Loacker

Hi guys, is the area surrounding the castle a good place to stay in Prague?

I'm planning to stay at the Golden Star hotel. It's located in Nerudova street in Malá Strana district, just below the castle. The hotel has stellar reviews, but I was wondering if the castle area is good, because I heard it can be quite dead at night.

Loacker

I'm torn between this and Icon Hotel.
Icon is located in New Town near Wenceslas square.

unclegus

it is fine if you want to spend at lot of time in the castle area but you will be limited with Public transport and have to walk a bit to the tam stops to get you to the other main tourist sites.Plenty of restaurants in the area but expect higher tourist prices. It will be pretty quiet at night which for me would be a bonus because during the day the area can be manic.
The Icon hotel is for me a better place for a first time vistor and one of my favourite bars (Jama) is across the road, this area can be very busy at night though that particular street is just off all the main roads so will be a bit quieter.

bilboburgler

as uncle gus says, you need easy access to the tram system, hard to get at the castle

nukesafe

We stayed at the Hotel Constans last year, which is in the same area. Looking at the map, the Golden Star is very close as the crow flies, but the crow would have to fly straight up. There are some serious hills leading up to the Castle, and unless you have the legs of a mountain goat I would suggest something closer to the trams at the bottom of the hill.

Cathinjoetown

At least one tram line goes all the way up the castle hill but I would prefer to stay the other side of the river on at river level. Taxis can be very expensive and there are some rip-off artists still in the taxi trade.

Andrew

I stayed on Nerudova Street once, right in the middle of the hill. Never again! That hill was killer, walking up and down to get anywhere. I moved over to the old town after two nights. I actually prefer Mala Strana and stayed there again on a future visit to Prague, just close to the river, not on the hill. There are trams down at the bottom too, so it's both easier to get around by transit and much easier to walk.

KarenWoo

We have stayed in Mala Strana twice, both times at Pension Dientzenhofer, which we really like. It is located at the bottom of the hill, close to the river and Charles Bridge. We like Mala Strana because it is quieter than Old Town.

Leely2

I like Josefov best but stayed up by the castle once for several days (Design Hotel Sax, a couple blocks off Nerudova). I am fit and like to walk, have no trouble with hills, so for me distance to sights and the hills weren't a problem. But I realize I am an outlier/mountain goat.

I guess it depends what you want. If you are seeking a busy evening atmosphere/proximity to nightlife, then I would think the Icon is a better choice.

Loacker

I have 4 full days in Prague. Does it make sense to do a day trip to Cesky Krumlov? Or is that too rushed?

Loacker

*thanks for your help by the way

TrendGirl

Josevof is my very favorite neighborhood to stay, & also for many sights and restaurants we enjoyed.

We also liked this area in the evenings as well.

Everyone is different of course but the area near the castle was not where I would want to be staying during a visit to Prague.

If I ever do return to Prague I would stay in that same neighborhood.

TrendGirl2

nukesafe

We did a day trip to Cesky Krumlov via the Student Agency bus, Loacker. http://www.studentagencybus.com/ Very pleasant and unrushed day, but we had a week to play with, vs. your four days.