EXPAT VOICES: Readers reveal what they love (and hate) about their Prague neighborhoods

In March, we asked which part of Prague you live in and what you really think about your area. More than 700 readers voted in our poll, many of whom also added comments on their area – some singing praises and others giving strong criticism. Among the numerous responses, some themes cropped up repeatedly.

One was location – many answers attributed a place's quality to how close it was to the center and the nearby transport options. Another was noise level. Several responses featured complaints that a neighborhood was too noisy (or received praise due to its tranquility).

A third priority was cleanliness. Many of you expressed your displeasure at the amount of litter and graffiti in neighborhoods, with multiple people also complaining about dog mess in their area!

Read on to see Expats.cz's readers' honest opinions on Prague neighborhoods. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

Just 5 percent of you said you lived in Prague 1, likely because the district is more of a tourist zone than a residential area.

Paul, who is from the Netherlands and lives in Malá Strana (very close to the John Lennon Wall) says that living there “is very good and safe.” Paul said that prices are high, but tolerable.

Reader Leslie said that she enjoyed being near the "hubbub" of the center, but often found the high noise levels coming from tourists frustrating. She also said that the rental prices are markedly more expensive than in other parts of Prague.

According to our poll, the majority of you live in Prague, with 19 percent of readers calling this sprawling district encompassing Vyšehrad, Karlovo náměstí, Vinohrady, and other neighborhoods, home. Prague 2 also drew the highest amount of responses – some critical, others full of praise.

Tanya, a Prague 2 resident, said she loves living in the district “because of the easy access to trams and trains, close proximity to restaurants, good nightlife options, and closeness to the river." She added: “What I do miss are bigger supermarkets and living around fewer tourists."

This scenic Prague 2 area, near Prague’s historic fortress, proves a popular place to live in. Andrew said that what he loves about living here “is being outside the center, but still feeling connected to everything.” He also remarks that “the river is close by and the fortress itself is a gem for running and picnics.”

Another reader similarly said that the area was “quiet and close to the center, river, and fortress – the best of both worlds.”

One reader who lives here described the neighborhood as being nice, but not particularly family-friendly due to the ongoing loitering and drinking in Karlovo náměstí (Charles Square). 

They also complained about people in the area smoking pot or soliciting prostitutes. “Everybody knows these issues,” wrote the resident, who believes the police should do more to monitor these activities. 

This picturesque enclave of Prague was mentioned the most by our readers. One resident had mixed feelings about the area: “Although the apartments are expensive, Vinohrady is a nice, family-friendly neighborhood with a pleasant park [Riegrovy Sady] nearby. Other parts of Prague are easily reachable on foot or by public transport, and the area has several nice cafes and restaurants.”

This reader, however, said that a large disadvantage is that Riegrovy Sady “is not sufficiently regulated in the evening hours,” causing mess and noise.

They mentioned “the lack of rules against alcohol consumption in the park" that "often leads to disorderly behavior and lots of littering. If you live near the park and sleep with the window open, you are often awakened by noisy people going home after midnight – especially following a concert.”

Reader Natalia was more positive about the area: “The Vinohrady neighborhood has a nice vibe, with many parks and events nearby. Many expats with children also live here, making it easier to form friendships.” She thought that the area “is kept very clean by the municipality” and that Vinohrady is “very aesthetically pleasing and well-connected to the rest of Prague.” 

Natalia also praised the regular markets in Jiřího z Poděbrad Square. This was echoed by another reader, Casey, who said he enjoys “the cool occasional festivals” and farmers’ markets in the area, which take place four times weekly.

Casey also listed other positives of Vinohrady, such as having “lots of shops and restaurants, a good shopping mall (Atrium Flora), easy access to public transport, and a short walking distance to the center.” He also noted that Vinohrady has “easy access to cycling trails, nice parks, and hardly any tourists.”

