Where to stay in Prague

The Old Town fits within a ten-minute walk of the clock square. To sleep in peace, aim for Josefov, the old Jewish quarter north of the square, rather than Karlova Street, which leads to Charles Bridge and never empties.

Staying here lets you cross Charles Bridge before eight in the morning, while it still belongs to locals and photographers.

Below the castle, Nerudova Street climbs between houses with painted signs towards Hradčany. Once the tour groups leave, Malá Strana becomes one of the quietest corners of the centre, and Kampa Island, on the Vltava, makes for an evening walk.

With a suitcase, take tram 22 rather than walking up: it reaches the castle from the top.

Despite the name, the New Town dates from the fourteenth century. It is built around Wenceslas Square, a long shopping boulevard, and Charles Square further south. The lower end of Wenceslas Square stays busy late and draws touts and exchange offices with dubious rates.

To sleep, prefer the streets around Charles Square and those running down to the Vltava and the Dancing House. The park in front of the main station is uninviting at night.

A district of 1900s apartment blocks and tree-lined streets, east of the National Museum. Náměstí Míru, the Peace Square, is its centre, and Riegrovy sady park, with its beer garden, has one of the best views over the city at sunset.

You live here as a Praguer rather than a visitor. Expect around €91 a night mid-range, and twenty minutes on foot to Wenceslas Square.

A former working-class suburb on the hill north of Vinohrady, recognisable from afar by its TV tower. People come for the neighbourhood pubs, where beer costs less than in the Old Town, and for hotel prices around €81 a night mid-range.

Pick an address near Seifertova Street or Jiřího z Poděbrad square: the district climbs steeply, and the tram or the metro spares you the hill on the way back.