Hradčany and the CastleHradčany

Where’s what, as a list:

• Old Town (Staré Město) (Staré Město): The square, the clock and the lanes around it: the busiest and most expensive part of the city, but the shortest walks. Choose a side street, not the square, and expect cobbles under a suitcase. Suits: First visit, walking to everything, short stays. Price band $$$.
• Josefov (Jewish Quarter) (Josefov): The old Jewish ghetto north of the square: six synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery, plus the Pařížská street shopping strip. Closed on Saturdays for the museum. Suits: History, a quiet hour, museum visitors.
• Malá Strana (Lesser Town) (Malá Strana): Baroque palaces and gardens below the castle, reached over the bridge. Calmer than the Old Town at night; hillier, with steps and tram noise on the main road. Suits: Quiet evenings, baroque streets, the castle climb.
• Hradčany and the Castle (Hradčany): The castle complex and the quiet square in front. It is a half-day visit, steep to reach: take tram 22 or a car up and walk down. Suits: Morning sightseers, views, cathedral and palace visits.
• New Town (Nové Město) (Nové Město): Founded in 1348 and now the business and shopping centre; Wenceslas Square is its spine. More affordable than the Old Town, with good metro links; the square itself is busy and a little rough after dark. Suits: Trains and metro, mid-range hotels, dining out. Price band $$.
• Vinohrady (Vinohrady): A leafy residential district east of the New Town with cafés, wine bars and the Náměstí Míru square. Metro line A and trams reach the centre in 10 minutes. Suits: Second visits, cafés, quiet residential streets.
• Vyšehrad (Vyšehrad): A hill fortress south of the New Town with a church, a cemetery and the best sunset view over the river. Metro C to Vyšehrad, or walk along the river. Suits: A quiet fort hill, river views, a half-day out.
• Holešovice and Letná (Holešovice): The former industrial district north of the river: the National Gallery's modern art building, a market hall and Letná Park's beer garden with a skyline view. Suits: Modern art, cafés, a park with a beer garden.
• Žižkov and Karlín (Žižkov): Žižkov has the TV tower and the densest pub streets; Karlín is a rebuilt riverside district with restaurants. Both are 10 to 15 minutes from the centre by tram. Suits: Late pubs, bars, a local feel.
• Sleep area New Town (Nové Město): suits Trains and metro, mid-range hotels, dining out, price band $$.
• Sleep area Old Town (Staré Město): suits First visit, walking to everything, short stays, price band $$$.
• Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG), 35–55 min by the usual route.