There are some places in the world where crowds of tourists are an irritation, and some where they are so inevitable that they've become part of the attraction in themselves. What would Times Square or Shibuya Crossing be without the hordes of pedestrians? Prague's Old Town Square is another such place. Even though it may be the most architecturally breathtaking city square in Europe, it seems to derive much of its energy from the throngs of travelers from all over the world who pass through at all hours of the day and night. In fact, many of Prague's visitors never stray from the city's compact historic centre. Both the Old Town (Staré Mesto) or the similarly historic Malá Strana on the other side of the River Vltava are within easy walking distance of Old Town Square, Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, and virtually any other spot that's likely to be on most guidebooks' lists of the top sights in Prague. These two central neighbourhoods are filled with hotels that tend to be more expensive but there are a surprising number of budget options as well.
For those who don't wish to limit themselves to the historic side of Prague, there are several neighbourhoods that possess a more modern and less touristy vibe, yet are still within walking distance of the centre. To the south and east of the Old Town is the New Town, which is still quite an old neighbourhood and full of atmospheric streets as well as countless restaurants and boutiques. Wenceslas Square and the National Museum are in New Town.
Further to the west are the hip, residential communities of Vinohrady and Žižkov which are great areas to mingle with young urbanites in pubs and sidewalk cafes. These neighbourhoods are also well-known for their blocks of colourful townhouses in a variety of classic architectural styles.
Most travellers won't want to be further afield given the difficulty of parking in the centre of the city, but if one is willing to utilize Prague's excellent public transportation there are options in Vyšehrad just south of New Town, Holešovice inside the sharp river bend north of Old Town, and in Smíchov across the Vltava from New Town. One thing that is certain is if you choose to base yourself in one of these lesser-known areas you will discover a side of Prague that only a small minority of travellers have experienced.
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@zzlangherhans has toured the globe with his family, having visited over 55 countries. He writes about their journeys on his excellent blog - Fledgling Explorers
Last updated 6 Feb 2025