Reader Alex praised Vinohrady in a very similar vein to Casey, noting that he was a fan of the frequent farmers’ markets, many restaurants and cafes, and the short distance to the city center. He did, however, agree with a previous reader by saying that “rent prices are too high.” He also criticized the sheer amount of dog mess in the area. 

Although 10 percent of you said this is your neighborhood, just three people commented about the area. Kaitlin, who describes herself as living in “Žižkohrady” (on the border of Vinohrady and Žižkov), appreciates her neighborhood’s character, family energy, and presence of local businesses. “If you go further into Žižkov you get a real sense of personality as well – the tree-lined streets are delightful," she said.

Reader James said that Žižkov was "more affordable than other districts close to the center," but also remarked it seemed dangerous at night due to some anti-social behavior. He, like Kaitlin, praised the area's "real character."

Theresa, who also lives in Žižkov, liked the "wide availability of pubs and social vibe" of the area, but found the hilliness of the area rather annoying! Similar to James, she at times felt unsafe in the area, especially when walking home alone.

This large and green district is home to 9 percent of people who voted in our poll. Pavla, who lives in Hodkovičky, said: “Living close to the river gives us a great opportunity for sports – running, biking, golf, tennis, and walking. Here it is cheaper than living in the city center, yet easily accessible by just one tram line.” 

Another reader, residing in the district of Libuš, said that their area “has excellent transport options” that will “soon be even better with a tram line extension and a new metro station on the upcoming D line.” The only drawback, they say, is the “lack of useful shops on the main street (Libušská).”

Despite receiving a sizable number of votes – over one in eight voters live here – not many people submitted their opinions about this part of Prague, which lies to the west. Those that did comment on the area had generally negative things to say.

Alois was particularly negative about the area. “Prague 5 is full of noisy alcoholics in the streets, people taking drugs, litter on the floor, unattended dogs leaving a mess, broken glass bottles, and general dirtiness,” he said. 

“Authorities do not seem to do anything about solving the situation. We call the police often, who attend the area for a few minutes then leave, after which the troublemakers return.” He damningly calls it Prague’s “worst neighborhood.”

Another reader who lives in Anděl similarly mentioned that the police “do nothing about homeless people and drug users.” Yet another reader said that they “love the location” of Prague 5, given its relative proximity to both Václav Havel Airport and the center, as well as having several green areas. However, they also had a few gripes. These were Prague 5 “not having enough dustbins” and too much graffiti in public and private areas.

On the other hand, Chris – who lives a few kilometers southwest of Anděl (in Radlická) – describes his area as “safe, relatively quiet with no tourists, and central enough.” He likes how he is just a few metro stops away from the very center of the capital.

Although just 8 percent of you said you lived in this part of Prague, this northwest area – the biggest district in Prague by land mass – drew among the highest amount of comments.

Describing the Prague 6 area, which encapsulates parts of Bubeneč, Střešovice, and Dejvice, reader Natalia had many positive things to say about the area. “I especially like how green it is,” she commented. 

“There are many parks in the area or very close by, like Divoká Šárka, Ladronka, Obora Hvězda, or Stromovka. I also like how well it is connected to all parts of the city – I live just 10 minutes away from Můstek, I have two tram lines, a night tram, and a bus nearby,” she remarked. 

“Even though there are a few busy roads here, the neighborhood is still very quiet and peaceful, and thanks to the architecture it makes a nice place for a walk. I wouldn’t swap Dejvice for any other part of Prague to live in,” Natalia concluded.

Nrup, also from Prague 6, commented on the relative proximity of major hospitals (such as the Military University Hospital – ÚVN – and Motol University Hospital). Echoing Natalia, he said that the area was “more spacious than other parts of the city” with “lots of parks and nature,” and that the slightly higher altitude brings nice views of the center.

He also commented that there was a “good amount of supermarkets” spread around and was a safe area. The drawbacks, however, include “the poor frequency of public transport at night” and “expensive rent,” according to Nrup.

