Everyone knows that Prague is a backpacker mecca.
Situated in the heart of Europe, oozing character and charm, history and heritage, I’m not going to go on right now about why you should visit this gorgeous city.
Instead, I’m going to presume that you’ve already made the wise decision to go there and get right to the point – where should you stay in Prague?
Having hit up this city myself a number of times, I’ve certainly done the rounds of the many backpackers on offer here and can now bring you my list of the 5 best Prague hostels.
So read on to learn which one is going to be best for you, because believe me, there’s a heck of a lot to choose from!
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#1 Hostel Dakura
Honestly, Hostel Dakura has to be my pick of the bunch.
This wonderfully quirky, so-called “vintage” hostel, is situated in a historic building and awash with quaint artefacts and a feeling of having stepped back in time.
With a gorgeous garden situated at the back of the property, it’s the perfect place to stay during the summer in Prague, as relaxing on a hammock under the blue sky before or after you set out for a day’s sightseeing is the perfect way to get some downtime in this city too.
I also really liked the fact that Hostel Dakura was located outside of the city centre, in a very local feeling suburb called Dejvice, on the northwestern side of the river.
This gives travellers an amazing opportunity to see beyond the tourist façade of Prague and to experience a bit of “real Prague life” amidst all that world heritage grandeur.
Easily accessible via the metro and with some character-filled, authentic bars and cafes around, Hostel Dakura is an absolute winner in my book and definitely the best Prague hostel.
My stay in Hostel Dakura was sponsored, but as always, all views are my own.
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#2 Czech Inn
At the other end of the spectrum from Hostel Dakura, Czech Inn is a modern, slick hostel that is very much at the forefront of the new hipster hostels aka boutique backpackers.
Somewhere between contemporary design hotel, but with a hostel atmosphere including a bar and social ambience, Czech Inn is situated to the south of the city centre, again in a local-feeling suburb, this time called Vinohrady.
This Prague hostel has daily walking tours leaving from reception, otherwise just strolling around this area with its many cafes, restaurants, shops and bars is a great way to get a feel for this working city beyond the tourist crowds.
Housed in an original 19th century Art Nouveau building, Czech Inn oozes design features and has a good mix of accommodation – right from private ensuite rooms through to huge, shared bathroom dorms – there’s something here for everyone.
If you want design features, this is the best Prague hostel, but I did feel that, unlike Dakura Hostel, it lacked a little bit of independence and individual flair.
Nevertheless, it definitely remains a firm favourite on the backpacker circuit and is definitely worthy of a place on this list.
#3 Hostel Mango
Right in the centre of the action, just across from the iconic Charles Bridge, Hostel Mango is the best Prague hostel to stay in if you want to be in the heart of the action.
With some great friendly staff and a budget-travel atmosphere, all the rooms here are ensuite dorms, which means it definitely attracts a younger crowd who want restaurants, bars and cafes all on their doorstep.
A social place, there’s also a bar downstairs here, so for solo travellers Hostel Mango is a great central spot to meet other backpackers and to enjoy Prague’s nightlife to the fullest.
5 ESSENTIAL PACKING ITEMS FOR PRAGUE
#1 Good Camera – You will be pretty much snapping non-stop in Prague and will need a good camera to do this gorgeous city justice. I highly recommend the Sony A6000, which I use for all my travels and love, not least because it’s light, compact and robust!
#2 Good Walking Shoes – There will be a lot of walking in Prague, it’s as simple as that! Make sure your feet are comfortable therefore with a pair of New Balance Trainers. I love mine.
#3 Good Guidebook – I’m still a massive fan of the Lonely Planet Guidebooks and do think their Czech Republic edition is well put together and able to save you a lot of money if you want to learn about the history of this city, but not pay for a guide!
#4 Good Water Bottle – All the city sightseeing is thirsty work, so make sure you have a metal water bottle that you can refill as you go, because Prague tap water is drinkable… and free!
#5 Good Backpack – And to carry your water bottle, camera and guidebook, you’re going to need a decent backpack that will help you balance the weight as you walk the city streets. In my opinion you can’t go past the Bobby Anti Theft Backpack, which is also perfect for helping you avoid pickpockets too.
#4 Ahoy Hostel
Another centrally located Prague hostel, Ahoy Hostel is a great place if you’re looking to be in the heart of the action but with a slightly older crowd than that of Mango Hostel.
Just a 5 minute walk from Charles Bridge (but on the other side to Mango Hostel), these guys are situated on the 2nd floor of a historic building, which means security is good.
This is further aided by the 24hr reception and cosy atmosphere of the hostel, which means you’ll probably get to know just about everyone staying here – especially given those family-style dinners, pub crawls and free walking tours the hostel organises.
And with a guest kitchen and lounge area, Ahoy Hostel is also a cosy place to relax in the centre of the city as well as party if you want to.
Good to know this is also one of the closest hostels to the train station – just a 20 minute walk, which means you don’t even have to worry about the metro if you don’t want to.
And when it comes to tours and day trips in and around Prague, look no further than these great offerings from GetYour Guide, which have some of the best prices around!
#5 Hostel HOMEr
And last but not least, the 5th backpackers making it onto my list of the 5 best Prague hostels is Hostel HOMEr… and the name just about says it all!
This place really is your home away from home in the city, with a chilled atmosphere that is kind of unbelievable given this backpackers is just a stone’s throw from the historic city centre.
With a guest kitchen, 24hr reception, free wifi, lockers, linen, bag storage, cute terrace, great common area and even a hostel cinema it’s hard to better the facilities too, meaning this is definitely one of the best Prague hostels if you’re looking for a chilled spot in a central location.
And with dorm rooms and private rooms on offer, Hostel HOMEr is a good option for most types of backpackers, especially those who like things clean!
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So there you have it folks, my list of the best 5 Prague hostels.
Have you stayed in this great backpacker city?
Which one was your top Prague hostels when it came to budget accommodation?
