I am thinking of doing a Prague vacation in the early Summer. I have a few questions...

1. What is the best area to stay where you can walk at night, wander, go to restaurants, etc. I like to be central.
2.How many days would be ideal?
3. What are the attractions outside the city?
4. Has anyone had a good experience with apartment rentals?

Thanks!

I visited Prague in December 2008 and loved it. I stayed at a hotel right in Old Town Square. I really liked the location and found it very easy to walk everywhere and there is always something going on day and night. I think you need at least 3 days to see the city sights but add more time for trips outside to places like kutna Hora. Can't help with the apartment question as I stayed in a hotel. Have a great time.

Is Old Town the area off Wenceslas square?

Hi; We have been to Prague three times and loved every visit. There are a number of day trips that could be taken. Prague itself, deserves three days. See this site for good information. Click on the city, then 'instant' for a download. www.inyourpocket.com/ iris1745/dick

I'd agree with the three days needed but that obviously depends on your overall interests.

We have usually stayed up near the castle in the past which is not what a LOT of people here want to do so to each their own.

I think staying closer to the "old town" sector is probably more in tune with a lot of travelers' thinking; Prague is easy to get around in esp by public transport (tram/Metro combo).

You might look at the reviews of hotels on TripAdvisor; some like the Wenceslas Square locations and others don't.

My favourite area to stay in is near the castle as it allows easy access almost anywhere including sites, restaurants, etc.

Three or four days would be ideal in my opinion. The following are my favourite trips outside Prague:

- Castles such as Zvikov and Pernstejn
- Cesky Raj (north) - Bohemnian Switzerland - very pretty and interesting
- Cesky Krumlov as an overnight, NOT daytrip
- Kutna Hora
- Telc (definitely not as a daytrip)
- Slavonice
- Olomouc (at least an overnight)

We found Kampa Island to be an ideal location - an easy walk to most everything, yet a quiet oasis. It is located just under the Charles Bridge. The Castle would be a short tram ride away (you could walk tha too, but it is all uphill). I definitely would not want to stay around Wenceslas square - nice name, no charm.

On Kampa Island we liked the Hotel Kampa Garden. It is an upscale budget hotel next to a park. Very nice, clean, non-smoking rooms. The included breakfast will not be a high point of your day, but it is decent.

Richard, Old Town is not right off of Wenceslas Square. That is the New Town area. Many people think that Wenceslas Square is not a nice area to wander around at night because you will be approached by "comfort hostesses" if you are a man.

I don't think the area is dangerous, however. It kind of reminds me of a Slavic version of Times Square in NYC, but on a smaller scale.

There is really no bad place to stay in Prague as long as you are within walking distance of a Metro station.

If I were you, I would look at either Old Town or Mala Strana to be close to the main tourist sites of Prague.

Thin

I should have mentioned we stay below the castle to avoid the uphill walking back and forth! I don't mind walking - once to the castle is fine but a couple of times a day may be a bit taxing... That area is a very easy walk to Charles Bridge.

Either way, Prague is a remarkable city and such a joy to visit!

First, you need to do your own background research on this. Start by checking out the In Your Pocket website mentioned above -- it will have day trips and areas of the city and hotel suggestions. You can also check out Jason Holt's page, which has moved to www.livingprague.com, he's an American ex-pat who lived in Prague for years. And scan through The Prague Post, an English language newspaper with a good website.

Second, check out http://www.starshotelsprague.com for some hotels. Two are in Lesser Quarter (Mala Strana), two are in the shadow of the castle, which is a bit far from the nightlife. There's also U Zlatych Nuzek (I think -- it means "At the Golden Scissors") on Kampa Island and which has a good restaurant. Lots of hotels and restaurants are called "U ____" which means "at the ____". Until the late 19th/early 20th century, Prague buildings did not have street numbers so they were identifiable by a symbol carved or posted on the building in bas-relief, carving, etc.

And for some reason travel2live2 didn't mention Terezin as a day trip from Prague, but if you have any interest in history you need to visit it.

Oh, of course - Terezin! It makes an intriguing daytrip. Some really like Karlovy Vary but I personally don't that much.

don't mean to step in but..please help


what is the best way to get from the airport to the center?

Can one purcahse some kind of metro pass at the airport?

I have heard unflattering thing about taxis drivers, any advise?

If you haven't got too much luggage, a ticket on the bus 119 to the centre will cost you 26 crowns. You can buy tickets from a booth inside terminal 1. This will take you to the metro and from there you can get just about anywhere. If you use AAA taxis, then you shouldn't have a problem. They have a good reputation though it will cost you between 600-800 crowns, depending on where you want to go.

thank you for the info.

Danon.
I use this company when tranfering from the airport to my hotel.
http://www.prague-airport-shuttle.com/
They are owned by an American Expat called Chris and are very good.The drivers all speak English and some of them are also expats.
I will be over there next month and an airprt transer is costing 550czk.
They also accept payment in Dollars Euros of GB pounds.