JackieP86

Hi All.

I'm taking a trip to Prague in October and it will be my first time to Eastern Europe. I'm very excited as I've heard incredible things about Prague and Czech.

I was thinking of renting an apartment off of airbnb but after hearing some stories about Prague being a bit dangerous I'm not sure if I want to do that. I'm trying to decide on a place that is in a good area with a price up to $150 max. I'm looking for a lively area that has places to go to at night, restaurants, bars, galleries and stores. I'd like to stay in Prague 1, maybe any of these areas: Hradčany, Malá Strana (Lesser Town or Little Quarter, Nové Město (New Town) Staré Město or Josefov. Which one is the best?

Is Prague Castle area not a good area to be in? That's where the apartment is.

Also how are hostels in Prague. I haven't stayed in one for awhile but would be willing to meet young people as i'll be alone.

Thanks for your help.

adrienne

If I had $150 per night I'd stay in Prague 1.

BTW - I never knew Prague was dangerous. I've been there twice. In what way is it dangerous?

nytraveler

Agree - never heard that Prague is dangerous. Almost any city in the US is more dangerous than Prague.

That said we certainly didn;t visit every residential area and I'm sure there are some that are less pleasant. We always stay in or near the old town.

walkabout

I spent 10 nights in Prague as a solo female traveler. I wandered all over and never felt unsafe. Just keep your wits about you, use common sense as you would in any unfamiliar city, and you should be fine.

I like the hustle bustle of Old Town (Stare Mesto); Mala Strana would be my second choice. It's quieter, but in close proximity to Old Town and The Charles Bridge. Josefov (Jewish Quarter)would be my third choice. Castle area isn't bad, but not as convenient as Mala Strana or Old Town, and probably wouldn't meet your criterion of wanting to stay in a lively area.

Mosaic House is a 4-star hotel in Nove Mesto that has both private and shared rooms. It seems to be very popular with people in their 20s and 30s. It might meet your need for privacy while at the same time providing an atmosphere for you to socialize with others. I have not stayed there, so can't personally recommend. Here's the hotel website and reviews from tripadvisor and booking.com:

http://www.mosaichouse.com/accommodation
http://goo.gl/FpmpD
http://goo.gl/EZaj9

unclegus

The castle area is lovely BUT it will be a fair bit quieter at night.The other areas you mention are all fairly close to each other and eailsy walkable between them all so staying in any of these places should give you east access to the more libvely spots.I am way past the age of staying in hostels so can't comment. with your budget you should be able to find excellent accommmodation at that time of year.
Prague is as safe a city as I have ever visited and you should have no worries about walking around yourself at night

november_moon

We stayed at the Hotel U Tri Bubnu on U Radnice street - just around the corner from the old town square. It was a really convinient location and a good hotel. Our rate was in the US$110-120/night range.

Christina

I think there can be more crime in Prague than some other cities, I've read that and heard it from people who visit there frequently. I also know someone who travels a lot, living in Europe part of each year (so no dummy) and she was mugged in the Prague metro one nioght. It's not alarming, but I avoid the metro in Prague more than some other cities late at night.

Any are in Prague 1 should be safe. I prefer Josefov but Mala Strana has its advocates. I would not want to stay in the castle area but it's more inconvenient and public transportation not as frequent or accessible (depending where you are, it may be farther to a metro stop, and it's up a hill, of course).

There is a hostel in the part of Prague I usually stay, on Dlouha near Revolucni. It does not look like a super deluxe hostel, that's for sure, but it is crowded (there's a club next door, as I recall). it's this place http://www.travellers.cz/dlouha-pens...tel-prague.php

walkabout

Take a look at Happy Prague Apartments in Old Town. Apartments for one start around $110/night.

http://goo.gl/msZ5G
http://www.happyprague.com/

Also check wotif.com for hotel deals. I have gotten rooms and apartments there for less than the price on hotel websites on several occasions in several different cities.

JackieP86

Hi Everyone.

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions and help. I wish I looked here yesterday. I never got an email saying people responded so I assumed no one had. So nice to see how many of you have been there.

I actually ended up booking in Prague Castle area. I's about a 5 minute walk to Mala Strana and a 10 minute walk to the Charles Bridge. I was going to stay in the city but I've read really good reviews and it seems like an okay area with 24 hour metro. It's on a street called Uvoz.
The views are spectacular from there.

If you have any suggestions on places I should see, walk around and restaurants, please let me know.

Thanks again.

Christina

It depends where on Uvoz, the top is up near Loreto Chapel, which is worth seeing, of course. There is no metro up there, not sure what metro stop you could be referring to. The only metro stop is Malostranska down at the bottom near the river (or Hradcanska but that's way north of there). There are no metro stops in the Prague Castle area nor up that hill. There isn't any tram, either, except the one that stops in front of the castle and goes a route to the north down Jeleni. No tram goes down Uvoz, I just think because that's a hill. If you are near the bottom end of Uvoz, you'll be a lot closer to things and public transportation, as that street runs into Nerudova.

Maybe they opened some new metro stop in the last couple years, but I kind of doubt it up that hill.

Here's a map of that area, you can see Uvoz at the left starting at Nerudova (next to a coffee cup). YOu can see there is not metro stop except Malostranska down near the river. That map shows you some local restaurants.
http://www.traveliana.com/prague-restaurants-map.html

unclegus

Yes ,no metro nearby and it would be a big walk up hill from Malostranska,easy walk down though.
Mught be an idea using the no22 tram to Pohorelec ,an easy downhill stroll from there

unclegus

I will be back in Prague at the end of October 24th-28th but I am in Prague 2 or 3 times a year and I know thwere are no new metros in the area,Though I will say it is a ncie area to be in and desoite maybe having to walk a little more than you might want to it is a lovely area .Should get some nice views over the river.

qwovadis

www.otel.com/hotels/prague.htm

In your budget u can even get a 5 star here

Best Western Premier Palace from $145/nt

Opera is good too...

Usually get my best deals though betterbidding.com

bidding priceline.com for 4 stars from $40/nt

Hostel that is best is the BoatHouse Hostel

for backpackers hostelbookers.com in your budget

Hotel would be a LOT better.

booking.com another good discount site with honest reviews

unlike all the fakes on TripAdvertizer.

Happy Travels!

qwovadis

eurocheapo.com/prague another great budget city guide food site

Neat map too...