Old Town & Jewish Quarter Travel Guide

Stay here for Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock and the Jewish Quarter; perfect for first-time visitors.

• Best for: First-time sightseeing and history
• Vibe: Crowded, historic and theatrical
• Nearest station: Staroměstská (Metro A)
• Price level: Mid to high, many tourist prices
• To the main sights: Walking distance to Charles Bridge and Old Town Square
• Safety: Generally safe; watch for pickpockets and touts

Great for:

• First-time visitors
• History and architecture lovers
• Short stays with lots of walking

Maybe skip it if:

• You want quiet, local nightlife
• You need budget accommodation far from tourists

The heart is Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí); the Jewish Quarter (Josefov) sits immediately north. The Vltava and Charles Bridge lie to the west and Wenceslas Square is a short walk along Na Příkopě.

• Beat the crowds: Visit the Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge very early morning or late evening for quieter photos.
• Jewish Museum tickets: Buy timed-entry tickets for the Jewish Museum and synagogues in high season to avoid long queues.
• Watch your belongings: Pickpocketing targets tourists in busy squares and on the bridge, keep valuables secure.
• Cobblestones and shoes: Wear sturdy shoes; many streets are uneven and can be slippery when wet.

• Old Town Square: Prague’s theatrical centre with cafés, street performers and the Týn Church framing the square.
• Prague astronomical clock: See the medieval clock’s hourly procession and explore the Old Town Hall tower for views.
• Charles Bridge: Historic stone bridge lined with statues, best early morning or late evening to avoid crowds.
• Jewish Museum in Prague: A cluster of synagogues and exhibitions documenting Prague’s Jewish history; buy timed tickets in high season.
• Church of Our Lady before Týn: Gothic twin spires that dominate the skyline of the square and are visible from many streets.
• Old Jewish Cemetery: Dense, atmospheric tombstones and one of Europe’s oldest surviving Jewish burial grounds.

• Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG): Public transport: Take bus 119 from the airport to Nádraží Veleslavín, change to Metro A and ride to Staroměstská (total about 35-50 minutes depending on connections). Alternatively the Airport Express reaches Hlavní nádraží (main station) and from there it’s a short tram or metro ride. Expect a single-ticket fare in the low tens of CZK range for city transport. Taxi/ride-hail: taxi is simplest door-to-door (about 25-40 minutes depending on traffic), roughly 500-900 CZK.
• From the main sights: From Prague Castle: a scenic 25-35 minute walk down to Charles Bridge and across to Old Town, or take tram 22 to Malostranské náměstí then cross the bridge for a quicker, easier route.

• Walk: The Old Town is compact and best explored on foot; expect cobbles and crowded streets near the square.
• Public transport: Staroměstská is on Metro A; Můstek (A/B) is a short walk. Trams and the metro connect the area to other districts.
• Taxi & ride-hail: Useful late at night or with luggage, watch for official cars or use a reputable app to avoid overcharging.

Old Town has many centrally located hotels, from riverside five-star properties to budget hostels tucked into historic buildings. Expect easy walking access to the square, Charles Bridge and the Jewish Quarter; rooms facing the square are picturesque but can be noisy. Prices skew higher because this is the city’s tourist core.

Luxury

• Four Seasons Hotel Prague: Riverside luxury with easy access to Charles Bridge and the square; classic high-end service.
• Iron Gate Hotel & Suites: Boutique 5-star in a restored historic townhouse very close to the square.
• Hotel Paris Prague: Belle Époque grand hotel near the Powder Tower and a short walk from the square.
• Fairmont Golden Prague: Upscale option within walking distance of Old Town’s main sights.

Mid-range

• Hotel Rott: Centrally placed hotel next to the square in a historic building.
• Hotel Liliová: Comfortable, well-located rooms a short stroll from the square and Jewish Quarter.
• Design Hotel Josef: Contemporary 4-star option close to the Old Town, good for design-minded travellers.
• Hotel Hastal Prague Old Town: Mid-range hotel steps from key sights and within the walkable old-town grid.

Budget

• Safestay Hostel: Budget dorms and private rooms a short walk from the centre.
• Old Prague House: Simple, inexpensive beds in the heart of the tourist area.
• Hostel Prague Tyn: Budget option very close to the square, good for short stays.
• Prague Square Hostel: Basic hostel accommodation a short stroll from Old Town Square.

Eating options range from historic cafés and traditional Czech pubs to Michelin dining and international cafés. Head to streets such as Celetná, Karlova and the lanes around Old Town Square for most choices; Havelské tržiště is handy for market snacks. Expect prices to be tourist-oriented near the square.

• La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise: Regional, $$$$.
• Mlejnice: Regional, $$.
• U Zlatého tygra: Czech, $.
• Café Milani: Coffee shop, $.
• Café Slavia: Café, $$.
• U Medvídků: Regional, $$.

Old Town’s nightlife mixes cocktail bars, historic pubs and tourist clubs; many venues are in vaulted cellars or on busy streets such as Dlouhá and around the square. Expect late closing times and a strong evening tourist presence. Prices vary from inexpensive pubs to pricier cocktail bars.

• Absintherie Franz Kafka: Small themed bar popular with visitors interested in absinthe and novelty drinks.
• Black Angel’s Bar: Historic cocktail bar tucked in a cellar near the square; one of Prague’s better-known cocktail spots.
• AghaRTA Jazz Centrum: Long-running jazz venue offering live music in a cellar setting.
• Reduta Jazz Club: Established jazz bar a short walk from the square with regular live performances.
• Chapeau Rouge: Multi-level club mixing DJs, live shows and a busy late-night scene.
• Karlovy lázně: Large, multi-floor nightclub popular with tourists and groups.

Shopping in Old Town ranges from souvenir stalls and market goods to mainstream malls and boutiques. Havelské tržiště is the classic tourist market; for high-street and mall shopping head to Palladium or Quadrio a short walk away. Pařížská street (towards the river) hosts luxury boutiques.

• Havelské tržiště: Small market stalls selling souvenirs, crafts and local snacks right in the old town.
• Palladium: Large city-centre mall with a mix of international and local shops a short walk east of Old Town.
• Quadrio: Modern shopping complex and transport hub near the river and Wenceslas Square.
• Slovanský dům: Central shopping and office arcade close to the National Theatre area.
• Černá růže: Smaller shopping centre near the Old Town with boutique stores.