The touristy areas in Prague are touristy for a good reason, but let me introduce you to 6 less-touristy neighborhoods to visit in Prague on your next trip.
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Table of Contents
- A little about me
- Where to stay in Prague
- How to get around Prague
- The most touristy neighborhoods in Prague
- 6 less-touristy neighborhoods in Prague
A little about me
Hey, I’m Taylor, an American girl in her 20s who has been living in Prague, Czech Republic since August 2024 with my half-British, half-Czech partner. I started creating content in 2022, first posting about my digital nomad and travel adventures before transitioning to focus on my life in Prague. I bring an authentic, down-to-earth vibe to all of my content and show what it’s really like being an American living in Prague and provide insider recommendations to people visiting Prague.
Where to stay in Prague
Prague has a lot of great options for accommodation that won’t break the bank. As someone who lives here, it’s better for the local economy to stay in a hotel or hostel over an Airbnb, so keep that in mind when you’re deciding where to stay during your trip to Prague.
For your first visit, I recommend staying in Staré Město (Old Town) or Malá Strana (Lesser Town) because they are the most centrally located areas. If you’re visiting for a subsequent time, consider staying in one of the less-touristy neighborhoods in Prague I discuss later in this article.
How to get around Prague
The best way to get around Prague is by using the super well-connected public transport system. I recommend downloading the app PID Lítačka and purchasing tickets there, just be sure to click ‘activate’ before getting on your ride. Otherwise, you can buy tickets in stations or on most trams and buses. Bolt (and Uber, but Bolt is better) are also available in the city.
The most touristy neighborhoods in Prague
Before I jump into the less-touristy neighborhoods in Prague, let me make sure you know what the most touristy areas in Prague are and what attractions they have. By the way, I don’t consider “touristy” to be a bad thing. Prague has a lot of tourists for a good reason–because it’s an incredibly gorgeous and historically rich city.
Staré Město (Old Town)
Prague’s Old Town is the historic center of the city which dates back to the 9th century. It is one of Europe’s best-preserved old quarters, and tourists flock to it to see its famous Old Town Square, Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, Klementinum Library, and more. There are also many good albeit less-authentic Czech restaurants and places to enjoy a Czech beer and people watch (one of my favorite things to do).
Nové Město (New Town)
New Town isn’t really all that new. Founded in 1348, this area of the city has long been filled with restaurants, nightlife, and shopping. It is not as historical as the Old Town, but still full of character and definitely worth a stroll through its main square Václavské náměstí (Wenceslas Square).
A restaurant I really recommend here is Le Petit Beefbar au Grand Café. It’s on the pricier side for Prague standards, but great for a special occasion! We celebrated our six year anniversary there.
Malá Strana (Lesser Town)
Malá Strana is one of my favorite places in all of Prague. It truly looks straight out of a fairytale and feels a lot calmer than the constant hub of the Old Town. The area lies directly under the Prague Castle, the world’s largest continuous castle complex in the world, and it was originally built as a district to service the castle area.
Other than the castle, some of the most popular attractions in this area are St. Nicholas Church, Wallenstein Garden (which is closed in the winter months), Kampa Park, and Petřín Hill and Lookout Tower. In this area I really recommend just getting lost amongst the cobblestone streets!
Vyšehrad
Vyšehrad is a historic complex in Prague overlooking the Vltava River. In the 10th century it was used as a fortified settlement and later a royal residence. Today it is a national symbol of Czech culture and is home to a cemetery where many prominent Czech people are buried.
The main attractions (other than the cemetery, if you’re into that) are the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul, Leopold Gate, and Vyšehrad Gardens. Make sure to also walk along fortification walls which offer a stunning view of the river and Prague castle in the distance.
6 less-touristy neighborhoods in Prague
The way Prague is organized can be a little confusing for tourists. There are numerical districts (Prague 1, Prague 2) which comprise non-numerical districts which comprise neighborhoods. Some of the places below are technically districts and some are neighborhoods.
Vinohrady
Vinohrady literally means “vineyards,” and historically the entire area was covered in vineyards. Today, there is only one vineyard in Vinohrady, located in Grébovka Park along with a wine cellar and gazebo. And it’s known for its plenty of cute little wine bars!
This neighborhood in Prague is known for being home to many expats and immigrants, and you will often hear English spoken here more than Czech. It’s very residential, with gorgeous 19th century apartment buildings lining the streets alongside cafes and brunch places. One of my favorite things to do is watch the sunset from the hill in Riegrovy Sady park.
Žižkov
Žižkov is a more gritty, hipster area in Prague and you can definitely feel the vibe shift once you enter Žižkov’s imaginary borders. It has the most pubs per square kilometer than any other neighborhood in Prague, and a lot of laid back joints to enjoy some Czech or international cuisine and drinks. It’s also quite lively at night, with locals spending time at music bars and indie venues.
Žižkov is perhaps most well-known for the Žižkov TV Tower, considered one of the world’s ugliest buildings, which is a Soviet-era transmitting tower that now has huge baby sculptures crawling up its side. It’s definitely worth going up and catching arguably the best view of the city Prague has to offer.
Smíchov
Smíchov is a neighborhood across the river from central Prague and known for its waterfront bars and restaurants and its shopping areas, most notably the Nový Smíchov Shopping Center. Smíchov is a mix of a residential and office district, so you will find it looks a bit more modern that all of the neighborhoods in Prague I’ve previously mentioned.
A fun activity to do in Prague is visiting the Staropramen Brewery, where you can take a self-guided tour about one of the Czech Republic’s most famous beers and taste four different types of Staropramen. I also recommend visiting Manifesto Market, and indoor/outdoor market (depending on the season) with numerous food stalls and fun events.
Letná
The heart of Letná is the enormous Letná Park, which is beloved by locals. The park has a beer garden, skate parks, a playground, scenic overlooks, and plenty of walking routes. It’s the perfect place to feel like you are getting a little out of Prague, while still being totally in the city.
Letná itself is known as quite a creative hub with cool cafes, independent design shops, vegan restaurants and a generally younger crowd. However, it’s known to be a nice place for families too. It’s also home to the stadium for the Sparta Prague football team, if you’re interested in catching a game.
Holešovice
Holešovice feels quite different from anywhere else in Prague and it’s definitely worth a visit to see if you like the vibe. It has more of an alternative, Berlin-like culture with plenty of thrift shopping, independent art galleries, old factories converted into coworking studios and creative workshops, and more. It consists of a mix of neo-Renaissance and industrialist/functionalist architecture which gives it a very unique feel.
If you’re visiting Prague because you’ve heard it has epic nightlife, look no further than Cross Club in Holešovice. I’ve never been personally, but it’s one of Prague’s most famous nightclubs, famous for its unique design and unconventional music.
Karlín
Karlín is one of the most transformed neighborhoods in Prague that today is very popular with young professionals. Historically it was a working class area but has become gentrified (for better or worse) into one of the city’s most trendy neighborhoods. It is the homebase for a lot of startups and tech companies and has a much more urban feel than the other neighborhoods I’ve discussed.
It’s also considered a foodie hotspot and has some very fun pubs and craft beer bars where you can be shoulder-to-shoulder with the locals, like Dva Kohouti. You will definitely notice a slightly older crowd (by older I mean late 20s-40s) than many other social areas in Prague.
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Now you know 6 less-touristy neighborhoods to visit in Prague. I hope you enjoy them and that you have the chance to experience Prague more through the eyes of a local. And be sure to check out my other Prague articles:
