What to do? Where to stay in Prague?

[Anonymous]

My teenage daughter and I are planning a 3 day trip to Prague next year. I am just beginning the research and would love suggestions on where to stay and what to do. We are interested in hostels, inns, B&B, inexpensive (yet interesting) lodging options. Any ideas? And what to see... must sees? must dos? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Bump!

[Anonymous]

I prefer to stay in the Mala Strana area of Prague, which is the neighborhood/district just below Hradcany, the castle district. Mala Strana is a lovely, primarily residential area that is a short walk to both the castle and another short walk across the river to the Old Town area. You avoid the hordes which do plague the Old Town yet you're so close by and I love walking across the river. Prague is quite small so we always get around on foot for the most part. Two of our favorite restaurants in Prague are also in Mala Strana, Kolkovna Olympia for excellent and reasonably priced Czech food, and Cafe Savoy, just across the road, for a grand Viennese style coffeehouse with fabulous pastries and coffee and hot chocolate.

We also always book via AirBnB these days and rent an inexpensive apartment but there are hotels in the Mala Strana area too. If you'd rather stay in hotels, check out what's available on booking.com and use the map feature to zone in where you want to stay. I still do recommend staying just slightly outside the Old Town as the tourist crowds can be intense depending on the time of year you go there, plus I love staying somewhere with a bit of a local neighborhood feel. There's a local chain (upscale, very individualistic) restaurant under the Lokal brand name that offers excellent Czech food at very reasonable prices in chic interiors. There are 3-4 locations around Prague and they're very popular with locals.

As for things to do, the castle, castle museum (ok), Lobkoweicz museum in the castle (good), lots of churches (must see), monasteries, especially the Loretta. Dining and shopping and drinking excellent beer. Visit the Jewish quarter and museums. Day trip to Kutna Hora for the fabulous church and the bone chapel (morbidly fascinating).

Three days is a good amount of time in Prague. It's a glorious city so I'm quite jealous!

The one thing I have to warn you is that there is a lot of smoking in Prague. Even non-smoking areas of restaurants are often plagued with the smell of smoke.

[Anonymous]

Oh, one more must see I forgot to add. Many tourists don't realize that there are a series of small walled gardens on the castle hillside. They're tricky to find despite the location, but they are really lovely and fun to explore.

[Anonymous]

NP. Climb the clock tower for great views. We also enjoyed the boat cruise. If the weather is nice, it's a relaxing way to see sights (and drink an original Budweiser, if you partake). We did a self-guided walking tour with one of the guide books (Fodors? Frommers?), and that hit all the highlights and then some (e.g., the wax Infant Jesus of Prague, the House of the Black Madonna).

Karlstejn Castle is a good day trip, if you want to get out of the city. It's a 40-minute train trip (each way), and then a long (but scenic) walk to the castle (including climbing the big hill the castle is on). http://www.myczechrepublic.com/regions/karlstejn.html

[Anonymous]

Aside from the other mentions, we saw a show at the opera house, which was fun. We shopped at the crystal shops, looked at all the marionettes, ate at a Bagel place, toured the city, climbed a tower that sort of was like a mini Eiffel Tower, walked the bridge, etc.

I also remember going to a 7 story club? (It was college

[Anonymous]

If you get burned out on Czech food try Agave for pretty good Mexican.

[Anonymous]

+1 to airbnb!
I found a place on Bilkova--very near the Old Town, but quiet.

[Anonymous]

We usually stay at Hotel Sanssouci - not quite downtown but a short tram ride outside Old Town. Very reasonable bead and breakfast type family hotel.

[Anonymous]

We stayed at the four seasons - great view & great service. DS loved doing a Segway tour of the city that took us up to the castle & into the gardens. It was around Christmas, so quite chilly, but the Christmas markets there are amazing!

[Anonymous]

NP here - agree with the Mala Strana recommendation. It is gorgeous and a little quieter than the insanity of Old Town, but still a super close walk to the center of town, and just a few blocks below the castle.

We stayed at Hotel U Zlute Boty (the yellow shoe or something?). A small boutique type hotel. Such a perfect location. http://www.easyprague.cz/en/accommodation/hotel-u-zlute-boty
Would definitely stay there again if it was available. They also had an airport transportation service available.

Prague is fantastic!