Reader Dave lives in Břevnov, the majority of which is based in Prague 6. He commented on the good number of parks, and that it is “dog friendly, has a village-like feel with residents greeting each other on the streets, and has a low number of expats.” 

Oleksiy, who lives in Bubeneč – split between Prague 6 and Prague 7 – likes the good transport options, variety of cafes and restaurants, as well as there being “plenty of shops, a farmer’s market, lots of things to do with kids, and the proximity to Troja and Stromovka.” He also appreciates that there are fewer tourists in this area. 

However, there are some flaws of Bubeneč, he says. “What dog owners leave after their pets,” the difficulty of parking, low school-place availability, and large amounts of traffic on Korunovační Street and Letenské náměstí are some of the area’s negative sides. Oleksiy also says parking is quite difficult in Bubeneč.

This area, which includes Letná Park and the artsy Holešovice, drew generally positive responses. A total of 8 percent of respondents said they lived here.

“I live in the Letná area and I love it. It is a safe neighborhood. You have the best parks in Prague – Letná and Stromovka – and are surrounded by many cafes, restaurants, and bars. There are also various supermarkets and schools,” said Patty.

She also added the area is “close to the city center without being among the tourist crowd and is well-connected by public transport.”

Another reader gave similar views: “I am on Marina Island, so it is very quiet and does not have any crime.” They also said that “the area also has instant access to bike paths that will bring me down to Karlštejn or up towards Troja and beyond.”

Although less than 10 percent of readers said they lived here, this area – encompassing Karlín, Kobylisy, and Libeň – drew the second-most responses out of any area.

Nathan, who lives in Prague 8 and has been a Prague resident for over five years, had a lot to say about his area. He says that it provides “great access to the countryside and peaceful spaces such as Ďáblický haj and Čimický háj.” He also noted that the area provides a good opportunity to “escape the city with a quick hike.”

“There are some great restaurants, pubs, and fast food available around Prague 8. In general, the whole area still maintains a traditional Czech vibe with a good selection of independent stores and seasonal markets, at Ládví for example,” Nathan also commented. 

He likes how the whole of Prague 8 “is not too busy” and that plenty of public transport options are available to reach the center of Prague. He also likes the fact there are many parks, sports areas, skate parks, and even a BMX track in the neighborhood. Nathan does, however, see some negatives in Prague 8. He says that “the dog poo situation is insane” – an issue he encounters every day.

He also disapproves of graffiti in the area, which “looks nasty and can really bring the vibe of a place down, especially on nice buildings or public transport.” Also, "cycling north out of the city is very dangerous because there are no lanes leading to Zdiby, Ďáblický, or places around that area (except for next to the Vltava),” he adds.

He also believes a lot of sidewalks in Prague 8 could do with being renovated – particularly bicycle lanes, the placement of which he calls “random” and thus difficult to use in order to get to the city center.

The final negative point that he explains is the sheer number of people in Prague 8 “smoking at bus or tram stops.” The district should install more warnings and signs forbidding this, Nathan says.

Karlín is “very close to the center but without many tourists, safe, quiet, green, and has many shops and supermarkets available,” said one reader. Reader Amy liked how flat Karlín is, making it easy for walking, and appreciated the numerous (as well as fast) connections to the center. 

“It has lots of nice parks and access to the bike trail next to the river. I feel very safe, and it is very quiet during the day,” Amy added. She concluded by saying: “the only downside is that the rent prices are a bit high, but I’ve decided it’s worth the cost to be in such a great location.”

Ankit, who also lives in the area, also appreciated the good transport connections that Karlín offers, though believes that there should be bus services near to Křižíkova metro station. He also criticized the non-working wifi at the metro and tram station at Křižíkova.

Another reader who lives in the Prague 8 region of Libeň praised the “brilliant transport links,” proximity to the center, and the area’s cycle-path network (for example, along the Rokytka stream and Vltava). 

