worth thinking about the nighttime noise before booking, as it may not be the most peaceful place to sleep.
4. Vinohrady
It’s mainly a residential neighborhood, but it’s popular with tourists thanks to its good transport links, including the metro and trams, which get you to central Prague in just a few minutes.
It’s also known for its cafés, restaurants, parks, and modern buildings, where you can spend quiet afternoons enjoying everyday city life. In Vinohrady, key spots include the Church of the Sacred Heart and Jiřího z Poděbrad Square.
It’s one of the most affordable and safest areas in the city to stay in, with prices usually ranging from $100–185 per night, since it’s a bit farther from the historic center. Unlike other neighborhoods, nights here are quiet, so you can rest without noise from nearby bars.
How can you get internet access during your stay in Prague?
Visiting Prague requires a stable internet connection to check maps, find the city’s main attractions, locate nearby restaurants, bars, and transport stations, and get around the Czech capital more easily.
That’s why we recommend Holafly’s monthly plans, which offer 25 GB or unlimited data that you can share across devices and include coverage in more than 160 international destinations.
It also includes the Always On benefit, which gives you 1 GB of free data every month with coverage in more than 70 countries, so you can stay connected even after your plan ends or you’ve used up your data.
If you’re staying for a short trip, you can choose to set up a Prague eSIM, which gives you unlimited data for exactly the days you’re in the city. That way, you avoid paying your usual carrier’s international roaming charges.
Frequently asked questions about where not to stay in Prague
Yes, Prague is considered one of the safest cities in Europe. The most common issue for tourists is pickpocketing in crowded areas.
The best options are usually Staré Město, Malá Strana, and Nové Město, since they offer easy access to most of the monuments and attractions.
Malá Strana and Vinohrady offer a more relaxed and peaceful atmosphere than the busier tourist areas of the historic center.
No, it’s not necessary, thanks to the city’s efficient public transport system. You can stay in areas like Vinohrady or Nové Město and still reach the main tourist attractions quickly by metro or tram.
Vinohrady stands out for offering more affordable accommodation than the historic center, along with good transport connections and a pleasant atmosphere with cafés, bars, and places of interest to explore.
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Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍
