Best hotels & accommodations in Prague

About Prague

In many ways, Prague is the ultimate European city. The old capital of Bohemia retains a distinctly central European flavor, with red-tiled roofs and gothic cathedrals set against the backdrop of a UNESCO-listed old town. The result is a city that feels like something from another time: one where cobbled streets lead to hidden alcoves, and fairy tale spires rise over narrow lanes.

Hlava Museum
The Hlava Museum is an eclectic collection of musical instruments and musical memorabilia, but the real draw is the museum’s collection of severed heads. The museum is located in the building that once served as the Medical Faculty of the University of Prague. During the 18th century, the building became notorious for holding a macabre collection of the heads of executed criminals. The collection was assembled by the university’s founder, Charles IV (nephew of the famous emperor, who also lent his name to Prague’s most famous landmark). It is said that Charles IV kept the heads to remind him of the consequences of wrongdoing. The collection of severed heads was first displayed publicly in 1819, and was transferred to the present building in 1882. The collection was recently moved to the Municipal Museum in Prague, but has been replaced at this location by a collection of musical instruments.

Prague Astronomical Clock
The Astronomical Clock is Prague’s most iconic landmark, and the city’s most popular tourist attraction. The Clock is one of the few surviving examples of astronomical clocks that were once common throughout Europe, but which are now only found in Prague, Vienna, and a few other locations. The Clock was completed in 1410, in the early years of the reign of Wenceslas IV. It originally functioned not only as a timepiece, but also to depict the changing of the seasons, and the passage of the planets. The Clock’s structure was badly damaged during the Second World War, and was subsequently rebuilt. It now functions primarily as a tourist attraction, and the figures have been removed for safekeeping.

Prague Music Museum
The Prague Music Museum was founded in 1908, and has been located in its present building since 1929. The aim of the museum is to collect, preserve, and exhibit all types of musical instruments. The museum’s collection of over 3,500 instruments is among the most extensive in the world, and includes a wide range of instruments from various cultures and periods. The collection is displayed in themed rooms, each of which is devoted to a different period or culture of musical history. Particularly noteworthy is the Music Room, which is devoted primarily to the instruments of the Baroque and Classical periods. The building also houses a concert hall, where regular music performances are held.

St. Vitus Cathedral
St. Vitus Cathedral is one of Prague’s most iconic buildings. Construction of the Cathedral began in the late 12th century, at a time when Prague was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. The Cathedral took more than 300 years to complete, and is the result of several major architectural phases. The Cathedral is home to the tomb of St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia, who was martyred at the end of the 10th century. St. Vitus Cathedral is also the seat of the Archbishop of Prague, and is one of the most important Catholic churches in the world.

Prague Org Theatre
The Prague Org Theatre is one of the few remaining examples of a 19th-century repertory theater. Repertory theaters were once common, but have now become rare. The Org Theatre was built in 1884, and was the first permanent home for an organization that had existed as a traveling troupe since the mid-19th century. The organization was founded by the Czech actor and impresario Otakar Orgli, and was one of several theatrical groups that were active in Prague during the late 19th century. The Prague Org Theatre is one of the few surviving examples of a late 19th-century repertory theater and has been owned by the State Theatrical Institute since 1920.

The Jewish Town Hall and Old Jewish Cemetery
The Jewish Town Hall and Old Jewish Cemetery are located in the Jewish Quarter of Prague. The Quarter, also known as Josefov, is Europe’s oldest Jewish neighbourhood, and is home to the oldest synagogue in the world. The Jewish Town Hall was built in the mid-16th century, and was designed by Israel von Rhein, the architect responsible for the New Town Hall in the Prague Old Town. The Old Jewish Cemetery was established in the 14th century, and is the final resting place of some of the most important Jewish figures in history, among them the religious scholar Rabbi Judah Loew. The Jewish Quarter has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

The Charles Bridge
The Charles Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world, and one of Prague’s top tourist attractions. The Charles Bridge was built between 1357 and 1371, and spans the Vltava River. It is the oldest standing bridge in Prague, and one of the oldest standing bridges in Europe. The Charles Bridge is decorated with a series of 30 stone statues of saints, which were added during the early 16th century. The bridge is especially famous for its atmosphere, which is heightened by the lively hawkers who sell souvenirs and trinkets to tourists. Aside from the bridge itself, Charles Bridge is also home to a row of iconic buildings known as the Prague Astronomical Clock.

Prague Castle
Prague Castle is the most important landmark in Prague, and is its most visited tourist site. Although the Castle has been modified and expanded throughout its history, the oldest sections date back to the 10th century. The Castle is the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic. The Prague Castle is also the administrative centre of the Czech government, and houses the offices of the Prime Minister, the Parliament, and other important government bodies.

Summing up
Prague is a place that feels different from almost any other city in Europe, with a unique mix of gothic architecture, communist-era relics, and touristy stalls. There’s plenty to do, see, and eat here, but there’s also plenty of time to sit and relax in one of the city’s many beautiful parks, or along the banks of the Vltava River. There’s no better place to start your European adventures than Prague.

We recommend that you read our guide about where to stay in Prague. It provides an excellent overview of the most popular areas, highlighting the main attractions and hotel recommendations for each area.

If you like our list of accommodations in Prague, then you should also check out our selection of recommended hotels in Budapest or the best hotels in Vienna.