The best accommodations Prague

Budget & Tips

Accommodation in Prague will make up the bulk of your budget. If you're planning a long stay, try to book in a slightly more out-of-the-way district like Vinohrady, Nové Město or Žižkov. You'll save on hotel nights and still be able to reach the center by streetcar or metro in less than 15 minutes. You'll also have the added advantage of being able to enjoy the nightlife, away from the touristy city center. On the other hand, traditional hospoda restaurants are still very good value. Here are some mid-season budget ideas.

Small budget: minimum budget of 1,500 Kč per day per person (€60). That's one bed in a youth hostel, a meal on the run at lunchtime and a more elaborate but no-frills meal, plus two metro/tram tickets and a visit to a museum or monument.

Average budget: around 3,000 Kč per day per person (around €120). That's one night's accommodation in a boarding house or comfort hotel, two decent meals as well as transport, visits and shows.

Big budget: from 6,500 Kč (or 260 €) per person per day. Top-of-the-range hotel, one good meal a day, museums and shows, plus cab fares.

To be booked

Remember to book in high season. Even though there are a plethora of hotels in Prague, capacity remains below the tourist rush during the peak periods of May-June and September-October. If you're concerned about the comfort or location of your hotel, consider booking well in advance of your stay.

What's very local

Renting an apartment in Prague is an excellent way to combine independence and low costs. The choice is vast, from a luxurious apartment in Staré Město to a private home available for rent in a typical Prague neighborhood. Numerous Prague-based agencies offer affordable rates, while a plethora of Airbnb-type web pages offer excellent rentals in all parts of the city.

Hotels. All categories from 1 to 5-star. In Prague, prices are quite high in all categories. Those looking for luxury and comfort will be spoilt for choice, with independent boutique hotels or palace-hotels from major chains. The latter are increasingly numerous, housed in former palaces and grand mansions (with period-painted ceilings, vaulted ceilings, etc.). Medium-category hotels are harder to find and offer a wide range of services. In some cases, it's best to opt for guesthouses. Most hotels include breakfast in their rates and offer full board, since most of them have a restaurant. That said, there are so many restaurants to choose from that it would be a shame to stay in the hotel for dinner every day. As in many other countries, it's better to be a couple or two. Very few hotels have single rooms. And most of the time, when a single person occupies a double, they pay well over half the room rate..

Bed and breakfast. This is an increasingly popular solution, an alternative to cheap hotels. Rates start at 450 Kč per person, a little more in Prague's hyper-center. But beware, there really is something for everyone. You may come across an adorable little typical house or a sad building. In one family, you'll be served delicious breakfasts, while in another, you'll feel like you're being treated as a breadwinner and nothing more. It's also important to get the exact address so you don't end up in an underserved part of town. You may prefer to go through an agency or the tourist office.

Youth hostels. This term refers to establishments known in the Czech Republic as "hostels". They often offer dormitory beds (the cheapest option) with shared bathroom facilities, as well as double rooms, single rooms and, in some cases, apartments (but be warned: these are often much cheaper than hotels!). Some youth hostels are affiliated to the International Youth Hostel Association, others are not. The good news is that there are plenty of them in Prague. Overrun by backpackers, you'll need to make a reservation in summer. It's a great place to meet people, and the atmosphere is quite festive!

Prague has a number of pleasant campsites that will delight holidaymakers with tents or camper vans. These are generally not in the city center, but in a bucolic setting that gives the impression of being in the heart of the countryside, just a few dozen minutes from the center. The most charming is on the island of Císařská Louka, opposite the Smíchov metro station. In summer, these are quite popular, so be sure to book in advance.

Guesthouses, or penzion, are plentiful in Prague and throughout the country. A pension is a family home with rooms. This makes for a more convivial atmosphere, giving you the impression of staying with a family and in a hotel at the same time. Nevertheless, in the Czech Republic, we've understood the magic and appeal of this word. Many Western travellers seek out this type of establishment to be more "immersed in the country's culture". And some hotels have taken on the title of "pension" to attract customers. You'll find everything from suburban blocks of flats offering a few rooms, to charming houses that double as B&Bs, from inexpensive beds to luxury guesthouses offering services worthy of a palace. So be careful what's behind the title. Fortunately, there are more pleasant surprises and satisfactions than disappointments.