Prague (Praha) Orientation

Shouldering the river Vltava, greater Prague is a mess of suburbs and maze-like streets. All sightseeing destinations are in the compact downtown. The Vltava runs south to north through central Prague, separating Staré Město (Old Town) and Nové Město (New Town) from Malá Strana (Lesser Side). On the right bank, Staroměstské náměstí (Old Town Square) is Prague’s focal point. From the square, the elegant Pařížská ulice (Paris Street) leads north into Josefov, the old Jewish quarter. South of Staré Město, the Nové Město houses Václavské náměstí (Wenceslas Square), the city’s commercial core. West of Staroměstské nám., Karlův Most (Charles Bridge) spans the Vltava, connecting Staré Město with Malostranské náměstí (Lesser Town Square). Pražský Hrad (Prague Castle) overlooks Malostranské nám. from Hradčany hill. The train station and bus station lie northeast of Václavské nám. To reach Staroměstské nám., take Metro A line to Staroměstská and follow Kaprova away from the river.

• Nové MĔsto

At 650 years of age, Nové Město (New Town) would hardly feel at home at the kiddie table. Sure, founded by Charles IV in 1348, this town might be “comparatively new.” And sure, it's ...more

• Staré Město

Despite being overrun with tourists and dog dung while distinctly lacking in authentic Czech culture, Old Town still enchants like a princess doped on charm pills. There's Old Town Hall, or what's left ...more

• Josefov

Josefov is the Jewish district of Prague whose main attractions are the six synagogues and the old cemetery. It may seem surprising that such a large, clearly marked Jewish district survives in post-World ...more

• Malá Strana

Malá Strana, literally “Lesser Town,” is so-called for its placement below the castle, but geographically Malá Strana continues past the Castle, all the way down to what would ...more

• HradČany

Prague's castle district is located above the rest of the city, providing some of the best panoramas and the biggest crowds. While a trip to the top is obligatory, it might be worth keeping an open mind ...more

• ŽiŽkov

Žižkov is a bohemian paradise with enough graffiti (or “street art”) murals sprayed on abandoned garage doors and bars to make even the happy-go-lucky feel a little emo. Perhaps the biggest ...more

• Vinohrady

Legend has it that in days of yore, Princess Libuse, a probably-fictional-princess, stood on a hill at Vinohrady's Vyšehrad fortress and foresaw the glory of Prague. Fact has it that the first King ...more

• HoleŠovice

Without question, the most underappreciated neighborhood in all of Prague is Holešovice, which has some of the coolest sites that aren't just enjoyable because a guidebook tells you they're important ...more

• Dejvice

Dejvice is mostly for the old and tired or the middle-aged and child-bearing. It's no surprise that one can barely find a tourist on the streets of Dejvice, because unlike the undiscovered parts behind ...more

• Smichov

Smichov is a area of Prague's fifth district that boasts a giant shopping complex, several quality restaurants that are far less expensive than anything found in central Prague, the Staropramen brewery ...more