Prague Neighborhoods: Where to Stay, Where to Live, and How to Pick the Right Area (Without Regretting It)
If you type “Prague neighborhoods” into Google, you’ll quickly find two types of advice:
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“Stay in Prague 1 because it’s cute,” and
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“Avoid Prague 1 because it’s expensive.”
Both are true. Both are also incomplete.
Prague is a city of villages stitched together by trams, parks, and suspiciously good public transport. The “best neighborhood” depends on what you want Prague to feel like: postcard Prague, local Prague, family Prague, nightlife Prague, or “I’m here for 3 months and I need a supermarket + gym + café within 4 minutes” Prague.
This guide is written for visitors and long-term living. You’ll get practical details (commuting, vibe, amenities, pros/cons), plus our honest “who this is for” notes—because choosing the right neighborhood is the fastest way to love Prague (and the wrong one is the fastest way to spend your evenings googling “how to break lease in Czech Republic”).
If you’re moving here and want help, we also do flat hunting in Prague (viewings, negotiations, contracts, handover, utilities—end-to-end). More on that below.
Quick orientation: Prague districts in 60 seconds
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Prague 1 = Historic center (Old Town, New Town, Malá Strana, Castle area). Beautiful, walkable, busiest, most expensive.
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Prague 2–3 = Central residential favorites (Vinohrady, parts of Žižkov). Classic buildings, cafés, parks, quick commutes.
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Prague 5–8 = Big “liveable city” districts (Smíchov/Anděl, Karlín, Holešovice/Letná, parts of Libeň). Modern + old mix, great transport, lots of services.
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Prague 4 / 6 / 7 = Often chosen for family life, green space, and calmer living (depending on micro-area).
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Prague 9–10 and beyond = More residential and budget-friendly, still very doable if near a metro/tram line.
Key Prague reality: micro-locations matter more than district numbers. One street can feel quiet and leafy; two blocks away can feel like a tram interchange with opinions.
How to choose a Prague neighborhood (the checklist that actually works)
1) Pick your “center”
Most people mean one of these:
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Old Town Square / Národní třída (tourist center)
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Wenceslas Square / Muzeum (New Town hub)
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Your daily destination (office, school, co-working, client sites)
Then choose a neighborhood that gets you there in a commuting time you can repeat daily without hating your life.
2) Prioritize the type of transport you like
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Metro = fastest for distance, fewer stops, great for commuting
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Tram = best for “city living,” frequent, scenic, many lines
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Walking = Prague is extremely walkable if you live near the center
3) Decide your vibe
Do you want:
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Quiet + parks?
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Restaurants + bars?
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Expats + English-friendly services?
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Budget + space?
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Family logistics (schools, playgrounds, easy groceries)?
If you’re renting and want to avoid common traps, start with our detailed guide: Renting a Flat in Prague – The Ultimate Guide for Expats.
Prague neighborhoods cheat sheet (fast recommendations)
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Best all-round for expats (walkability + parks + cafés): Vinohrady (Prague 2)
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Best modern “city life” with quick access to center: Karlín (Prague 8)
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Best creative / gallery / coffee scene: Holešovice + Letná (Prague 7)
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Best “I want everything nearby” transport hub: Smíchov / Anděl (Prague 5)
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Best for families (green, calm, international feel): Dejvice / Bubeneč (Prague 6)
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Best value close to center (but with personality): Žižkov / parts of Vršovice
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Best postcard experience (short stay): Old Town / Malá Strana (Prague 1)
Want a shorter version? We also published 7 best neighborhoods to live in Prague (+ 3 bonus ones).
Neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide
For travel times, assume “center” = Wenceslas Square / Národní třída area (the practical center for most people).
1) Old Town (Staré Město) — Prague 1
Best for: first-time visitors, walking everywhere, history lovers
Typical travel to center: 0–10 minutes walk (you’re already there)
What it feels like: Prague’s greatest hits album—every street looks like it belongs on a calendar.
Amenities & food: endless restaurants and cafés (quality varies wildly), major sights, shopping.
Advantages
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Most walkable area in Prague
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You can “do Prague” without using transport
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Perfect base for short stays
Disadvantages
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Crowds, noise, higher prices
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Some buildings are older (heating, insulation, stairs)
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For long-term renting: competition + price + tourist pressure
Flat-hunting note: We can absolutely find flats in Prague 1, but for long-term living, most clients are happier 1–3 stops out—same convenience, more calm, better value.
2) New Town (Nové Město) — Prague 1/2
Best for: people who want central living without being inside the tourist core
Travel to center: 0–15 minutes (walk/tram/metro)
What it feels like: business + culture + local life. More “real city,” less fairy-tale.
Amenities & food: strong for gyms, offices, supermarkets, cafés, theaters.
Advantages
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Central, practical, and well-connected
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Great for commuters (multiple metro lines nearby)
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Plenty of services
Disadvantages
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Some areas are busy (traffic, nightlife)
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Street-to-street variability is huge
3) Malá Strana & Hradčany (Lesser Town + Castle area) — Prague 1
Best for: romantic stays, quiet elegance, morning walks before the crowds
Travel to center: 5–15 minutes (tram/walk)
What it feels like: postcard Prague with hills. Stunning, calm in the evenings.
Advantages
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Beautiful architecture, parks, river access
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Surprisingly quiet at night in many streets
Disadvantages
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Hills (great cardio, less great groceries)
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Fewer everyday “local” amenities compared to other central districts
4) Vinohrady — Prague 2
Best for: long-term living, cafés, parks, “Prague life but easy”
Travel to center: ~10–20 minutes (metro/tram/walk depending on micro-area)
What it feels like: elegant residential Prague—tree-lined streets, classic buildings, local cafés, and a lot of people who came for 6 months and stayed 6 years.
Amenities & food
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Parks: Riegrovy Sady / Havlíčkovy Sady (Grébovka)
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Strong café and restaurant density, plus everyday supermarkets
Advantages
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One of the best “expat-friendly but still local” areas
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Great balance of calm + city life
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Very walkable and well-connected
Disadvantages
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Popular = expensive
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High demand means rentals move fast
If you want more detail on rental strategy (and avoiding scams), use our renting guide before you book viewings.
5) Žižkov — Prague 3
Best for: value close to center, nightlife, character, students & creatives
Travel to center: ~10–20 minutes (tram/walk)
What it feels like: lively, a bit gritty in places, very real. Some streets feel like a village; some feel like “Prague after dark.”
Amenities & food
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Lots of pubs and casual restaurants
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Great tram connections, easy access to parks nearby
Advantages
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Often better value than Vinohrady with similar commute
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Strong local vibe, plenty of social life
Disadvantages
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Patchy street-by-street (noise, bars, older housing stock)
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Not everyone loves the “edge”
6) Karlín — Prague 8
Best for: modern living, offices/co-working, restaurants, quick commute
Travel to center: ~10–15 minutes (metro/tram)
What it feels like: Prague’s “new classic.” Rebuilt, upgraded, and now packed with great food and modern apartments.
Amenities & food
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Very strong restaurant scene
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Great metro access (Line B in many parts)
Advantages
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Excellent connectivity
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Modern housing options
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Great for professionals
Disadvantages
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Prices climbed (because everyone had the same idea)
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Some parts are quieter than others—choose micro-area carefully
7) Holešovice + Letná — Prague 7
Best for: creative scene, galleries, cafés, parks, young professionals
Travel to center: ~10–20 minutes (tram/metro depending on micro-area)
What it feels like: Prague’s cool corner—industrial turned stylish, plus big green space above the river.
Amenities & food
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Letná Park views, cafés, beer gardens
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Strong arts scene (galleries, venues), lots of specialty coffee – including first Bitcoin (only) Coffee
Advantages
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Amazing lifestyle density (food + culture + parks)
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Very well connected by tram; solid metro access in parts
Disadvantages
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Popularity is pushing prices up
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Some areas still feel more “industrial Prague” than “classic Prague” (which is either a pro or a con)
8) Smíchov / Anděl — Prague 5
Best for: convenience, transport, shopping, quick access to everything
Travel to center: ~10–15 minutes (metro/tram)
What it feels like: a functional hub—busy, practical, surprisingly nice once you’re a few streets away from the main interchange.
