Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WHERE TO STAY?: PRAGUE POSTAL DISTRICTS
Ifyou'rethinkingofbookingaroominadvanceorplanningalong-termstay,it'saswellto
know a little about the merits, or otherwise, of Prague's various areas and
postaldistricts
.
From 1960 to 1990, Prague was divided into ten districts and most Praguers refer to their
area either by name, or by the old postal districts, which still appear on street signs and
addresses.
Prague 1
Prague 1 covers all of the old city on both sides of the river, and half of Nové
Město, and consequently is generally the most expensive part of the capital in which to
sleep. However, anything in this area will be within easy walking distance of the main
sights, and will save you a lot of public transport hassle.
Prague2
Prague2isanotherprimecentralarea,takinginthesouthernhalfofNovéMěsto
and western half of Vinohrady, a nineteenth-century des res with good metro connections.
Prague 3
The less salubrious, eastern half of Vinohrady in Prague 3 is well served by the
metro; Žižkov, on the other hand, is a grimy, more working-class district, connected to the
centre by trams.
Prague 4
Covers a wide area in the southeast of the city, stretching from half-decent, pre-
dominantly nineteenth-century suburbs such as Nusle, Podolí and Braník to the grim high-
rise
paneláky
of Chodov and Háje. However, even if you find yourself in the latter two
areas, you can at least be sure of quick metro connections to the city centre.
Prague5
Vastareainthehillysouthwestofthecity,withcleanairandattractivefamilyvil-
las predominating and a metro line running through some of it. The area closest to the city
is Smíchov, a vibrant, late nineteenth-century district, with cheaper than average rooms.
Prague 6
The perfect, hilly villa district to the north of the centre, a favourite with foreign
embassies and their staff. The metro only goes as far as Dejvická, however, so only those
travelling from Dejvice and Bubeneč enjoy really fast connections with the centre.
Prague 7
The nineteenth-century suburb of Holešovice in the northeast is well served by
the metro and trams. Troja, home to numerous ad hoc campsites, is almost bucolic, and
correspondingly difficult to get to.
Prague8
Thegrid-planstreetsofnineteenth-centuryKarlínareclosetothecentreandwell
served by the metro, which extends as far as Libeň; the rest of the area is not so aesthetic-
ally pleasing, though the metro reaches out into Kobylisy.
Prague 9
Dominated by factories, Prague's 9th district, in the northeast of the city, is
something of a last resort; however, with good metro connections, it's easy enough to get
into town at least.
