Stare Mesto Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Czech Republic showing a church or cathedral, heritage architecture and a square or plaza
Stare Mesto
Czech Republic which includes a river or creek, night scenes and a bridge
Astronomical Clock which includes a city and a square or plaza
Old Town Hall Tower which includes a square or plaza and a city

The geographical and historical heart of Prague, this UNESCO-listed district features a tangle of cobblestone streets lined by Baroque churches, palaces and houses.

Stare Mesto, Prague’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, is a storybook hub packed to the brim with historic churches, monuments and sights that cause snap-happy tourists to stop and take photographs. Dine while seated outdoors in colourful squares, wander the atmospheric lanes and see some of the city’s most iconic sights including the famous Astronomical Clock.

The history of Stare Mesto can be traced back to the 9th century, when traders travelling along the Vltava River would meet at this strategic location. Gradually, some traders began to settle here and a settlement sprung up around the banks of the river. The centre of the early settlement was the Old Town Square, which still retains an old-world atmosphere. Come here to see Prague’s fascinating Old Town Hall, where every hour, crowds gather to see the medieval Astronomical Clock’s mechanical statues perform a 45-second procession.

Also bordering the Old Town Hall is the Church of Our Lady Before Týn, whose eye-catching pair of Gothic spires are a defining feature of Prague’s skyline. During the build-up to the festive period, the square plays host to a charming Christmas market. If you have time, pause to soak up the enchanting atmosphere of the square. Sip a beer in one of the surrounding bars or restaurants, and watch as street entertainers put on a show for sightseers.

Explore the winding lanes that radiate out from the central square to encounter even more fascinating historic landmarks. Take a tour around the magnificent art nouveau-style Municipal House and survey the National Gallery’s impressive collection of art spanning the 13th to 16th centuries in the Gothic-style Convent of St. Agnes.

Don’t leave without visiting the Prague Jewish Museum. Set across six separate sites, including several synagogues, a ceremonial hall and the Jewish Cemetery, this enlightening museum chronicles the systematic oppression of Prague’s Jewish community over the centuries.

Stare Mesto sits along the east bank of the Vltava River. Access the area on foot via Charles Bridge or ride the metro to Staroměstská station.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Stare Mesto Hotel Deals

Hotel Bologna

Hotel Bologna

4 out of 5
Konviktska 263/5, Prague
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Prague. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (994 reviews)
"very good location"

Reviewed on 8 Oct 2025

Hotel Bologna
Unitas Residence

Unitas Residence

3 out of 5
Bartolomejská, 9, Prague, Hlavní mesto Praha
The price is AU$148 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$148
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Prague. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (419 reviews)
"Very close to everything, nice staff."

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

Unitas Residence
Hotel Leon D´Oro

Hotel Leon D´Oro

4 out of 5
Havelska 29, Prague
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Prague. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,252 reviews)
"This hotel was perfect. Greeted by a great front office, gave us information on things to do, in the heart of old town. We loved it an highly recommend everyone that goes to Prague to stay at this hotel"

Reviewed on 16 Oct 2025

Hotel Leon D´Oro
 Iron Gate Hotel & Suites Prague by BHG

Iron Gate Hotel & Suites Prague by BHG

5 out of 5
Michalska 19, Prague
The price is AU$184 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$184
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Prague. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
"Room was large and comfortable. Hotel was well appointed and offered a nice bar / restaurant. Shower setup was difficult to keep from getting the bathroom floor wet."

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2025

Iron Gate Hotel & Suites Prague by BHG
Unitas Hotel

Unitas Hotel

4 out of 5
Bartolomejska 9, Prague
The price is AU$264 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$264
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Prague. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (1,020 reviews)
"This hotel is new, nice, and clean. It's 5 minutes walk from the Old town square, which is the center of everything. It's room is huge and comfortable with high ceiling. Bathroom has big bath tub. I'm surprised with the room and bathroom size for a city in Europe. All staff was nice and helpful. ..."

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2025

Unitas Hotel
Grand Hotel Bohemia

Grand Hotel Bohemia

5 out of 5
Kralodvorska 4, Prague
The price is AU$191 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$191
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Prague. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,010 reviews)
"AC did not work, furniture was in not cleaned state, sewage system was a bid of clogged, washroom’s fan was not working. Everything has mentioned above had been reported on the first day and continued being unattended until checking out."

Reviewed on 15 Oct 2025

Grand Hotel Bohemia
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Stare Mesto

Prague featuring a city

Prague 1

4.5/5(37 area reviews)

Known for its popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Prague 1. Check out top attractions like Old Town Square and Prague Castle, and jump on the metro at Staromestska Station or Staroměstská Stop to see more of the city.

Prague 1
Charles Bridge which includes heritage elements, a bridge and a city

Prague City Center

Old Town Square and Prague Castle are top sights in Prague City Center, and you should be sure to explore the acclaimed art galleries. Hop aboard the metro at Karlovy Lázně Stop or Staroměstská Stop to see more sights in the area.

Prague City Center
Josefov showing heritage architecture

Josefov

4/5(11 area reviews)

Visitors often come to Josefov for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Jewish Town Hall and Old Jewish Cemetery. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at Staromestska Station.

Josefov
Mala Strana featuring a city and landscape views

Mala Strana

4.5/5(42 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Lesser Town Bridge Tower and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Mala Strana. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Malostranské Náměstí Stop or Hellichova Stop.

Mala Strana
Nove Mesto showing heritage elements, a city and railway items

Nové Město

4.5/5(111 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Charles Square to New Town Hall – discover Nové Město, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nové Město
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Petrská čtvrť

If you're spending time in Petrská čtvrť, check out sights like Palladium Shopping Centre or Royal Route and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Dlouhá třída Stop or Těšnov Stop.

Petrská čtvrť


Stare Mesto Travel Guide

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