Is Žižkov a good place to stay in Prague?

Žižkov is a good base if you want cheap rooms, local pubs and a lived-in feel. It sits just east of the main station, so trams reach Wenceslas Square and the Old Town quickly, and Vinohrady's cafés are on its southern edge. It suits budget travellers, beer lovers and anyone who prefers neighbourhood life to tourist crowds.

The area is bohemian and down to earth. Streets like Bořivojova are packed with pubs serving cheap Czech beer and hearty food, the TV Tower has a viewing deck and restaurant high above the rooftops, and Vítkov hill has a park, a monument and wide views over the city. Kafka's grave lies in the New Jewish Cemetery at the eastern edge.

The downside is that Žižkov is rough around the edges. Some streets are scruffy, with graffiti and run-down buildings, the hills are steep, and the main sights need a tram ride. Pub streets can be loud late at night, and there are few smart hotels.

What makes Žižkov special is its pub culture and local character. You can climb Vítkov for views over the spires, eat a hearty Czech lunch in a smoky local, see the crawling babies on the TV Tower and end the night in a pub full of regulars, from a hotel that costs much less than one in the Old Town.