Prague Districts at a glance

Prague 2: The leafy suburb of Vinohrady is a favorite among expats for a trio of reasons: its proximity to the city center, its easy access to public transport, and its culinary offerings – here you´ll find streets jam-packed with trendy restaurants serving everything from sushi to tapas. The abundance of parks and green spaces also makes Vinohrady an attractive option for those with young children. Alas, as with all good things that are discovered by the masses, this area is becoming increasingly expensive.

Prague 4: Nestled on the Vltava River and dominated by the Braník and Podolí neighborhoods, this is Prague´s most residential, and, some say, safest district. Here outdoor pubs, parks, and Czech restaurants abound. Warm weather brings golfers to its courses and rollerbladers to its tree lined streets. The lack of a central metro hub may prove inconvenient but tram and bus connections are plentiful. The Pankrác and Budějovická areas have better public transport but aren´t quite as attractive as Braník or Podolí due to the looming communist style housing or paneláky. Two of the city´s largest international schools are located in Prague 4, giving the expatriate population a considerable boost.

Prague 6: Dejvice is similar to Vinohrady in expat popularity (Nebušice is especially favored by expats) and landscape. Rents are typically cheaper and pubs and eateries are decidedly more “Czech” in atmosphere. Prague 6 is an ideal place for families with many schools and parks nearby. Ořechovka and Hanspaulka are two of the nicest residential areas in the city, characterized by luxurious houses and villas. Public transport stops can be few and far between but, for families who can afford them – Prague 6 is home to many diplomats and ambassadors – these areas are nice places to nest.

Prague 8 & 9: Karlín in Prague 8 was the district worst hit by the 2002 floods but has experienced a brilliant renaissance thanks to the massive River City development, an office-building and luxury apartment complex. The stylized living spaces, cafés, and state-of-the-art gyms cropping up as a result of the development will continue to draw yuppie types while a strong presence of die-hard locals keeps the mix interesting. Kobylisy, Prosek, Ládví, and Letňany in Prague 9 are a good distance from the center, although Metro line “C” now extends to Letňany.