Hotels near Old Town Square

Old Town Square (Staromestske namesti) has been the civic centre of Prague since the 10th century, when it served as a marketplace at the crossroads of European trade routes. The square is ringed by architectural landmarks: the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Tyn with its distinctive twin spires, the Baroque St. Nicholas Church, the Rococo Kinsky Palace, and the medieval Old Town Hall. A monument to religious reformer Jan Hus stands at the centre, unveiled in 1915 on the 500th anniversary of his execution.

The square is free to access and filled with activity throughout the day - street musicians, cafe terraces, and seasonal markets (Christmas and Easter). The surrounding streets radiate outward in a medieval pattern, each offering a slightly different character. Celetna leads east toward Powder Tower, Parizska runs north through the luxury shopping strip toward the Jewish Quarter, and narrow lanes south lead to the river.

Pro Tip: Avoid eating at restaurants directly on the square - prices are double what you will find two blocks away. Walk down any side street and quality improves while cost drops. Lokale Dlouhaaaa on Dlouha street, a 5-minute walk north, serves excellent Czech food at local prices.