Amenities & food
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One of the strongest “everything is here” districts: supermarkets, malls, gyms, cinemas
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Great transport links (metro + trams + trains)
Advantages
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Extremely practical for daily life
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Great for newcomers who want simplicity
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Easy access to the river and parks nearby
Disadvantages
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Anděl itself is busy (noise, traffic)
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Choose the residential micro-area, not just “near Anděl”
9) Dejvice / Bubeneč — Prague 6
Best for: families, calm living, parks, embassies, international feel
Travel to center: ~15–25 minutes (metro/tram)
What it feels like: spacious, green, and “well-organized Prague.”
Amenities & food
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Great parks and quieter streets
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Strong services, schools, and a stable residential feel
Advantages
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Very family-friendly
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High quality housing stock in many areas
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Easy airport access compared to many districts
Disadvantages
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Can feel quieter at night (again: pro or con)
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Some areas are pricier due to demand
10) Vršovice + Nusle — Prague 10 / 4
Best for: people who want local life, food, and better value than Prague 2
Travel to center: ~15–25 minutes (tram/metro depending on where)
What it feels like: “real Prague” with a growing food scene—less polished, more authentic.
Advantages
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Often better value while staying close-ish to the center
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Great cafés and restaurants in many pockets
Disadvantages
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Transport depends heavily on the exact street (choose near tram/metro)
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Some buildings are older; condition varies
11) Libeň / Palmovka (parts of Prague 8) — “value + connectivity” zone
Best for: budget-conscious renters who still want good transport
Travel to center: ~15–25 minutes (metro/tram)
What it feels like: mixed. Some areas are residential and calm; some are in transition.
Advantages
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Often more space for the money
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Very doable commutes with the right connection
Disadvantages
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Not as “pretty” as Prague 2/7 in many parts
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You need to choose streets carefully
12) Riverside districts: Podolí / Braník / Modřany (Prague 4)
Best for: calm living, green space, families, runners/cyclists
Travel to center: ~25–40 minutes (tram/bus; depends on proximity to transport)
What it feels like: quieter, greener Prague—more “I live here” than “I’m visiting.”
Advantages
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Great river paths, parks, relaxed vibe
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Good for families and anyone who wants space
Disadvantages
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Longer commutes unless you’re right by fast connections
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Less “city buzz” at night
Where should you stay if you’re visiting Prague?
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Short first trip (walk everywhere): Old Town / New Town / Malá Strana
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Want local vibe but still central: Vinohrady / Karlín / Letná
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Want convenience and transport: Anděl (choose a quieter street nearby)
If you’re moving: how we help with flat hunting (and why it matters)
Prague rentals move fast. Good flats can disappear within a day or two, and the process is very paperwork-heavy for newcomers.
Our flat hunting service is built for that reality: we help you define requirements, search effectively, book viewings, communicate with landlords/agents, negotiate terms, review contracts, and handle handover + setup.
Start here if you want to understand the process first:
Or read more about our Flat Hunting services here.
FAQ: Prague neighborhoods
What are the best Prague neighborhoods for expats?
Vinohrady, Karlín, Letná/Holešovice, and parts of Smíchov are the most common picks for long-term newcomers because they combine transport, amenities, and lifestyle density.
Is Prague 1 a good place to live long-term?
It can be, but most long-term renters find it expensive and busy. Many prefer living 1–3 stops out (Prague 2/3/5/7/8) and commuting in quickly.
Which Prague neighborhoods are best for families?
Dejvice/Bubeneč and calmer parts of Prague 4 are frequent choices thanks to parks, space, and a quieter rhythm.
How do I choose the right neighborhood if I’ve never been to Prague?
Start with commute + vibe + budget, then shortlist 2–3 areas and compare available flats. If you want it done efficiently (and safely), that’s exactly what our flat hunting service is for.
Contact us to discuss your housing needs 🙂
Move To Prague – AMAZING EXPERIENCE. EVERY TIME.
