Where to Stay in Prague 2026: Best Areas, Hotels and City Tax
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Where to stay in Prague: on a first visit, choose the Old Town, Malá Strana or the New Town, a 6–20 minute walk from Old Town Square. Vinohrady, Karlín, Smíchov and Holešovice are calmer, 9–14 minutes away by metro or tram. The city tax is 50 CZK per adult per night. The average room sold in 2025 cost €123, but your dates may differ widely. Around Prague checked 16 hotels and hostels, the city tax and the rental rules on official websites on 30 October 2026.
Best areas to stay in Prague
Times: IDOS (weekday, 10:00, no waiting) plus walking on OpenStreetMap. Drawbacks are our assessment.
| Area | Best for | Transport | To Old Town Square | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town (Staré Město) | First visit, 2–3 days | On foot; metro A Staroměstská, B Náměstí Republiky | 7–10 min walk | Crowds, prices aimed at tourists |
| Malá Strana (Lesser Town) | Strolling, the Castle, quiet evenings | Metro A Malostranská, trams 12, 15, 22 | 8 min from the metro (1 + 7 walk); 19 min walk from Malostranské náměstí | Cobbles, hills, crowds on the bridge |
| New Town (Nové Město) | Shopping, connections, nightlife | Metro A, B, C: Můstek, Muzeum, Karlovo náměstí | 6 min walk from Můstek; 9 min from Karlovo náměstí | Wenceslas Square noise and tram works |
| Vinohrady | Couples, longer stays, cafés | Metro A Náměstí Míru, Jiřího z Poděbrad | 9 min (3 metro + 6 walk) | Residential, too far to walk |
| Žižkov | Budget stays, bars, hostels | Tram 9 (Lipanská), bus 207; metro only at the edge | 10 min from Jiřího z Poděbrad; 23 min from Lipanská | Hills, loud bars in the evening |
| Karlín | Restaurants, business trips | Metro B Křižíkova, Florenc; trams 3, 8, 24 | 10 min (4 metro + 6 walk) | One change to reach the Castle |
| Holešovice | Galleries, the market, Letná | Metro C Vltavská, trams 17, 8, 26 | 14 min (tram 17, 7 + 7 walk) | Less historic, some industrial blocks |
| Smíchov | Near Malá Strana, malls, Smíchov station | Metro B Anděl, trams 5, 10 | 11 min (5 metro + 6 walk) | Busy junction at Anděl, loud at night |
| Main station area | Early trains, short stopovers | Metro C, tram 9 | 20 min walk (1.5 km) or 15–17 min by metro C and A | Station park feels uneasy late at night |
The upper end of Wenceslas Square gets loud at night (see our guide to safe neighbourhoods). A new tram line is also being built there, due to open by the end of June 2027, says the operator DPP. Ask for a courtyard room.
16 hotels and hostels by class and occasion
We chose by location, class and transport. We have not stayed here and do not rate the service. The class is our own guide. The only outside benchmark is the MICHELIN Keys 2026 selection (18 September). Hotels that changed brand were left out. Links go to official websites.
| Hotel | Area, address | Class, occasion | What sets it apart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairmont Golden Prague | Old Town, Pařížská 30 | Luxury, views | 2 MICHELIN Keys, on the Vltava, pool; ex-InterContinental, reopened April 2025 |
| Four Seasons Hotel Prague | Old Town, Veleslavínova 2a | Luxury, views | 1 MICHELIN Key, by Charles Bridge, river and Castle views |
| Mandarin Oriental, Prague | Malá Strana, Nebovidská 459/1 | Luxury, quiet | Former monastery, spa in a Renaissance chapel, family rooms |
| Golden Well | Malá Strana, U Zlaté studně 166/4 | Luxury, views | Renaissance house, three terraces over the city, rooms facing the Royal Gardens |
| BoHo Prague Hotel | New Town, Senovážná 1254/4 | Upper midscale, by the station | 1 MICHELIN Key, wellness; 10 min walk to the main station |
| Hotel Josef | Old Town, Rybná 20 | Design | By architect Eva Jiřičná, opened 2002, member of Design Hotels |
| Dancing House Hotel | New Town, Jiráskovo náměstí 1981/6 | Design, views | Milunić and Gehry's Dancing House, Vltava and Castle views, roof terrace |
| Le Palais Art Hotel | Vinohrady, U Zvonařky 1 | Five-star, calm area | 19th-century mansion, ceilings by Luděk Marold, art throughout |
| Esplanade Hotel Prague | New Town, Washingtonova 1600/19 | Five-star, by the station | Opened 1927, 6 min walk to the main station |
| Hilton Prague Atrium | Karlín, Pobřežní 311/1 | Upper midscale, families | Indoor pool, river views, 5 min to Florenc metro; older guides say Hilton Prague |
| Mama Shelter Prague | Holešovice, Veletržní 1502/20 | Midscale, design | Former Parkhotel, kids' menu, 5 min to trams at Strossmayerovo náměstí |
| Hotel Julian | Smíchov, Elišky Peškové 11 | Midscale, families | Rooms and apartments for 1–4 people, roof terrace with a Castle view |
| Motel One Prague-Florentinum | New Town, Na Poříčí 1048/30 | Budget, by the station | 4 min walk to Masarykovo nádraží, 16 min to the main station |
| ibis Praha Malá Strana | Smíchov, Plzeňská 14 | Budget, families | Despite the name, in Smíchov; 5 min to Anděl metro, three stars |
| Czech Inn | Vinohrady, Francouzská 76 | Hostel | Dorms, private rooms and apartments; city tax included |
| Sir Toby's Midtown | Žižkov, Dalimilova 10 | Hostel | Dorms and private rooms, shared kitchen, 5 min to the Lipanská tram |
What a night costs
There is no official price by district or hotel: the Czech Statistical Office counts guests and nights, not rates. Market averages exist for 2025. Cushman & Wakefield puts Prague's average daily rate at €123, up 6%, with occupancy of nearly 77%. The hotel association AHR ČR gives €124 and 76.7% for 4–5-star hotels. We quote no prices for individual hotels: rates depend on your dates.
Prague city tax
The poplatek z pobytu is 50 CZK per person for every day started except the day of arrival, which means per night. It covers paid stays of up to 60 consecutive days with one provider, for anyone not registered as a Prague resident. The hotel or host collects it for the city. Under-18s are exempt, as are ZTP/P card holders and companions.
Calculation: two adults and a child for 3 nights: 2 × 3 × 50 = 300 CZK. The law caps the fee at 50 CZK. In July 2026 Prague 1 proposed a range of 0–200 CZK, but that is only a proposal.
Hotel or apartment: the 2026 rules
Czechia still has no dedicated short-term rental law. The Ministry for Regional Development says the country runs no host registration and requires no data from platforms. EU Regulation 2024/1028 has applied since 20 May 2026, but its duties depend on a state introducing registration. An amendment to Act 159/1999 with the eTurista system awaits the Chamber of Deputies, with no effective date. In an October 2025 referendum in Prague 1, 72.26% of voters backed limits on such letting.
- Tax and guest book. Apartments work like hotels: the host charges 50 CZK and records your name, address, date of birth and document number. Have your passport or ID card ready.
- Police registration. The host or hotel reports foreign guests, EU citizens included, within 3 working days. You do not need to report separately.
- Regular letting. Prague 1 treats it as a business needing a trade licence and a guest contract.
When to book early
Nobody publishes a required lead time. Demand is the guide: Prague had 2.17 million guests in Q2 2026 against 1.66 million in Q1 (our calculation from official data). The busiest dates:
- 28 Nov 2026–6 Jan 2027: Christmas markets on Old Town and Wenceslas Squares, Advent weekends, New Year's Eve.
- Easter: 28 March 2027, with the Prague Half Marathon on 3 April.
- 1–2 May 2027: Vodafone Prague Marathon.
- May: Prague Spring. Tickets for the 2027 festival go on sale on 4 November 2026 at 11:00; programme dates were not published on 30 October.
How to book
Book on the hotel's official website, linked in the table. Before paying, check:
- City tax. Czech Inn and Sir Toby's include it; Wyndham, for example, says 50 CZK is charged separately at the hotel.
- Cancellation. EU rules give no 14-day withdrawal right on hotel bookings for specific dates, so the rate conditions matter.
- Breakfast, deposit and payment currency.
- Apartments. Ask who the host is, whether you get a contract and how the tax is paid.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the best area to stay in Prague for first-time visitors?
The Old Town, Malá Strana or the lower New Town: the main sights are within walking distance.
How much is the tourist tax in Prague?
50 CZK per person per night, up to 60 nights. Under-18s pay nothing.
How much is a hotel in Prague per night?
The 2025 market average was €123 per room sold. For exact dates, check the hotel's website.
Is Airbnb legal in Prague?
Yes. As of 30 October 2026 there is no ban. The host must collect the tax and record guests.
Is it better to stay near the main station?
Only for an early train or a short stop. Old Town Square is about 20 minutes on foot.
Sources: Prague Decree 18/2019 on the tax, Act 565/1990 (e-Sbírka), Ministry for Regional Development: eTurista, EU Regulation 2024/1028, Prague 1 on eTurista, Prague 1 on Airbnb, gov.cz: registration by the provider, Czech Police: residence reporting, Czech Statistical Office, Cushman & Wakefield, AHR ČR, MICHELIN Guide, prague.eu: accommodation, DPP: Wenceslas Square, Your Europe, Wyndham, trhypraha.cz, RunCzech, Prague Spring, IDOS. Checked on 30 October 2026; confirm the conditions with your hotel before you travel.
See also: Prague 1 District Guide, From Prague Airport to the City Centre, Trains to Prague, Prague Itinerary, Prague Restaurant Guide, Parking Zones.
Photo: Malá Strana and Prague Castle from Petřín Hill. Perituss, Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
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