They also commented on Libeň’s “lovely architecture,” giving Libeň Castle as an example, interesting history, and the “great restaurants and cafes in the neighborhood,” citing the Palmkovka restaurant and EMA espresso bar. According to this reader, the “only real negative of Libeň is the amount of litter – especially beer cans and spirit bottles – in the area.”

Gabriella, who lives in the Kobylisy area, says: “The parks are very nice, however, there are many homeless and suspicious people in the area. This makes the neighborhood pretty unsafe – especially at night.”

Housing Prague’s O2 Arena, just 4 percent of people voted that they live in this northeast section of Prague, but it was generally rated positively by readers. Reader Justin who lives in Prosek said that the “location is a perfect distance out of the city center” to ensure quietness while maintaining relative closeness to the center. “Being close to the metro’s B and C lines means everywhere in the city is reachable,” he added. 

Amanda agreed with this saying that the area had “excellent transport connections,” and noting that Vysočany is a “safe, quiet neighborhood” with “affordable rent.” She interestingly pointed out that “lots of construction and residential developments” may well bring a lot more local businesses to the area.

Another advantage that Justin pointed out was being “close to a number of cycling routes,” although he did note that the area’s cycle network is disjointed. “It feels like a pretty safe area too,” he added. The disadvantages he mentioned were the amount of traffic and noise from passing vehicles. 

Home to the Vršovice neighborhood, this suburban part of the capital drew numerous responses, with 8 percent of you saying you live here.

Pavel said that Vršovice has “convenient public transport connections” and that it is “easy to get to any of the three metro lines, or pretty much anywhere in the city.” He also noted that it is a “nice, quiet, and clean neighborhood, with lots of shops and service points (such as banks or post offices) in close proximity, as well as parks and recreation areas.”

Speaking of Vršovice, reader Stefan commented on its “calmness and safety.” He also said there are “many restaurants and coffee places to choose from.” Stefan said Vršovice “generally has a very local vibe,” something he loves.

“There are lots of trees and parks in Vršovice and the best craft beer pubs in the world,” said Susan. Another reader, Ron, also commented on the presence of many parks in the area but said “the removal of trees and greenery at the Ruská tram stop” was a negative point.

Reader Matic echoes other Vršovice residents’ views, commending the fact there are “many parks nearby” and praising its high levels of safety. However, he had some gripes. “What I don't like is the cleanliness on the streets. Especially after the weekend, when things can get quite chaotic, there are many garbage cans, glass, and dog poop on the street,” Matic said.

Zeke, who lives in the area, also appreciates the fact that Vršovice is not “super touristy,” but still has access to everything. They particularly like Cafe Bar Pilotů in the neighborhood. 

A small fraction of respondents said they lived here. The one comment on the area, however, was positive. Mike, who lives in Újezd u Průhonic, said: “I like the safety of the area, school options, and the convenient transportation.” He also remarked that rent in the area is “a lot lower” than near the center and offers more value in terms of square meters.

Just 2 percent of readers said they lived in Prague 12, which is to the south of Prague, although they provided almost completely positive feedback about the area.

Jody, who lives in Modřany, describes the area as being “family-friendly” and affordable enough to buy an apartment over 100 square meters – something that would not be possible in the center. “The Modřanská rokle nature reserve and closeness to the Vltava River are perfect for when you have children,” she also commented.

She remarks that the area “has great and fast access to the center” and is “quiet at night.” The convenience of having shops such as Billa, dm-drogerie markt, and Teta on one square is also a big advantage, Jody wrote.

One downside to Modřany, she says, is the “cuisine culture” in the area, which suffers from a lack of diversity and choice. Jody used to live in Karlovo náměstí, an area she describes as having far more options. 

Erdem, who lives to the west of Modřany – in Kamýk – describes the area as having “a really chill neighborhood close to the office buildings in Chodov.” He mentions, though, that the construction of new tram lines on Novodvorská Street has disrupted traffic in Kamýk.

Everybody has different tastes and views – something well summarized in our survey. No district is perfect, but depending on your interests and priorities, one of these neighborhoods may be the perfect one for you.