Prague 5 covers Smichov and the Andel area, the commercial district on the west bank of the Vltava directly south of Mala Strana. Andel is a modern transport hub with a metro station (Line B), tram connections in every direction, and the Novy Smichov shopping centre with over 130 shops and a multiplex cinema.
The riverside stretch has been redeveloped with modern apartments, hotels and restaurants, and the walk north along the Vltava into Mala Strana and across to the Old Town takes about 20 minutes. Strahov Monastery (with its famously ornate Baroque library) and the Petrin Hill lookout tower are both accessible from the western edge of the district.
Hotels in Prague 5 tend to be modern business-style properties at mid-range prices, well-connected and practical rather than charming. A good base for couples or families who want easy metro access without paying Prague 1 rates, and close enough to the castle district to walk there on a clear day.
For the full Prague travel guide, see our main Prague holidays page.
